Day 1
Welcome to Altai
After meeting at the airport you will travel to the capital of the republic of Altai — Gorno-Altaysk. Here the excursion to the National Museum of the Altai Republic is waiting for you. Among the most famous archaeological artifact there is the mummy of Siberian Ice Maiden, aslo known as the Princess of Ukok. It was discovered at the Ukok Plateau in ice burial mound near the border of Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan.
After the acquaintance with the museum exhibition you will move to Belokurihe, where you will check in a hotel and have dinner.
The route length — 130 km from Gorno-Altaysk or 380 km Barnaul by bus, 4 km on foot.
Day 2
Skiing at the Altai mountains resort
After breakfast you start the day with a visit the only woman blacksmith in all Siberia. She will tell you about her job and peculiarities of blacksmithing, after thet you will have a chance to try it by yourselves.
After lunch you will go skiing around the snow white lands. At the evening a master class of making traditional Russian dumplings is waiting for you. Then you will have dinner and make photos in national clothes.
The route length — 60 km by bus, 5 km on foot.
Day 3
The road to the Seminskiy mountain pass
Today you will travel further into the mountains, passing by snow white hills, seeing turquoise rivers and unfrozen lakes. You will make stops in the most picturesque places to admire this unique Altai landscapes.
During the lunch you will taste the local specialities. Then you will participate in a masterclass of making healthy Siberian herbal tea from local ingredients. In the evening you will arrive to the tourist base, located on the top of the Seminskiy mountain pass and gave dinner.
The route length — 230 km by bus, 7 km on foot.
Day 4
Along the Chuysky tract
Today you will travel to the Karakol valley along the famous Chuysky tract, which is in the top 10 of most beautiful roads in the world, according to National Geographic. Karakol Valley is considered as a sacred place by local people. There are hundreds of ancient archaeological sites, such as burial mounds and rock drawings of various historical ages. Even nowadays residents of the valley do ceremonies in the places of power and worship the spirits of Altai.
Accompanied by the local guide you will learn more about ancient traditions and rituals of Altai nomads. Lunch will be served in a traditional rural house of Altai people. Afterwards you will have a great chance to enjoy Altai throat singing concert. It is a unique cultural and esoteric tradition of Central Asia, which is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In the evening you will return to the base, have dinner and rest.
The route length — 40 km by bus, 8 km on foot.
Day 5
Snowmobiling to Sarlik Mount
After breakfast you will drive snowmobiles to Sarlik Mountain through snowy lands and mountain slopes. This is the highest point of the Seminsky mountain range (2507 m high). For lunch you will return to the base.
In the afternoon you will go skiing in the vicinity of the base enjoying amazing mountain landscapes. In the evening you will have dinner and visit the Russia banya (the local sauna with about +80 –100°C temperature).
The route length — 27 km by snowmobiles, 6 km on foot.
Day 6
In the sacred Karakol valley
In the morning you will continue travelling along the Chuyskiy trakt. On the way you will stop and walk to the Blue lakes, the small ponds on the bank of the Katun river, which does not freeze during winter time. The cold powerful springs hits at the bottom of the river. They give so much water, that the lake does not freeze at 40 degrees (Celsius) below zero.
In the evening you will arrive in the hotel, located on the bank of the Katun river, have dinner and visit a banya.
The route length — 200 km by bus, 10 km on foot.
Day 7
Along the bank of the Katun river
Today you will visit the picturesque mountain Chemal village. It is famous the steep rocky island of Patmos, connected to the river bank by a long suspension bridge. Here you will see the Orthodox Church of St. John the Evangelist, as well as an image of the Virgin and Child carved in the rock near the temple.
Walking by the “goat trail” along the Katun River’s stream you will head on to Chemal hydroelectric power station, built in 1935, near which “The White Fang” movie by Jack London’s novel was shot. At the end of the day a hiking route to the Che-Chkysh Valley of Spirits is waiting for you. Then you will return to the hotel and have dinner.
The route length — 80 km by bus, 12 km on foot.
Day 8
Departure
After breakfast in the morning you will depart form the hotel to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk and Barnaul.
