Мотопутешествия
по Алтаю, Южной Сибири, Монголии, Казахстану и Киргизии
МотоПутешествия
по Алтаю, Южной Сибири, Монголии, Казахстану и Киргизии
Terra Mongolia 2
21.12.2019
Cradle of nations
23.12.2019
The Ukok Plateau
Difficulty:
Duration: 11 days / 9 riding days
Mileage: 2 140 km
Price: 2 350 euro
Ukok is also an "area of peace". That means that the bordering countries (Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan) forbade any people’s movement to save the magnificent nature and numerous Kurgan tombs which are several thousand years old. So, in order to get there, you have to cross the border post. The flora and fauna of the area have not been fully learned yet. There are no reptiles there. Many species of animals and plants are enlisted in the Red List. Climate is quite harsh on the plateau, as it is situated at more than 2,000 meters above the sea.
The sun may shine, but then, suddenly, the whole sky is covered with clouds and rain starts. Another bright page of local history is the famous Scythian kurgans. Due to ever-frost, tombs and tiny details managed to survive in frozen graves. It was in one of the kurgans where a mummy of a young woman was found, beautifully kept through the times. She got the name, The Ukok Princess. Monks, sorcerers,and shamans come there to find answers to their questions. Even shouting there is considered to be sacrilegious.
Six horses with saddles and a woodblock with bronze nails were found in the Kurgan. The treasure is considered to be as early as the Eighth Century B.C. The locals called the mummy the “Altay Princess” as the pro-mother of the human race, ambassador of the heaven. Altay shamans consider that she has to be buried in the previous grave, in mortuary kurgan, to prevent natural disasters.
It turned out that after the princess was discovered, several disasters happened in Altay, including an earthquake. The epicenter of which was in the tomb disturbed. Local shamans think that it was the ghost who came out of the ground and avenged. Who knows how many secrets and mysteries lie in the Ukok Plateau?
Toursmoto will meet you at Barnaul Airport (BAX) and transfer to the city of Barnaul. Then you will have time to be accommodated at the hotel and have some rest. After lunch, you will have an opportunity to see the city and walk down the embankment with your guide. In the evening, you will have a welcome dinner with all tour participants including guides and the mechanic.
After breakfast, you will get your bikes and at 9 a.m. you will start. This day, you will approach the beauty of Altai, the place where mountains begin to appear. You will climb up to the famous mountain Picket and visit the museum of the prominent Russian writer, M.Shukshin. After lunch, the local Altai Shaman will wait for you. He will tell you about the culture of the region and how local tribes turned to be included in the Russian Empire. In the evening, you will get to the guest-house, where the Russian Banja (sauna) will be prepared for you. You will stay next to the river, so late in the evening an indescribable sunset awaits you.
Today you will be riding the most beautiful asphalt road in Altai. On the Seminsky Pass, you will have a chance to buy local souvenirs; Altai honey, nutritious herbs, felt boots and so on. This day, you will be camping. And of course, Russian Banja (sauna) awaits for you in the evening.
This day we will ride along the Chuya Steppe, which is located between majestic mountains. Then, you will enter the “quiet zone,” the area between China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. This area does not belong to any of the mentioned countries, that is why people rarely go there. The nature appears in the pristine beauty. But you will have a chance to be in this zone, and more than that, you will spend a night there. You will need to provide passports to enter the area. In the evening, you will bathe in warm radon springs. The accommodation will be in summer houses.
This is special and most difficult day in your trip. You will overcome the Tyoply Klyuch Pass for several hours, at the height of 2,970 meters. From Toursmoto’s experience, it took from 40 minutes to 4 hours for different groups to ride this pass. However, the biggest difficulty will be experienced by the supporting van. The pass consists of huge stones. And finally you will reach your goal, The Ukok Plateau. This day, Toursmoto suggests you to sleep in a field night next to the purest river Ursul. This will be a great evening with a romantic bonfire and starry sky. Temperatures may fall below zero level, so do not forget to take warm clothes with you.
The morning begins with a breakfast and putting together the camp. Then you will continue riding along the plateau. Halfway, you will stop and experience a hiking trip to the cave drawings. Then you will ride another difficult part of the road, Bugumuyuz Pass (2,844 meters). The pass consists of high-mountain swamps, that is why the bikes may be stuck there. But no worries! You will manage it. Today, you will be accommodated in the comfortable guest house after a long, but memorable journey. Tired, you will enjoy a steam bath in the evening.
Day 7 is a free day. Your will service your motorcycle and then if you wish, you may ride a radial trip to the Karagemsky breakthrough in the Argut River. On this day you should relax and enjoy the magnificent nature.
You are moving back toward Barnaul via the familiar road. On the way, you should cross the border with Russia. Today, you will be accommodated in a guest house next to Chuya River. In the afternoon, you will be able to experience rafting. As usual, today you will be having Russian Banja in the evening. This will be one of the best Banjas in Altai Region.
Today you will ride 440 km (273 miles)! You are riding Chuya highway. It will be the longest daytime trip. On this road, you will ride through two beautiful passes. You will be provided with two lunches in road cafes. Our goal is the resort town Belockuricha. Today, you will stay for a night in a comfortable resort.
Today, you are moving back to Barnaul. After the lunch, you will be accommodated in a hotel. Tourmoto suggests you have a rest because early wake up awaits you tomorrow. In the evening, you will have a closing dinner in the bike-bar, where you will be able to spend a pleasant evening and share your thoughts about the tour. All participants will be awarded certificates and special souvenirs from the head guide of Toursmoto Company.
After early breakfast and goodbye, you will be transferred to the airport. Toursmoto Company wishes you a good flight.
В стоимость тура входит
- Motorcycle rental (BMW F650GS)
- 2 guides
- Entrance tickets to parks and museums
- Gas
- Supporting van with an extra motorcycle, mechanic, spare parts, and client's belongings
- 10 nights accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Transfers from and to Barnaul Airport (BAX)
В стоимость тура не входит
- Airline tickets to Irkutsk
- Single accommodation
- Alcoholic beverages
- Medical insurance
- Personal expenses (including extra dishes in restaurants)
- Riding gear
- Motorcycle insurance deposit (350 EUR)
- Extra activities
- Travel insurance
- Visa
