Altai: breathtaking valleys & lakes

Almost in the middle of Eurasia lies one of its lesser-known gems – the Altai mountains – a land of breathtaking landscapes where turquoise lakes reflect snowy mountains, whitewater rivers find their ways through majestic valleys and people live in peace with nature. Discover it in our 13 days nature trip!

Experience the beauty of the Altai mountains driving along one of the most beautiful roads in the world, walking through pristine valleys and hiking to stunning viewpoints. A special highlight of this trip is the collection of lakes you will discover. Every lake has its own charm and beauty and differs from the previous.

Observe diverse wildlife visiting the Sailugem national park, checking camera traps and search for animals’ marks under guidance of the park rangers. There is a great chance to see marmots, ground squirrels, argali (mountain sheep), ibex (mountain goat), vultures and eagles. Moreover, Altai is home to elusive snow leopards and manuls.

Immerse yourself in the heritage of the region – a melting pot of cultures for over 3,000 years – exploring ancient stone circles, menhirs, megalithic complexes, numerous petroglyphs and rock carvings.

Meet the Altaian culture and traditions having homestays and visiting homes of welcoming local families. In various encounters you get acquainted with rituals and beliefs of the local people and how they retain them while adapting to contemporary life.

Join our expedition into the heart of Siberia’s untouched wilderness!

The first and the last night of our nature tour we will stay in a hotel in Gorno-Altaisk. During the trip we will stay in guesthouses and national ayils (wooden round houses). As we travel in remote and wild areas, it can be possible that there are only 2 or 3 houses with 3-5 beds in each. So, be ready to share a room with 2-4 new friends. For washing you will be able to use a Russian banya (sauna) every evening. The toilet in some places is a type of pit latrine.

Your level of fitness has to be moderate, most places are easy to reach, but some of the fantastic viewings points are only reachable after hiking up a mountain.

3 meals a day, prepared by our cook. Some days we will visit local cafes. Usually for breakfast we have milk porridge /scrambled eggs/ cottage cheese/ pancakes and other snacks, for lunch – sandwiches (bread, cheese, sausages, jams, butter, vegetables and so on), for dinner – a salad and a hot meat dish. Drinks – black and green tea, instant coffee.

August temperature range: +10 °C to +25 °C.
Keep in mind that the temperature during the night can occasionally drop below zero. Rainy days are possible.

We use specially prepared 4WD cars, one of them is a legendary Russian 4WD UAZ Bukhanka (Loaf). This car was not designed for comfort, but it is able to overcome any off-road obstacle and can be repaired in every village. We have upgraded the salon and installed modern seats for our guests.

Fee: 1.649 EURO from Gorno-Altaisk, Republic of Altai.
Deposit: 400 EURO per person

Included in the trip fee:

• Accommodations (hotel, guesthouses, ayils)
• All meals (3 meals a day)
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Transport (by car)
• English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees for places to visit, excursions
• Invitation letter for visa

Not included in the trip fee:

• All flights
• Insurance (travel, cancellation, health)
• Personal items (souvenirs and other personal things you want to buy)
• Visa for Russia (passport should be valid 6 months after the end of your trip)
• Sleeping bag, although there are blankets in the houses it is recommended to use a sleeping bag. (In case it will be difficult to bring your own, you can rent one of us for an additional fee of 20 euro)
• Alcoholic drinks