{"id":220,"date":"2025-12-02T06:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T03:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bgrssb.icgbio.ru\/2026\/?page_id=220"},"modified":"2026-03-02T06:25:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T03:25:33","slug":"altai","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bgrssb.icgbio.ru\/2026\/en\/altai\/","title":{"rendered":"Altai Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00abMultinskie Lakes. Altai Mountains\u00bb<\/strong>
\nPost-conference tour<\/strong> BGRS\/SB-2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dear participants! There are no spots left in the group for the Altai tour. Those interested can sign up for a \u201cwaiting list\u201d in case some spot becomes available.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Download the program in .pdf<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This tour is designed for curious travelers who value every moment. A dynamic itinerary with a mix of transport and hikes helps you fully experience the beauty and uniqueness of Altai nature, unwind after the conference, relieve stress, and recharge for months ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

This post-conference tour builds on the geography of places we visited during the BGRS\/SB conferences in 2022<\/a> and 2024<\/a>, and adds new destinations: mountain-ringed lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and valleys. You\u2019ll also see landscapes painted by Nicholas Roerich. As always, you\u2019ll take stunning photos and\u2014most importantly\u2014bring home unforgettable memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

No special training is required. Only basic fitness, stamina, and comfortable hiking shoes are needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAugust 2024: participants of the post-conference tour to Altai \u201cThe Real Altai\u201d (BGRS\/SB-2024).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tour overview:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The journey begins along one of the most scenic roads in the world\u2014the Chuysky Trakt<\/strong>, featured by National Geographic among the top five most beautiful roads globally. On the way, we\u2019ll visit the Altai Botanical Garden<\/strong> (Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and cross two mountain passes: Seminsky and Yabogansky<\/strong>.
\n<\/span>In the Uymonskaya Valley <\/strong>we\u2019ll visit the N.K. Roerich House-Museum.
\n<\/strong><\/span>The main part of the tour takes place in a remarkable location: the shores of the Multinskie Lakes<\/strong>, a true jewel of Altai. We\u2019ll do two standout treks\u2014one on foot and one on horseback. The routes follow river valleys with views of alpine meadows in bloom, waterfalls dropping from cliffs, rugged talus \u201cstone rivers\u201d (talus fields) and surrounding mountain ranges.
\n<\/span>We\u2019ll see the powerful Kuyguk Waterfall <\/strong>and the beautiful Poperechny Waterfall, <\/strong>as well as the turquoise Kuyguk <\/strong>and Poperechnoye lakes <\/strong>framed by glacier-capped peaks. We\u2019ll also cross the Lower and Middle Multinskoye Lakes <\/strong>by boat.
\n<\/strong><\/span>The itinerary includes a rest day<\/strong> on the riverbank near the Lower Multinskoye Lake. To spend more time in nature, we reduced bus time to\/from Novosibirsk\u2014the tour starts and ends in Altai.
\n<\/span>Six full days<\/strong>, two mountain passes, three types of transport (bus, off-road trucks, boats, plus horses), two waterfalls, two treks, a professional guide-instructor, and great company\u2014all surrounded by the real Altai Mountains. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tour start:<\/span> Novosibirsk (Akademgorodok) \/ Biysk (Altai Region)<\/span>
\nFinish:<\/span> Gorno-Altaisk (Altai Republic).
\n<\/span>Dates:<\/span> July 11-17, 2026 (7 days \/ 6 nights).
\n<\/span>Route type:<\/span> combined, bus, special off-road vehicles, boat, on foot (first trekking), horseback riding (second trekking).
\n<\/span>Meals:<\/span> three times a day, every day.
\n<\/span>Accommodation<\/span>: 1 night<\/strong> in the village of Zamulta, 4 nights<\/strong> in the area of the Lower Multinskoye Lake, 1 night<\/strong> in a modern new hotel in the mountains, 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Accommodation in double, triple and\/or quadruple rooms, sanitary facilities in rooms or on the territory of camp sites, shower on site, Russian bath (\u201cbanya\u201d).
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

TOUR PROGRAM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

DAY BEFORE, JULY 10 (FRI)
\n<\/strong><\/span>21:00 \u2014 Departure from Hotel \u201cZolotaya Dolina\u201d (10 Ilyicha St.) to Novosibirsk Railway Station. Boarding the train. Travel time: 9 h 27 min.<\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 1, JULY 11 (SAT)
\n<\/strong><\/span>08:16 \u2014 Arrival in Biysk (Altai Region). Transfer to a comfortable bus. Ahead is a long but scenic drive to the Uymonskaya Valley in the Altai Republic (~488 km). The first 105 km to Gorno-Altaisk pass quickly\u2014and this is where we get our first glimpse of the Katun River.
\n<\/span>After about three hours, we stop at the Altai Botanical Garden<\/strong> (SB RAS). The garden studies rare, endangered, and endemic plant species and maintains a major collection from Altai and other regions of Russia and the world.
\n<\/span>After the garden tour and lunch, we continue toward the Uymonskaya Valley<\/strong>. With a stop at Yabogansky Pass<\/strong>, we\u2019ll enjoy views of mountain rivers, valleys, and multicolored peaks. Arrival in Zamulta village around 18:00. Dinner and overnight at the tourist complex.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

DAY 2, JULY 12 (SUN)
\n<\/strong><\/span>07:30 \u2014 Morning exercises (optional).
\n<\/span>08:00 \u2014 Breakfast and check-out.
\n<\/span>09:00 \u2014 Visit the N.K. Roerich House-Museum<\/strong> (Verkh-Uymon village, 20 km). This was the local base of Nicholas Roerich\u2019s Central Asian Expedition; he stayed here in 1926. The museum tells the story of his expeditions, worldview, and the legend of \u201cBelovodye,\u201d with photographs and reproductions of his works.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Return to Zamulta and begin the off-road transfer to the lakes (locally called \u201czabroska<\/strong>\u201d). We switch from the bus to GAZ-66 high-clearance trucks (familiar to the 2022 post-tour participants). About 2.5 hours by truck to the \u201cMultinskie Lakes\u201d tourist complex. Lunch and check-in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The mountain tourist complex is located by a river, about 300 m from the Lower Multinskoye Lake. There are different categories here: from economy rooms to small double modular houses and white glamping tents. Some rooms are equipped with showers and bathrooms, and there are also convenient showers and toilets on the premises.<\/span>
\nThere is no mobile signal or internet. Electricity and hot water are provided by solar panels. You\u2019ll be immersed in the Altai wilderness\u2014an ideal place to slow down and disconnect from the city.<\/span>
\nAfter the road, we rest on the riverbank and take a walk along the shore of the Lower Multinskoye Lake. In the evening, please fully charge phones, camera batteries, and power banks\u2014we\u2019ll need them over the next two days. Dinner, a campfire, and a starry sky above, with only mountains and the sound of the river around us.<\/span>
\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 3, JULY 13 (MON)
\n<\/strong><\/span>07:30 \u2014 Morning exercises (optional).\u00a0 At 8:00 \u2014 Breakfast.
\nAt 9:00 we begin our first trek – to Poperechnoye Lake<\/strong> (depending on the composition of the group, it is possible to change to the Upper Multinskoye Lake). .
\n<\/strong>We begin by crossing the Lower and Middle Multinskoye Lakes<\/strong> by boat. These emerald-colored lakes are connected by the Shumy<\/strong> rapids, which we\u2019ll pass very close to.
\n<\/span>Reflections of mountain slopes framed by cedar forest dance across the lakes\u2019 transparent waters\u2014an energizing start. After registering at the Katun Biosphere Reserve<\/strong> ranger station, we take the trail. The route is mostly gentle (with rocky patches, clay, and roots), with a gradual climb and one steeper section of about 300 m. Wildlife sightings are possible (hares, chipmunks, squirrels), often unafraid of people.
\n<\/span>The path follows riverbanks and mountain valleys, passes alpine meadows in bloom (including fireweed), offers views of talus \u201cstone rivers,\u201d and leads to Poperechny Waterfall <\/strong>and then Poperechnoye Lake<\/strong>.
\n<\/span>The view is breathtaking\u2014photos can\u2019t fully capture it. The lake stretches for almost two kilometers, shimmering in the sun at an altitude of 1,885 m above sea level, surrounded by high mountains and, if you\u2019re lucky, glacier snowfields. You can walk down to the shore and enjoy the scenery up close. In July, a wide variety of flowers bloom along the banks. From a viewpoint locals call \u201c10 out of 10,\u201d we\u2019ll enjoy a packed lunch brought with us.
\n<\/span>The way back will go a little downhill and your feet will bring you back to the lakes. Return to camp around 19:00\u201320:00.\u00a0 Dinner and an Altai banya on the riverbank is a perfect reward for tired legs. The distance is around 21 km total (about 15\u201316 km on foot), the elevations is 1630-1890 m.
\n<\/span>Those who do not hike to Poperechnoye Lake can take a boat trip across the two lakes to the Reserve entrance, walk near the Shumy rapids, and spend a relaxing day by the Lower Multinskoye Lake.<\/span>
\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 4, JULY 14 (TUE)
\n<\/strong><\/span>At 8:00 morning exercises with a view of the mountains on the river bank (for those who wish). At the end of the morning swim in the river for the bravest.
\n<\/span>Breakfast at 8:40.
\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\n<\/span>At 9:20 we begin a horseback ride to Kuyguk Waterfall<\/strong> and Kuyguk Lake<\/strong>. First, we meet our gentle four-legged companions, learn basic riding skills, and set off along the valley of the scenic Kuyguk River<\/strong>. The landscape differs noticeably from the previous day\u2014new views, new sensations. Imagine riding a trail along the valley slope, the river murmuring below, small waterfalls descending from the slopes, and crystal air scented with Altai herbs and flowers. Smart horses carry you and your daypack with care.
\n<\/span>After about 2.5\u20133 hours in the saddle (with rest stops) and we are at destination. From there it\u2019s about a 500 m walk to the impressive<\/strong> Kuyguk Waterfal<\/strong>l, plunging from a height of ~30 m into the boulder field.
\n<\/span>Just beyond, a gentle climb and another few hundred meters reveal Kuyguk Lake<\/strong>\u2014a true Altai gem. Roughly 1 km long and ~500 m wide<\/strong>, the lake\u2019s mesmerizing turquoise color comes from glacial water mixed with blue clay. Many call it the most beautiful lake they\u2019ve ever seen. It\u2019s a place to pause and absorb the quiet energy of the gray mountains encircling the lake, crowned with white glaciers.
\n\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\n<\/span>After resting by the lake, we return to the horses, enjoy our packed lunch, and ride back. Arrival at camp around 17:00\u201318:00<\/strong>. Dinner, Altai banya, and campfire time.\u00a0 Distance: ~20 km total (~18 km on horseback, ~1.6 km on foot), elevatoin range – 1630-2020 m. If horseback riding isn\u2019t suitable for you, this route can be done on foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 5, JULY 15 (WED)
\n<\/strong><\/span>At 8:00 Morning exercises by the river with mountain views (optional). A swim for the bravest. Breakfast at 9:00.
\n<\/span>Today is a day of long-awaited rest.<\/strong> You can take your time, walk along the shore of a mountain river and\/or the Lower Multinskoye Lake, breathe crystal clear air, meditate, read a book you took with you or sunbathe on the shore and even swim in the cool waters. For active leisure, the camp has a volleyball court and badminton. If the group wishes, we can organize outdoor games or intellectual competitions. Lunch and dinner as scheduled.<\/span>
\nIn the evening\u2014an Altai banya and a farewell campfire gathering.<\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 6, JULY 16 (THU)
\n<\/strong><\/span>At 7:30 morning exercises with a view of the mountains on the river bank (optional).
\nAt 8:00 breakfast and check-in.
\nAt 9:00 a.m., it’s time to return to civilization. GAZ-66 will take us down to the village of Zamulta, where we will again meet with a comfortable bus and go in the direction of the city of Gorno-Altaisk (about 420 km). Lunch and dinner en route. Today we will spend the night in a new modern hotel with a swimming pool, located in the mountains, 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. Upon arrival at the hotel, check-in and rest. The return to civilisation begins.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

DAY 7, JULY 17 (FRI)
\n<\/strong><\/span>Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer for group to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk.
\n<\/span>Our tour is over. You are waiting for the return home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Possible flight options:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n