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Hidden Altai Mountain Nature Tour
Overview
Have you always wanted to know what it feels like to be truly lost in nature? Well, wonder no longer with this hidden gem. Enjoy pristine lakes, sprawling forests, towering mountain peaks and the subtle sounds of nature passing you by in the remote region of Ust-Koksa. If being out in the wilderness far away from civilization is your favourite place to be then this is the best tour for you. This tour includes boat rides across clear lakes and rivers, scenic mountain treks, picnic lunches and plenty of time for a bit of relaxation and calm contemplation.
Camping around Ust-Koksa
Overnight stay in the tranquil Altai Taiga Forest
Picnic lunch in the Red Mountains
Speedboat trip to the Katun River
Visit to the Nicholas Roerich Museum and the Museum of Religious Dissents
Visit to the scenic Multa Lakes
Itinerary
Barnaul
An industrial city situated at the confluence of the Barnaulka and Ob Rivers in the West Siberian Plain, Barnaul is the administrative center of Altai Krai, Russia. It was founded in the 18th century by the wealthy Demidov family, who intended to use the abundance of silver in the area to increase the production of copper and silver goods. It is the closest major city to the Altai Mountains and near the border with Kazakhstan.
Day 1
Arrival in Barnaul
After arriving at Barnaul airport or railway station you will meet with your guide before starting out on the 8-9-hour journey to Ust-Koksa. Along the way there will be plenty of stops to allow you to stretch your legs and see panoramic views of this beautiful region. You will also stop for a quick lunch at a roadside café.
Lunch & Dinner
Arrival Transfer
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Ust-Koksa
Ust Koksa is a local village founded in the early 19th century and situated at the confluence of the Katun and Koksa rivers from which it derives its name ‘Blue Water’. It is the administrative centre of the Ust-Koksinky District of the Altai Republic in Russia. The village is close to the border with Kazakhstan and located at the foot of the Altai mountains. The nearby Saylyugemsky National Park is a popular destination with tourists.
Day 2
Visit the Museum of Old Believers
After breakfast in the hotel, you will set off on your first excursion to Verkhny Uymon, the oldest Russian settlement in the Uymon Steppe. In the morning, you will visit the Museum of famous Russian-born artist, Nicholas Roerich, before stopping for lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Verkhny Uymon Village
Guided History Tour
Cultural Immersive Experience
Museum-house of Nicholas Roerich
Museum of Old Believers
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 3
Trip to the Red Mountain
Today, you will explore the spectacular Red Mountain renowned for its beautiful lakes. Your day will start with a quick breakfast at the hotel before setting off by car to the Red Mountain for a morning of incredible views and terrific nature hikes. As part of this trekking tour, you will visit three lakes before stopping for a picnic lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Red Mountain
Prominent Landscape
Lower, Middle and Upper Lakes
Easy trekking
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 4
Speedboat Experience on the Katun River
After a light breakfast, you will enjoy a speedboat trip to the head of the Katun River where you will experience stunning mountain and riverbank landscapes before stopping for a picnic-style lunch.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Boat Trip
Katun river
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
local honey
Food & Drink Experience
Free Time
Day 5
Visit to the Multa Lakes
After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will take you on the perfect nature trip to the Multa Lakes and the pearl of the Altai Mountains. Here you will get the chance to trek alongside the lakes, taking in scenes that have inspired painters and photographers for decades.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Multa Lakes
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Easy trekking
Free Time
Day 6
Free Time in Ust-Koksa
Today you will enjoy a full day of free time in Ust-Koksa. Have a leisurely breakfast, take a stroll in the nearby forests, meditate by the river or go fishing, the choice is yours! Your Lunch and dinner will be included at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Day 7
Car Transfer to Barnaul
Your penultimate day will involve lots of travelling. After having breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Ust-Koksa. Your driver will wait outside your hotel and you will begin the 8-9-hour long journey to Barnaul.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Day 8
Departure from Barnaul
After waking up bright and early, you will have a quick stop for breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Your driver will meet you outside of your hotel once you have checked-out and will take you to your chosen point of departure (airport or train station).
Breakfast
Free Time
Departure Transfer
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More information
What’s included
Accommodation as part of the tour- Airport / Railway Station Transfers
- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- English, German or French speaking guide
- Entrance fees to museums, attractions and parks
- Equipment rental
- Food and drink (as mentioned in the tour itinerary)
- Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
- Translator
- Transport (as specified in the tour itinerary)
What’s not included
Alcoholic drinks- International train / plane tickets
- Masks and sanitisers
- Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
- Sauna
- Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
- Translator (last day)
- Travel / medical insurance
- Visa processing
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
Fishing equipment can be provided by us. Please let us know before your tour begins so that we take this extra equipment for you.
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Siberia: A Cultural History
A mysterious and wholly undisturbed land situated in what is now the heart of Russia, Siberia has been steeped in myth and intrigue from the West, yet this vast frozen tundra with endless forests has been a sanctuary to the wildlife, fauna and local communities that call it home. Siberia is a cradle of civilisation, the origin of several ancient Turkic empires, and home to many indigenous cultures who would later travel to the Americas and beyond. Tracing the history of this little-known region, Haywood provides a glimpse into the historic landmarks and natural phenomenon of the region as well as the culture of its largest cities, Irkutsk, Tobolsk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk.
Spiritual Wisdom from the Altai Mountains
A journey into spiritual development, Spiritual Wisdom from the Altai Mountains draws on ancient glyphs, legends and prophesies, as well as both oral traditions and written Shamanic traditions from local Altai culture. Shodoev provides a welcome introduction to Altai cosmology with the aim to seek harmony in the soul and spirit between man and the natural world.
Visa Information
