The expedition “Altai – Golden Mountains”

Destination: trans-border, circling Altai mountain system, territories of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan 

Length: 23 nights\24 days

Type and level: adventure, extreme

Vehicle Type: Japanese jeep

Accommodation: hotel, tourist camp, camping, alpinist camp, ger camp, tent.

Total driving: 5000 km.

Season: September 03 - September 26

Day 1

Professional team will greet you at the international airport of Barnaul or Novosibirsk and transfer to the four-star hotel “Belovodie” in Belokurikha.

Belokurikha is a federal resort city located on a spurs of the Chergiyski ridge at the elevation of 250m above sea level, in the valley of a beautiful mountain river Belokurikha. In the South the resort is surrounded by high mountains with fantastic granite rock formations. Belokurikha competes with the Crimea and the Caucasus in the quantity of sunny days. The fresh air of Belokurikha is often compared with Swiss Davos.

The territory of Belokurikha resort exeeds 400 hectares. Numerous sanatoriums, comfortable hotels and medical centers are situated here. Large park with decorative trees marks the center of the place.

Overnight in the international hotel “Belovodie”.

After having a rest, we will start our first day of exploring Belokurikha. We will have an opportunity to reach the peak Tserkovka in a tram cabin and have a walk to the picturesque rocky banks of the river Belokurikha, which springs from the southern slopes of the pick Sinyuha, and enjoy countless waterfalls.

Day 2

Let us start our expedition. Today we will visit the Regional Museum and the exhibition of Nikolay Roerich.

Nicolay Roerich is an outstanding artist, philosopher, archaeologist, teacher and traveler. He explored Altai more than 20 years and came to the conclusion, that cultures of the West and East have the same origirn in Central Asia.

Our trip goes on to the Aya lake: wonderful views and warm bath are here for you.

Then we will cross the mountain river Katun.

We are in the Archeological park “The Crossroad of the World”, where the Tavdinskie caves are waiting for you on the territory of the special economic zone “Skyblue Katun”. Here you can enjoy an artificial lake with well equipped beach and aquatic attractions.

On the way we will see the lake Mangerok, where water-nut chilim-registered in the Red Book of Russia- abund.

We will also visit the capital of the Republic of Altai Gorno- Altaisk with a unique regional museum founded in 1920. The valuable scientific collection of historian C. Gulaev is the core of it: rock patterns, archeological rarities and other historical findings.

Overnight in the tourist camp “Yurtok”, the village Artibash. 

Day 3

The day of exploration of the Teletskoe lake and its treasures. The Teletskoe lake is situated in the north-east of the Altai Mountains. It is one of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in Russia.

You will cruise through the lake and visit the most picturesque places: waterfalls Korbu and Kishta, fruit gardens in Yalu, Stone and Kamginskiy bays.

The east bank of the lake is Altai National Park- the biggest wildlife refuge in Russia.

Overnight in the hotel “Altyn-Tuu”, on the hill of Karsay, near the village Balikcha.

Day 4

After a pleasant breakfast we will start our route from Balikcha via Ust-Ulagan to Aktash. We will drive through a scenic canyon of the mountain river Tchulyshman. Then our way goes through the wild mountain pass Katu-Yaric. The road gets up to the hill top, which grants the splendid view on the Chulychman valley. There are a larch-tree with numerous ribbons and a pergola.

Then we will drive to the Ulagan valley. There is the famous stow Pazyric here. The valley where five barrows is not big. These burial monuments with remains of the noble leaders were made in 6 – 2 centuries BC.

On the way ahead we will visit the museum of Pazyric culture in the village Ust-Ulagan. Then we will get to the mountain pass Ulaganskiy, which provides the fantastic views on the South-Tchuyskiy ridge. Down the pass we will drive through the Red Gates.

Overnight in the alpinist camp Aktru.

Day 5

The day of relaxation in the alpinist camp Akrtu and surrounding area. Visit to Aktru located at the elevation of 2000m promises to be an exciting event: unusual beauty and primeval wildness of the alpine landscape, the cleanest mountain air, plenty of rivers with icy water are unforgettable. The highest peaks are higher than 4000 m. The mountain slopes are covered with ice and snow all year around.

Here you can make one day trip to the Blue lake and Cascade of Seven lakes or conquer the peak “Cupola”, under supervision of an experienced instructor.

In the evening you can enjoy the banya (bath-house) where people hit themselves with bunches of green birch twigs and with beer on the hot stones.  

Day 6

After a relaxing day in Aktru, we will continue our adventures journey and cross the Kuraiskaya Steppe- a panoramic hollow between the Kuraiskiy and the South-Chuysciy ridges. In the steppe we will see the first huge stone obo-Mongolian memorable worship of spirits. Now the route leads to the river Chuya. Soon we will drive to the Red hills. We will meet the last trees here. The limitless space of stone desert- the Tchuyskaya Steppe opens wide. It is the historian Altai Gate.

We will visit the museum of the Kazakh culture in the village Tzana-Aul.

Overnight in the hotel Tzana-Aul.

Day 7

We are in Mongolia. The “safari-ride” starts. We will drive to the Altai Tavan-Bogd National Park, where we can see huge stone carvings. We will also see the icy summit of Tavan-Bogdo-Ula - the highest point of the Mongolian Altai.

Overnight in the tent camp, 20km. to the summit Tavan-Bogdo-Ula.

Day 8

This day we will drive to the lake Hoton-nuur.

In the afternoon we relax on the Hoton-nuur lake shore. Time for fishing or making photos of surrounding landscapes.

In the evening we will taste a traditional Mongolian dish Horhog- mutton ribs stewed in a pressure cooker.

Day 9

In the morning we will drive to the capital of aimak-Ulgiy. On the way we will enjoy the Mongolian Steppe. We will visit an Ulgiy fair, where you can buy various souvenirs.

In the afternoon we will come to the beautiful lake Tolbo-nuur.

Tolbo-nuur is a mountain freshwater lake. You can bathe there, but water is ice-cold. Memorable plaque is an evidence of the big battle between the Red Army and the White Guard in 1923.

Overnight in a tent camp on the bank of Tolbo-nuur.

Day 10

After a peaceful breakfast on the shore of Tolbo-nuur we will start our trip to the town Khovd. On the way we will ride through the valley of the river Khovd and make photos of the mountain summit Tzambagarav-Ula. Every inch of the land reminds the pictures of N. Roerich.

In the afternoon we will explore Khovd. We will also visit the Kazakh mosque Ahmet-Ali-Megit, Buddhist monastery Nuremel Amagulai Giyd, a memorial of Mongolian hero Amar San. Overnight in the hotel Khovd.

Day 11

All day long we explore the village Mankhan. We are at the World’s end. There are no people, no cars, no houses here, but the roads of Mongolia.

In the afternoon we will visit a mystic cave Gurvan- Hoyd-Tsenheriyn. This cave is a holy place for Mongols. Altai shamans perform ceremonial dancing here. The energy of this place helps to get the lusid mind.

Overnight in the hotel of Mankhan.

Day 12

This day we will drive from the cave Tsenkherin Agui to the border village Bulgan. We will go through the mountain pass Bodonch stretched along the river Bodonch on 86 km.Itis a scenic place. You will go along the long and high corridor of the rocky walls. The mountain pass gets up to the Goat Hill with ancient petroglyphic drawings.

Then we will join the main road, drive through the Boomyn Am and the village Altai and arrive to border village Bulgan.

Overnight in the tent camp near Bulgan.

Day 13

After early breakfast we will cross the border in Bulgan-Taikishken. Then we will get to the territory of the Chinese Altai. Our perfect road goes through the Zhungary. From the south-western side we will see the desert Gurbantungut- the Chinese Gobi. The river Irtysh springs from here. It is a wild, mountain river, that is why it is called Kara Irtysh. Kara means black.

We will also visit Alashan hydrothermal wells. They are situated in the village Karamak. The temperature of water is 30 - 60 degree. You can bathe there even in winter. It is known to altai nations from pre historical ages. The valley of butterflies is not far from the wells. Then we will drive through the mountain serpentine.

Overnight in the hotel on the Kanas lake.

Day 14

The day to explore the Kanas lake. It is the deepest freshwater lake in China. Three blue bays are waiting for you. A fascinating isle the Chinese Dragon is in the centre of the lake.

This day we will visit ethnographic village Dengelek and the territory of Kanas National Park.

Overnight in the hotel, in Kanas.

Day 15

We leave China and drive to the East Kazakhstan through Zimunai-Maikapchagai. It is a territory of dunes, thorns and camels. Coolness of the lake Zaisan saves from blazing winds of Karakum dunes. You can sun-bathe on the uninhabited banks. On the southern bank of the lake, in the Zaisan Plain the Town of silent statues is located: masterpieces made by the wind that carved towers, spikes and canyons in clay and sandstone. From the Valley of winds we will drive to the Markakol lake.

The lake Markakol is surrounded by taiga. It is the centre of the Markakol National Park.

Overnight on the lake Markakol.

Day 16

This day we will drive through the ridge of the South Altai to the sanatorium “Rakhmanovskie Springs”. We will get there from Berel. The comfortable sanatorium is located on the bank of the Big Rahmanovskoe lake. You can go to the mountain pass Glad for an hour. From this pass we can see the peak Belukha. If you like primival nature, you will be able to visit the botanical geological natural area «Rakhmanovskie Springs”. Countless mountain rivers flow out the Big and Small Berelskiy glaciers. You will see the Natural Park “ Ukok Plateau”. The mountain river Kokkol flows out the Ukok plateau. You will see the Kokkol waterfall(60m) here.

Day 17

All day we will explore the territory surrounding the sanatorium “Rahmanovskie Springs”. We will be near the highest summit of Siberia Beluha.

Belukha is the highest two headed peak of Altai. It consists of the West Belukha(4440m) and the East Belukha(4506m). It is a holy place. A legendary land Shambala is located here.

You can also bathe in hydrothermal wells within the territory of the sanatorium.

Day 18

The road to the Bukhtarma Reservoir goes through the river Bukhtarma. On the way we will see majestic barrows, which are called Royal. To the west there are 19 stone steles, their height increas with the distance from the barrows.

Then we will see the Bukhtarma Reservoir.

The Reservoir is formed by the hydroelectric dam on the river Irtysh. It consists of two parts: the river part-along the valley of the Irtysh and the lake Zaisan.

The Bukhtarma Reservoir suits perfectly for swimming, sunbathing and fishing.

Overnight in the comfortable tourist camp “Blue Bay”, where you can relax on the sandy banks of the warm Reservoir.

Day 19

This day we will cross the Kazakh-Russian border Uba-Mihailovka. Our next move is Kurya-the native town of Mikail Kalashnikov-the designer of the best assault rifle AK-47.

Next stop is Mountain Kolivan. It is a center of stone cutting with such masterpieces as the lake named White, where fascinating granite rocks form special panoramic views of the place. Swimming is pleasant here at any time. The water is warm and soft.

Overnight in the tourist camp “Belovodie” on the White lake.

Day 20

The whole day we will explore the Mountain Kolivan-the center of the stone-cutting and mining industry in Altai. Miracles of engineering, personal skills and nature are inalianable from each other. Every inch is history. We will start our excursion from the lake Savushki and the peak Sinyuha-the outpost of huge mountain system in the steppe Altai. The peak provides a fascinating panoramic view.

Here you can see the Kolivan stone-cutting plant, which was founded by the Ural manufacture A. Demidov. A Kolivan Museum on the plant territory has to be seen. The altai stone collections and the masterpiece bowls pictures are to admire.

We will also visit the village Kolivanstroy and deposits of jasper.

Day 21

We will continue our discovery of the land “Belovodie”. One more time we will drive from people to the forests and mountains, go up the river Charysh. During our journey we will see villages Bugrishin and Tulata. The river Charysh is the place of famous rafting of V. Putin.

Then we will drive to the village Charyshskoe and relax in the tourist camp “The Bear’s corner”.

Day 22

Today you we will visit the village Sentelec and Siberian stags farm, where Altai deer are bread. You can take heeling baths with deer antlers extracts. Then you will drive through villages Ust-Kumir and Ust-Kan, surrounding mountains. Overnight in the tent camp on the river Kumir.

Day 23

We will start our last but unforgettable day. We will leave Ust-Kan and drive through the valleys of the rivers Black and White Anuy. We will explore the Denisova cave. The Denisova cave is a unique archeological complex, where the stopping places of different historian ages dating back to 400 000 BC were discovered. This cave is commonly known as genetic stock of Euroasia. Then we will go 3 km to the waterfalls Shinok. The height of the largest waterfall is 60 meters. Over the waterfalls there is the mountain “Oreshnaya”. A wonderful cedar grove is situated here.

Our adventure comes to the end. We will finish our expedition in the resort city Belokurikha at the comfortable hotel “Belovodie”.

Day 24

Transfer to the international airport Barnaul or Novosibirsk. 

Cost of the program: $ 7880

Map of the route "Altai - Golden Mountains"