This tour is designed jointly with the German specialists for Tourism (program on the history and culture of the region), and may be of interest to ethnographers, geographers, zoologists, botanists, and other ways can be found to the everyday life of local residents: Kazakhs and Russians, visit the museum Abaya, Dostoevsky , to see the graves sakskoy nobility IV century BC etc. You get acquainted with the life and culture of local Kazakhs, Russians and Germans. This area, which includes central and southern parts of the mountainous country Altay, a unique range of natural landscapes: a desert, steppe, taiga, shining eternal ice mountains, numerous rivers and lakes.
Altai-Sayan ecoregion Mining, which includes Kazakhstan Altai, on the uniqueness of the landscape and biological richness of the 200 priority eco-regions global peace, as defined in the international campaign WWF "Living Planet". His ecosystems are understood to be the richest biodiversity to all areas of the site planet. Depending on your needs and interests on the basis of this tour is possible to develop thematic tours

Necessary physical training: unlimited.
Duration: 15 days, 14 nights.
The length of hike: 2300 km.
The optimum size of the group: 6 people.
The timing of the tour: the second half of June - Sept.
Recommended equipment: clothing for hot and cool weather (from -5 to +30 ° C), raincoat for rainy weather for trekking boots, sunglasses and cream from sunburn, repellents, photo and video equipment.

Note: desirable vaccinated against encephalitis.
If you decide to commit this journey - please see specific information and the cost of the tour.

DAY 1. Arrival of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Registratsiya.Zavtrak and Recreation. Lunch. City tour with a visit to local lore and ethnographic muzeev.Uzhin

DAY 2 and 3. Semey city - a place links Dostoyevsky Breakfast
A trip to the city of Semey. Lunch. Visit the museum Dostoevsky. Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Nvzorovyh family - "the Kazakhstani Louvre." Dinner. We go to the West in ancient merchants proud Semipalatinsk, which will make trips to the Memorial great Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai and the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground. From Wallingford, we go by car to the old low quality asphalt highway to the west along the left bank of the Irtysh River. steppe 230 km road passing on of Kazakh smallest - low hill, porosshim steppe vegetation. In the first half of the path is on the road Irtysh region of fertile fields, seeded wheat and sunflower. Appears many villages Russians and German immigrants. Then the surrounding land becomes less fertile and moving in nevozdelannuyu steppe. The city of Semipalatinsk (334 thousands of residents) - the second largest city in the area, is located on both banks of the Irtysh at the intersection of the railway. In Semipalatinsk are part of the museum complex Abaya, house-FM Dostoyevsky Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts Nevzorovyh family. House-Museum F. Dostoevsky located in the city of Semipalatinsk in the house in which he lived in 1857-1889 he was. F. Dostoevsky, the great writer and philosopher from around the world, deeply across Kazakhstan. Semipalatinsk Regional Museum of Fine Arts Nevzorovyh family. The core of the museum has a unique collection of 500 paintings and graphic works XVIII to XX centuries family Nevzorovyh (Moscow). This collection of paintings is a unique world-class event not only for Kazakhstan, but also for Central Asia and the Memorial Museum Abaya. Modern State historical-cultural and literary memorial Reserve - is a museum Abaya large complex, which includes monuments of history, culture, architecture, religious buildings and mausoleums. It consists of: Literature Museum in the city of Semipalatinsk Abaya, in an area Abayskom - Literature Museum in Moscow Auezova Borlee, home - a museum in Zhidebae Abaya, protective zone, which includes 16 memorial sites located around the house poet. Abaya Museum in Zhidebae, where he lived the great philosopher - poet, is 180 kilometres south of Semipalatinsk, where you can get good on the asphalted road that passes on the steppe smallest. Every year, in his long pass off the festivities on the occasion of his birthday.

DAY 4. The nuclear polygon - "City Spirit" Breakfast Drive in Kurchatov. Visit the museum Kazakhstani National Nuclear Centre Lunch excursion to Polygon (voluntarily), alternatively Kazakh Family Dinner at the Louvre Hotel Semey Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground. In the recent past, strictly secret military site. Kurchatov is 180 kilometres west of the city of Semipalatinsk downstream Irtysh. A former nuclear test site - Military Institute researcher who conducted the study for the creation of a unique "Nuclear Shield USSR." The tour begins with a visit to the museum test site in Kurchatov, which is now owned by the National Centre for Nuclear Research of Kazakhstan. In fact, the test site, you can visit the remains of Scientific Center, where assembly was directly explosive nuclear devices, the place of underground nuclear explosions and monitor the place from afar ground explosions, the most important of which Shagan lake formed on the spot funnel from terrestrial nuclear explosion.

DAY 5. Jidebai - literary tour in the steppe Breakfast. Museum Auezova in Borlee. Monument Enlik and Quebec. Lunch or picnic Zhidebay: residence Kazakh national poet-philosopher Abai. The geographic center of Eurasia. Dinner in the book. Karaul. Back in Semipalatinsk. House - a museum in Zhidebae Abaya, protective zone, which includes 16 memorial sites located around the house poet.

DAY 6. The Germans in East Kazakhstan. Breakfast tour Shemonaihi former German villages. Interviews with residents and a teacher. Lunch with the traditional "German-Kazakh" dishes. Getting to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Dinner. Discussions with Kazakh artist of the Kazakh tradition today. Relax at the hotel.

DAY 7. Kazakh tradition Breakfast. Getting to book. Kurchum Towards acquaintance with the oldest holy place Ak-Baur. Picnic lunch on the way to or from. Kurchum. Acquaintance with the local Kazakh masters - craftsmen manufacturing carpets. Discussions with Kazakh Chinese diaspora - repatriates. Overnight in Kazakh family dinner. Ferry. Located near the territory Kuluzhdunskogo reserve. Width crossing in this place about 5 km. Steppe mountainous coast. In the south - the southern ridge rises Narymsky Altai. During the crossing just a beautiful view. Time crossings - half an hour. Crossing safe. Crossing by ferry makes a variety of relocation and makes the path less tedious and more diverse. Kurchum - village. Distance from Ust-Kamenogorsk 220 km (4 hours walking). Village - the district centre. There is a cafe where you can arrange dinner for foreign tourists. The city organization of guest houses with the Kazakh national colours. The city has a museum of national crafts. The city and district people's living masters of crafts, some local families preserved ancient folk tradition. There are excursions to the home of local craftsmen, artists (national tools, carpets, etc.).

DAY 8. Steppe. Breakfast tour wizard in the family, izgotovlyayuschego musical instruments. Ø lunch or picnic. Nature Monument - Ki-Kerish. Tents idyllic vacation on the shores of Lake Zaysana, Shakelmes. Ø Dinner at the camp. Zaysanskaya Depression. Zaysanskaya Depression - the road to Quiin-Kirishu. Following further through the south-western part of the depression Zaysanskoy bad asphalt road, we can see a gradual shift of landscapes, flora and fauna of the mountain-steppe to desert types. Here, in the south-east is a vast desert Zaysanskaya Gap, which is located at the bottom of ancient Lake Zaisan. Nature Monument Quiin-Kerish. Ki-Kirish is in the 120 km (2 - x-hour drive) from the city Kurchum. The road - damaged asphalt pavements, speed 60 - 50 km / h + 15 km on a dirt road. Terrain: plains, small stains solontsov, ribbons of riparian vegetation near dry riverbeds endangered streams in summer. Among these desert plains through 15 km up-Quiin Kerish. -- Landscape object folded tertiary clay, unimaginable beauty and originality unique corner with a red, white and orange walls, reminiscent of towers, castles walls, the minarets… dome. Published bright clay cliffs and precipices Quiin-Kerisha resemblance to Gregerson flame in the wind. For this they are called "Pylayuschie cliff." Znoj, prevails here, and the complete absence of water create a fantastic picture of a special psychological mysterious circumstances. Zaisan. Lake Zaisan is located 30 kilometres from Ki-Kirsch - a dirt road. Lake Zaisan - huge freshwater reservoir rich in fish. The length of 100 km, a width of 30 km, the area of more than 1800 square kilometres. km with a depth of up to 8 m. With the advent of night stars above the lake, there melodious sound similar to the wires buzzing. Because of this feature of the lake is another ancient name - "Lake zvenyaschih bells" - Hut-Hutu-Nor. On the shore are several interesting places: Chekelmes - picturesque beach with folded lining the shore of colored clay-like Quiin Kirishu. This is one of the best places for camping. There is a beach. Perhaps swimming in the lake. Zaisan.

DAY 9. -- water, steppe, desert and high mountain ridge Breakfast at the camp. Visit Amanat fisherman's village on Lake Zaisan. Inspection of schools, talk with the director about their school life and traditsiyah.obed trip to a village in the Altai mountain lake to Markakol Dinner and overnight at Camp Bath Village - aul Amanat. Village Kazakhs - fishermen. This village with its distinctive architecture. The village formed a peculiar subculture "Kazahskih fishermen." The population of the village friendly. There are excursions to the family of local fishermen. Black Irtysh River. To the east of Lake Zaisan Black Irtysh river flows resulting from China. The river flows among the exotic desert landscapes. In excellent fishing in the river pike, the size of which reaches 12-15 kg, zander, perch. U border with China is a beautiful geological natural monument - Ashutas (Kaz. - bitter, salty stone), folded clay with bright prihotlivymi forms. Marble Pass - border with China. Marble pass. After 110 km from the lake. Zaisan, we again have to be long to forget about the good roads. For селом Terekty asphalt road ends and begins odinnadtsatikilometrovy recovery in Marble Pass (elevation 1399 m.). Here is a very rare habitat and endangered Altaic mountain sheep - argali (Ovis ammon ammon Linnaeus, 1758), which is brought into the international Red Book. Gravel road goes along the border strip separating China and Kazakhstan. To pass a majestic panorama of endless desert sands Accum - White Sands in China.

DAY 10. -- Lake Markakol - "blue pearl" Breakfast with a boat trip on Markakolyu picnic lunches or around the reserve Travel Talk to the management of national parks Dinner - ear and singing (Misha) Accommodations at Camp Highland Lake Markakol. Markakol reserve. The largest lake in Altai. After 60 kilometers bad dirt road (driving speed 30-10 km / h) around 3 - hours drive from Marble pass. We Urunhayka come to the village, located on the shores of the lake. The architecture of the village: wooden gingerbread houses exotic looking for a European tourist. Residents of the village - staroobryadskih descendants of immigrants. There are family - descendants of Estonian immigrants expelled in these province. Tourists can stay in the guest house. Markakol highland lake - beautiful lake eastern Kazakhstan and one of the most beautiful in Altai. Adjacent to the land protected as beautiful as the lake. Pride Markakolskogo reserve not only the lake but taiga forests, mountain rivers transparent, light switches. Diverse and rich flora and fauna of the corner of our Republic. The path of the pass Burhat (location notional boundary animal Asia and Siberia). The road - the road of Austria. Entering Karagaysky Caton-State National Park.

DAY 11. -- On the "Austrian" Breakfast road trip to the Altai "on the road" in the Austrian noon picnic dinner Rest in with. Uryl. King Valley. The path of the pass Burhat (location notional boundary animal Asia and Siberia). The road - the road of Austria. Entering Karagaysky Caton-State National Park. "The Austrian road": The length of the highway 60 km (5 hours drive) from the lake Markakol Burhat to pass. Quality - tough dirt mountain road. "Austria is known for its" road beauty. Within Caton-Karagayskogo national park road passes just south of the border (p. Kara-Kobe) to the river valley. Buchtarma, ie about 60 km. But it is one of the most beautiful parts of the road, passing through 16 bridges and brodov. Its name - "Austria", which is not official, the road received from what was built in the period from 1914 to 1916 he worked. Austrian prisoners of war (Czech), the First World War (Imperialisticheskoy). Caton-Karagaysky NP. We drive to the territory Karagayskogo Caton-State National Park. This is the biggest national park in Kazakhstan and Altai-Sayan eco-region. Its territory is in a region rich in forest resources. Forests are slightly changed economic activity, and have small losses from forest fires. This is one of nemnogoih places on Earth where mountain cedar distributed (Siberian pine) forests. Snow leopard is the most vivid symbol of a kind of representative, and the Altai and our nation - Kazakhstan. Within the National Park there are 12-15 ounces animals, including animals, calling on its territory from the immediate vicinity. Burhat pass. Pass enjoys popularity among nature lovers, as a place for passing the conditional boundary between the fauna of Siberia and Asia. This habitat snow leopard and mountain goats - tekov.

DAY 12. -- Early civilization Overnight in the village Uryl house in the village. Visit with Kazakh yurt refreshments (koumiss / Court) Maralovodcheskaya farm walks with lunch / picnic Sakskie III in princely graves. Do AD excavated from Berel Dinner Maralovodcheskaya farm and Berelskie burial. Towards Rahmanovskim Switches 4 km from the village is Uryl summer parking Kazakhs - nomads, where you can try an excellent koumiss. Additional program: may visit tourist sites: Mount Belukha, a waterfall Cock-Kohl, abandoned tungsten mine Kokkol, Berelsky old bridge. Waterfall Cock-Kol (one of the largest waterfalls in the mountainous Altai). This object of tourist (and the tour system. Facilities located near) no road. These sites can be reached on foot (trekking) or horse riding. The length of the road: 35 km (north of Rahmanovskih Switches). Kokkol waterfall - a fantastic, magical beauty creation of nature, the biggest of waterfalls Kazakhstan (and all) of Altai. The height of approximately 60 m. A waterfall forms a small mountain river Big Kokkol. The old tungsten mine (border with the Russian Federation). Escape mine Kokkol - erected mining business. It was founded in 1938 to Kokkol Pass (3000 m above eur. Sea). These include: mine Kokkol (Upper Camp), Nizhny camp, the road between the towns and bridge over a White Berel In 1938 started manually ore mining and the construction of housing and a working village. At the pass, which was ore mining (Upper Camp or Kokkol Rudnick), were constructed barracks, office, club, explosives warehouse, smithy, coal washing plant. Mount Belukha. This highest peak and Altai in Siberia. Its height is 4506 m. Slopes her biceps peaks covered with eternal snows and glaciers over an area of about 70 square kilometres. km. Beluga is an interesting object for mountain tourism and mountaineering. At the same time, so many legends - sacred mountain. Beluga is a symbol of Altai. Belukha located in remote, inaccessible areas which do not have the population. Visit maralovodcheskoy farm. Traditional fishing Russian Old Believer settlers. Rahmanovskih Switches from the area in the south is somewhat maralovodcheskih farms - maralnikov. We can visit one of them. Here in poludikom state, a vast square surrounded by high fences, contains several hundred museums - the noble deer. Business center with pantorezkoy where cutting horns - a breeding reserves, and pantovarkoy where these breeding process, and ekzotichen very picturesque. Maralovodcheskoe economy is a model of a unique type of traditional economy of first-Old Christians, arrived in this province in the 18 st century. Bathrooms in the broth from the horns of young reserves - very exotic and effective method of treatment and rejuvenation of the body. North Branch Golden Silk Road. Access to the border of Russia, a promising direction for the cross-border tour. North Branch Golden Great Silk Road - the ancient caravan route linking Central Asian Region of Mongolia and China with Priirtyshem further to the west and south with the Mir. Within Caton-Karagayskogo Park is very picturesque road. "Valley of the Kings". Archaeological monument. On the right bank of the river. Buchtarma, on the spacious terrace - King Valley, located Berelskie burial - a unique archaeological monument - dumping III century AD, have no analogues in Kazakhstan. They are excellent safety due to the fact that are in permafrost. In an area with. Berel in 1998, the National Research Centre of France, the Kazakh Academy of Sciences (Institute of Archaeology them. Margulan) made sensational discoveries worldwide significance. Here, at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level in the river valley. Buchtarma found to the burial mound sakskoy notables: men and women, dating back to III century BC The goal is the creation of a special exhibit - the museum, which provides about Berelskih graves. Elite tourist base "Valley of the Kings" by "El Tour East." In 2 - x km from the base of graves located tourist company "L" East tour, practicing pantolechenie elite. A soak in a special solution - broth horns young reserves. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of doctors. The equipment companies are very comfortable building with a shower, bath, a warm toilet, satellite TV

DAY 13. Old. Apiary. Breakfast Visit Old Korobihi villages. School Museum, apiary. Dinner from local residents. Overnight in the book. Korobiha or camp. The settlement Staroobryadtsev persons. Korobiha Village. Apiary. The settlement is located at a distance of 100 km from the recreation firm "El Tour East." Approximately 80% of the roads - quality asphalt road (comfortable speed - 90 kilometres per hour). The final section of 40 km - the gravel road (comfortable speed of 20-40 km per hour), this section of road is 2.5 hours. The settlement of Old Believers - "kerzhakov" - Altaic Korobiha mining village - one of the oldest in East Kazakhstan Russian villages. There is a small Old Church. Possible concerts of local folklore groups. An introduction to the traditions and customs of local colourful old - a very interesting part of the program for those interested in ethnography of Central Asia.

DAY 14. -- Back in the steppe Breakfast walk and visit to Ust-Kamenogorsk Leisure Time Dinner (individually) Hotel

DAY 15. -- Ust-Kamenogorsk. Breakfast Meetings with the priest Gleb old father / or Imam Free Lunch time Farewell dinner Hotel After 2.5 hours and 110 kilometers of asphalt road, we came back broken in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Behind the back of 1500 km of roads in different ways, desert, steppe, forests and high mountain meadows… - Behind the back of Kalba, Prizaysane Kazakhstan and Altai with its unique nature…

DAY 16. -- Home Flight from Ust-Kamenogorsk

If you decide to commit this journey - please see specific information and the cost of the tour.