Upper Katun River Rafting

Region: Russia, Southern Siberia, the Altai Mountains
Activity: rafting
Dates: July August

ALTAI MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHERN SIBERIA

The mountainous part of the Altai region is one of Russia’s most picturesque areas. Altai nature stands out by its primordial purity unspoiled by man. The rigorous peaks soaring into the skies with their white caps of eternal snows, the virgin taiga clad in a  green attire of lush vegetation, the pellucid rapid rivers, the azure lakes with crystal clear water, the bright, uncommonly large flowers of alpine meadows, the steppes and even semi-deserts-all those are the wondrous and unique, mountainous country of Altai.

Upper section Katun river rafting.

10 days.

Departure for Gorno Altaysk   from Moscow around 11 p.m. by air company “Siberia” from Domodedovo airport or by “Aeroflot” from Sheremetevo-1 airport.

Day 1.  Arrival  Gorno Altaysk. Depart for 12 hours bus trip to the village of Tiungur.   Overnight in tents on the bank of Katun river.

Days 2. Rafting down the Upper Katun river. Riding the rapids class 2+.

Day 3.   From early morning there are shivery (small rapids) on the river, smoothly flowing into the rapids “Ak Kem Pipe”, class 3- . Make sure you avoid rocks and reefs, which calls for a keen eye and good physical effort. The rapids length is about 1,5 km. Camping on the river Argut confluence .

Day 4.  Rest day . Trekking to upstream the Argut river. Camping on the river bank.

Day 5.   Rafting. Today is flat water rafting. Camping near Chuya river confluence. Camping on the river bank.

Day 6.    A  day of swift current and big rolling waves, takes us to a camp near the village of Yaloman. Camping on the river bank.

Day 7.   After a day of fairly tough but unnamed rapids reach the Class III+ Ilgumen rapids, Kadrin pipe. Camp for the night in  the river beach  and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

Day 8.  The featured rapid of the day is Shabash, a solid Class IV.  Camp on the big river beach. From camp you may take a short walk to see ancient “petroglyphs”.

Day 9.   Rest day. Short trekking, sauna.

Day 10.  A 25-mile day of swift current and  rolling waves takes us to a camp near the village of Yelanda. Before camping will be rapids-Teldekpen I-II, last night near campfire.

Day 11.  Go out with a bang, running rapid Yelandinsky.

The drive back to Gorno Altaysk is a few hours shorter this time. Stop at the village of Manzerok , where you can buy a souvenirs and maybe some sea-buckthorn oil or Altai honey to take home. You stay in Gorno Altaysk at the  hotel, a two-star affair.

Day 12. Early morning flight from  Gorno Altaysk to Moscow, arriving at about 10:00 a.m. Connect with homeward-bound flight.

LAND COST: 53 000 Rub per person , min 12 persons.

Payment: Deposit  30%  not late 45 days prior to departure, final payment 20 days prior to departure.

Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations.

What’s Included

¨      expert leadership

¨      accommodations in hotel in Gorno Altaysk ( DBL)

¨      all arrangements in the field, including camp meals, cook staffs, group gear, and river rafting equipment

¨      meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

¨      airport transfers

¨      ground transportation

¨      basic medical and evacuation insurance

¨      permit

¨      travel insurance

What’s Not

-Flights within Russia (Moscow\Gorno Altaysk\Moscow –about  Eur 685, air tickets cost is subject for change);

-meals not noted in itinerary;

-insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance as noted above;

-optional tipping to leader,

-guides and local staff;

-excess baggage charges;

-airport taxes; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).