Winter Active Fun in Siberia, 9 days

Winter Active Fun in Siberia, 9 days

Siberia, known for its long frosty winters, is a perfect destination for a fairytale winter wonderland. If you are seeking an untouched, raw paradise of magical winter and sublime natural beauty, this trip to the Altai region in Siberia is bound to promise you that.

Siberia, a vast territory of Russia that borders the Arctic Ocean in the North, the Pacific Ocean to the East, and sharing borders with China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. This trip visits the famous Altai region also known as “Siberian Switzerland”, home to many lakes and snow-capped mountains. Immerse in Russian folk culture, many traditional winter fun activities, Russian banya (sauna) nomadic culture in this natural winter theme park wonderland.

Trip Duration: 9 days

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Novosibirsk

Late arrival into Novosibirsk and retire for the evening.

Meal: nil

Stay: hotel, Novosibirsk

Day 2 Novosibirsk – Barnaul

Enjoy a city tour around Novosibirsk before transferring to the airport for a 50-minute domestic flight to Barnaul.

Upon arrival, your dinner will take place in the most ancient stone building of Barnaul restaurant – “the Mountain Pharmacy”. The house was built in the middle of the 18^th Century. Since its foundation and until recently, the building was used as a pharmacy. Now, it is the only Museum of the History of Pharmacy in Russia.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Altay

Day 3 Barnaul – Belokurikha (Altai region)

Get transferred to S. Novotyryshkino. The journey takes approximately 3 hours. Arrive just in time for lunch at the lodge. There is time at leisure before the activity begins for the evening. Enjoy Russian Sauna (banya or bath-house). You can compare two different traditions of making banya (blask-style or white-style) and taste rejuvenating Altai herbs tea.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Belokurikha

Day 4 Belokurikha

Late start today. Visit the one and only blacksmith woman in Siberia – Anna Beletskaya. You can make a small souvenir for happiness for yourself with the guidance from Anna. Ride a Russian horse cart sleigh after lunch. Take part in a cooking lesson to make some Russian dumplings. Learn to sing some folk Russian songs accompanied by a harmonist.

It’s all about Russian culture this evening. Indulge in Russian national games, ditties and dances loved by the Siberians. Take pictures as you get dressed in Russian national costumes.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Belokurikha

Day 5 Belokurikha – Seminsky Pass

Transfer to Swan Lake and visit the Swan Natural Park. Altai is the only place in Siberia where the swans come to spend the winter season. Every November hundreds of swans and other waterfowls arrive to unfrozen lakes in Altai foothills and create a fairytale atmosphere.

Enjoy a green lunch at the cafe of Altaiskoye Holmogorie – Russian traditional meals cooked with wild herbs. You can taste green dumplings with potato, mushrooms and nettle. Degustation of herbal beer such as sea-buckthorn berry beer, conifer beer and burdock beer, just to name a few.

Thereafter, transfer to Seminsky Pass.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Lodge, Seminsky

Day 6 Seminsky Pass – Karakol Valley

Depart for Karakol Valley along the Chuysky tract – the most beautiful road of Siberia. Karakol Valley considered as a sacred place by the residents of Altai. There are hundreds of ancient archaeological sites, such as burial mounds, rock drawings, stone steles of various historical ages. Even up to today, residents of the Valley conduct ceremonies in the places of power, worship the spirits of Altai. Accompanied by the local inhabitant, Marina Tohtonova, who will share about ancient traditions of Altai nomads and get you acquainted with its rituals.

Lunch will be in a traditional rural house of the Altai people. Afterwards be invited to the Altai throat singing concert – a unique cultural and esoteric tradition of Central Asia, which is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

On the way to Katun River Valley, visit the Cherginsky Bison Nursery. Bisons from Bialowieza Forest are being acclimatised here. These animals were almost exterminated at the beginning of the 20^th Century. The number today left on the planet is just several thousands.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay : resort, Karakol Valley

Day 7 Karakol Valley

Take an excursion to Chemal. Visit St John, the Evangelist Church on Patmos Island, icon shop and walk to Chemalskaya Power Station. Transfer to Dragon Teeth – shaped rocks among the Katun River. It is a must-stop for pictures from the suspension bridge over the Katun River.

After lunch, take a leisure hike to the Blue Lakes. These are several small reservoirs on the Katun Riverbank that do not freeze in winter. The deep blue colour of the water in the lakes gives its alternative name – “the eyes of Katun.”

In the evening, participate in a Russian crafts workshop and you can choose to make amulets-dolls, pottery or felting.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay : resort, Karakol Valley

Day 8 Karakol Valley

Late start and depart to Manzherok Village. Take a cable car ride and admire the wonderful views in sight. Ride on a snowmobile to the mountains, accompanied by an experienced instructor. Visit the husky kennel and try some dog sledding !

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay : resort, Karakol Valley

Day 9 Karakol Valley – Barnaul – Novosibirsk

Transfer back to Barnaul. Take the evening flight to Novosibirsk.

Bid farewell to Siberia as your winter active fun vacation comes to an end.

Meal: Breakfast

NOTE: if there is no connecting onward flight to your next destination, you may required to stay a night in Novosibirsk.

Inclusions

~ 8 nights accommodation;

~ 8 breakfasts; 7 lunches and 8 dinners;

~ excursions as per illustrated in the itinerary;

~ return economy class domestic flights, Novosibirsk – Barnaul v.v:

~ service of an English-Speaking Guide;

~ ground transfers as required;

~ Supported travel document for Russian visa application.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Novosibirsk, Russia;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total trip quoted value is required at the time of booking.

~ Price may subject to change at the time of booking confirmation. You will be informed if there is any price increase, and you may withdraw within 3 days of notification. As such, your deposit will be fully refunded.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip requires minimum 4-6 persons to go.

~ Majority of nationalities require a visa to visit Russia. Should you require a visa to enter Russia, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.