The Great Altai

Full day Moscow – city tour, visit to Kremlin – cathedrals and Armoury chamber, night flight to Gorno-Altaisk

AM Orientation tour - Red Square – GUM - “Stalin`s Seven Sisters” / Highscapers - Sparrow Hills (city’s best viewpoint) – New Maiden convent (outside) Your private vehicle and the guide will be waiting for you to invite you for an exciting tour of Moscow which is more than 878 years old. Our first stop is at the Red Square. Originally a commercial centre, Red Square has been at the very centre of Russian history since the 15th century, from Ivan the Terrible’s confession of his misdeeds to the people in 1550, to great demonstrations, executions and the great parades of the Soviet Union’s military might. Ironically, “krasny” originally meant beautiful; it came to mean “red” only in the last century! From the time of Ivan the Great the square was used as a huge gathering place for public events, markets, fairs and festivals. The magnificent square encompasses an area of over $ 70,000 square metres and is bounded by the Kremlin walls, St.Bazil’s cathedral, the Historical museum and GUM departments store, the shopping arcade, that was completed in 1893. At the southern end of Red Square is the almost fairy-tale like building of St Basil’s cathedral, commissioned in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible to celebrate his conquering of Kazan; legend has it that the architect was later blinded so that he could never repeat such a building that is so traditionally Russian. It is built of brick and comprises many colourful asymmetrical helmet & onion domes situated over nine chapels. Go to the best viewpoint on Sparrow hills, from which you could easily see most of the city. Sink in the atmosphere of the medieval Russia, when even daughters of tsars were doomed to become nuns (such were the rules, visiting the refined New Maiden Convent (outside). This is one of the most beautiful of the city collection of buildings, located to the south-west of the city centre, with 16 gilded domes, founded in 1524. Many noble women, including Peter the Great’s first wife and his sister took vows and spent the rest of their lives here and are buried here. Time for lunch PM Kremlin territory, cathedrals, Armoury museum After lunch visit the oldest part of Moscow – the Kremlin. You might be surprised how many ancient and magnificent structures one can see within its walls: 15th century cathedrals (the coronation, wedding and bury place of Russian rulers), bell-tower, Patriach’s Palace, Grand Kremlin Palace and of course the richest museum - Armoury. The Armoury has a fantastic collection of insignia of Imperial power, precious clothes, ceremonial harness and unique collection of imperial carriages. The 17th century throne of Alexey Romanov covered with a mosaic of turquoises and 900 diamonds, a pheloneon of Metropolitan Platon decorated with 150,000 pearls (it took the embroiderer 2 years to work on the pattern!), the famous Faberge eggs – is a tiny part of the whole collection. Late check out in Moscow hotel to relax before the night flight to Altai. Transfer to the airport for SU flight to Gorno-Altaisk (4,30 hr flight) 00.05-08.35 (+ 4 hr difference in time with Moscow)

Lake Teletskoye

Boat ride along the lake, waterfall, eco-routes, Yailo settlement visit, meeting with locals Lake Teletskoye is the deepest late in Altai and one of the deepest lakes in Russia, rightly called “younger brother” of Baikal. They both have great depth and tectonic origin. The lake is included in UNESCO list as part of Altai bio-sphere natural reserve. The lake has the great reserve of fresh water and its banks – unique taiga forest that contributes to the bio variety of our planet. We will take the motorboat to have a trip along the lake. Visit to Choodor and Korby waterfalls. We will have a unique tour of the central estate of Altai bio-sphere reserve – Yailo village. We will be met by old resident Yevgeny Veselovsky who will treat us to delicious lunch – great chance to taste local food and learn about the history and every-day life of locals! Back to the hotel. O/n “Taiga and lake” hotel

Chuysky highroad, Seminsk and Cheeke-Taman passages (320 km drive)

Welcome to Chuysky highroad – one of the best highways of Russia/ National Geographic has included it in the list of 10 most picturesque passages of the world! Originated centuries ago it runs through Siberia to the border of Mongolia. The travelers have unique possibility to see different “faces” of Altai – from velvet foothills to semi-deserts with snow covered peaks. Today you will cover part of this ancient route visiting Seminsk and Cheeke-Taman passages. We will also walk in cedar taiga and visit Ilgumensky crest – the true place of power! Lunch awaits us in the locals’ house where the hostess will welcome us with traditional Russian and Altai delicious dishes! O/n Rasul hotel, Aktash settlement

Red gates, Ulaganskoya Plateau, Katu-Yaryk pass, the Chulyshman river canyon

We start our trip from Aktash village where one can see so called Red gates – the rocks of red colour. Our way goes along the endless dimensions of the Ulaganskoya Plateau. We will see beautiful lakes on the way. We will see “tsar” burial hills of Scynthian leaders and get acquainted with ancient people culture. On reaching Katu-Yaryk pass, we will be trekking along the path to the Chulyshman river canyon. From the pass one can admire the picturesque view over the river valley! Lunch in local café after descending to the valley. O/n Rasul hotel, Aktash settlement

Departure transfer to Moscow to catch up the international flight

Departure transfer to Moscow to catch up the international flight