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Altai
Altai - The Heart of Asia
The Altai Mountains of Russia, equidistant from the four oceans, has always been a magnet for seekers. Whether the origins of man, Shambala, riches or redemption, or rare herbal cures, the Altai has been a crossroads of discovery and legend. World class rivers for whitewater rafting and dramatic trekking routes along icefalls and alpine valleys will bring you here, while Scythian burial mounds, ancient mummies, and Burkhanist holy sites will remind you that you aren?t the first to pulled into the charms of the Heart of Asia.
   
Featured Itineraries
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Title: Wonders of Altai
Type: Trekking, Rafting, Boating
Experience the age-old magic of the heart of Asia with world-class trekking, rafting, and cultural exploration in the Altai Mountains
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Wonders of Altai
Experience the age-old attraction of the heart of Asia to explorers and adventures as you trek, raft, and immerse yourself in the history of the Altai region. As you trek along the icefalls in Chuysky range, you will meet geologists and glaciologists. In the semi-desert steppes, you may come across archeological expeditions exploring the kurgans of the Scythian people and ancient Turks. On the shores of Teleskoye Lake, you may meet the descendents of Old Believers, religious exiles who came to the Altai looking for redemption in the white waters. Throughout Altai, you will find seekers of beauty and hunters of natural remedies to all sorts of ailments. This trip combines trekking in the alpine meadows and glaciers that draw top Russian climbers, and rafting on a world-class river.
Trip Summary
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Days:
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11 (3 days rafting, 2 days trekking, 1 day boat trip)
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Type:
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Trekking, Rafting, Boating
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Group:
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Maximum 8 people
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Difficulty:
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Moderate: Trekking and Rafting designed for people in good physical condition, but no previous experience is required. Ability to swim is a requirement.
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Prices:
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(2-4 people) $1600
(5+ people) $1400
(Single Supplement) $300
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Originates:
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Barnaul
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Highlights
- Trek along the Akt-ru glacier to beautiful glacier lakes and panaroma of the Chuysky Range
- See the ancient burial site of the Scythian Princess in Pazyryk
- Raft the mighty Katun river through challenging rapids and tubes
- Visit the numerous waterfalls flowing into Teletskoye Lake, the second deepest lake in Russia.
- Enjoy the traditional hospitality of the Altai people
Wonders of Altai - Itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Barnaul early a.m. from Moscow. Transfer by minibus to the lodge camp at the mouth of the Biy River and the Teleskoye Lake. Stop for lunch at the Golden Spring which the Altai people consider to be a home of a spirit. We cover several mountain passes. Welcome dinner. Spend the night in comfortable wooden huts on the banks of the river.
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Day 2
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Tour of the Teleskoye Lake with walking excursions to the Korbu waterfall, Rock Lagoon, to the Chulisman River Valley. Hot Russian Banya with a dip in the Biy River for the intrepid.
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Day 3
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Auto trip in a Kamaz 66, truly an all terrain vehicle. The trip takes us along the Chulisman valley, across the Katu-Arik mountain pass. Here we will visit the Pazyryk kurgans, stone burial sites from the 2nd ? 6th century Scythians, preserved by the permafrost under the steppe. Visit a local Altai family, and continue to the alpine mountain base of Akt-ru.
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Day 4
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We begin our trekking to the Blue Lake created by the Bolshoy Akt-ru iceberg. The trek affords magnificent views of Karatash mountain, one of the most difficult climbing peaks in Russia, and the ice falls of the Malyi Akt-ru glacier, unique in the world as the only iceberg extending into the taiga. Spend night in the Akt-ru base camp.
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Day 5
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A more challenging trek to the ?Cupola of 3 Lakes? which gives a panorama of spectacular mountain lakes and the major peaks and valleys of the Chusky Range. Russian Banya and night in the Akt-ru base camp.
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Day 6
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Transfer from the base camp to the Katun River by 4WD vehicle. Along the way, visit the stone figures, ancient graves, and petroglyphs left by the ancient inhabitants of the ?golden? valleys of the Altai. Traditional Altai foods served for lunch in an traditional dwelling called an ?Ayil?. Camp on the shores of Bolshoy Yaloman and Katun rivers.
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Day 7
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Rafting instruction and preparations and the start of the trip on the mighty Katun River. Paddle from the convergence of the Ilgumen River to the Kuzyur River. You will cover the Ilgumen Rapids and the Kadrinskaya ?tube? with the assistance of our professional rafting crew.
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Day 8
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Continue rafting to the Kayancha River conquering the Shabash rapids. Spend the night in camp on the shore.
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Day 9
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Paddle from the Kayacha River to the mouth of the Kiyus River. We will transfer to the a riverside camp for banya and farewell dinner with river and trekking guides.
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Day 10
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Drive to Gorno-Altaisk, capital of the Altai republic to visit the local museum and collect the last souveniers of your Altai journey. Drive to Barnaul where you spend the night in a local hotel.
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Day 11
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Early morning departure to Moscow.
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