My Unforgettable 5-Day Altai Adventure: Was It Worth It?
add_circle Pros
- The minibus ride was surprisingly comfortable, with plenty of legroom and a decent neck pillow.
- The value for money was unbeatable – I paid a fraction of what I would have spent on a train or flight.
- The scenery was stunning, with rolling hills and picturesque villages passing by outside my window.
- The crew was friendly and helpful, with plenty of snacks and drinks available for purchase.
- I was able to take in the sights and sounds of the countryside without breaking the bank.
remove_circle Cons
- The roads can be rough, with plenty of potholes and uneven pavement.
- The bathrooms weren't always the cleanest, and some of the stops were a bit of a trek.
- The minibus was a bit cramped, especially during peak season.
- Some of the passengers were a bit rowdy, and it was hard to get a good night's sleep.
- The journey was long, and some of the stops felt like they dragged on forever.
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Editor's Summary
My 5-day Altai adventure was a wild ride, and I'm still reeling from the experience. The minibus ride from Omsk to the base was surprisingly comfortable, with plenty of stops for food and bathroom breaks. I was a bit skeptical at first, but the convenience and value for money won me over. Don't get me wrong, it's not for the faint of heart – the roads can be rough, and the bathrooms aren't always the cleanest. But if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that's still relatively hassle-free, the minibus is the way to go. I paid a fraction of what I would have spent on a train or flight, and I was able to take in the sights and sounds of the countryside without breaking the bank. The scenery was stunning, with rolling hills and picturesque villages passing by outside my window. The crew was friendly and helpful, with plenty of snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Specifications
I took a minibus from downtown Omsk at 8 pm and arrived at the base the next day around 4 pm. Travel time depends on the number of stops and their duration. I've taken the train to Barnaul for 14 hours, to Biysk for 21 hours, and you'd need to change trains and then take a bus or taxi for several hours - it's just easier to load up and not change. In my experience, the minimum distance by train to Novosibirsk was so long that I didn't sleep at all, and even when I tried to doze off, I ended up sleeping for half a day after arrival. But in the minibus, you've got a neck pillow and your eyes just close on their own. We ate on the way - some people had soups, pelmeni, mantu, and hot dogs. Nobody got food poisoning either way. There were paid and free toilets on the route, and if you needed to use them, just be prepared to pay 15-20-30 rubles. By the way, flying is also questionable in terms of saving time and money, as I couldn't find a direct flight from Omsk, and even if I did, the layover in Novosibirsk would take at least 5 hours.
About the base.
After leaving our bags in the minibus, we approached the administrator and got the keys, wristbands for access to the pool, and a card for free entry to the nightclub. The territory was well-maintained, I didn't see any trash, but I did meet some families of rabbits who were peacefully munching on the grass - they just walk around the territory, and I saw some marmots a couple of times, and a hedgehog at night. The cottages had panoramic windows, 2 hooks, a table-desk, 2 beds, carpet, blackout curtains. If it's not too hot or rainy outside, it might get a bit chilly, so I slept in a coat, and you could ask the administrator for an extra blanket. There were tables with canopies in front of each summer cottage. It was great to gather there for breakfast and in the evenings. The kettle was with the turlieder, but you could bring your own or a compact electric kettle - the base provides small household appliances for a fee (kettle, hairdryer, heater). The base is right on the Katun River, so you can sunbathe on the pebbles or by the pool on the territory. There are plenty of free barbecue areas, but you'll need to bring your own grill (which was with the turlieder, as they also organized a welcome BBQ party). Noise is prohibited on the territory from 11 pm, and loud music is also not allowed. People in the nearby cabins would turn off their music, and it was all pretty normal. Although I'm a bit of a night owl, but if the playlist isn't to my taste, it would bother me, but the most interesting thing is that the people in the nearby cabins were listening to normal music. The disco goes until 3 am, and on weekends, until 4 am. Water and showers were outside the cottage, but I managed to catch the hot water, and you can do it for 5 days without paying extra for this convenience.
About the food.
I've already stopped at supermarkets in the Republic of Altai on the way, and the prices were normal, but you need to think ahead about what to buy. The cafes near the base mostly serve Uzbek and Azerbaijani cuisine - lagan, shashlik, chuchvara, hashlama, shurpa, dolma, Russian - beef stroganoff, borscht, chicken noodle soup, salads. All of this is made from chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and in some cafes, there's even maral meat. The base has a tavern with breakfasts, hot dishes, and pizza. You can bring your own snacks like dry-cured sausage, cheese slices, cucumbers, tomatoes, choy, bananas, cookies, chocolate, and anything else you can think of.
About excursions
The tour guides themselves chose the excursions, so it's a bespoke tour. You can take plenty of photos from them. By the way, you can buy a waterproof phone case, cigarette case, or leave everything in the car for the rafting trip. If you don't like getting wet, you can rent a wetsuit, but I'm not sure I'd bother carrying it in my luggage. I have a friend who loves all sorts of things, and I'm not exactly eager to lug the wetsuit around. We went rafting, hiking, and even sunbathed, and some people swam in the Katun River or the base's pool. On the day of arrival, there are no excursions, but the manager on site can suggest a short trip, which might be on horseback, in a jeep, on a quad bike, or even renting a bike from a nearby cafe. You can also play tennis at a neighboring base. The rafting trip costs an extra 2000 rubles on top of the tour price. I was hesitant at first, but the river, the current, and even the life jacket didn't stop me from enjoying it. The whole group was buzzing about it, and I was happy to be a part of it.
About souvenirs
The souvenirs are mostly Altai tea, mead, honey, herbal shampoos, mugs, cutting boards, wooden items, and for kids, wooden guns, bows, and arrows. The prices I saw were mostly around 350 rubles per item, but there are some cheaper and more expensive options.
About everything else
Our drivers turned out to be fishermen, and on their free day, they caught a fish in the Katun River. Let me tell you, it takes skill and luck to catch a fish in such strong currents from the shore. We grilled the caught fish on a grill, and it was a great excuse to get together and chat.
About emotions
They're priceless, the emotions from the trip - the road (I didn't get tired, I slept well, and I enjoyed looking out the window), the nature, the photos and videos are great, but they can't capture the feeling of being at high altitudes, the steep cliffs, the strong wind, and the sound of the water. It's all still vivid in my memory. Can I go on this same tour again? Yes, I can. Even if I just put my phone away and didn't try to take photos of all the beautiful places, but just experienced them. I don't get tired of visiting the same places in the city that I like, and it's the same with Altai.
Who this tour is for
Whether you're a first-timer to Altai, a seasoned traveler, or just looking for a new adventure, this trip has something for everyone. Solo travelers, couples, and groups - we've got you covered. If you're looking to avoid the hassle of planning your own itinerary, or want to explore the region's hidden gems, this tour is for you. And if you're a sports enthusiast, or just want to try some local brews and meads, we've got you covered. Plus, with our flexible schedule, you can be ready to roll out the door by 10 or 11 am.
I was a bit skeptical about joining a group tour, but it turned out to be a great decision. My friends were surprised when I told them I was traveling alone, but once they heard about the trip, they were all jealous. And as for me, I was a bit nervous about meeting new people, but it was easy to strike up conversations with my fellow travelers. We had a great time exploring the region together, and I even made some new friends. Where else can you play Crocodile with your travel buddies, right?