Day 1: Arrival & Chemal District
In the morning you meet your group and driver at Gorno-Altaysk Airport and have a transfer to Ust-Sema Village.
After lunch you start your exciting exploration of Altai region! You are driven to Chemal District, one of the ten districts in the Altai Republic. Chemal has been one of the most famous resorts of Altai since Soviet times, due to its dry clean climate and stunning natural landscapes.
During the tour you visit Patmos Island named after the eponymous Greek island. The only way to reach Patmos is a suspension wooden bridge over Katun. Upon arrival, you explore St. John the Evangelist Church that is an active female monastery.
You continue to the Goat Trail that is a narrow picturesque path a little over a kilometer in length. The Goat Trail offers great views over the Katun and Chemal rivers flowing between the rocky ledges, as well as over the two-humped Mount Camel.
After the tour you are transferred to your remarkable hotel set on the bank of Katun River. After check-in, you have an evening at leisure.
Drive distance: 210 km (130 mi)
Overnight: Altika Hotel
Day 2: Chuya Highway
Following breakfast and check-out, you set off for Chuya Highway listed among the most scenic highways in the world.
The first stop is dedicated to Seminsky mountain crossing, the highest one in Gorny Altai. From here the real Altai begins.
Then you drive up to Chike-Taman mountain crossing. Though not as high as Seminsky mountain crossing, it offers stunning views over the mountain landscapes.
The next on your list is the Chuya and Katun river's confluence. From ancient times this spot has been considered as the sacred and respected place in Altai.
Afterwards you explore the ancient sanctuary Kalbak-Tash (translated from Altai language as "hanging flat stone"). The carved rock images made by an ancient human, that inhabited this area thousands of years ago, remain here untouched. Petroglyphs of Kalbak-Tash refer to different historical epochs, such as the Neolithic Age (6 - 4 thousand years BC), the era of Eneolithic-bronze (3 - 1 thousand years BC) and Ancient Turkic era (VII - X century BC).
After the tour you are transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Drive distance: 350 km (217 mi)
Overnight: guest house near Aktash village (double or twin room, en-suite amenities and breakfasts included)
Day 3: Katu-Yaryk Pass
Following an early breakfast you embark on a full day trip to the Katu-Yaryk Pass meaning "cramped gorge” in Altai language. On the way you cross the Ulagan Plato that hosts many gorgeous lakes.
Katu-Yaryk Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,188 m (3,898 ft) above the sea level. Its construction in 1989 gave the local population and tourists a great chance to enter a place of magical nature inaccessible before.
From the pass you see the impressive canyon of the Chulyshman River, the wonderful Karasuu Waterfall and other impressive places of unspoiled nature.
On the top of the pass you have lunch and enjoy fantastic views before starting a trip back to your hotel near Aktash village. You return to your hotel in the evening and have a good rest after a busy though an exciting day.
Drive distance: 200 km (124 mi)
Overnight: guest house near Aktash village (double or twin room, en-suite amenities included)
Day 4: Geyser Lake & Martian Mountains
Following breakfast you continue exploring the treasures of Altai.
The day starts with a stop at Geyser Lake near Aktash Village. The ice-free lake is famous for its turquoise colour and thermal springs. They bring the blue silt to the bottom forming colourful pictures on lake's surface.
You then continue to Kurai Steppe that hosts a lot of beautiful locations. One of them is the magnificent snowy peaks panorama of the North Chuya Range. Don't forget your camera for memorable shots!
We then invite you to visit Mars, as it is an unofficial name of the Kyzyl-Chin Mountains. The unique mountains got their nickname because of bright red, yellow and green loam covering their sides.
At the end of your touring day you return to your hotel near Aktash village.
Drive distance: 170 km (106 mi)
Overnight: guest house near Aktash village (double or twin room, en-suite amenities included)
Day 5: The Ilgumen Rapid
After breakfast you check out and start a return journey via Chuya Highway. On the way you turn off the road to view the fantastic Ilgumen Rapid.
Ilgumen Rapid is one of the main obstacles in local rafting routes, but it is also interesting for those who travel by car. You explore this energetic place of water and cliffs opposition lasting hundreds of thousands of years.
After this stop you continue the journey to your hotel. Upon arrival, you check in and have the evening at leisure.
Drive distance: 370 km (330 mi)
Overnight: Altika Hotel
Day 6: Departure
This is the last day of your unforgettable tour of Altai Mountains! After breakfast you check out and have a transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Drive distance: 50 km (31 mi)
Please, note: you can have a private extension and explore more Altai attractions. Contact your travel specialist for details.
Extension options:
- Day Trip to maral baths;
- Day Trip to bison nursery;
- Day Trip to Oroktoysky Bridge;
- Day Trip to Mount Manzherok with cable car ride;
- Day Trip to Kamyshlinsky Waterfall;
- Day Trip to Anokhin Museum to see the mummy of the Altai Princess.
About Triptile
Triptile empowers you to plan trips better and enables you to book all services in one place. You can be your own travel expert and access valuable insights on the best hotels, experiences, and transportation options to create the perfect itinerary. Our platform not only provides information, but also allows you to book all your travel services in one place, so you can focus on enjoying your trip while Triptile handles the details.
What’s included in the price
Unless otherwise stated, everything listed in the itinerary is included. You can also add your own services to the itinerary, even if they are booked outside of Triptile. Please note that international flights are not included, but transportation between destinations listed in the itinerary is included if you choose to use Triptile transport connections.
Could not find something?
We are constantly improving Triptile. If you could not find something that you needed, please drop us a note at [email protected]
How to book
To book, all you need to do is to make a deposit of 20% of trip price. The 20% deposit is non-refundable, but you can always transfer it to another trip if your plans change. Just click on the red button in the top right corner that will take you to the Payment page. After you make your deposit, we will book all things that you chose.
Can I modify my trip after I booked
Of course! You can continue planning and even changing your trip to your heart's content up to 90 days before departure. Just keep in mind that all non-refundable hotels are set in stone. Oh, before we forget, your final balance will be due 90 days before beginning of your trip. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected]