DAY 1:

Meeting in Barnaul: airport, railway station, hotels of the city (upon confirming). Transfer Barnaul – Srostki (210 km), a birthplace of Vasily Shukshin, the famous writer, actor and film director. Visit to the Russian national Memorial Museum-Reserve, where the expositions are presented: “The house in which V.M. Shukshin spent his childhood”, “The school where V.M. Shukshin studied and worked”, “Country estate bought by V.M. Shukshin for his mother". Pedestrian walk to Mount Picket – local attraction – the monument to the writer, where the annual Russian national festival "Shukshin readings in Altai" is held. Transfer Srostki – Lower Katun, Manzherok (100 km). Manzherok – the name of a lake with relict nut chillim, a village and a ski resort. Accommodation. Riding up to the mount Sinyukha by chairlift.  (optional at extra charge). Dinner.

On foot – 3 km, auto – 310 km

DAY 2:

Breakfast. In case the weather is sunny, an excursion to Chemal (90 km), to the Chemal hydroelectric station and the island of Patmos – one of the most beautiful places in the Altai Mountains. The only way to the island of Patmos is the suspension bridge connecting the cliffs of the island with the cliffs on the banks of the Katun. On the island itself was restored a temple in honor of John the Theologian and the cell of St. Macarius of Altai. Opposite the island is a monastery. Behind the cell of the saint is a rock with the face of the Mother of God. Another attraction of Chemal is the Chemal hydroelectric station. Next to it you can see the water springs with "living" and "dead" water. Driving up to the boundary Che-Chkysh – a rocky canyon with a waterfall, cave paintings, an observation deck, which offers a magnificent panorama of the Katun river. (30 km). In case the weather is rainy, an excursion to the museum-gallery of G.I. Choros-Gurkin in the village Anos (30 km). The house, workshop and country estate of the artist and ethnographer, student of Shishkin, author of the famous paintings "Khan Altai", "Lake of Mountain Spirits", "Crown of Katun". You will see the reproductions of his paintings. Visit to the Paleopark Museum – the museum of natural history of Altai. A fascinating, breathtaking journey of 500 million years backwards, when the Paleo-Asian Ocean was raging in Siberia. Transfer Elekmonar – Barangol (30 km). On request: moto-rafting on Katun with a visit to the Kamyshlinsky Waterfall – formed on the Kamyshla River – the left tributary of the Katun, consists of two cascades 12 m high (extra charge). Transfer Barangol – tourist complex (40 km). Dinner.

On foot – 4 km, auto – 240 km

 

DAY 3:

Breakfast. Transfer Lower Katun – Gorno-Altaysk (40 km). Visit to the National Museum of the Altai Republic named after Anokhin. The Museum has large ethnographic collections of Altaian indigenous people and also displays the unique artifact – the mummy of Princess of Ukok. In the museum, a special place is given to the culture, life and attributes of shamans. Transfer Gorno-Altaysk – Teletskoye Lake (170 km) – is one of the largest and cleanest fresh lakes in Russia. The maximum depth of the lake is about 330 meters. The name "Teletskoye" comes from the name of one of the tribes of Altaian people – the telos, who live in this area. Altaians themselves call the lake “Altyn-Kol” – “Golden Lake”. Many rivers and streams flow into the lake, and only Biya river flows out. Excursion to the Altaian national ail, where you will be introduced to the life and customs of the native people and try local cuisine (extra charge). Dinner. 

On foot – 3 km, auto – 210 km

 

DAY 4:

Breakfast. Boat trip around the Teletskoye lake. Visiting the territory of Altaian State Biosphere Reserve. Stop at Korbu Waterfall, which is 12,5 m high (visitor’s tax). And picturesque Сhedor Waterfall (visitor’s tax). On the way back – viewing from the water of the Kishte waterfall, Cape Airan, Kamginsky Bay, the reserved village of Yailyu. Trekking along the Eco-Trail “Third River” (depends on the weather). Optional: rafting down the Biya river (extra charge). Dinner.

On foot – 3 km, auto – 20 km

 

DAY 5:

Breakfast. Transfer Artybash – Turquoise Katun (220 km) – the largest tourism center, which includes a warm artificial lake for swimming and fishing, restaurants, tourist complexes, ski slopes, an extreme entertainment park, art gallery, an array of Tavdinsky caves, an apiary. Visiting Tavdinsky caves. Taldinsky caves – a bright attraction of the Altai Territory. The entire cave complex has several dozen caves, many of which have several entrances and are connected to each other, forming a large interconnected system in which it is easy to get lost. Tavdinsky caves are known for the fact that at different times they served as housing for humans. During excavations, pottery and other archaeological findings dating back to the early Iron and Bronze Ages were discovered in them. Excursion to the apiary, tasting Altaian honey, sleeping on the hives. Transfer Turquoise Katun – v. Altaiskoye (80 km). The photo-stop on the Biryuksinsky Pass – a low pass in the Seminsky Mountain Range, from which opens a picturesque panorama to the forest-steppe foothills of Altai. The top point of the pass, according to local beliefs, is considered to be a "place of power." A visit to the arboretum park "Altaiskoye Kholmogorye". Arboretum park contains a rich collection of exotic herbs, deciduous and coniferous shrubs and medicinal plants, which are used for the manufacture of cosmetics and dietary supplements. Gastro-botanic dinner “New Altaian cuisine”. Transfer v. Altaiskoye – Belokurikha (50 km). The resort is known for its healing air and radon-containing springs. Accommodation.

On foot – 4 km, auto – 350 km

 

DAY 6:

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour around the resort-city Belokurikha with a visit to the new resort Belokurikha Gornaya (40 km) – the neighbouring resort, which is under construction, but already offers the most unique road in Russia: 12 serpentine rings over 8 km. At the top of the road are several art objects (a five-meter chair with a thinker, a cart with pencils, a stupa of Medicine), the estate-museum of Andreevskaya Sloboda, the tavern named Gogol. Trekking to “Ogorodchiki” or “Ambarchiki” – a picturesque rock complex, unique geological features with excellent panorama for photo-shooting. Driving back to Belokurikha (40 km). Taking a chair lift to the top of Tserkovka Mountain, where you can observe a beautiful panorama of the town (optional at extra cost). Dinner. Visit to the “Water World” or a swimming pool with a thermo complex “Terra SPA” – wellness centre with a swimming pool with water attractions (hydro-massage, aero-massage plateau, cascade showers, geysers, counter-currents, fast and slow river areas), children's area, aqua aerobics, SPA, hammam, Roman thermal, Finnish and Russian saunas (optional at extra cost – from £13.00 per person).

On foot – 3 km, auto – 80 km

 

DAY 7:

Breakfast. Free time, shopping for souvenirs. Transfer Belokurikha – Biysk – Barnaul (230 km). Biysk is the town which was built in 18^th century under the decree of Peter The Great. Now Biysk has the status of Science City and is the main gate to the Altai Mountains. City tour around Barnaul with the visit to the museum and restaurant "Gornaya Apteka". End of the program at 20:00 p.m.

On foot – 3 km, auto – 230 km