Though the roads and paths to Altai Middle Mountains are all covered with the thick layer of snow we can guarantee that you’ll definitely enjoy your Altai Winter Fairytale as you for sure will see waterfalls, lakes and beautiful Altai Mountains and of course will test-drive our fast and powerful horses!
Please note that the itinerary may be changed due to objectively reasonable cause!
Children under 18 years are allowed only if accompanied by parents.
Children over 18 years do not need parents’ permission.
- • Dates – If group consists of 4 or more riders we can organize the trip for any dates convenient for the riders;
- • This ride is suitable for both experience riders and beginners;
- • English speaking guide.
Itinerary:
Day 1.
Meeting point – Elekmonar village
NB: To get from Moscow to Elekmonar you may book a flight from Moscow to Barnaul or to Gorno-Altaysk. The flight will take 4-5 hours (for both destinations). But! But to get from Barnaul to Elekmonar by car (the transfer we offer) will take not less than 5 hours and to get from Gorno-Altaysk to Elekmonar (the same car, the same transfer) – approximately 1 hour. So, if you are planning your trip please pay special attention to this fact. If you need our assistance – you are always welcome as we are glad to help you with tickets, visa and all this documentary issues.
So, the meeting point is Elekmonar village. We’ll take you there from the airport by our comfortable car (Nissan Pathfinder). Then checking-in in the comfortable guesthouse; 1-2 hours to have a rest (depends on the airport you’ve arrived in: if from Barnaul – not less than 2 hours for rest, if from Gorno-Altaysk – not less than 1 hour) and then your first horseback riding – excursion to a viewing point. We’ll cross suspension bridge over Katun River – partially covered with snow, then we’ll pass by village Ayula and then after not that very steep ascent (10-15 minutes) you’ll see amazing panorama: Katun River, surrounded by mountains, joins small but furious Chemalka River. Chemal hydro-electric power plant is somewhere down and it looks so small, just as the people that walk there. There – from the top of the mountain, you’ll also see small island – Patmos with the church and convent. If weather allows we’ll make a fire and cook a brunch, if not – hot tea/coffee with sandwiches will be served anyway. On our way back if the instructor/guide consider it appropriate the riders may trot or even gallop. In the evening you’ll have a welcoming dinner and try some traditional Altai food. The night you’ll spend in the guest house.
Day 2
Destination point - Blue Lakes (horses: 15-20 km / duration: 5-6 hours)
This day you’ll have to wake up early! We are going to see the eyes of Katun River – the Blue Lakes that can be seen only during the period from late October to late April. So have a nourishing breakfast and be prepared to a horseback riding through cedar forest! There – near one of the lakes will make a camp fire to burn sausages or even traditional Russian food – shashluk (meat fried on open fire, usually served with shot glass of vodka). But you need to inform us in advance if you want to taste it. While you stay there the instructor/guide will tell traditional Altai legends of how these lakes appeared but not only. And please note that there – on the bank of one of the lakes is traditional Russian sauna – we call it banya! Just imagine: you stay for 15-20 minutes in hot Russian banya and them jump into cold, refreshing waters of one of the lakes. Really worth trying! But if you do want to try, please inform us in advance! Then back to horses and to Elekmonar village.
Day 3
Destination point – Kinderlinskaya Cave (horses: 20 km / duration: 5-6 hours)
For the second day of you Altai Fairytale Trip we offer you to visit Kinderlinskaya Cave. It is not actually the cave but mostly grotto, but still it looks great and even epic. So we again will cross suspension bridge over Katun River and will go strictly into the mountains that looks so close and so far at the same time. The closer is the cave the higher is the mountain. So for the last 300 meters we’ll leave horses and will go on foot. There – from the center of the cave if the sky is not clouded you will see the middle mountains where we take our tourist for summer rides. And if you are brave enough to climb a little bit higher – there on the top the mountain you’ll see the ancient beacon and that means that you are at the highest summit in the area! After the so-called excursion to the top of the mountain you’ll have a light meal and then it will be a time to come back to our horses and down to Elekmonar village where a nourishing dinner will be served at your guesthouse.
Day 4
Destination point – Verkh Anos village (horses: 20 km / duration: 5-6 hours)
Today we’ll start our excursion to get acquitted with traditional Altai village and will stay for two nights at traditional Russian house. Say good-bye to civilization ;) For this two-days-ride you’ll need our special saddlebags, we call them archemak. We’ll take them to the guesthouse and you’ll have enough time to pack the things you need for two days in small Altai village. But don’t take too much! On our way from Elekmonar to Verkh Anos village we’ll pass by Anos village, then a spring with healthful water! Make a pause and prepare a bottle to take some magic water with you! After arrival to Verkh Anos you’ll have a chance to try to sledge. While you’ll be outside one of your guides will cook you a nourishing dinner at traditional Russian stove. Please note that there is no television in this small village! Sleep tight and be ready for the next day full of adventures!
Day 5
Destination point – Emurlinskiy Waterfall and Cave (horses: 15 km / duration: 4-5 hours)
Today you’ll see the waterfall that is not frozen even during winter period – Emurlionskiy Waterfall. We’ll go there without saddlebags. We’ll go through snow so be sure to take warm clothes with you. After a break at the waterfall – the new adventure will follow – descending to the Cave. This time it will be a real cave with stalactites and stalagmites! Don’t forget your torches! After you’ll come back to Verkh Anos village you’ll have a free time just to walk around while your dinner will be cooked.
Day 6
Destination point – Elekmonar village (horses: 20 km / duration: 5 hours)
Today you are going back to civilization! After a horseback riding from Verkh Anos village back to Elekmonar you’ll have enough time to pack your things and be prepared for a car excursion. During the excursion you’ll visit some bright sightseeing places including the place with ancient petroglyphs. And for the evening we’ve got a surprise for you, but tsss! We won’t tell what the surprise will be. And at the night you’ll have transfer back to your real life – it means we’ll transfer you back to the chosen airport and help you with checking in for the flight, wave you a good-bye and will hope to see you again.
*Day 7-8 – Additional service
Destination point – Border with Mongolia (car excursion: 800 km / duration: 2 days)
If your vacations are not limited by one week we offer you to stay with us just for two more days as we offer you a fascinating car excursion (on Nissan Pathfinder) through Chuyskiy Road (also known as Chuyskiy Trakt) to the border with Mongolia (not directly to the border, the destination point will be the settlement Kuray). On your way to Kuray you’ll cross two mountain passes: Seminskiy and Chike-Taman; see a lot of ancient deer stones and petroglyphs; fast and furious rivers (unfrozen even during winter period); waterfall Shirlak and magic blue lake, as well as high shining summits of North-Chuyskiy Mountain Range and amazing and breathtaking view points. You also will take a fantastic walk to Mars (no kidding! But only it won’t be covered with snow). The ride will take two days, the night you’ll spend in a comfortable guesthouse. After returning from the excursion you’ll have enough time to have a rest and pack your luggage. At evening a banya will be served and kind of a farewell dinner with traditional Russian food and vodka. And then – night transfer back to the airport.
