ALPINE ADVENTURE IN ALTAI Experience the warm summer splendour of the Altai TOUR DURATION mountain ranges, hiking, rafting and horseback riding in 13 days / 12 nights one of Russia’s most sublime wilderness areas. GROUP SIZE Feast your eyes on the glorious mountain scenery of Altai and see Siberia 6 - 10 people as you never imagined her. It’s World Heritage listed Golden Mountain range is frequently compared to the Swiss Alps, with its majestic snowy REGIONS VISITED peaks, rolling foothills, lush alpine meadows and crystal clear lakes. And Altai yet, Altai has its own unique character, having been home to ancient civilisations and roving nomadic tribes for millennia. Sandwiched between Europe and Central Asia, the area was part of a great crossroads of the START CITY — END CITY ancient world. Gorno-Altaisk — Teletskoye lake — Gorno-Altaisk On this grand circuit of Altai you’ll cross vast distances over breathtaking mountain terrain to reach the most spectacular places in the region, SEASON immersing yourself in the culture and customs of the indigenous Altay Summer, June - August people along the way. Gentle day hikes will take you to spectacular viewpoints, ancient sacred sites and dazzling waterfalls. We’ll cruise Lake TOUR CATEGORY Teletskoye, Altai’s largest lake by private boat, and pit ourselves against Combination, Active the rough and tumble rapids of the mighty Katun River. Ride famous Altai breed horses over sun kissed hills and explore the mysterious Taldinskiye Caves. We’ll be entering some remote territory on this 13 days journey. PRICE From US $2987* * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 1: WELCOME TO ALTAI Our journey to the Altai region begins in Gorno-Altaisk city, the capital of Altai. Today we set out on the journey to the most famous natural landmark, Teletskoye Lake. Soon we’re traveling along Altai’s legendary Chuyskiy Road, one of Siberia’s ancient caravan routes. Along part of the way you’ll be accompanied by the ‘hostess of Altai’, the beautiful Katun River. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Artybash Hotel, a classic Russian countryside hotel just 400m from the edge of Lake Teletskoye. MEALS INCLUDED: _, _, _. DAY 2: NATURE HIKE AND WATERFALLS After breakfast by the lake, we embark on a hike up to Tilant-Tuu observation hill (elevation 741m). It’s a short walk, but a pretty steep slog – rest assured your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the lake and the mountains beyond. Tilant-Tuu means ‘Snake Mountain’ in the Altai language. Where did the name come from? You’ll find out when you reach the summit! After lunch back in Artybash, we set out to walk along the lake to the gorge of the Tretya River. This amazing mountain river consists of a series of small cascading waterfalls that sparkle and shimmer in the Altai sun. MEALS INCLUDED: _, _, _. * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 3: CRUISE ALONG THE GOLDEN LAKE Today we set out to explore the very heart of Lake Teletskoye via a relaxed and scenic boat cruise. The lake, known as Altyn-Kol (Golden Lake) is revered by the locals – many believe you haven’t truly experience Altai until you’ve seen the lake with your own eyes. During the cruise, our guides will relate some of the folk stories and legends surrounding the lake. We’ll stop off to visit the beautiful Korboo waterfall, and the village of Belyo on the south bank of the lake. This tiny settlement is said to be the warmest place in all of western Siberia. In and around the village are ancient monuments from the Turkic era. In the evening, we transfer to our accommodation at the Altyn-Tuu “campsite”, where we’ll stay in traditional wooden houses overlooking the lake. MEALS INCLUDED: _, L, D. DAY 4: HEALING SECRETS OF ALTAI After breakfast at camp, we depart on a hike along the Chulyshman River. Along the way you’ll learn more about the early settlers and their attempts to build a Christian monastery on the cliffs. Next we visit a sacred source for hydrogen sulphide which has healing properties used in local medicine. After lunch back at the campsite we take a short trek to one of Teletskoye’s loveliest waterfall areas. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D. * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 5: THE LEGENDS OF THE STONE GIANTS Morning 4WD excursion to the Chulyshman River Valley, a remarkably beautiful and difficult to access place with dramatic canyons, soaring cliffs and dozens of waterfalls. The area is a treasure mine of archaeological sites, shedding light on the ancient civilisations that once thrived here. We settle into our campsite, where we’ll be staying in traditional Altai wooden houses. After lunch, we embark on a walking tour in the valley (5km) to see the Stone Mushrooms, a series of bizarre, fungus shaped rock formations as tall as three stories. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D. DAY 6: NATURAL WONDER OF ALTAI Morning walking tour to the Uchar waterfall, perhaps the most dazzlingly beautiful of all the valley’s secret places. The falls drop from a height of over 160m into the river below, tumbling over huge piles of boulders on the way and creating chaos on the usually calm Chulchinsky River. The vast scale of the waterfall and extraordinary beauty of its surrounds make this a truly wild and enchanting place. Heed the safety advice of your guide - the hike up to the waterfall is challenging in parts, as we cross large boulders, scree and mountain streams. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D. * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 7: LAVA RED GATES Today we trek from our campsite up to the Katu-Yaryk Pass, a steep climb that rewards with mesmerising panoramic views of the valley below. Moving on, we hike through the serene Ulagansky Highlands, making our way through alpine meadows and passing alongside picturesque lakes. We continue on to the Chuisky Road, crossing Ulagansky Pass and Krasnye Vorota (the Red Gate). The Red Gate is one of Altai’s iconic natural monuments, made of multi-coloured igneous rocks formed by the solidification of lava. Back on the Chuisky Road, we transfer to an eco-tourist complex in the Karakolskaya Valley where we spend the night. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D. DAY 8: THE VALLEY OF DEATH Scenic morning drive from the Karakolskaya Valley to Uch-Enmek Natural Park (190km). On the way we’ll take in the rich sights of the Chuisky Road. We’ll discover superb natural landmarks like the Katunsky terraces, visit remote Yalomanskoe settlement, cross over the Tsaplina suspension bridge and pass through several important archaeological sites, home to ancient stone sculptures, rock paintings and burial mounds. In the evening we’ll participate in an ethnographic discovery program, spending the night in felt yurts and wooden houses inside Uch-Enmek Natural Park. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D. * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 9: IMMERSE INTO ALTAI CULTURE Today we continue our exploration of this archaeologically rich part of Altai. Scattered around the alpine forests and grasslands of the valley are the artistic and religious expressions of the early Altai people. The earliest findings here, bronze mounds unique to the ancient Karakol culture, date back to the Palaeolithic era. A visit to the burial grounds gives a profound insight into the ancient Altai people’s culture and way of life. In the afternoon, our cultural discovery program continues with the tasting of traditional Altai foods. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, _. DAY 10: RAFTING ADVENTURE ON KATUN Get ready for one of Altai’s ultimate adventure experiences – a morning of whitewater rafting on the mighty Katun River. The Katun is rightly considered one of Siberia’s premier rafting destinations – you’ll be treated to tremendous mountain scenery at every turn as you bounce over swirling Grade 3 rapids and wave trains and glide into gentle, glassy pools. Offering heart stopping thrills and moments of calm beauty in equal measure, a day of rafting on the mighty Katun is not soon forgotten. After a picnic lunch, we pay an afternoon visit to Taldinskie Caves, one of the most impressive cave complexes in Altai. Venture through narrow passages that open up into magnificent underground palaces. MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, _. * price p/person, based on 6 people in the group (twin-share) and will vary less than 6 travelers. Call us on +61-2-9388-98-16 , write to us on [email protected], or visit our website www.56thparallel.com DAY 11: MAJESTIC PATMOS ISLAND Horses are an important part of Altai culture, and this morning we’ll feel the indescribable connection to nature that horse riding can bring.