In early May, the Altai Mountains showcase the entire spectrum of colors: pink-lilac bushes, like a blanket covering the slopes, are in the central part of the Altai Republic. Turquoise-blue mountain lakes, framed by emerald shores, are in the east. Red-orange rocks with yellow and purple speckles are in the south.
On this journey, you will witness the awakening of nature in the Altai Mountains: you will see the first spring flowers and the birds that have returned from their wintering grounds. The route is planned around the main blooming areas of Rhododendron ledebourii, the Siberian rhododendron (maralnik). If you're lucky, one day you might find bushes not only with pink flowers but also with the rarer white ones.
Despite the extensive geography of the tour — you will travel almost to the border with Mongolia — special physical training is not required. The program includes three walking tours ranging from 3 to 12 kilometers, without significant ascents or descents. You will travel the rest of the way in a comfortable minivan.
Please note: The blooming of the Siberian rhododendron (maralnik) is a natural phenomenon. We cannot guarantee that by the dates of the journey all the bushes will have blossomed or that they won't have faded slightly earlier. However, the route is designed so that you will definitely see this symbol of spring in the Altai in one of the regions.
You will take a walk across the Kurai Steppe and photograph the peaks of the North Chuya Range, crowned with the snow-white caps of eternal ice
You will see the slopes of the Altai Mountains carpeted in a pink-lilac blanket
You will admire the abstract patterns of Geyser Lake
You will visit a valley with crimson-ochre, otherworldly landscapes—due to its color, this place is called the "Altai Mars."
Along the Chuysky Trakt, you will drive to a village located on the border with Mongolia
You will walk along a ghost road, which offers panoramic views of the Katun River valley
This is a general outline of the tour. The actual route may vary depending on weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
You can arrive on any flight before 18:00. We will meet you at the airport in Gorno-Altaisk and take you to a cozy hotel on the banks of the Katun River, where you can rest after your flight and adjust to the time zone. In the evening, the whole group will gather for dinner.
After breakfast, you will set off on a journey along the ancient trade route — the Chuysky Trakt. This road is part of the Asian highway stretching from Novosibirsk through Mongolia to the Pakistani port of Karachi.
Along the way, you will stop at scenic viewpoints — about an hour later, the first blooming Siberian rhododendron (maralnik) bushes will appear on the banks of the Katun River.
After the Chike-Taman Pass, you will behold mountain slopes covered in an almost continuous carpet of blooming maralnik. The remainder of the journey includes many stops to photograph the surrounding beauty: you will see the Ilgumen Rapids, the Katun terraces, the Tsaplin Bridge, and the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers. You will walk among the blooming maralnik and climb to the best viewing points.
You will also visit an ethno-village: its hostess will tell you about Altai traditions and customs. You will sample dishes of Altai cuisine.
By evening, you will arrive in the village of Inegen, settle into a guesthouse, and have dinner.
Route length: 290 km by car, 3 km on foot.
Today you will have an active day in nature. In the morning after breakfast, you will drive by car to the Tyungur Trail — from here, you will walk on foot to the confluence of the Argut and Katun rivers.
The Tyungur Trail is a ghost road, constructed under extremely challenging conditions to connect the Chuysky Trakt and the village of Tyungur — the starting point for all expeditions to Mount Belukha.
From the trail, you can clearly see the Katun Valley, which will delight you with views of the blooming mountain slopes and the first snowdrops right beside the path.
If time remains and there is interest, upon your return you can try to find the white Siberian rhododendron (maralnik). In the evening, you can also go for a horseback ride or try mountain biking (for an additional fee).
A picnic lunch awaits you on the route, and in the evening—dinner at the guesthouse.
Route length: 20 km by car, 10–12 km on foot.
After breakfast, you will continue your journey along the Chuysky Trakt: you will drive along the Chuya River, whose banks are also adorned with Siberian rhododendron (maralnik). Along the way, you will stop at the ancient sanctuary Kalbak-Tash and the monument to Kolka Snegirev.
In the Kurai Steppe, a walk awaits you across the hills, offering a stunning view of the North Chuya Range covered in eternal ice and snow. The walk will conclude at a viewpoint overlooking the Chuya River meanders.
After dinner, you will have a meeting with a kai-chi – an Altai storyteller and master of throat singing. You will spend the night in guesthouses in Kurai.
Route length: 125 km by car, 5 km on foot.
Today you will wake up early to see the first rays of the sun paint the North Chuya Range in shades of pink (weather permitting).
Next, your journey leads to the colorful hills of the Kyzyl-Chin River valley, which tourists call the Altai Mars. The landscapes here are painted in various shades of red—from bright orange to dark brown. In the first half of May, it is still early spring in the valley, and the river may be covered with ice. But the atmosphere is defined by the multicolored mountains. On foot, you will walk to Mars-2 to see all the bends and hidden corners of the red canyon.
You will spend this day at an altitude of about 1400–1800 meters, where it is much colder and steppe and semi-desert vegetation prevails. The Siberian rhododendron (maralnik) does not grow here, but you may encounter grazing camels, eagles and vultures soaring in the sky.
The next point on the program is Kosh-Agach—a large village near the border with Mongolia, where you can buy Mongolian cashmere, woolen goods, and souvenirs at the local market.
In the evening, you will visit a Kazakh family, who will offer you national dishes in a genuine, traditional yurt.
Route length: 80 km by car, 8 km on foot.
After breakfast, you will set off back to Gorno-Altaisk. Along the way, you will stop at Geyser Lake — one of the symbols of Altai. Its bottom is covered with a mixture of blue clay and sand — rising and settling, it creates beautiful patterns. Here you can take a walk and take striking photographs of the bright turquoise lake.
You will also see the stone warrior who has guarded his land for 2500 years. You will examine the joint creation of man and nature—the Ininsky sandstone pillars. You will admire the confluence of the crystal-clear Yaloman River and the turbulent Katun. You will stop at the Seminsky Pass, where you can buy souvenirs.
You will arrive in Gorno-Altaisk around 18:00 – 19:00. You will check into a hotel, which must be booked independently, and have dinner (for an additional fee).
Route length: 390 km by car.
After breakfast, you need to make your own way to the airport.
Accommodation in Gorno-Altaysk after the program ends is not included in the tour price and should be booked separately. We recommend Hotel Igman for standard accommodation, Grand Hotel Altai for a higher level of service, and Hotel Gorny Altai as a budget-friendly option.
The suggested hotels may be substituted with equivalent alternatives of the same category.
You will stay in guesthouses with single beds, a shower, and a toilet. The property features a restaurant, a bath complex, and a hot tub. Mobile network coverage and Wi-Fi are available.
You will stay in guesthouses with single beds, a shower, and a toilet. The property features a restaurant, a bath complex with a hot tub. Mobile network coverage and Wi-Fi are available.
You will stay in guesthouses accommodating 2–3 people, furnished with either a double bed or two single beds, and equipped with a shower and toilet. The grounds feature a café, and mobile coverage and Wi-Fi are available.
Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
In May, the weather in Altai is very unpredictable. Daytime temperatures can reach up to +25 °C. There are plenty of sunny days, but sudden cold snaps, chilly winds, rain, and even snow are also possible. That’s why we recommend paying close attention when choosing what to pack.
Documents and personal items:
Clothing and footwear:
Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by a certified guide.
The price includes dinner on day 1, three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on days 2–5, and breakfast and lunch on day 6. Dinner on day 6 and breakfast on the day after the program ends must be paid for separately.
For groups of up to 6 people, transfers along the route are provided in a Mercedes-Benz Vito minivan (or similar). For groups of 6–12 people, transportation is arranged with two minivans.
To reach the Kyzylchin Valley, you will travel in a UAZ off-road vehicle.
Mobile coverage is available in larger villages and district centers, but may be lost during transfers. At the guesthouse in the village of Inegen, Wi-Fi is available.
Altai is a region of Russia with a higher risk of tick-borne encephalitis. We strongly recommend vaccination in advance.
A full vaccination course consists of three doses. The first is given at least 45 days before the trip, the second one month later, and the third a year after the second (after your journey). This scheme provides immunity for up to 3 years. Afterwards, a booster shot is required once every three years. Vaccinations can be done at your local clinic or at a private medical center licensed for this procedure.
If your trip is planned at shorter notice, a two-dose schedule is also possible. The first shot should be given at least 21 days before the trip, and the second 7 days after the first.
If there are fewer than 21 days before departure and vaccination is no longer possible, we recommend purchasing tick-borne encephalitis insurance. The cost is 400 RUB per person. Please note that insurance must be arranged in advance, as coverage becomes active only 5 days after purchase. If bitten by a tick, you can receive immunoglobulin at any medical facility in Russia to reduce the risk of illness. Rosgosstrakh insurance is valid throughout Russia for 360 days from the date of issue. To arrange insurance, please send us your full name, passport details, and phone number.
How to reduce the risk of tick bites during the program:
Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Active tours. You don’t have to be a sportsman, but you need to be strong enough to ride a snowmobile or go hiking in the mountains.
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Spring Journey along the Chuysky Trakt 6 days
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