
Group size: min. 2 people. No age limit. Children under 18 years must be accompanied by adults
The Best of Altai Tour is a smorgasbord of celestial nature, centuries-old history and cultural gems scattered throughout Russia’s Altai Mountains, known for their pristine and mysterious nature. Come explore the gorgeous Patmos Island, Che-Chkysh Canyon and Teletskoe Lake, the largest in the region. Bask in the beauty of Korbu and Chedor Waterfalls at Altai Nature Biospherre Reserve, plunge into a labyrinth of caves and visit villages to taste national food and see local life firsthand. From arboretums to apiaries to art galleries, The Best of Altai Tour is as unforgettable as it is diverse.
Tour itinerary:
Option «SUNNY»: excursion along Chemalskiy tract (90 km) to the island of Patmos – the most beautiful place in the Altai Mountains. The only way to the island is the pendant bridge connecting the cliffs of the island with the bank of the Katun. On the island itself was restored a temple in honor of John the Theologian and the cell of St. Macarius of Altai. Behind the cell there is a rock with the face of the Mother of God. Be sure to follow the winding «goat path» that will lead you to the confluence of rivers and the Chemal mini –hydroelectric power station. Dizzying views of the water and mountains will inspire you for many photo shoots.
Driving up to the Che–Chkysh boundary (30 km), where in ancient times the Altaians prayed to their gods, asked for help, cure from ailments and the birth of children. A rocky canyon with a waterfall and petroglyphs is a place with strong energy. During the excursion, you will see the «stream of health» and the waterfall, find petroglyphs on the rocks and go up to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent panorama of the valley below and the beautiful Katun. Photostop on the left bank of the Katun for the «Dragon's Teeth».
Option «RAINING»: an excursion to the museum-gallery of G.I. Choros–Gurkin in the village Anos (30 km) (entrance ticket, extra charge). This house used to be the workshop of the famous Altaian artist and ethnographer, graduate of the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, student of Shishkin. Choros-Gurkin is the author of such famous paintings as «Khan Altai», «Lake of Mountain Spirits», «Crown of Katun». And in the museum-gallery you will get acquainted with reproductions of his works. Driving to the village of Askat (7 km) – a «craftsmen village», which has a reputation as the most bohemian and atmospheric place in Altai. Magicians, yogis, Hare Krishnaites, Buddhists, artists and artisans who have settled in the village since the 90s make Shaman's drums, clay ocarinas and magic wands for sale. The talented artist Tarakay and the family of distinctive creators Golovan have been the attraction of Askat for many years. Artists and craftsmen in clay, wood, metal exhibit their works in the craftsmen bazaar, in the gallery «Strela Sartakpaya», the souvenir shop «Bai Terek», where you can buy unusual folk art products, outlandish musical instruments (tambourines, flutes, rattles, «singing» Bowls, steel tongue drums) and listen to stories about traditions and crafts. Transfer Askat – Barangol (25 km).
Optional: refreshing moto-rafting along the Katun (extra charge) with a visit to the Kamyshlinsky Waterfall – formed on the Kamyshla River, which consists of two cascades 12 m high. Moto – rafting, like any rafting, allows you to look at the banks of the river and mountains from an unusual angle, furthermore you will get an emotional «splash – charge». Transfer Barangol – tourist complex (40 km). Dinner.
On foot – 4 km, auto – 240 km
Visiting Tavdinsky caves (entrance ticket, extra charge). Tavdinsky caves, coves, grottoes, arches – is the cave complex, where several dozen caves are connected to each other, forming a large interconnected system, in which it is easy to get lost. At different times they served as housing for ancient people. During excavations pottery and other archaeological finds from the Iron and Bronze Ages were found there. We will continue our walk to the observation deck near the majestic monument of Nicholas Roerich and the ancient grotto of Ichthyander. A photostop with the view of the picturesque Katun River, tirelessly seething with its turquoise waves.
Excursion to the apiary, where you can not only taste, but also purchase the famous Altaian honey, propolis, mead, honeycomb, bee bread, royal jelly and other beekeeping products. The impression of the day is a wellness relaxing sleep on the hives. Closing your eyes, you will feel the monotonous vibration of a bee swarm, the pacifying buzzing of bees, the smell of honey, honeycomb and something else elusively pleasant. Transfer Biryuzovaya Katun – Teletskoye Lake (200 km) - the largest lake in Altai and one of the largest lakes in Russia. The maximum depth is about 330 meters, the length is 78.6 km, and the average width is 2.89 km. Many rivers and streams flow into the lake, and only Biya flows out. An amazing phenomenon here is the cloud theater. Due to the microclimate you can see frequent and spectacular change of clouds, fog, rainy shroud and sunbeams among the clouds. Atmospheric phenomena and clouds over the lake are dynamic and swift passing, just like actions in a play. Accommodation. Visiting Ethno – Ail in the village Artybash (optional, extra charge). We will hear a story about the customs and traditions of the Altaians, taste local cuisine: chegen – a fermented milk drink made from cow's milk with rennet extract; Altaian cheese kurut - smoked cheese made from chegen; boorsok (Altaian donuts) with honey – a traditional dessert of nomadic cattle herders; a national alcoholic drink – Altaian araky (milk wine); smoked maral meat; traditional tea with milk, salt, talkan (barley flour) and melted butter; Altaian candy made from talkan – chok–chok. Dinner.
On foot – 3 km, auto – 220 kм
Optional: rafting along the river Biya (extra charge).
Dinner.
On foot – 3 km, auto – 20 km
Photostop and «border control» on the pendant pedestrian Aisky bridge, where you will sensate this breathtaking feeling not only from the magnificent view of the seething river, but also from the soft weightlessness over the water. Photostop on the Biryuksinsky pass – a low pass from which opens a picturesque panorama of Altaian Tuscany. From the eastern side you will see mixed woodland, and from the western side the pass is buried in lush Siberian verdure. According to local beliefs the top point of the pass is considered to be a «place of power».
Visit to the arboretum park «Altaiskoye Kholmogorye» (entrance ticket, extra charge). This is an arboretum park with a rich collection of exotic herbs, deciduous and coniferous shrubs, medicinal plants used for the manufacture of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. Botanists, landscape designers and gardeners, photographers and even estheticians will find here their favorite corner.
Gastro-botanic-dinner «New Altaian cuisine» or just gastro–botany «a–la Altai» is a modern culinary trend popular in Altai. Here traditional dishes with the addition of wild plants and medicinal herbs acquire new tastes, aromas and properties. Salads, soups, balsams, tea and meat with Altaian herbs are already well–known brands. But as for burdock soup, green dumplings with nettles or champagne from birch juice – this exotic you can taste only in Altai itself. The use of Altaian herbs in the most unexpected combinations will add gastronomic pleasures and delight. You will for sure discover new dimension of taste, because in the menu of your gastro–phyto-dinner are: taiga soup, kundyubki and chaga–dessert.
Transfer Altaiskoye – Belokurikha (60 km). Healing air and thermal waters are the main asset of the resort town, as well as terrenkurs and springwaters. Accommodation.
On foot – 4 km, auto – 340 km
Optional: visit to the wellness center or a pool with a thermal complex – a swimming pool with water attractions (hydromassages, air massage plateau, cascade showers, geysers, countercurrents, fast and slow river zones), children's area, aqua aerobics, SPA, hammam, Finnish sauna, Roman thermal baths, Russian sauna (extra charge – starting from 1000 rubles per person).
On foot – 3 km, auto – 80 km
Transfer Belokurikha – Biysk - Barnaul (230 km). Biysk is a city built under the decree of Peter the Great. Now Biysk has the status of a Science City, known for progressive inventions, and merchant business of the 18th – 19th centuries. Biysk also played a leading role in the sphere of Orthodoxy in Altai. Here you will see the Uspensky cathedral church in the traditional Russian – Byzantine style and an atmospheric street with merchant architecture.
City – tour around the old city of Barnaul, during which you will learn about a mountain city in which there are no mountains, about world progressive inventions, about Europeans, who arrived to Barnaul and turned into Russians. You will hear legends hidden in the historic streets. The end of the excursion will be a visit to the Museum «Gornaya Apteka», where you will learn the most effective methods of herbal treatment in the XVIII – XXI centuries.
Gornaya Apteka is also a restaurant and a shop of souvenirs and gifts from Altai. Here you can find not only authentic handicrafts made by craftsmen on wood, metal, painting, but also products for health and beauty based on Altaian herbs, exclusive gift sets, teas, balms so called Altaian «goodies». The end of The Best of Altai Tour at 20.00 (local time).
On foot – 3 km, auto – 230 km
Accommodation:
City |
Hotels |
Lower Katun area |
Yurt camping «Altayskoe Kochevye», «Manzherok», complex «Altai – rest», hotel «Solnechnaya» |
Lake Teletskoye area |
Camping «Istok», tourist center «Gornoye Ozero», hotel «Artybash» |
Belokurikha resort |
Hotel «Neo», hotel «Orion» |
Attention! Twin beds are not guaranteed. Triple occupancy – by request.
- Transport services from Barnaul during the whole tour on a comfortable bus;
- Accommodation in DBL room in hotels and tourist complexes: standard room with private facilities (shower, WC);
- H/B;
- Excursions according to the program;
- Insurance;
- Guide.
- Resort fee in Belokurikha (50 RUR/person/day);
- Museum entrance tickets (150 – 400 RUR/person);
- Recreation fee (100 RUR/person);
- Cable lift tickets (450 – 600 RUR/person);
- Wellness center (from 1000 RUR/person);
- Russian sauna (from 500 RUR/hour);
- Additional food (lunch);
- Additional excursions (from 500 RUR/person);
- Private expenses;
- Transport from Gorno – Altaysk airport (from 4000 rubles per car).
Note: The Company reserves the right to change the schedule without changing the scope of services provided. The duration of the individual elements of tour program may change on the eve of departure and during the course of the tour. Elements of the tour program that depend on weather and climatic conditions and actions of services and organizations (road, local administration, etc.), which are beyond the control of the organizer, can be excluded from the program, based on the real situation on the route.
Attention! In case tourists are late or fail to show up at the meeting place of the group at the scheduled time, the Company is not responsible for the full implementation of the program and the cost of this excursion day will not be refunded. Recommended flights on the Moscow – Barnaul route: S7 (S72601) – estimated arrival time – 06:55, Pobeda (DP-6531) – estimated arrival time 05:00. When visiting active monasteries and temples, women should avoid wearing trousers and shorts. A headdress is required. Pensioners, beneficiaries! Do not forget your pension certificate and other proof of your benefits! In order to strengthen the control of measures to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID – 19) and its prevention at crowded tourist sites, it is necessary to have personal respiratory protection with you. Moreover, be aware that some of the objects in the Altai region suspend the admission of visitors until a certain order.
Recommended clothing: waterproof jacket; windbreaker or raincoat; two trousers – tight and light; a jacket made of thick fleece or a warm woolen sweater; light sweater or jacket; shorts; cotton t-shirts; headdress; sunglasses and cream; thermal underwear; hiking shoes – hiking boots or sneakers made of thick material; light shoes – sneakers or sandals; rafting shoes – light sneakers or neoprene slippers; socks; swimsuit; slippers for bath and home; personal hygiene items and a first aid kit.
Important information: Despite the fact that in recent years there have been NO cases of tick – borne encephalitis among tourists, the Altai region is an area where ticks and snakes are found. Please observe safety measures and anti – tick protection and have tickicide repellents (ointments, gels) with you.