Altai Photo Tour, Shimmers of Siberia’s Autumn

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Altai Photo Tour, Shimmers of Siberia’s Autumn

Day 1: Welcome to Altai

Arrive at the airport in Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the Altai Republic.

From the airport, you’ll be transferred to the eco-hotel on the shores of the Katun River. About an hour’s drive south from Gorno-Altaysk, it’s a beautiful spot to relax after a long journey to reach the Altai Republic.

Day 2: Along the Chuysky Highway

In the morning, we make our way south along one the most spectacular mountain roads in Siberia, the legendary Chuysky Trakt or Chuya Highway. Around half of the day will be spent cruising along the majestic, desolate, sealed highway - undoubtedly one of the most beautiful roads in all of Russia. 

We’ll cross several incredible mountain passes along the Chuysky Trakt. Chike Taman Pass (1,295m) and the highest of all, Seminsky Pass (altitude 1,717m). By the end of the day, we should arrive at the yurt camp in the Chuya Steppe, a full-service tourist camp with spacious yurts built in traditional nomad style. With some luck, we’ll get in early enough for the 15-minute scramble up to the nearby viewpoint for a phenomenal sunset view over the pristine steppe and its rugged surrounds.

Day 3: Snapshots among giants

Today we hike out from camp early in the morning. Our goal is the dramatic massif of mountains hidden behind Chuya Steppes. We’ll shoot snow-covered mountains with a panoramic view that extends all the way to the beautiful Akkol and Karakul lakes in the valleys below. After sunrise, we’ll return to camp for some rest and filling breakfast. We’ll also visit a few spots known for their ancient rock petroglyphs dating back to the early bronze age. Other artefacts belonging to the ancient cultures of Altai can sometimes be discovered in this area.

In the afternoon, we head for the valley of the Kyzyl Chin River. Once you set eyes on the alien rock formations and unearthly bright orange, red and brown hues of the surrounding mountains, you’ll see why it’s been given the nickname Altai Mars. These ethereal landscapes will provide the perfect place for a location shoot until dark.

Day 4: The steppes of Kurai

Today we get up shortly before sunrise and head to the mountain viewpoint to take some early light shots at this photogenic time of the day. Next, we depart from the Chuya Steppe and on to our next destination - the steppes of Kurai. Although both considered steppe, you’ll instantly see how different these two locations are in appearance. Kurai Steppe is a vast, intermontane basin with vegetation almost identical to the Mongolian semi-desert steppe not far to the south. In good conditions, an impressive view rises up from the flat grassland to span the entire horizon. This is the mighty North Chuysky Range, with its eternal snow, glaciers and ripple-marked cliffs.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in the village of Kurai where we’ll check into our lodging. Once you’re settled, we invite you to attend a special workshop on mountain landscape photography. Closer to sunset, we’ll get to test our skills on a drive to our new shooting point - an extraordinary viewpoint of the Kurai Steppe, the Chuya River and the North Chuysky Range. Once the sun sets, it’s back to Kurai village to retire for the night.

Day 5 : Home of the Glaciers

Rise and shine early today again as it’s your last chance to get those perfect snaps on the viewpoint overlooking the Kurai Steppe. At sunrise, the colours are thousands of shades different, yet equally spectacular.

To get to our next shooting location, we’ll need some heavy-duty transport. Climb aboard the all-terrain ZIL Russian truck, one of the few vehicles able to handle the rough road through the Kurai Steppe! We’re on the way to a little-known destination home to one of the biggest glaciers in Altai - Aktru. We’ll settle into a guesthouse for the night in a cosy alpine camping and cabin site.

Day 6 : Aktru Glaciers and Ice Caves

Early in the morning, you’ll come face to face with the Aktru Glacier, coming in at an impressive 2,150m high. The Aktru Glacier is one of five located in the Aktru Canyon. Surrounding the canyon, the majestic mountain ranges remain dusted in snow, and the orange-hued trees of the alpine forest shine in the golden autumn light. We’ll set out on foot to photograph the glaciers Big Aktru and Small Aktru.

There are temporary ice caves form at the base of the glaciers, and we should be able to get inside a few for the rare opportunity to see the inside of a glacier. Inside the seemingly solid glacial ice are vaults of dazzling, translucent blue. Ice streams feeding run through the middle of the caves, creating streams that reflect glowing blue light across the walls of ice.

We’ll also photograph the radiant Waterfall Glacier and the prominent peak of Mount Karatash rising above the yellow larch forest.

Day 7: The Legendary Blue Lake

Take the opportunity for another sunrise shoot in the stunning Aktru Canyon. Later on, once bags are packed, we’ll make our journey back to the Kurai Steppe. On the way, we will stop at the mesmerising Jangyzkyol Lake (or Blue Lake), set against a backdrop of snow peaks belonging to the striking North Chuysky Range. We’ll hike the rugged, rocky terrain around the area looking for the best angles for photographing the lake and mountains at sunset.

Day 8: Sunrise at Blue Lake

Today we must rise before sunlight and journey through the night forest back to the Blue Lake for a sunrise photoshoot. When the sun begins to highlight the mountain peaks and reflect their silhouettes in the mirror-still surface of the lake, you’ll realise this view was well worth the early start!

Back at our lodge, we’ll have breakfast and take some well-earned rest. Before lunch, we’ll do a workshop on landscape photography post-processing. 

Day 9: Uzunkol and Kidelyu lakes

Today, we’ll depart well before dawn to shoot the magnificent Uzunkol Lake. This superb lake and the scattering of miniature lakes around it beautifully reflect the mountain ranges in the early light. After a picnic-style breakfast, we’ll continue our journey towards the valley of the Chulyshman River. It’s a bumpy, two-hour journey, but well worth it. The best time to shoot in the valley is in the middle of the day, when sunlight reaches the bottom of the gorge and sparkles off the river down below.

Afterwards, we’ll begin heading back to the lodge, stopping for some sunset shooting at Lake Kidelyu, one of the most famous landmarks in Altai.

Day 10: Snapshots on route to Askat

Enjoy a bit of a sleep-in today before we begin heading back towards civilization. We’ll make a couple of interesting stops along the way. First, the brilliant blue Geyser Lake. Staring into the piercing turquoise depths, you may notice the occasional bubbling “geyser”, spitting out bluish clay and sand and forming concentric circles at the bottom of the lake. We’ll again cross the immense Seminsky Pass (altitude 1,717m), where you can get a heart-stopping view down into the valley and the confluence of the Chui and Katun rivers.

By lunch, we should make it to our overnight stop in Askat, a picturesque village renowned for its master craftsmen. A third of Askat’s 120 residents are artists and painters. Admire their handicrafts and ethnic instruments and try soothing sound therapy using Tibetan style singing bowls.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a rare performance of kaichi, a traditional style of throat singing the Altayans used to relate stories and heroic legends.

Day 11: Gorno-Altaysk goodby hugs

From Askat, it’s about an hour’s drive to Gorno-Altaysk, where we’ll say our goodbyes at the airport, our minds and our memory cards overflowing with unforgettable images.  

Included