Region: Russia, Southern Siberia, the Altai Mountains
Activity: horseback riding
Season: July — August.
Horseback Riding Trip in the Altai Mountains
(Horseback riding trip to Shavlinskije lakes)
A horseback riding vacation in the Altai mountains is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery of the Chuya Alps while mastering the traditional travel mode of the indigenous people of Altai. Pristine wilderness, unusual combination of mountains and Siberian taiga, proximity of mountain peaks and glaciers – all of this makes the trip interesting.
Day 1. Arrival in Barnaul. Bus transfer to the Beliy Bom settlement (8 hours). Transfer by an off-road vehicle to a horse-breeding farm (approximately 20 km or 13 miles). Overnight stay in tents on the bank of the Sargaldjuk creek.
Day 2. Beginning of the horseback riding tour. Riding to Karakelskoye plateau (approximately 20-25 km or 13-16 miles). Overnight stay in tents near a small lake.
Day 3. Riding to Eshtykel plateau and then descent along the Shabaga river to the Shavla river (40 km or 25 miles). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 4. Riding along the right bank of the Shavla river to the Shavlinskoye lake (about 20 km or 13 miles). Base camp, possibly a hiking banya. Trip to the Upper Shavlinskoye lake and return to the base camp.
Day 5. Riding to the clean left confluent of the Shabaga river (about 30 km or 19 miles). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 06. Riding to the Karakelskoye plateau (approximately 30 km or 19 miles). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 07. Riding to the horse-breeding farm. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 08. Transfer by an off-road vehicle to the Beliy Bom settlement. Bus transfer to the city of Barnaul (9-10 hours). Accommodation in the hotel “Barnaul”.
Day 09. Early morning departure to Moscow. Arrival in Moscow at 10:05.
Minimum group size: 8 people.
Approximate cost of airfare Moscow – Barnaul – Moscow (subject to change): 26 000 rubles.
Land cost: 42 000 Rub , min 10 pax.
Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations.
The price of the tour includes:
— hotel in the city of Barnaul (1 day, 2 people per room);
— bus transfer from Barnaul to the starting point of the horseback riding route and back;
— 3 daily meals on the route;
— horse rentals;
— rental of the required equipment;
— experienced tour guides accompanying you on the route;
— insurance.
The price of the tour includes:
— meals in the city of Barnaul;
— meals during the transfer from Barnaul to the beginning of the horseback riding route and back;
— alcoholic drinks;
— personal expenses.
Equipment: the group is provided with equipment needed for using packhorses, bags for packing personal belongings, camping equipment, 2-person tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, dishware, first aid kit with a first aid dressing package and general non-prescription medicines.
You need to take with you: appropriate clothes and shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, personal hygiene items, flashlight, personal medical kit if needed.