Golden Ring of the Altai Mountains
9-day / 8-night tour through mountains, turquoise lakes, and untouched wilderness. 🌍 Explore authentic Siberia: valleys, rivers, legends, and breathtaking landscapes.
📅 2026 Departure Dates: see details below
💶 Starting from: 2,355 EUR per person
📅 2026 Departure Dates: see details below
💶 Starting from: 2,355 EUR per person
Welcome to Siberian Altai
Discover the natural and cultural wonders of the Altai: towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, spectacular canyons, and ancient archaeological sites. This tour combines comfort, adventure, and untouched nature, with activities suitable for active travelers who don’t necessarily require expert-level trekking.
What to Expect on This Tour
✔ Panoramic excursions and light trekking in pristine nature
✔ Rafting or motorrafting on the Katun River
✔ Scenic cruise on Lake Teletskoye, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site
✔ The multicolored "Altai Mars" valley
✔ Local culture, folklore, and cooking masterclasses
✔ Russian sauna (banya) and relaxation in traditional lodges
✔ Rafting or motorrafting on the Katun River
✔ Scenic cruise on Lake Teletskoye, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site
✔ The multicolored "Altai Mars" valley
✔ Local culture, folklore, and cooking masterclasses
✔ Russian sauna (banya) and relaxation in traditional lodges
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival, Anokhin Museum, Botanical Garden & Cheese Workshop
Upon arrival at Gorno-Altaysk Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After a light breakfast in the city, the tour begins with a visit to the A.V. Anokhin National Museum, where you can explore archaeological artifacts and cultural exhibits from the Altai region, including ancient burial treasures. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the botanical garden, home to over 2,000 plant species ranging from alpine meadows to mountain forests. The day ends with a delicious dinner and a hands-on cheese-making workshop, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Altai cheeses using local ingredients.
Day 2 – Che-Chkysh Gorge: Rafting, Motorrafting or Scenic Walk
After breakfast, depart for the stunning Che-Chkysh Gorge, a valley framed by crystal-clear streams and dramatic cliffs. Guests can choose their adventure:
Day 3 – Chuysky Trakt, Karakol Valley & Kalbak-Tash Rock Art
Set out early along the legendary Chuysky Trakt, one of the world’s most scenic roads, crossing Seminsky Pass (1,717 m) and Chike-Taman Pass (1,295 m), with stunning views over the Katun River and surrounding mountains. The morning is dedicated to Karakol Valley, a sacred site for the Altai people, where you can enjoy traditional dishes prepared by a local family. In the afternoon, visit Kalbak-Tash, home to thousands of ancient rock carvings that tell the story of early human life. Overnight stay in Aktash, with dinner featuring local specialties.
Day 4 – Altai Mars, Geyser Lake & Mazhoy Cascade
After breakfast, continue along the Chuysky Trakt to Kyzylchin Valley, nicknamed “Altai Mars” due to its vivid, mineral-rich landscapes. The morning is perfect for photography and short walks among the colorful rock formations. In the afternoon, visit Geyser Lake, known for its turquoise waters and natural underground geysers. Stop at Mazhoy Cascade on the Chuya River, where the rapids create spectacular waterfalls. Dinner is served in a nomadic-style ethnodome yurt before returning to the lodge.
Day 5 – Pazyryk Burial Mounds & Chulyshman Valley
Travel through the dramatic landscapes of the “Red Gates”, deep red gorges shaped by time, toward the Chulyshman Valley. Visit the Pazyryk burial mounds, ancient tombs of Altai nobility dating back to the 7th–6th centuries BCE. Continue to Katu-Yaryk Pass, with panoramic views of the valley and nearby waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic lunch outdoors. In the afternoon, settle into your lodge in Chulyshman Valley, followed by dinner and a traditional folklore evening with music and local storytelling.
Day 6 – Uchar Waterfall or Lodge Leisure
After breakfast, choose to hike to Uchar Waterfall, a 160-meter-high cascade set in breathtaking surroundings. The trail is challenging (around 16 km, rocky terrain and river crossings) but immensely rewarding for avid trekkers. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day at the lodge, perhaps visiting the Russian banya (sauna), taking a swim, or going motorrafting on the Chulyshman River (optional). Picnic lunch included.
Day 7 – Stone Mushrooms & Lake Teletskoye Cruise
The morning begins with a visit to the Stone Mushrooms, towering sandstone formations up to 10 meters high, sculpted by nature over centuries. Continue to Lake Teletskoye, one of Siberia’s deepest and most picturesque lakes, a UNESCO-listed natural site. Embark on a scenic cruise (approximately 80 km) along the lake’s clear waters, taking in views of Korbu Waterfall and the surrounding pristine forests. Overnight at a lakefront hotel, with dinner included.
Day 8 – Ortosh Ethnopark & Teletsky Resort
After breakfast, visit the Ortoshi Ethnopark on the Biya River, a living museum of Altai culture. Participate in traditional rituals, play historic local games, taste Altai salted tea with talkan, and learn about traditional costumes. Later, transfer to Teletsky Ski Resort, ascending via chairlift to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. The day concludes with a farewell dinner and return to your hotel.
Day 9 – Breakfast & Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel, check out, and transfer to the airport for your return flight. Scheduled departures are after 17:00. Guests wishing to extend their stay independently can explore Gorno-Altaysk or the nearby Katun River region at their own expense.
Upon arrival at Gorno-Altaysk Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After a light breakfast in the city, the tour begins with a visit to the A.V. Anokhin National Museum, where you can explore archaeological artifacts and cultural exhibits from the Altai region, including ancient burial treasures. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the botanical garden, home to over 2,000 plant species ranging from alpine meadows to mountain forests. The day ends with a delicious dinner and a hands-on cheese-making workshop, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Altai cheeses using local ingredients.
Day 2 – Che-Chkysh Gorge: Rafting, Motorrafting or Scenic Walk
After breakfast, depart for the stunning Che-Chkysh Gorge, a valley framed by crystal-clear streams and dramatic cliffs. Guests can choose their adventure:
- Light rafting on the Katun River, navigating gentle rapids and stopping at Kamyshlinsky Waterfall to admire the natural beauty.
- Motorrafting, riding motorized rafts along the same scenic stretch.
- Scenic walk through the village of Askat to the Mount Menzhelik viewpoint, offering panoramic views of the valley and optional visit to a local art gallery.
Day 3 – Chuysky Trakt, Karakol Valley & Kalbak-Tash Rock Art
Set out early along the legendary Chuysky Trakt, one of the world’s most scenic roads, crossing Seminsky Pass (1,717 m) and Chike-Taman Pass (1,295 m), with stunning views over the Katun River and surrounding mountains. The morning is dedicated to Karakol Valley, a sacred site for the Altai people, where you can enjoy traditional dishes prepared by a local family. In the afternoon, visit Kalbak-Tash, home to thousands of ancient rock carvings that tell the story of early human life. Overnight stay in Aktash, with dinner featuring local specialties.
Day 4 – Altai Mars, Geyser Lake & Mazhoy Cascade
After breakfast, continue along the Chuysky Trakt to Kyzylchin Valley, nicknamed “Altai Mars” due to its vivid, mineral-rich landscapes. The morning is perfect for photography and short walks among the colorful rock formations. In the afternoon, visit Geyser Lake, known for its turquoise waters and natural underground geysers. Stop at Mazhoy Cascade on the Chuya River, where the rapids create spectacular waterfalls. Dinner is served in a nomadic-style ethnodome yurt before returning to the lodge.
Day 5 – Pazyryk Burial Mounds & Chulyshman Valley
Travel through the dramatic landscapes of the “Red Gates”, deep red gorges shaped by time, toward the Chulyshman Valley. Visit the Pazyryk burial mounds, ancient tombs of Altai nobility dating back to the 7th–6th centuries BCE. Continue to Katu-Yaryk Pass, with panoramic views of the valley and nearby waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic lunch outdoors. In the afternoon, settle into your lodge in Chulyshman Valley, followed by dinner and a traditional folklore evening with music and local storytelling.
Day 6 – Uchar Waterfall or Lodge Leisure
After breakfast, choose to hike to Uchar Waterfall, a 160-meter-high cascade set in breathtaking surroundings. The trail is challenging (around 16 km, rocky terrain and river crossings) but immensely rewarding for avid trekkers. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day at the lodge, perhaps visiting the Russian banya (sauna), taking a swim, or going motorrafting on the Chulyshman River (optional). Picnic lunch included.
Day 7 – Stone Mushrooms & Lake Teletskoye Cruise
The morning begins with a visit to the Stone Mushrooms, towering sandstone formations up to 10 meters high, sculpted by nature over centuries. Continue to Lake Teletskoye, one of Siberia’s deepest and most picturesque lakes, a UNESCO-listed natural site. Embark on a scenic cruise (approximately 80 km) along the lake’s clear waters, taking in views of Korbu Waterfall and the surrounding pristine forests. Overnight at a lakefront hotel, with dinner included.
Day 8 – Ortosh Ethnopark & Teletsky Resort
After breakfast, visit the Ortoshi Ethnopark on the Biya River, a living museum of Altai culture. Participate in traditional rituals, play historic local games, taste Altai salted tea with talkan, and learn about traditional costumes. Later, transfer to Teletsky Ski Resort, ascending via chairlift to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. The day concludes with a farewell dinner and return to your hotel.
Day 9 – Breakfast & Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel, check out, and transfer to the airport for your return flight. Scheduled departures are after 17:00. Guests wishing to extend their stay independently can explore Gorno-Altaysk or the nearby Katun River region at their own expense.
2026 Departure Dates
The "Golden Ring of the Altai Mountains" tour is available on the following summer 2026 dates:
- - 17 June 2026
- - 1 July 2026
- - 22 July 2026
- - 5 August 2026
- - 19 August 2026
- - 2 September 2026
Where You’ll Stay
✔ Panoramic hotels and lodges overlooking valleys and rivers
✔ Cabin lodges in the Chulyshman Valley
✔ Lake Teletskoye waterfront hotels with restaurant and comfort
Standard double rooms with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and breathtaking views.
✔ Cabin lodges in the Chulyshman Valley
✔ Lake Teletskoye waterfront hotels with restaurant and comfort
Standard double rooms with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and breathtaking views.
What’s Included and Not Included
Included:
✔ Transportation as per itinerary
✔ Professional local guide
✔ Double room accommodation
✔ Lake Teletskoye cruise
✔ 3 meals per day (except first day breakfast and last day dinner)
✔ Entrance fees and included activities
✔ Personal insurance
✔ Two visits to the Russian banya (sauna)
Not Included:
✘ International flights
✘ Single room supplement
✘ Extras at lodges or local facilities
✘ Optional activities not included in the program
✔ Transportation as per itinerary
✔ Professional local guide
✔ Double room accommodation
✔ Lake Teletskoye cruise
✔ 3 meals per day (except first day breakfast and last day dinner)
✔ Entrance fees and included activities
✔ Personal insurance
✔ Two visits to the Russian banya (sauna)
Not Included:
✘ International flights
✘ Single room supplement
✘ Extras at lodges or local facilities
✘ Optional activities not included in the program
Climate and Clothing
Summer in Altai can be variable, with warm days and cool nights.
Recommended: layered clothing, trekking shoes, windproof jacket, sunscreen, and swimwear.
Recommended: layered clothing, trekking shoes, windproof jacket, sunscreen, and swimwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended age: 12+
Difficulty level: suitable for active travelers; advanced trekking optional
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Group size: 5–10 participants
Transport: comfortable minivans and small boats
Difficulty level: suitable for active travelers; advanced trekking optional
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Group size: 5–10 participants
Transport: comfortable minivans and small boats
Book Your Siberian Altai Adventure
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience mountains, lakes, and local culture up close. Contact us now for information and bookings!
