ADVENTURE / ALTAI On a nomadic trail
ALTAI
On a nomadic trail
- Horse riding along spectacular mountain ridges of Altai -
8 days / 7 nights
In this horse-riding itinerary you will discover true Altai - a country inhabited by nomad descendents, a gorgeous land of dramatic blue mountains, powerful whitewater rivers, picturesque lakes and valleys lit by a multitude of flowers. You will have a truly enjoyable horse riding experience in most remote areas of Altai. Through the cedar woods, on the rocky trails, past the lovely lakes, along the impressive canyons, across bright Alpine meadows… Pause in respect to the mountain spirits, feel the Nature. Sacrifice a bit of conventional comfort and explore the spectacular wilderness of Altai!
Tour type: horse riding (no vehicle support!)
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Group size: 8-12 pax
Length: 100 km horse riding, 820 km auto
Recommendations: vaccination againsttick-borne encephalitis for those traveling in June
Itinerary:
Day 1 | Early morning arrival in Barnaul from Moscow by a night flight, meeting by the local guide. Breakfast in a café and a start of the long journey by mini-van to the starting point of our horse riding itinerary – towards the Altai taiga forests and mountain peaks (6 hrs). Stop on the way to buy a snack of your choice for lunch. Arrival at the Biika River, setting up a tent camp on the river bank. Those wishing can venture dipping into the river’s cool waters. Dinner cooked in camping conditions, evening of acquaintances around the campfire. Overnight in tents. Day distance auto: 410 km, 6 hrs |
Day 2 | Meeting your horse, safety briefing. Packing and loading the luggage bags (archemaks) on the horses. An easy riding trip to get to know your horse. Leave the birch wood and head for the Tyasch-Mesch (Young Cedar) Fold – towards the mountains and real cedar forest. Help the groom with taking care of your horse and setting a tent camp. Day distance horse riding: 12 km, 4 hrs Breakfast, lunch as a snack, dinner cooked over campfire (BLD). Overnight in tents. |
Day 3 | Enjoy an unhurried ride along the ridge of the Kuminsky mountain range with an excellent view of the Iolgo ridge and snow-capped Sarlyk (“Wild Yak”) peak. Go down the hill to the Kush (“Bird”) river and up again to its mouth. After lunch we follow the trail to the Shaman Valley, a beautiful place worshipped by shamans who used to held rites in honour of Altai spirits and meditations there. Setting a tent camp in the Alpine meadows of the Kyzylgak valley, at the foothill of the Taman-Azhu pass. Day distance horse riding: 15 km, 6 hrs. BLD. Overnight in tents |
Day 4 | Ride on a rocky trail to the Taman-Azhu pass (“Rough Path”) and stop at the obo site where stones are put together in pyramids for the Spirit of the Pass. Breath-taking mountains are just in front of us. Go down on the other side of the pass in the canyon Kara-Irbak, past the first mountain lake on our way. We reach the source of the Chemal river. Further we will encounter the Toguskol valley with its warm picturesque lakes where you can bathe. Set up a camp next to the Toguskol river. Day distance horse riding: 20 km, 6 hrs. BLD. Overnight in tents |
Day 5 | Continue the ride at a height of 2000m. Under our feet the Malaya Sumulta river is gurgling through the canyon, while we are following the trail passing by 2 small but lovely mountain lakes and the Dead Canyon. We reach the fairy-like Manas Lake surrounded by the rocks where edelweiss blossom. Its water is warm, so one can swim. Continue to the Alpine meadows of Aksas and discover on the way The Watch Towers of the lake made of impressive stones. Stop for overnight at a gorgeous place – at the foothill of the snow-covered Bare Mountains, above the ridges covered by dense forest. Day distance horse riding: 25 km, 5hrs. BLD. Overnight in tents |
Day 6 | The last day of our horseback trip – a longest ride through an amazing landscape. In front of us, in the midst of bare rocks, lies a vast Alpine meadow Ales stretching for 7 km. We head straight across the meadow to the Kuzhoy Fold (where we stop for lunch) and further along the fields and shores of the Katun River towards the main camp. Dinner, Russian banya and farewell campfire. Overnight in tents. Day distance horse riding: 40 km, 7hrs. |
Day 7 | Late breakfast. Say good-bye to the Altai mountains and depart by minivan for Barnaul (410 km, 6-7 hrs) with a stop on the way for a snack. Arrival in Barnaul and check-in at a hotel. Free time to walk in the evening city, dinner at your own expense, overnight. |
Day 8 | Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and departure by flight to Moscow. |
The Tour Operator reserves the right to introduce alterations to the itinerary due to weather conditions or other factors out of control by the Tour operator.
TOUR PRICE per person, summer 2008:
EUR 715 (groups of 8+)
- valid for own groups of a tour operator / travel agent for standard departure dates (8 pax or more).
- in case of foreign individuals in Russian groups for standard departure dates, the price is EUR 520 + extra-charge for a guide-interpreter (EUR 590 split between foreign participants in a particular group). Pls send an inquiry
The price includes: horses and riding gear; hire of necessary camping equipment (tents Loop, tourist mats, sleeping bags if required); transfers; meals as specified in the itinerary; accommodation in tents and 1 night twin-basis in Barnaul hotel; “tourist sauna” arranged on the shore on request of tourists during active part of the tour and 1 Russian banya in the main camp; personnel (a Russian-speaking instructor, driver, accompanying language-speaking person); insurance.
The price does not include: airfare, spirits, breakfast and lunch on Day 1, lunch and dinner on Day 7
Departure dates in 2008:
Upon request for your own groups
