Tour search

Саянское кольцо. Туроператор по сибири.

How to reach us

2-01 office,
117 Uritskogo Str.
Krasnoyarsk, RUSSIA
e-mail:
info@sayanring.com
Open hours:
Monday-Friday 10 am-7 pm
Sat 11 am - 4 pm
Sun - day off
Horse Tour to the Ukok Plateau
1900 € 16 days/15 nights
Regions: Altai mountains
Cities and locations: Barnaul - Katun river - Ukok Plateau
Entry dates:
Book the tour
Tour description

The Ukok Plateau is considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting areas in the Altai mountains. Some peaks offer an overview of 30-50 kilometers around: waves of stone sea, frozen under the blue and white ice caps, steep slopes, gorges, eternal snows and glaciers. Peaks of South Chuysky mountain ridge are around 3000-3700 m above sea level. This is a part of the highest stage in the Altai.

During the trip travelers visit the most mysterious region of Altai, covered with legends - the Ukok Plateau. The Ukok Plateau (2,150 m above sea level) is the area famous for its unique archaeological finds. Here, at an altitude of 2000 m extends an oasis. The extensive valley is located almost in the center of the vast mountainous country. From all sides it is blocked by inaccessible rocky mountains, that’s why it is not so easy to reach the Plateau. Only wild passes connect it to the outside world. Plateau belongs to the few areas of the Southern Altai, which are less subjected to changes since ancient times, and therefore the landscape structure of glacial epoch is preserved here.

Towering giant Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola fascinate. It is the biggest spot of mountain glaciation in Siberia, much bigger then even Belukha. Here are the largest glaciers of the Altai. On top the borders of three countries meet: Russia, Mongolia and China. In the massif there are five major peaks. Chief among them is the mount Nairamdal (Kiytyn 4374m), it’s the second highest peak in the Altai (after Belukha). Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola in translation sounds like "five sacred mountains" - according to a legend the name was given by Genghis Khan, admiring by the grandeur of the sun shining ice peaks.

Hundreds of archaeological sites were opened on the Plateau, including burial, religious, settlement complexes, petroglyphs, stone geometric constructions, Old Turkic steles and statues. The most interesting site, discovered and studied on the Ukok, are perhaps the mounds of Pazyryk culture. They remained great unique items of plastic, decorative and applied arts, made of wood, felt, textile and leather, whose age is 2.5 thousand years. The findings were exhibited in the best museums of the world.

The Ukok Plateau has not shared all its secrets: even new treasures are waiting to be discovered in permafrost alpine tundra.

Category

Excursion tours / Horse tours / Tours in groups

Briefly about tour

Total duration: 16 days/15 nights

Season: July-August

Tour mileage: 1800 km by bus, 200 km by horse (20-35 km, 5-7 hours a day)

Number of people in a group: 5-10 pax

Age: 16+

Level of physical training: The Route is of the 3d difficulty level (over-middle) with some dangerous areas (swamps, rocky ledges, fords), is recommended for people who have experience in horse riding and good physical form. People in need of constant medical supervision are not recommended to choose this route.

  • Day 1.
    Meeting in Barnaul, airport or railway station.
    Accommodation in the Barnaul hotel in the city center. Rest.
    Excursion around the central and historical parts of Barnaul.
    Visit to Altai State Local History Museum.
    Return to the hotel.

    Full day program

    Day 2.
    Departure from Barnaul along the ancient trade route – Chuysky Tract.
    Driving through the pass Seminsky (1739 m asl) and the picturesque serpentine pass Chike-Taman (1295 m asl).
    Visit the rock complex Kalbak-Tash to see old rock paintings petroglyphs.
    Accommodation in Mongolian yurts near the village Chibit.

    Full day program

    Day 3.
    Driving towards the Mongolian border along Chuysky Tract - from Chibit village to Dzhazator village.
    Landmarks there are very picturesque. One side of Dzhazator village is framed by the spurs of the South-Chuysky ridge (3936 m).
    On the opposite side the mysterious and amazing plateau Ukok is located.
    To the west there is a small steppe Samaha, and then the Katunsky mountain ridge and the crowning pinnacle Belukha (4506 m).

    Full day program

    Day 4.
    Meeting with local guides and horses.
    The first horseback riding through the picturesque valley of the river Dzhazator to the mouth of the river Sudobay.

    Full day program

    Day 5.
    Horse riding from the river Sudobay till the river Akkol.
    In good weather the pass Kara-Bulak (2800 m) offers a panoramic view on the South Chuysky and Katunsky ridges, gorges of rivers Argut and Kara Alakha, as well as view on the Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola peak (4374 m).
    On the way we pass also waterfalls and lakes.

    Full day program

    Day 6.
    Horse riding from the river Akkol to the lake Kaldzhin-Kol, long and intense trip.
    From a pass travelers will see again in all its glory the Ukok Plateau with its numerous lakes, mountain massif Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola.
    Arriving a place with about 120 rock paintings.
    The highlight of the day is observation of the excavation site, where the Altai Princess was found

    Full day program

    Day 7.
    Crossing the river Ak-Alakha to the river Muzdybulak.
    Muzdybulak lake is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the Plateau Ukok.
    The river Muzdybulak is not high-water, but very fishery.

    Full day program

    Day 8.
    Relaxing day.
    Fishing is possible.
    Hiking trip to the lake Muzdybulak.

    Full day program

    Day 9.
    Horse riding to the river Argamdzhy-1.
    Picturesque view on the peak Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola.

    Full day program

    Day 10.
    Horse riding to the river Kalguty.
    It offers panoramic views of the plateau Ukok.
    Opportunities for fishing for grayling.

    Full day program

    Day 11.
    Horse riding through the passes Karsulu and Bugymuiz (2843 m) to the place where the river Kalguty meets the river Ildegem.

    Full day program

    Day 12.
    Horse riding to the place where the river Kalguty meets the river Sudobay.

    Full day program

    Day 13.
    The horse riding trip is over.
    With every kilometer alpine landscape with its vegetation give way to pine forests, meadows and pastures.
    Return to the village Dzhazator.

    Full day program

    Day 14.
    Today we return from the village Dzhazator to the village Chibit.
    Overnight again in Mongolian yurts.
    Rest.

    Full day program

    Day 15.
    Return from the village Chibit to Barnaul.
    Stop at a healing mineral spring Arzhaan-Suu.
    Near the spring there is a large market with souvenirs, where you can buy maps, books, art objects, items of cedar.
    Arrival to the hotel Barnaul.

    Full day program

    Day 16.
    Transfer to the airport.
    The tour is over.

    Full day program

    • meeting/seeing off in the airport/railway station of Barnaul
    • transport service (comfortable minibus)
    • accommodation in tents (10 nights), in the comfortable hotel (2 nights), at a yurt camp – no WC/shower (2 nights)
    • staff: 1-2 guides (Russian and English/German speaking), 1 driver, 2 horsemen
    • insurance
    • riding and pack horses
    • excursions per program
    • equipment rental
    • border formalities
    • permission to enter the protected area
    • visiting banya as per program
    • air or train tickets to Barnaul and back
    • cook service
    • some meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 1, lunch on day 2, lunch and dinner on day 15)
    • alcohol drinks
    • souvenirs
    • a single room in the Barnaul hotel, 2 nights +55 €/person
    • a single room at the tourist camp Nomad, 2 nights +28 €/person
    • The Route is of the 3d difficulty level (over-middle) with some dangerous areas (swamps, rocky ledges, fords), is recommended for people who have experience in horse riding and good physical form.

      The route is a closed ring. In difficult places riders dismount and lead the horse.

      The weather conditions in the mountains are changing enough often. On the Plateau Ukok frequent winds are usual. Raining and snowing are possible. The daytime temperature +5 till + 30 C, night temperature from -5 till +10 C.

      We travel 20-35 km, 5-7 hours a day. For luggage transportation we use special bags for horses. The program may be changed due to weather conditions. The decision to change the route is taken by your guide. We recommend to have a vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis.

      Equipment:
      1. Provided by the Tour Operator:
      frame tents, awnings; sleeping bags (upon request), sleeping pads(on request), camp fire kit, luggage bags  (for horse part), first aid kit.
      2. The necessary personal equipment:
      sleeping bag (suitable temperature -10), sleeping pad; a bag for personal items.
      Comfortable clothes: not rustling, not to frighten the horses; trousers, T-shirts, light waterproof jacket with hood, a hat with a visor.
      At camping place you need: long sleeve shirt, sweater, warm trousers and jacket, woolen hat, rain-coat, wool socks 2 pairs, simple socks 3 - 4 pairs, change of underwear;
      Shoes: any boots or shoes that cover the ankle + second pair;
      Personal items: individual utensils (spoon, cup, soup plate, knife) - can be provided on request; sunglasses, flashlight with spare batteries, sunscreen and after-sun care, a small polyurethane mat for sitting with a rubber band, personal hygiene; personal first aid kit.
      Documents: Passport !!!

    Similar tours

    The Winter Tale of Altai

    The Altai Mountains

    The pearl of the Altai Mountains - Teletskoye lake, old forest roads, fairy forest, Patmos island, ancient trade route, Chemal hydro power station, snowmobile trip. Winter Altai opens its doors for you!

    8 days 990 €

    Tour to the Putorana Plateau

    Taymyr peninsula

    In the Arctic circle there is truly a fantastic and beautiful natural creation - Putorana plateau. Putorana Plateau - the realm of water, rocks and wild nature, a paradise for lovers of adventure tours and fishing. Putorana Plateau is one of the most difficult areas in Russia.

    10 days 2050 €