Moscow - Trans-Siberian - Novosibirsk  - Altai mountains - Barnaul - Moscow

This immersive trip starts in the tumultuous Russian capital and takes you on the Trans-Siberian railway to reach the peaceful golden Altai mountains. 1.6 million hectares, it is one of the largest mountain ranges in the world and probably the best preserved, dominated by the Belukha Mountain (4506 meters).

Here you will find a great diversity of vegetation - alternating between steppes, taiga and alpine vegetation - as well as an exceptional fauna: more than 70 species of mammals and 200 birds have been recorded, including the snow leopard, the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, brown bear and many others ... making it a paradise for nature-hungry hikers and lovers of the great outdoors.

Great Departure! Meet with your guide and teacher at the Yaroslav train station in the afternoon. He will lead you to the train. Once installed in your car, you will enjoy a Russian toast to celebrate the beginning of the adventure.

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Provodnitsy - Each wagon is kept in order by two Provodnitsy (literally – those who accompany), in most cases women, working in shifts. They check tickets, hand out bed sheets but they are also at the disposal of the passengers to answer to their worries or questions

Trans-Siberian Railroad - You will spend a little more than 2 days in the famous and very comfortable Russian train, admiring the Siberian landscapes that pass through the windows and meeting your train neighbors. You will find food to the very traditional restaurant wagon.

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Trans-Siberian trip is a great way to meet all kinds of people. People sleep in four bed compartments, they usually spend all day eating, chatting, and playing games, sleeping, or enjoying the landscape through the window.

During the two days, there will be some stops in the main cities crossed by the Trans-Siberian railway. People get out, stretch their legs, smoke a cigarette or have a look on the products sold by the people on the platform. Some people travel for the whole 6 days it takes to cross Russia, others only for a few days, people meet, talk with each other about where they come from, how life is there, it’s a rare occasion of meeting people from everywhere in Russia. They feel at home in their compartment, they bring beers bought at a stop and invite their neighbors as guests for an evening of talk, card games, laughs.

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Russian culture - In the evening, while drinking your tea from the famous Samovar, your guide will tell you more about the Russian culture, its rich history and strong traditions, and will help you practice Russian if you wish so.

Arrival in Novosibirsk

Ust-Koks village

Transfer from Novosibirsk to Ust-Koks village.

The road passes along the famous Chuysky tract among the rocky ridges of the Altai Mountains, then along the Kansk steppes.

Uimon Valley

Upon arrival in the village you will receive your equipment and instructions.

You will spend the night in tents at the camp

Trek along the Multa River (41 km by car & 13 km by foot)

After breakfast, you will be transfered to the village of Multa-Maralnik to the place where the hiking route begins. You will climb along the Multa River to the Lower Multinskoye Lake. There are a lot of mushrooms and berries along the way.

Lower Multinskoye Lake

You will reach the lake, located at an altitude of 1710 meters. With a length of 2370 meters and a width of 900 meters in calm weather, the surface of the lake reflects the clouds and the peaks of the nearest mountains.

Fishing Time

The lake is full of graylings - a species of freshwater fish of the salmon family - making it a paradise for fishing lovers.

Camp kitchen

Night in tents on the lake

Trek to Upper Multinskoye Lake (26 km by foot)
The lake is nestled at an altitude of 1860 m in a deep rocky cirque. Your trail will passe through the isthmus between the lower and middle lakes, formed by huge rocks up to 20 m wide. You will hear the din of the water crossing this dam, contrasting with the calm surface of the two lakes. Small waterfalls are visible on the slopes of Katunsky Ridge while the nearby peaks are covered with ice and snow.

Back in the evening at Base Camp on Lower Lake

Trek to the plateau of cold squirrels (20 km walk)
After breakfast, you will go up the river Multa to the plateau of cold squirrels (2350 m). This high plateau is unique as it is the source of 4 different rivers: Proyezdnaya, Zaichonok, Sugash and Mikhailovka.

Back to base camp for dinner

The Russian Banya
After dinner, those who wish will enjoy a traditional Russian bania.
In Russia, "banyas" are public baths in which the local populations like to go for "washing the soul and the body". The banya consists of three stages: first, walking into a room heated by water vapor at high temperature, then immersing in cold water, and finally relaxing and quenching with friends. This process is repeated many times.

Trek to Lake Kuiguk (9 km walk)

This short walk in an amazing environment will end in front of one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Altai: Kuiguk (25 m high). This is where we will camp, at the foot of the waterfall and in the middle of magnificent cedar trees.

Those who wish can walk to the alpine lake (2270 m).

The Ascent (6 km by foot)

You will climb a summit with a height of 2909 meters. A very steep climb will end with a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Katunsky ridge. From there you will be able to obtain impressive photos. The difference in Altitude difference of 1100 m.

Night and dinner at base camp

Ascent of Kuiguk Pass (18 km by foot)
That day, you will leave the lake and climb to the Kuiguk Pass perched at 2520 meters. The route passes Lake Zerkalnoye ("Mirror" in Russian), a cascade of small waterfalls and alpine tundra grasses.

Picnic on the way

The pass gives you a unique view of Mount Kolban and Lake Akchan whose amazing turquoise water color is clearly visible.

Night in tents on the high plateau

Ascent of Mount Kolban (21 km by foot, light)
You will climb Mount Kolban (3022m above sea level). Altai people consider it sacred and associates many fascinating and romantic legends to this mount.

Once at the summit, a magnificent panoramic view awaits you.

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Night in tents on the high plateau

Descent of the Multa River (16km on foot)
You will descend the river to the village of Multa, from where the transfer to the village of Ust-Koksa will take place.

Transfer by car to Ust-Koks (41 km)

Night in tents

Free time
After breakfast you will have 2 hours of free time before lunch. You can go horse-riding in the surroundings or organize a two-hour rafting (not included).

Walk to the village of Verkhny Uymon
After lunch, you will go on an excursion to the village of Verkhny Uimon, one of the oldest villages in Ust-Koksinsky district. It was founded by the old believers about 300 years ago.

Local history
Visit the Nicholas Roerich Museum of Local Traditions and the Museum of Old Believers.

Night transfer to Barnaul by night (640 km)

The arrival time at Barnaul airport at 7:00 am (local time)

Departure from Barnaul airport at 8:30 am

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Arrival time in Moscow Sheremetovo airport at 8:50 am (Moscow time)