Altai: cycling the most beautiful Siberian mountains
Enjoy our cycling trip to Altai - UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the most diversified mountainous region of Siberia. We will pass snow-capped peaks of over 4000 m, glaciers, rare geological forms (like mushroom rocks and red rocks), canyons, beautiful valleys with rapid rivers, the taiga, steppes, birch groves and forests.
Altai is also filled with remnants of ancient civilizations (burial mounds, kurgans, rock engravings) and traditions that have been kept alive and passed down from generation to generation by shamans and traditional singers who are famous for their throat singing.
Our cycling trip will lead through the famous Chuysky Tract - the main road connecting Russia and Mongolia and the Tiungurski Tract in the Katun river valley. We will reach Kurai Steppe and Lake Teletskoye, we will see the “Stone Muschrooms” and cascade waterfall Uchar.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1-2
Departure from Warsaw or Berlin to Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of of the Altai Republic. Visit in the modern Altai museum, where we will see the legendary mummy of Ukok princess and other artifacts. It will be a great chance to get to know the history of Altai, its inhabitants and shamans. Departure to the famous Chuysky Tract - the main road connecting Russia and Mongolia, built by the prisoners from the Gulag Archipelago. Overnight in Ust-Kan. In the evening we will prepare bikes for the next day ride.
DAY 3
From Ust-Kan we move south-east towards Ust'-Koksy. After crossing the Kyrlyk Pass, we reach the long valley of the Koksy river. The route is long (118 km), but not difficult. There are two larger uphills on the way. Overnight in Ust'-Koksy.
DAY 4
Departure from Ust'-Koksy towards the Lake Multinski. The whole route is 55 km long. From the main road we turn to a forest trail, leading parallel to the Katunia River. Overnight in Kiedrowaja Opuszka base or in one of the bases in Multa.
On the spot it is possible to take a d-tour to the Lower Multinski Lake, combining cycling and trekking ;-) It is 25 km (one way), actually only uphill.
DAY 5
48-kilometre section leading eastwards to Tingur, which is located at the gate of the Tiungur Trail. Today we have in plans gravel roads, many short intensive uphills and beautiful views. The route is not very demanding so it will will be a good rest after the previous days.
In Tiungur we recommend a visit in the home museum of the artist Nikolai Rerich (Nikolai Roerich)
DAY 6
Departure from Tiungur to Inegen / Chuy-Oozy. This demanding mountain section along the Katun river valley will compensate us with the beautiful views and impressions. With a bit of luck, we will see Belukha Mountain - the highest peak of the Altai. On the route we will have to carry our bikes across the river and ride on narrow paths.
You have to take lunch with you and everything you need for a long bicycle day, because the backup car will take a circular road. For those who do not feel up to ride this route, we’ll organize a transport to Inegen / Chuy-Oozy (a few hour’s drive).
DAY 7-8
Ride from Chuy-Oozy to Aktash, which becomes our base for the next 2 days. The route is 89 km long. On the way we will stop by the monument to the cars (contected with the legend of the Trail during the WWII).
Around 35 km separates us from the endless space of the Kuraysky Steppe, which we can overcome the next day during an optional trip back and forth. Our destination will be Kosh-Agach. For those who prefer - rafting on the Chuya river.
DAY 9
The next stage is the ride from Aktash through the Ulagan Pass (2082 m) to Ulagan. We will pass through “Krasnyje Vorota”, a narrow isthmus between the red rocks, reaching even 50 meters. Today's section is 55 km long. In front of us there are demanding uphills and technically interesting downhills. In Ulagan, called the capital of Altai culture, a concert of Altai music and throat singing awaits us.
DAY 10
Ride from Ulagan to Katu-Jaryk Canyon, 50 km long. The day will start with the uphill to the village of Balyktujul. We will rest for a while on a very picturesque pass, from which, in good weather, you can see, among others, the massif of the South Chuy Range. Next, we will have a descent to Pazaryk, which is an archaeological excavation that will reveal the secrets of the Pazaryk kurgan culture. The second part of the day is first an uphill of 1641 m above sea level (we will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Katu-Jaryk canyon!), and then a wonderful, technically difficult downhill to the canyon.
DAY 11
Today we will have time to regenerate. Scheduled section of 30 km ride will take about 3 hours. The aim is extremely interesting rock forms - Stone Mushrooms. We will leave the bikes in the turbaza and reach the rocks on foot. There is also a possibility of organizing rafting on the Chulyshman river.
DAY 12
The last day of the cycling is 47 km long. From Stone Mushrooms we will reach Lake Teletskoye - the largest lake in Altai. The route is simple, mostly gravel and very interesting in terms of views.
DAY 13
To get to Gorno-Altaysk, we will first go by boat through the Lake Teletskoye (about 2 hour cruise). Then in the village of Artybash, we pack our bikes and take a bus to Gorno-Altaysk where we spend the night.
DAY 14-15
Drive to Barnaul. On the way we will stop in Bijsk for sightseeing. In the evening a walk, a sightseeing tour of Barnaul and a farewell party.
Return from Barnaul to Warsaw/Berlin.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• a return flight ticket with all charges and 1pc of baggage (bike)
• care of an English-speaking guide
• transport by minibus, off-road and boat
• accommodation in a hotel in Barnaul, guest houses, turbazas, aul, at the homes of local hosts
• 14x breakfast, 10x lunch, 10x dinner prepared by a local cook (during the cycling days - days 3-12)
• "banya" - Siberian sauna
• permission to enter border areas (the area of Belukha Mountain)
• information packages and maps
• compulsory insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• NNW and KL + insurance of luggage up to 200 Euro
• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
• assistance in organizing a visa
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• visa to Russia
• Optional trips (rafting, helicopter flight over the Altai, etc.) and admission tickets (around 50 USD)
FOOD:
During the cycling days, we provide simple breakfasts and dinners in the places of accommodation as well as lunches cooked on the route by the cook. On the other days we provide breakfast. Additional snacks during the cycling days on their own. In some places it is possible to buy products in shops or a local bistro. Prices like in Poland.
ACCOMODATION:
It will be varied. In Barnaul in hotel in twin rooms. Accommodation at the homes of local hosts, cottages, guesthouses and aul (Altai's summer kitchen) in twin rooms or dormitory rooms on cycling days. Accommodation infrastructure is underdeveloped. The rooms are simple, usually without special equipment.
SANITARY EQUIPMENT:
In all places except the Barnaul, the toilet is common for a few rooms. In some places we will have to use the outhouse. In the mountains there is no classic shower with hot water. Instead, there is a Siberian "banya". A wooden house, often smelling of a tree, clean inside, warm and two buckets of hot and cold water without restrictions. Separate bath for men and women.
TRANSPORT:
We will travel most of the way with a Russian marshrutka "Gazela" without air conditioning or UAZ field car. We will sail through the lake with a motorboat.
FLIGHT:
The place of departure is BERLIN or WARSAW. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for price quotation for this trip.
WARNING:
Trips to the former USSR sometimes require a participant of a large dose of patience in relation to the speed of local service, understanding of requirements or time arrangements. As long as we are able to disconnect from the "Western" sense of time and duty, then a trip for us will be a beautiful, unique impression. Some itinerary points and the order of days may change.
GROUP:
We travel in small groups. The minimum number of people on the trip is 8, maximum 15.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl.
