The Aktru valley

• a bus ride along ancient Russian - Mongolian trade routes;
• beautiful nature, wild life;
• cultural meetings with the natives.

The optimal time for the tour: from the middle of June to September, 20.
The applications should be sent beforehand (at least 10 days before the tour).

It is one of the most wonderful tours about the Altai Mountains. If you choose this route you?ll have an opportunity to observe practically all climatic zones of the Altai Mountains - from Mongolia-like steppes of the Kurai hollow to the glaciers of the North-Chuisky Range. During the bus ride and mountain climbing you will be offered an unusual combination of historical excursus and brief cultural meetings with the natives.

The starting and finishing point of the tour is Barnaul (the Altai Territory). From Barnaul we?ll move in the direction of Mongolia along the ancient trade way - the Chuisky highway (Chuya road). During the road trip we?ll cross two mountain ranges and reach Kurai village (the Altai Republic). There we?ll get acquainted with the local lifestyle. Then we?ll cross the Kurai hollow (1700 m) and reach the ancient moraine swell in the Aktru river valley.

A country vehicle (GAZ - 66) will drop the tourists to the Aktru camping (2150 m). The camping is located not far from the Aktru glacier in apicturesque pine-forest. The excursions in the Aktru river valley do not require any special training. The days spent in this hospitable mountain valley will be unforgettable! Inspite of very eventful program you?ll also have enough time to rest. We are glad to offer you this tour!

The number of participants: from 1 person to 10 persons.

Services:

• 7 days in high mountains.
• The mountain climbing according to the tour program.
• During excursions the clients are accompanied by the licensed instructors (tour guides).
• Cross-country vehicle GAZ-66.
• The transfers: airport - Barnaul (the Altai Territory) - the Kurai camping (Aktru village, the Altai Republic) and back. Full board.
• On the way back the clients are accommodated at a hotel. Farewell dinner.
• Insurance (in case of emergency the helicopter fare will be included in the insurance).

Price (Euro): From 320 - 6-8 pers; 500 - 3-5 pers; 680 - 2 pers; 860 - 1 pers;

Note: Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included in the price.

Requirements:

A little hiking experience is requested, but it is not absolutely necessary. The experienced tour guides will supervise the trip and help the tourists. In any case, stamina and good physical form are required. The clients? assistance in daily camp setting is welcomed. We recommend you to consult the doctor before the tour.

Important note: Choosing the adventure tours to Siberia and / or Mountainous Altai you should realize that the infrastructure of the region (hotels, campings, roads) does not always meet the European standards.

Equipment:

Resistant, warm, waterproof hiking boots. A sleeping-bag for low temperatures (below 0^oC). Trekking outfit. The approximate list: a warm coat with a hood, a vest, a waterproof wind-breaker with a hood, a sweater, mittens, a knitted wool hat, a 90 - 110 liters rucksack, an alpine mat. Vitamins are recommendable. The clients can take their own equipment. Trekking outfit can be provided by the agency (order beforehand).

Travel guide

Day 1.
Arrive in Barnaul. Transfer to the travel agency office. Breakfast. A brief discussion about the tour. The unnecessary luggage can be left in the office. A 6-hours bus ride to the recreation center Seminsky Range (1800 m). The accommodation at wooden cottages (double apartments, a shower/toilet). The cottages are surrounded by cedar forest.

Day 2.
Breakfast. The transfer to Kurai village (140 km from Mongolian border). An 8-hours road trip in the direction of Mongolia. A stop for lunch in an ail. There you will taste local cuisine. Then the tourists cross the Kurai hollow and reach a moraine swell. A short hiking trip across the Aktru river valley (2 hours walk). The equipment is carried by truck. 40 minutes ? and you?ll reach the Aktru camping. The accommodation at wooden cottages or in tents. Sachky lake (2800 m) lies near the camping place. A rescue-rangers station is located not far from the camping. Dinner. Camp-fire. Food is cooked by guides on the camp-fire.

Day 3.
Breakfast. The trip to the Maly Aktru glacier. You?ll have a snack on the glacier. Then the tourists come back to the campsite. Dinner near the camp-fire. Free time.

Day 4.
After breakfast the participants go to Goluboye ("blue") lake (2900 m). The tourists will pass "sheep foreheads" (vertical rocks) and then go across the Bolshoi Aktru glacier. Blue Lake was dammed up by moraine. The ascent takes from 2 to 3 hours. Come back to the campsite.

Day 5.
We leave the camp at 10 in the morning. The climbing trip to the Uchitel (Teacher) Range. At first the route goes across the range, then it goes along the rock ridge, and then it leads across huge snow plain to the peak. The group rests and enjoys a beautiful view of the Kurai hollow and adjacent ridges. Come back to the campsite. Russian bath-house (banya). Final dinner. A party by the camp-fire. Rest in wooden cottages.

Day 6.
The tourists leave the hospitable Aktru canyon at 6 in the evening. A road trip by minibus. A stop at the recreation center Seminsky Range. Rest.

Day 7.
Arrival in Barnaul. The transfer to the Barnaul hotel (double apartments, a shower/toilet, a TV-set, a cafe).

Day 8.
The transfer to the Barnaul airport. A flight to Moscow. Departure at 8:50 (Moscow time).