AAR1. Treasures of Ancient Mountains
The Mountain Altai was the cradle for many nations. Tribes of Scythes, Huns and Turks starting from that area spread around the endless territories of Eurasia. Many archaeological objects were found here and these discoveries on their historical and cultural values occupy an important part in the World Cultural Heritage.
Ancient barrows and rock paintings, interesting legends, mountain lakes with clean water, speedy mountain streams and snow peaks are waiting for the traveler on this route. Making acquaintance of the unique cultural traditions of Altai people allows the traveler to get a deep insight into the past to feel the connections between times and to understand the beauty of the presence.
The way from Novosibirsk to Verkhiy Uymon village is similar to the route of the Central Asia expedition of Nikolay Rerikh (1925 - 1928)
Type: Adventure
Activities: trekking, rafting, speleology
Tour duration: 10 days
Months of Operation: July – August
Group Size: 6 - 10
Mode of Travel: bus, on foot, raft
Tour length: 82 km trekking, 0,85 km speleology, 35 km rafting
Itinerary:
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Day
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Itinerary, activities
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Mode of travel
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Distance
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1
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Transfer Barnaul / Novosibirsk - Denisov caves. Departure from Novosibisk, 65 Sovetskaya street at 06.00 p.m. local time.
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coach or minibus
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620 km / 384 km
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2
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Arrival in the base camp next to Densov caves. The caves are named after a hermit Dennis who lived here in XVIII century. This cave contains the most ancient archeological findings in the region and consists of more than 20 cultural layers from different periods of Human History. The cave is included into the UNESCO World Heritage list. A visit to the "Museum" cave is a good opportunity to get acquainted with the mysterious subterranean world and to see the sculptural masterpieces made of stalactites and stalagmites. The traveler can get a touch of complete darkness and silence and immerse into the great realm of subterranean grottos and enigmatic labyrinths. Overnight in tents.
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on foot
minibus
on foot
speleology
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3 km
12 km
4 km
0,85 km
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3
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Radial excursion to Shinok waterfall that is a system of several waterfalls ranging from 3 to 60 meters. Pressed into the narrow gorge the Shinok river finds its way through the rocky barriers and rushes down, creating an enchanting sight of stooping streams and sparkling mist of water drops.
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minibus
on foot
on foot
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18 km
9 km
15 km
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4
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Transfer to Multa-Maralnik village. Visit to the Ust Kan cave on the way. Here an ancient site of a stone age man was found. These archeological findings are kept in the Hermitage museum now. A captivating excursion to the Ethnographical museum in the Mendur-Sokkon village. The travelers learn about the religious and cultural traditions of Altai people. Banya (for extra payment).
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minibus
on foot
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313 km
1 km
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5
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Captivating trip through the cedar and lurch forest to extremely beautiful and grand lakes, hidden among the mountains of Katun ridge. The travelers go up the Multa river to the camping site on a river bank. From this point a beautiful view on surrounding snow mountains unfolds before the travelers.
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on foot
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14 km
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6
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Radial excursion to the mountain lake Kyuguk with milky-white water which like a mirror reflects the surrounding rocky peaks. Relaxation under the centuries-old, grand cedars next to the beautiful and majestic Kyuguk waterfall (25 meters).
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on foot
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8 km
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7
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Radial excursion to the Multa Lake. The lakes are situated at the altitude of 1710 - 1780 meters and impresses the traveler with their still mirror-like surface and clean water. The trail goes over the isthmus, made up of huge stones, between the Low and the Middle lakes. The water rushes through this natural barrier, called "Shumy" (Noises), and calms down on the flat surface of the Low Multa lake. Multa lakes are included into the list of nature wonders of the Altai region.
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on foot
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14 km
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8
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Coming back to Multa Maralnik village. Transfer to the old village of Verhniy Uymon that was founded by the religious group of old-believers more that 300 years ago. The main sightseeing in the village is its two museums: Ethnographical one and the museum of Old-Believers’ traditions. There are three exhibitions in the Ethnographical museum. The first one describes the history of the village, the second one is dedicated to the archeological findings in the area and household utensils of Altai people, the third one tells the travelers about the Altai expedition of Rerikh family in 1926.
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on foot minibus
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14 km
46 km
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9
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Rafting down Koksa river. Koksa river surrounded by picturesque mountains, covered by deep forest. They organize not a difficult raftings down Koksa river, so beginners can also participate in them. You will be overcome two breathtaking rapids and then quite simple threshold of the second category of difficulty: Stupenchatiy and Gromotuhinskiy
Departure to Barnaul / Novosibirsk at 21.00 p.m.
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minibus
rafting
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35 km
35 km
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10
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Arrival in Barnaul / Novosibirsk at 11.00 a.m. / 03 p.m.
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coach or minibus
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640 km
875 km
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Fixed departures – 2012:
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03.07.2012 – 12.07.2012
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03.08.2012 – 12.08.2012
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Notes: For additional acclimatization it is possible to arrive 1-2 days earlier then the date of departure (for extra payment).
Cost – 2012:
560 EUR per person for joining in a fixed group 6-10 PAX
Included:
- full board (except the meal during the transfer)
- pack-horses rental (from 5 till 8 days)
- excursions per program with entrance fees
- transfer from Barnaul / Novosibirsk to the starting point of the route and back to Barnaul / Novosibirsk
- guides / interpreter
- insurance
- special equipment (tent, sleeping bag, mat, backpack, equipment for camp-fire)
- invitation letter for Russian visa
Not included:
- airticket
- consular fees for visa
- meeting at the airport
- accommodation in hotels in Novosibirsk/Barnaul
Supplements:
- airfare Moscow - Barnaul - Moscow
from 403 EUR per person (Aeroflot)
from 460 EUR per person (S7)
- airfare Moscow - Novosibirsk - Moscow
from 225 EUR per person (Aeroflot)
from 358 EUR per person (S7)
- one way transfer from airport to the hotel in Novosibirsk +25 EUR per car (for 1-2 pax)
- one way transfer from airport to the hotel in Barnaul +22 EUR per car (for 1-2 pax)
- night in the hotel Tsentralnaya in Barnaul (TWN STD) +26 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Tsentralnaya in Barnaul (SGL STD) +40 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Azimut in Novosibirsk (TWN STD) + 52 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Azimut in Novosibirsk (SGL STD) +91 EUR per person
Notes and recommendations:
ITEMS TO BRING WITH YOU:
- warm jacket
- rain gear
- trekking boots, trainers and slippers
- track-suit and warm hat
- 2 - 3 T-shirts, shorts
- 4 pairs of simple socks and 2 pairs of warm ones
- cap and sun-glasses
- bathing suit
- flashlight, knife, matches, electric batteries
- personal tableware
- personal hygiene utensils