8-Day Altai Horse Riding Adventure to Karakol’skie Lakes

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Day 01

Off-road Ride to Base Camp

• Meeting point – Elekmonar village / Arrival (auto: 15 km)
• Let us warn you – it may be challenging, the sun may be too bright or the wind too firm, and there also may be rain, or even a storm may occur, but you’ll never regret it!
• The beauty you’ll see, the freedom you’ll feel, and the adventures you’ll experience are worth all the inconveniences.
• So don’t be afraid and let the adventures enter your life!
• And your first Altai adventure will be the off-road ride to our base camp.
• We’ll start from Elekmonar village. After packing all luggage into an off-road vehicle (jeep or truck), we’ll drive you deep into the taiga to the base camp named “Sortesh,” which can be translated from the Altai language as “Yellow Stone.”
• This road trip will become your first and not the last impression of the trip.
• Be prepared for a hard drive, as there are no roads in the Taiga, only directions. The road may take 2 hours, but trust us: this trip is going to be fascinating!
• As soon as the jeep arrives at the base camp, be prepared for a new portion of emotions as you’ll see green meadows that are blanketed with yellow, blue, orange, and white flowers, pasturing horses, and tiny houses in one of which your guides are already waiting for you as well as hot tea made on a campfire.
• While your luggage is taken out of the car, you may just walk around breathing in the fresh mountain air and trying to get used to the idea that the taiga, with all its beauty, will become your home for the whole week; that one week later, you’ll be walking there, but it will be the “new” you full of new experiences.
• Later, you’ll get your first camp-life lesson – you’ll learn how to pitch a tent.
• If you already know how to do it, you may assist others.
• Your guides will give you instructions about the ride; choose a horse that will match your riding abilities, and you’ll do your horseback test-drive riding.
• After instructions, a sauna will be served, followed by dinner.
• Be prepared to listen to amusing but instructive stories about camp life in the taiga and participate in the national Altai custom of “Chyoi-Chyoi.”

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Day 02

Altai Horses Journey to Kylay Mountain

• Distance: from base camp “Sortesh” to Kylay Mountain (riding time 4-6 hrs (approx. ~ 30 km))
• Your first horseback riding day will start early in the morning.
• The adventures already await you but so many things still need to be settled.
• Have a nourishing breakfast with hot tea or better coffee, take a deep breath and just for a few minutes observe the fuss around: tourists packing their luggage, guides saddling up horses, people moving there and back.
• But it’s a pleasant fuss, so no more procrastination – now it’s your time to take an active part in it!
• The guides will help you to put your luggage into special waterproof saddle bags that locals call “archimak” and then saddle up the horse that was chosen for you yesterday.
• We recommend getting acquainted with your horse that will become your good friend for the whole trip. Bread with salt is the best treat for Altai horses and the best way to make friends.
• And finally when all the preparations are done the guides shout: “Mount up!” and the trip begins.
• On your way from Sortesh area to Kylay Mountain, you’ll see the summits of Ak-Kaya Mountain that you come closer the next day.
• Today you will reach your first camp in taiga called Kylay so named after Kylay River. And there you will spend your first night in taiga.
• Tourists love this camp for its amazing view of the summit of Kylay Mountain: at the end of the day the sun starts to set, intensifying the colors of the far mountains – bright-blue, pink, and purple and many more hues. Just like on the masterpieces of Nicolay Roerich.
• And there, behind the mountains are the Karakol’skie Lakes but you will visit them on your way back to the base camp.
• Spend the rest of the evening near the campfire listening to the stories of guides, feel the atmosphere, open your heart to Altai, and be prepared for adventures that lay ahead.

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Day 03

Exploring Altai Mountains and Viktoriya Lake

• Distance: from Kylay through Viktoriya Lake and Waterfall to mountain area Uul (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
• Hope you slept well. Many tourists say that in Altai Mountains they start to see colored dreams!
• If you wake up early in the morning and, of course, if the weather allows, you may see how beautiful the morning can be in Altai Mountains. It is so calm and peaceful; there are no noises that you're used to in a city, only the sounds of birds singing, streams running, and bells ringing on horses. Ravines are covered with mist and somewhere in the mist are the horses – warm and sleepy. Take some bread and try to call any horse. Maybe fortune will smile upon you and one of the horses will come closer to you.
• But back to camp life! Have breakfast and again pack your luggage. It’s time to move forward to see Viktoriya Lake and Waterfall!
• The guides again shout: “Mount up!” that in Russian sounds like: “Po konyam!” This is the signal to move.
• During the first half of the day, you will approach the lake. There you will have a light lunch and will take a one-hour walk to see the waterfall.
• Then again “Po konayam!” and you’ll move to the mountain area Uul.
• This evening you may try your hand at cooking dinner – it may be rice or pasta or maybe your imagination and fresh mountain air inspire you to cook something special. But even if you find no inspiration, your guides will cook a very tasty dinner.

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Day 04

Trek to Moon Valley and Karakokshinskaya Cave

• Distance: from mountain area Uul to Moon Valley (riding time 3-4 hrs, approximately 20 km)
• Adventures continue with a journey to the beautiful and magnificent camp known as Moon Valley or "Ayryk" by locals. The camp offers breathtaking views of the valley, with the moon appearing larger, stars shining brighter, and panoramic vistas.
• Along the way, you'll traverse through "Alpine" meadows where Bayukskie Lakes are nestled, a chain of mountain lakes of glacial origin. The lakes' colors change depending on various factors such as the time of day, sunlight, clouds, and wind, providing a fascinating sight.
• Upon nearing Moon Valley, set up camp quickly as the day's highlight includes a visit to Karakokshinskaya cave. Visitors are advised not to wear clean clothes as the cave exploration involves descending into it. Inside the cave, you'll encounter stalactites and stalagmites, with the sound of an underground river echoing through its passages. The cave is guarded by a Keeper, adding to the mystique of the experience.
• After exploring the cave, refresh yourself in the nearby fast stream before dinner. Free time is available to stroll around the camp, capturing photos of the setting sun. If the night sky is clear, you may witness the majestic sight of the moon and countless stars, offering opportunities for skilled photographers to capture stunning images of the celestial spectacle.

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Day 05

Five Lakes Adventure - Akkainskie Lakes

• Distance: from Moon Valley through Veronika Lake to Muikhta ravine (riding time 3-4 hrs (approx. ~ 30 km))
• We call this day – The Day of Five Lakes. So it’s time to move again. But don’t forget to thank Moon Valley for hospitality.
• We, in the guest house, try to follow the traditions of natives in cherishing nature, spirits, and keepers. We love the area where we work and live, and we want to make it better. That's why in the taiga, we try not to shout, do not quarrel, and of course, we collect all the trash that was left after our visit. And we kindly ask our tourists to do the same.
• Today, we cross Ayryk pass. The horses steadily ascend the pass. The higher they climb, the better the view. At the top of the pass, we’ll make a pause to see the scenic panorama of North-Western Altai. The pass also commands a magnificent view of the Ayryk Lakes that lie beneath.
• After passing the pass, we’ll turn right to see Lake Veronika from a bird’s eye view. If the day is sunny, you’ll see the incredible sapphire color of the lake, and it feels like the lake is a precious gem edged by mountains. During descending, you’ll be amazed by the power and bravery of Altai horses. Don’t be afraid: listen carefully to your guides, follow their instructions, and trust your horse.
• And up again! Sounds hard but the beauty around you, mountain air, and spirit of adventure will help you cope with all difficulties.
• And again, we see lakes. This time it is Akkainskie Lakes. There we’ll also take a pause just for some minutes only to take some photos.
• And after an hour and a half, we’ll finally arrive at Muikhta ravine. We love the camp for amazing sunsets that can be seen there. Our guides know a special place ideal for observing a sunset. And also, we love the place for ancient cedars. If the weather allows: there are no clouds in the evening sky and the air is warm, you may spend this night sleeping not in the tent but just in your sleeping bag under a cedar! Sounds a bit crazy but it’s worth it!

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Day 06

Crossing Bagatash Pass to Karakol’skie Lakes

• Distance: from Muikhta ravine to Karakol’skie Lakes (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
• New day and new adventures! Now you know well how to pack your luggage fast, enjoy porridge for breakfast, and can easily find your horse among the others. You may even try to help saddle your horse.
• During this day, you will cross Bagatash pass, talk to spirits at Castle of Mountain Spirits, swim in one of Karakol’skie Lakes, slide from a glacier, and even try very special Altai ice-cream. So, you hear this shout now became so familiar: “Po konaym!” and you know what to do.
• Today, the camp will be set up not far from Karakol’skie Lakes. This evening is going to be the last in wild taiga, and it’s better to spend it near the campfire listening to the stories of guides or the other riders or telling your own stories.

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Day 07

Return Journey to Base Camp

• Distance: from Karakol’skie Lakes to base camp (riding time 4-5 hrs (approx. ~ 25 km))
• It is sad, but it’s time to come back. So, pack your luggage, say “thank you” and “goodbye” to your taiga camp, saddle up horses, and start off to the base camp where a hot sauna will be waiting for you.
• Have your last camp dinner, say goodbye to horses and guides, and enjoy your last night in the mountains.

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Day 08

Departure from Altay

• At 7 a.m., our off-road vehicle (jeep or truck) will be waiting for you at the base camp, and by about 9 a.m., you will be in Elekmonar village.
• We will take care of your transfer to the airport or bus station. If you have any free time left, we are ready to offer you a day-long auto or horseback riding excursion.