Grand adventure tour of the Kazakh Altai

We will visit the Sibin Lakes, Lake Zaisan, the “Marble” Pass, Lake Markakol, the Old Austrian Road, the Kara-Koba River, the Burkhat Pass, Katon-Karagay National Park, an Altai market featuring nature’s bounty, the Yasnaya Polyana Guest House-Museum, a banya (Russina sauna) with a plunge pool on a mountain river, the high-altitude Rakhmanov Lake, the “Radostny” Pass, the “ARASAN” waterfall, a radon hot spring, the Old Believer village of Korobikha in authentic Russian style, and the Bukhtarma Reservoir with a guest house on the shore featuring its own pier..

Programme:

Day 1. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk – Sibin Lakes.
Flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Meeting at the airport. We’ll head to a café for lunch. After lunch, we’ll set off on a journey of about 100 km. Our first stop is the famous Sibin Lakes.
These are five lakes located next to each other and surrounded by rocky cliffs. Many myths and legends are associated with these lakes. Nearby are the ruins of a Buddhist monastery, which we will visit if we have time. There are many trails along the lakes, and we’ll take a walk along them!
This place attracts people passionate about meditation, artists, and nature lovers.
Also, if we have time left and the group is interested, we can rent SUP boards or go kayaking. Some of the wild beaches can only be reached by water. We’ll spend the night at a guesthouse.

Day 2. Sibin Lakes - Bridge over the Zaisan River - Mramorny Pass -Lake Markakol (total distance is 450 km)
We drive through the foothills of the Altai Mountains, crossing small mountain passes along the Smarskaya Highway. In about an hour and a half, we arrive at the first attraction-the new Bridge Across the Zaisan. This is the largest bridge in Kazakhstan. This bridge is an alternative to the ferries, whose days are numbered with the opening of this bridge! After crossing the bridge, we’ll stop for a light lunch near the Kurchum River.
After lunch, we’ll head to Lake Markakol. We’ll get within arm’s reach of the Chinese border and climb the Marble Pass. The pass offers a stunning view of the endless sand dunes already located on Chinese territory. Toward evening, we’ll arrive at our main destination- the Markakol Nature Reserve, home to Lake Markakol. Will have a walk in the area and along the lake. Dinner and overnight in the guest house.

Days 3. Lake Markakol – Old Austrian Road – “Yasnaya Polyana” ethno-village (total distance 70 km).
We will travel along one of the most unusual roads in Eastern Kazakhstan- the Old Austrian Road.
This road was built at the beginning of the last century by Austrian prisoners of war and is of strategic importance, connecting the Zaisan Valley with the Katon-Karagay region.
The road winds through the picturesque, wild mountains of Altai. In August, you can find plenty of mushrooms and berries right by the roadside here. Along the route, we’ll encounter numerous switchbacks and four bridges crossing the Kara-Koba River.
We’ll stop for lunch right in the middle of the journey, by a mountain stream. The bravest among us can take a dip in its cool waters.
After lunch, we’ll climb to the Burkhat Pass, which offers a magnificent view of the vast expanse of Katon-Karagay. By evening, we will descend from the majestic mountains along winding roads into the valley and arrive at an authentic place steeped in the spirit of Altai- the “Yasnaya Polyana” ethno-camp in the Altai Mountains. We will spend the next three nights here.

Days 4. YASNAYA POLYANA Ethno-Camp – Lake Rakhmanovskoye (about 150 km)
Today we’re taking a loop route toward Rakhmanovskoye Lake. The first part of the journey will follow the Bukhtarma mountain river, the main waterway of the Irtysh. We’ll stop by the Arasan Waterfall (also known as “Batyr’s Mustache”). Around lunchtime, we’ll arrive at Lake Rakhmanovskoye. We’ll enjoy a light lunch outdoors. After lunch, we’ll set off on a hike to the Radostny Pass. At the top of the pass, weather permitting, a breathtaking view of Mount Belukha awaits us!
After descending back to the lake, those who wish can take radon baths in the geothermal hot spring. The bravest among us can take a dip in the cool waters of the lake. If the group would like, we can organize a kayaking trip on the mountain lake. We return to Yasnaya Polyana.

Day 5. “YASNAYA POLYANA” ethno-village - “hiking, banya”.
A leisurely breakfast at the lodge. Today, you can sleep in! We don’t have any long trips planned. Instead, we’ll spend the day exploring the area around the guest-house. We’ll head out to a small but picturesque waterfall. When we return, lunch will be waiting for us at the lodge. After lunch, you’ll have free time.
Depending on the group’s preferences, we can arrange a trip to the following locations on this day: 1. Arshata Gorge. 2. Berel Mounds. 3. Horseback riding in the vicinity of the village of Uryl. 4. A trip down the Bukhtarma River by raft or kayak.
In the evening, a hot Russian banya will be prepared for guests, located next to a plunge pool on a mountain river. Let’s enjoy local herbal tea and Altay honey!

Day 6. Yasnaya Polyana – the old believers village of Korobikha (120 km)
After breakfast, we’ll set off by car. On the way, we’ll stop in Katon-Karagay- the district center- and visit a small market selling local produce. Around lunchtime, we’ll arrive in the village of Korobikha.
This is a remote mountain village with a rich history. It is home to the descendants of the Kerzhakov and Old Believers who fled here from Tsarist Russia.
The village is also famous for its honey- during the Soviet era, honey was shipped directly from here to the Kremlin. The village still has beekeepers who have carried on the tradition to this day.
If the group wishes, we will take a walk to an apiary in the mountains. We will visit the Old Believer church and the local museum, located in the school. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

Days 7. The village of Korobikha – Bukhtarma Reservoir (300 km)
We’re heading to our next destination- the Bukhtarma Reservoir. This reservoir ranks among the world’s ten largest artificial reservoirs by surface area! The road will wind along beautiful mountain ranges.
Our route will take us past endless fields of sunflowers (blooming season runs from mid-July to early August). After lunch, we’ll arrive at a quiet cove. Our guesthouse is situated on a rocky shore with a magnificent view. We will have our own pier where you can go for a swim.
For those interested, we can arrange kayaking or a boat ride excursion.
Farewell dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 8. Bukhtarma Reservoir – Ust-Kamenogorsk/airport (about 100 km).
After breakfast at the guest house we set off on the return journey. The route will take us over several mountain passes leading to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Upon arrival in the city, we will have lunch at one of the local cafes. After lunch, transfer to the airport.