Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

10 more

Winter Katun is a unique tour that allows you to immerse yourself in the fabulous nature of Altai.

This tour includes a visit to the picturesque mountain landscapes on all days of the program, accessible attractions, a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the Altai nature.

Accommodation is organized in warm rooms of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik", which is located at the foot of Mount Cherepan.

Location

Gorno-Altaysk / Manzherok village

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Ascent to the observation deck

We will have a magnificent view of the Katun River valley, mountain ranges and the village of Manzherok

Blue Lakes

We will see the "Eyes of Katun", those who wish can swim, and then warm up in a hiking bath on the lake shore

The frozen Kamyshlinsky waterfall

Let's take a walk through the winter forest, where there is a trail that will lead us to an ice waterfall.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Check-in. Manzherok Ski Lift tour
Meeting at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk, the meeting time is determined and announced on the eve of the arrival day, based on the flight data of all group members arriving on the routes.
Transfer to the eco-hotel Taezhnik, meet the guide.
Breakfast at the restaurant for those who arrived at the Taiga no later than 10:45 a.m., check-in to the rooms as the room is cleaned.
Free time before lunch.
Gathering of the entire group, including those who arrive on their own or from Barnaul.
Lunch from 13:00 to 14:00 (additional charge).
After lunch, an excursion to the Manzherok all–season resort.
The price of the tour includes 1 guided climb to the observation deck on Malaya Sinyukha Mountain.
The observation deck offers views of the Katun River Valley, mountain ranges and the village of Manzherok.
For an additional fee, you can try your hand at winter sports such as snowboarding, downhill skiing, skiing, as well as snow tubing, snowmobiling, and any other services provided by VK Manzherok, including equipment rental.
18:00 Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the cafe.

1 more photo
Day 2 - Excursion to Askat village to the Blue lakes of Katuni and Patmos Island
Breakfast in the restaurant "Taezhnik" from 08:30 to 09:30.
At 09:45 departure for an excursion to the Blue Lakes, otherwise they are also called the eyes of Katun.
These are seasonally formed lakes in the Katun riverbed, which have a depth of up to 17 m, clear water and a blue hue.
We take a minibus to the village of Askat, then walk through the pine forest to the Blue Lakes, breathe the clean mountain air, and enjoy the beauty of the winter forest.
We reach the lakes, those who wish can swim, during the New Year holidays there is a hiking sauna on the lake, where you can warm up after swimming.
Transfer to Chemal village.
Lunch stop (self-paid).
Visit the bridge that leads to the island of Patmos.
Goat trail.
Return to the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
Dinner at the cafe.

1 more photo
Day 3 - Kamyshlinsky waterfall. The Tavda caves. Monument to Roerich
Breakfast at the hotel.
On this day you will see the winter wonders created by nature.
The first stop is in Barangol village.
Photo shoot on the suspension bridge over the Katun River.
The bridge guides travelers into the winter forest, where there is a trail that will lead you to an icy waterfall.
Stop for lunch at a cafe (extra charge).
Transfer to the Altai Territory.
Visit to the Tavda caves complex.
Walking tour to the eco-trail to the Roerich Monument overlooking the Katun River.
Return to the hotel.

1 more photo
Day 4 - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel or lunch boxes.
Room release.
Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The route is easy, suitable for everyone, including children from 6 years old.

The presence of warm clothes is mandatory.

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in the eco-hotel “Taezhnik”, rooms of the category “standard +".

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

Triple room (for one request only)	Double room (possible check-in)	Single room
51 000	53 000	69 500

The Taezhnik Hotel is located at the foot of Mount Cherepan, next to the Chui tract near the village of Manzherok.

Comfortable rooms in detached cottages (A-form). In the room: double or two 1.5 double beds, full bathroom, towels, free Wi-Fi, TV. Gel, shampoo, toothpaste, slippers. Heating underfloor heating plus a heater.

1 more photo

Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Gorno-Altaysk / Manzherok village

Included in price

accommodation in heated Standard rooms+;
breakfasts and dinners;
The guide's job;
guided tours and fees according to the program;
transportation by minibus;
accident insurance and medical insurance;
delivery from GA airport in a group format is provided free of charge, any other type of delivery is at an additional cost, the fare is set by the carrier.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk and back;
delivery from anywhere, or in any other way, except for a group transfer from/to the airport.
lunches;
additional services not included in the tour program, including the services of the Manzherok all-season resort, are not included in the tour program.

It's important to know

documents (passport and MHI policy);
underwear (comfortable, preferably cotton) and thermal underwear (warm, multi-layered);
woolen and synthetic WARM socks (several pairs);
warm sweater (woolen, woolen or fleece);
insulated trousers (not restricting movements.), ski trousers are suitable;
insulated jacket or down jacket, you can use a ski jacket (on sintepon, down, etc., not blown. Remember, the temperature can drop to -35 at night and -25 during the day, so the jacket should be warm);
the shoes are warm and loose (not summer mesh sneakers);
hat, scarf and gloves (warm and not draughty, + hood);
clothes for home and sleep. (T-shirts\vests, tights\leggings);
sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, in winter in the Altai Mountains, when the sun is shining, you can get burned);
personal hygiene products;
individual first-aid kit (the guide will have a general first-aid kit, take personal medicines with you if there are indications for taking specific drugs);
video or photo camera (with a case on a sturdy belt and an additional rope).

Dates and Prices

$660

1 – 4 Nov 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$660

2 – 5 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$660

5 – 8 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$660

8 – 11 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$660

20 – 23 Feb, 2026 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now

Reviews

Y
Yulia

about provider

12 May, 2025

Everything was top-notch! Thank you! We'll definitely recommend it to all our friends and family!
D
Dmitry

about provider

6 May, 2025

The start of the trip was slightly marred by a last-minute change to the tour itinerary, literally the day before departure. It wasn’t a major issue, especially since this was our first visit to Altai. Still, I would have preferred to receive exactly what was outlined in the original agreement.

6 more photos
V
Vyacheslav

about provider

28 Apr, 2025

I had contact with only a few people during the organization process: the Big Country guides and the managers. I have no complaints about the local guides — they were young, cheerful, and did a fantastic job. However, on the part of Big Country, there were significant delays in responding to questions (sometimes 1–2 days). Fortunately, this didn’t have a major impact on the trip itself, but next time it could become an issue... please work on improving your response time.

1 more photo

Winter Katun. Holidays in Altai