The Altay Holidays

Altay is a mountainous country, far away from urbanization, smog, haste and the fuss of big cities. The Altay mountains lie in the very heart of Central Asia, wedging in Russia, China, Kazakhastan and Mongolia. You should spend here some time to see the diversity of its beauty. But if you don't have a lot of time spend at least one week to see the best! "The Altay Holidays" tour has been designed for active travelers dreaming of everyday discoveries. This trip will lead you to the most beautiful of Altay mountains, far away from civilization, where life hasn't been changed for hundreds of years. It is a good opportunity to enjoy wild nature, to take part in rafting along the Katun river, to ride Altay horses, to see picturesque woods with numerous brooks and waterfalls. You'll get acquainted with the life and traditions of native people - representatives of ancient Altay tribes and Russians, that have lived here since 17th century. 

Route Map

Preliminary: We offer two variants of the program "The Altay Holidays": The basic variant begins from Moscow (12 days long) and the brief one is from Novosibirsk (9 days long). Look the detailed information about international flights to Siberia in the section "Getting&Away".

Day 1. In the afternoon you land in Moscow - the cultural and political capital of Russia. After custom formality you will be met. Till evening departure we offer you to stay in days room in the hotel near airport or have a brief excursion in Moscow. In the evening departure for Novosibirsk 

Day 2. Arrival in Novosibirsk. Accommodation at the hotel. After a short rest we will have our first acquaintance with Altay in Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, located in the famous town of Scientific Academia of Siberia. Twenty years the study of ancient cultures of Altay area and Siberia is prolonging. In the museum of the Institute, that we will visit, a unique collection of finds from Altay burial mounds has been collected. The central exhibit of the museum is the mummy "The Princess of Altay", that was found in Altay Plateau Ukock in frozen earth high in the mountains and due to that fact the mummy is well preserved. After lunch we will visit the Mineralogical Museum and Open-air Museum of Trains. Dinner at the hotel. 

Day 3. After breakfast we will depart for Gorny Altay. The picturesque road runs through vast Siberian area, through the villages and towns, along the route toward Mongolia. Altay greets us with contour of Blue Mountains covered with forest. We come to Gorno-Altaysk - country town, the center of Altay Republic. Here we will visit the local museum and see a rare exposition devoted to customs and traditions of Altay people of different times. Next stop will be at the symbolic place of the beginning of Altay - the holy Silver Spring. It is a public place where we can communicate with native people and buy some decoration made of wood, leather and metal. In the evening arrival at the hotel. Dinner. 

Day 4. Today after breakfast we are going to walk in a mountain Erlagol area. During the walk the guide will tell you about the flora and fauna of the place. May be we will be lucky to see rare birds and animals. We will be able to enjoy the magnificent view of mountain valley and make wonderful pictures of Altay. In the middle of the way we will make a stop for picnic. Return to the hotel. In the evening we will be waited by a spectacular Altay show, accompanied by throat singing and a Shaman performance. Dinner. 

Day 5. Today is the rafting day. After breakfast we will be brought to the place of the rafting beginning.  When our inflatable crafts are ready, load is packed and rules of safety are learned we will start our water trip along the most wonderful Altay river - the Katun. At the lunchtime we will make a stop for a picnic. In the evening return to the hotel where sauna and dinner will wait for us. 

Day 6. Today we will go horse riding. After breakfast we are get acquainted with horses and then we will start our journey. Our road runs through the forest along a beautiful mountain river. It`s a big pleasure to ride clever and docile Altay horses. In the middle of the journey we will make stop for a picnic. Then return to the hotel. After rest we will visit the Chemal  settlement where we will be cordially met as guests in the traditional Russian house where the interior has been kept since 19th century. We will see a spectacular show, accompanied by Russian folk songs and dances. You will also taste traditional Russian food: tea boiled in Samovar, pane cakes, spice cakes. Return to the hotel. Dinner. 

Day 7. After breakfast we will visit a traditional Altay House. The oldest man will tell us the story of his tribe and about the way of Altay life. Return to the hotel. Lunch. Free time. Sauna. Dinner. 

Day 8. The day of farewell with Altay. After breakfast departure for Novosibirsk. We will make a stop to have lunch in a traditional Altay restaurant. In the evening arrival in Novosibirsk. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner. 

Day 9. After breakfast we will have a sightseeing excursion. We will see the historical and cultural center of Novosibirsk, Lenin Square, Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet House, a bridge across the OB" river and the monumental building of Railway Station. Then we will visit the local museum with its reach ethnographical and palaeontological collections. After lunch we will continue to the Central Market. It is one of the most attendant places. Here we can buy some traditional Siberian food: cedar nuts, red whortleberry, cranberry and etc. In the evening return to the hotel. Dinner. Option: in the evening we can visit the Opera and Ballet theater for getting acquainted with hidden side of life of the theater and for seeing a performance. 

Day 10. Early leave for Moscow from the airport Tolmachevo. Arrival in Moscow. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. After lunch we will go sightseeing. Our first stop is Red Square, Moscow's heart, where we see the Kremlin, the famous onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM Department store and the History Museum. We will have time to see the Maneg Square, Europe's largest underground shopping mall. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Option: in the evening a ballet or an opera performance in one of Moscow's many theaters. 

Day 11. After breakfast we will continue our trip around Moscow. We will visit Sparrow's Hills, where Moscow University is located, for an overview of the city. Continue to the cathedral of Christ the Savior and Poklonnaya Hill. After lunch in a restaurant we will visit Kolomenskoe Estate, the former summer residence of Russian Czars. Excursion to St.Danil's Monastery. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Option: an evening performance in a Moscow's theater. 

Day 12. Transfer to the airport. Departure from Moscow.