15-day Altai Mountains Horse Riding Tour From Moscow

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to the Hotel

Pass By: Moscow, Moscow, Central Russia
Our driver will be waiting for you at the pick-up point ready to transfer you to your hotel. No activities are planned for the arrival day.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in a central 3* hotel: Ibis Bakhrushina 3* or similar.

Day 2: Moscow City Centre Walking Tour. Departure to Barnaul

Stop At: Moscow, Moscow, Central Russia
In the morning we will have a guided tour of Moscow, we will walk around major cultural and historical points in Moscow. We will visit Lubyanka Square – the world-famous KGB centre of the Soviet epoch, and the Teatralnaya Square next to Bolshoi Theatre. Then we will continue our walk through the small central streets and lanes where every building has its own unique and interesting story. We will then take a stroll along the pedestrian zone near the Red Square. In the evening our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your overnight flight to Barnaul.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight flight (not included in the price of the tour, can be quoted upon request).

Day 3: Transfer to Altai by Bus (750 km, 12-13 hours).

Stop At: Barnaul, Barnaul, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Upon arrival in Barnaul we will travel by bus (750 km, 12 – 13 hours) to the base camp “Vysotnik”.
Duration: 13 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at base camp “Vysotnik”. Accommodation in tents.

Day 4: Start Riding to Belukha Mountain. Tackling the Kuzuyak pass (1,513 m)

Stop At: Belukha Mountain, Gorno-Altaysk Russia
In the morning we start our riding trip to the main destination of the trip – Belukha Mountain, the highest mountain in Siberia. The path goes through the last populated area on our way to the mountains. Then we will follow a path through the forest where we can see plenty of mushrooms, berries, and various kinds of trees and grasses. Today we explore the Kuzuyak pass (1513 m). The pass isn't high but the riding is quite challenging - this is the first test of our stamina. Camping on the banks of Ak-kem, a mountain river whose cool waters will help you to relax. Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 19 km.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 5: Ascending along the Oroktoi Brook to the Tukhman Brook (2,000 m)

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
We continue ascending along the Oroktoi brook to the Tukhman brook (2,000 m). We will observe how the panorama and the vegetation changes from the taiga - deep Siberian forest - to high alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque place with a great view of Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia, and surrounding peaks. Daily route of approx. 6-7 hours, 14 km.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 6: Tukhman - Tomul Pass - Mujnoh Range - Soen Chadyr River - River Sarah Mouth

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 15 km.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 7: Short Active Day: Koir - Balturdak Pass - Green Valley

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
We enjoy a short active day. Koir - Balturdak pass - Green valley. Daily route of approx. 2-3 hours, 18 km.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 8: Tekeliu River – Suluarjry – Suluarjry River – Tekeliu Pass

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Today will be a strenuous day. Our route follows Tekeliu river – Suluarjry – Suluarjry river – Tekeliu pass. Enjoy picturesque views from the Suluajry pass. Daily route of approx. 8-9 hours, 35 km.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 9: River Tekeliu - Jarlu Boch Pass - Yarlu Valley - Base Camp

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
We cross the Tekeliu river and start ascending another mountain pass (2200 m). Tekeliu in the Altaic language means "a place where mountain goats live" and we may indeed see some goats here if we are lucky. You will never forget the special moment of discovering the beauty of lake Ak-kem for the first time. Walking across the river with the same name Ak-kem, we will cross a shaky bridge, and in a half an hour we'll reach our second base camp (2000 m). There is a canteen, a Russian banya and a traditional Altai building - Ail (a type of wooden yurt) there. This camp offers you breathtaking views over the huge snowy majestic Mount Belukha. Daily route of approx. 4-5 hours, 10 km.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 10: Day Hike to the Mysterious Ak – Ojouk Valley. Return to the Base Camp

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
A day hike to the mysterious Ak – Ojouk valley., which is famous for its seven lakes all of different hues. There is a strong belief that the area around lake Ak-Kem has a powerful energy. Here you may meet very different people - from hermits to people believing in UFOs. There is a stone town here being built by people who have come to this place from all over the world to meditate near the sacred mountain Belukha. Return to the base camp. Daily route of approx. 5-7 hours, altitude change 400 m.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 11: Karatiurek Pass Ascend (3,060 m). Camping in a Virgin Cedar Glade (2,000 m)

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Today we ascend the Karatiurek pass (3,060 m). There may be some snow on the pass. After a while we’ll start our descent. The temperatue will rise and the vegetation become rich again. Another bewitching ravine appears on the way – the Kucherlinskoe ravine. Camping in a virgin cedar glade (2,000 m). Daily route of approx. 6-8 hours, 23 km, altitude change 1,000 m.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 12: Gradual Descent down the Izekeriu and Kucherla River. Riding down to our Base Camp

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Today we start our gradual descent down the Izekeriu river and the Kucherla river returning back to the base camp. Stop to enjoy the ancient petroglyphs on a rock. Daily route of approx. 7-8 hours, 21 km.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 13: Riding down to our Base Camp “Vysotnik”. Stop to See Ancient Petroglifs

Stop At: Altai Krai, Altai Krai, Siberian District
On our way we’ll make a stop to see an ancient grotto and petroglyphs (prehistoric drawings) on a rock, which are several thousand years old. We cross a seemingly endless field and finally reach our tourist base “Vysotnik”. Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 25 km.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in tents.

Day 14: Transfer to Barnaul

Stop At: Barnaul, Barnaul, Altai Krai, Siberian District
Transfer from camp Vysotnik to Barnaul.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a 3* hotel.

Day 15: Departure to Moscow

Pass By: Moscow, Moscow, Central Russia
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby. Transfer to the airport. Morning flight from Barnaul to Moscow.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.