Photo tour to Altai
Shavlinskiye lakes and the Chuya highway

Photo tour to Altai 2020

Start: September 14, 2020, Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
End: September 23, 2020, Gorno-Altaysk, Russia

Guide: Dmitry Arkhipov

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In autumn, the Altai Mountains are incredibly beautiful. There are not many places on our planet that can be compared with this or even come close. In Mongolian Altai means "Golden", and in autumn it is clear why it was called this way.

Mountains, lakes, forests, look like they descended from the paintings of the best artists. The palette of colors is fascinating. There is no summer heat by this time, and in the afternoon the sun is still warm.

At this time we have our photo tour that allows us to capture the best landscapes of Russia.
Shavlinskoe lake photo
Shavlinskoe lake, photo workshop
Day 1. (September 14)
Meeting, moving to Aktash.

We meet at 10:00 at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk, where you can get a convenient direct flight from Moscow. From the airport, we are going along the famous Chuya track up the Katun and Chuya rivers. The way takes a whole day, but it will pass through the most picturesque river valleys surrounded by mountains covered with bright yellow birches and larch trees. We will make stops in the most beautiful and interesting places of the Chuya track. On this day we will spend the night in a picturesque place at the hotel in the village of Aktash.
Day 2. (September 15)
Kurai steppe, North Chuya and Kurai ridge.

Early in the morning, we are leaving for the shooting on the panoramic platform, which offers stunning views of the Chuya highway and mountain peaks.

The Kurai steppe is located in the valley between the snow-capped peaks of the North Chuya ridge and golden slopes of the Kurai mountains.
Here you can find many beautiful places to take landscape photos of. On this day we are visiting several interesting viewpoints.
Day 3 (September 16)
Katu-Yaryk Pass.

We are going to make sunrise photos on the Kidelyu lake, and then we'll head to iconic locations for photographers. One of the most beautiful passes of Altai is Katu-Yaryk. Here, far below in the valley, cold waters of Chulyshman move to Teletskoye lake, and high in the sky, the mountain eagles are circling. From the surrounding ridges, thin streams of waterfalls flow down, and the impassable and deserted mountain forests hide unknown animals.

For the night we are going down to the valley of Chulyshman, where we will stay on the river bank at the campsite, and try the soup from the famous grayling.
Day 4 (September 17)
The Katu-Yaryk pass - the Chuya steppe.

After the morning shooting at the Katu-Yaryk pass and breakfast, we will go to the Kuray steppe. But first, we will return to the Chuya track, passing the taiga town of Ulagan located on the Bashkaus river and the ancient burial mounds of the Altai kings.
Day 5 (September 18)
Departure to Shavlinskiye lakes.

On this day we will go to the village of Chibit, where we will get acquainted with our horses, with whom we will spend the next few days. From here we go along the top, cross Chuya and pass the picturesque mountain passage. In the evening we will spend the night in tents on the bank of a mountain river on a beautiful plateau surrounded by golden larch trees.
Days 6-9 (September 19-22)
Shavlinskiye lakes.

After a day spent along the top, we will set up a camp on the Lower Shavlinskoye lake. Here we will have three days to make the best shots of landscapes of Shavlinskiye lakes. While the horses are recovering their strength in the nearby pastures, we several times go to the Verkhneye lake, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Russia.

On the third day, after sunrise and breakfast, our horses will return to us, and we will go back. On the way we will spend the night in the mountains on a Yeshtykel plateau.

Upon returning to Chibit, we can go to the bath, relax and unwind at the campsite.

The day after the morning shooting, we'll say goodbye to each other. After this you can go to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk, where our tour will end, and to fly to Moscow (S7 flight at 10:15) on September 24 in the morning, or continue the tour to Mongolia, where we will take photos of local horse hunters with their golden eagles and incredible landscapes of the Mongolian Altai.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

- Accommodations
- Meals
- Excursions
- Transportation
- Photography Guide Services, Advice and Assistance
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

- Alcoholic beverages
- Medical insurance
- Accommodations before and after the tour
- Tickets to / from Gorno-Altaysk