Each riding day will be unique as each new day you will visit new places!
The pearl of the itinerary are the Karakol’skie Lakes consisting of seven lakes at the upper reaches of Karakol River. The lakes are rated as most visited and worldwide famous recreation area in Altai Mountains. The lakes have glacier and tectonic origin. What's interesting is that chemical composition of water differs from lake to lake. The water of the “second” lake is characterized by increased silver concentration at the same time the water of the “fifth” lake has increased iron concentration.
- - 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 / Arrival (auto: 15 km)
Let us warn you – it’s may be hard, the sun may be too bright or wind too strong, there also may be rain or even storm may occur but you’ll never regret! The beauty you’ll see, the freedom you’ll feel and the adventures you’ll experience do really worth all the inconveniences. So don’t be afraid and let the adventures enter your life!
And your very first Altai adventure will be the off-road ride to our base camp. We’ll start from Elekmonar village. After all luggage is packed into off-road vehicle (jeep or truck) we’ll drive you deep into taiga to the base camp of Mayak Altaya named “Sortesh” that can be translated from Altai language as “Yellow Stone”. This road trip will become your first and definitely not the last impression of the trip. Be prepared for a hard drive as there are no roads in taiga only directions. The road may take 2 hours but trust us: this trip is going to be fascinating! As soon the jeep arrives to the base camp be prepared for a new portion of emotions as you’ll see green meadows that are blanketed with yellow, blue, orange and white flowers, pasturing horses and small houses in one of which your guides are already waiting for you as well as hot tea made on campfire.
While your luggage is taken out from the car you may just walk around breathing in fresh mountain air and trying to get used to the idea that taiga with all its beauty will become your home for the whole week; that one week later you’ll be walking there but it will be the “new” you full of new experience.
Later you’ll get your first camp-life lesson – you’ll learn how to pitch a tent. If you already know how to do it you may render your assistance to others. Your guides will give you instructions about the ride; chose a horse that will match your riding abilities and you’ll make your horseback test-drive riding. After instructions a sauna will be served then dinner. Be prepared to listen to amusing but instructive stories about camp life in taiga and participate in national Altai custom “Chyoi-Chyoi”.
Day 2
Distance: from base camp “Sortesh” to Kylay Mountain (riding time 4-6 hrs (approx. ~ 30 km))
Your first horseback riding day will start early in the morning. The adventures already await you but so many things still need to be settled. Have a nourishing breakfast with hot tea or better coffee, take a deep breath and just for a few minutes observe the fuss around: tourists packing their luggage, guides saddling up horses, people moving there and back. But it’s a pleasant fuss, so no more procrastination – now it’s your time to take an active part in it! The guides will help you to put your luggage into special waterproof saddle bags that locals call “archimak” and then saddle up the horse that was chosen for you yesterday. We recommend to get acquainted with your horse that will become your good friend for the whole trip. Bread with salt is the best treat for Altai horses and the best way to make friends. And finally when all the preparations are done the guides shout: “Mount up!” and the trip begins.
On your way from Sortesh area to Kylay Mountain you’ll see the summits of Ak-Kaya Mountain that you come closer the next day. Today you will reach your first camp in taiga called Kylay so named after Kylay River. And there you will spend your first night in taiga. Tourists love this camp for its amazing view on summit of Kylay Mountain: at the end of the day the sun starts to set at that intensifying the colours of the far mountains – bright-blue, pink, and purple and many more hues. Just like on the masterpieces of Nicolay Roerich. And there, behind the mountains are the Karakol’skie Lakes but you will visit them on your way back to the base camp. Spend the rest of the evening near the campfire listening to the stories of guides, feel the atmosphere, open your heart to Altai and be prepared for adventures that lay ahead.
Day 3
Distance: from Kylay through Viktoriya Lake and Waterfall to mountain area Uul (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
Hope you slept well. So may tourists say that in Altai Mountains they start to see colored dreams! If you wake up early in the morning and of course if the weather allows, you may see how beautiful can be the morning in Altai Mountains. It is so calm and peaceful; there are no noises that you got used to in a city, only the sounds of birds singing, stream running and bells ringing on horses. Ravine is covered with mist and somewhere in the mist are the horses – warm and sleepy. Take some bread and try to call any horse. Maybe fortune will smile upon you and one of the horses will come closer to you.
But back to camp life! Have breakfast and again pack your luggage. It’s time to move forward to see Viktoriya Lake and Watewrfall! The guides again shout: “Mount up!” that in Russian sounds like: “Po konyam!” This is the signal to move. During the first half of the day you will approach the lake. There you will have a light lunch and will take a one-hour walk to see the waterfall. Then again “Po konayam!” and you’ll move to mountain area Uul. This evening you may try your hand at cooking the dinner – it may be rice or pasta or maybe your imagination and fresh mountain air inspire you on cooking something special. But even if you find no inspiration your guides will cook a very tasty dinner.
Day 4
Distance: from mountain area Uul to Moon Valley (riding time 3-4 hrs (approx. ~ 20 km))
Your adventures continue. Today you will reach a really beautiful and magnificent camp that is called Moon Valley or as locals call it “Ayryk”. We do love this place for the moon here indeed looks bigger, stars shine brighter and from the place where the camp is set up you can see the whole valley. But before you reach this fantastic place you will ride through “Alpine” meadows where Bayukskie Lakes hide. These lakes are the chain of mountain lakes of glacial origin. The colour of the lakes depends on the period of day, sun, clouds and even wind. It is really fascinating to pass them by noting how their colour changes.
Soon after passing the lakes you’ll approach the Moon Valley. Don’t waste time and quickly set up the camp as today you will visit Karakokshinskaya cave. DO NOT put on clean clothes as you will descend into the cave. In cave you’ll see stalactites and stalagmites. Somewhere under the cave runs Underground River that you will hear when entering the cave. The cave is guarded by a Keeper whom you will see. After the cave you can refresh yourself in fast stream that runs not far from the camp. Before dinner you have free time just to walk around the camp taking photos of setting sun. At night if the sky is not covered with clouds you may see the magnificent Moon and myriad of stars. Those who are skilled photographers will definitely take some good pictures of the night sky.
Day 5
Distance: from Moon Valley through Veronika Lake to Muikhta ravine (riding time 3-4 hrs (approx. ~ 30 km))
We call this day – The Day of Five Lakes. So it’s time to move again. But don’t forget to thank Moon Valley for hospitality.
We in Mayak Altaya try to follow the traditions of natives in cherishing the nature, spirits and keepers. We love the area where we work and live and we want to make it better that is why in taiga we try not to shout, do not quarrel and of course we collect all the trash that was left after our visit. And we kindly ask our tourists to do the same.
Today we cross Ayryk pass. The horses steadily ascend the pass. The higher they climb the better is the view. At the top of the pass we’ll make a pause to see the scenic panorama of North-Western Altai. The pass also commands a magnificent view of the Ayryk Lakes that lie beneath. After passing the pass we’ll turn right to see Lake Veronika from a bird's eye view. If the day will be sunny you’ll see the incredible sapphire colour of the lake and it feels like the lake is the precious gem edged by mountains. During descending you’ll be amazed by power and bravery of Altai horses. Don’t be afraid: listen carefully to your guides, follow their instructions and trust your horse. And up again! Sounds hard but the beauty around you, mountain air and spirit of adventure will help you to cope with all difficulties. And again we see lakes. This time it is Akkainskie Lakes.
There we’ll also take a pause just for some minutes only to take some photos. And after an hour and a half we’ll finally arrive to Muikhta ravine. We love the camp for amazing sunsets that can be seen in there. Our guides know a special place ideal for observing a sunset. And also we love the place for ancient cedars. If the weather allows: there are no clouds in the evening sky and the air is warm, you may spend this night sleeping not in the tent but just in your sleeping bag under a cedar! Sounds a bit crazy but it’s worth it!
Day 6
Distance: from Muikhta ravine to Karakol’skie Lakes (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
New day and new adventures! Now you know well how to pack your luggage fast, enjoy porridge for breakfast and can easily find your horse among the others. You even may try to help to saddle your horse. During this day you will cross Bagatash pass, talk to spirits at Castle of Mountain Spirits, swim in one of Karakol’skie Lakes, slide from a glacier and even try very special Altai ice-cream. So you hear this shout now became so familiar: “Po konaym!” and you know what to do.
Today the camp will be set up not far from Karakol’skie Lakes. This evening is going to be the last in wild taiga and it’s better to spend it near the campfire listening to the stories of guides or the other riders or telling your own stories.
Day 7
Distance: from Karakol’skie Lakes to base camp (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
It is sad but it’s time to come back. So pack your luggage say “thank you” and “good bye” to your taiga camp, saddle up horses and start off to the base camp where a hot sauna will be waiting for you. Have your last camp dinner, say goodbye to horses and guides and enjoy your last night in mountains.
Day 8
Departure
At 7 a.m. our off-road vehicle (jeep or truck) will be waiting for you on the base camp and about 9 a.m. you will be in Elekmonar village. We will take care of your transfer to the airport or bus station. If only you have free time left we are ready to offer you a day-long auto or horseback riding excursion. For all additional trips and tours see “Horseback riding trips”.
Do you have questions about this ride itinerary?
Are you ready to book?
Please call or email us for more detailed information.
The trip price includes:
- - accommodation on base camp and food;
- - transportation to base camp and back;
- - food on route;
- - tack and equipment lease;
- - groom services;
- - guide services;
- - horses lease;
- - sauna;
- - insurance certificate.
- - saddle bags;
- - specialized raincoats;
- - tents;
- - ground mats,
- - drybags;
- - plates, knives, forks, spoons, kettles and so on.
