Itinerary

1. Acquaintance with Altai

   • Arrive at the airport (or railway station), and transfer to the Katun River Valley. Distance and duration of the transfer depend on the airport of arrival. From Gorno-Altaisk, it will take approximately 40-60 minutes by car (160 km), the distance from Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaisk is 450 km (6-7 hours by car), and from Barnaul to Gorno-Altaisk - 260 km (4 hours).

   Accommodation in the hotel and rest.

   Arrival and Accommodation

2. Klondike of Altai

   Excursion to Chemal and a workshop in Askat craftsmen village

   • Today travel to the village of Chemal - the famous mountain resort of Altai. This is the warmest place in the Altai mountains. You can even taste some fruits growing here. The mountain air of Chemal is saturated with needful elements for human’s health, in this regard so many travellers come here every year.

   • Visit the famous Patmos Island, and the Orthodox Church of St. John the Evangelist.

   • Have a hiking excursion to Chemal Hydroelectric Power Station - a cultural and historical monument. Walking by the goat trails along the Katun River's stream and you will be surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Bespeltek Mountains. So many artists and writers have been inspired by this place. The creators who were in love with Altai are Choros-Gurkin - professional artist and student of Ivan Shishkin; Nikolai Rubtsov – the Soviet poet; Alexander Zguridi – the film director who shot in Chemal the famous pic "White Fang" and the American Klondike.

   • After lunch, visit Askat craftsmen village. Each resident of this place has it’s own personality and talents. Get acquainted with artists, potters, blacksmiths. You will visit their houses will be able to try ourselves at crafts and arts.

3. The Taming of the Shrew

   Rafting on the Katun River (or moto-rafting) and a visiting the maral farm

   • An exciting adventure awaits you after breakfast.

   • Enjoy rafting on a mountain river with overcoming simple rapids. During the rafting, you will make a stop and visit the Kamyshlinskiy waterfall.

   • In the afternoon, go to the maral farm, where you will be offered lunch. It’s a unique opportunity to taste the dishes with maral meat (vegetarians will be offered a special menu).

   • After the lunchtime, go for a farm tour. Altai MaralBioproducts is a visit card of Altai. Young horns of maral (Siberian deer) have been used in medicine since the days of ancient China. You will see the marals and get aquatinted with the secrets of its breeding and how the antlers are harvested.

4. Visiting shamans

   Tour of the Karakol Valley (archaeological and ethnographic program)

   • The journey along the Chuysky tract – the most beautiful road in Russia – is awaiting you today.

   • See the Seminsky Mountain Pass (1717 m) where Siberian pine tree taiga grows, when you will get into the sacred Karakol valley. From ancient times to the present days, Karakol valley is considered to be "The Heart of Altai". The residents of local villages cherish the traditions carefully and will acquaint you with the customs of Altai folks. They will also invite you to visit their national home. Excursion to places of power is in the program afterwards. The Karakol Valley preserves the secrets of the ancient peoples of Altai: there are hundreds of ancient archaeological sites, such as burial mounds, rock drawings, stone steles of various historical ages. Many artifacts from the valleys are exposed in Hermitage Museum now.

   • At the end of the day, you are invited to the Altai throat singing concert - a unique cultural and esoteric tradition of Central Asia, which is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

5. Turquoise Katun

   Cableway, Tavdinsky caves and apiary

   • In the morning, make a trip along the longest chairlift in Siberia to the top of Malaya Sinyukha Mountain to enjoy a wonderful panorama of the Katun River Valley.

   • Next aim is the complex of Tavdinsky caves.

   • At the end of the day, visit the apiary in the foothills of Altai to learn about the secrets of beekeeping. The most courageous will be able to look into the hive and touch the bees.

6. Valley of the Mountain Spirits

   Hiking along a mountain gorge and horse riding

   • The main purpose of the day is a visit to the Che-Chkysh gorge, where, according to ancient legends, shamans used to gather to convey esoteric traditions.

   • Climb to the spring with healing waters and will find a small waterfall and a group of cave paintings.

   • At the end of the walk, you will reach the observation deck to admire the Katun River Valley from a bird's eye view.

   • In the afternoon, you are offered to join a 3-hour horse ride through the mountains.

7. Farewell to Altai

   • Take the car transfer to the airports of Barnaul or Novosibirsk.

   • Enjoy a city tour with accommodation at the hotel in Barnaul or Novosibirsk.

   • For those who are departing from Gorno-Altaisk - a day of rest in the hotel where you have been living during the tour.

8. Departure to Moscow

   • Fly to Moscow or any other city.