Altai Mountains Part 1- Russia

Our first stop in the Altai region was Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the region and the place where we were meant to register our visa. We tried to find the travel agent for registration but weren't successful. We decided to not bother and just plead ignorance if we got checked.

We headed to find the largest lake in the area up in the mountains, ended up getting lost. We stopped at the side of the road and went for a swim in a river with some locals. We parked up in a layby and got the BBQ and goulash tripod out to cook on. There was an awesome lightening storm. At about midnight three cars pulled up next to us. After reading the Altai region has the second highest crime rate in Russia we were a little spooked. We loaded the van up and drove off. We parked up in a small village and got our heads down. Waking up in the morning was class, we had breakfast on the roof of the van, some inquisitive locals tried speaking Russian to us.  The view was awesome, propper rural village,  guy chopping wood with an axe right next to van and an old lady sat on her veranda opposite. Felt like we were properly in Russia. Photo below of village.

We went to Chemal, much deeper into the mountains, to book some tours. We asked in a local shop and 5 mins later the local tour guide was with us (big John). We agreed to meet him at 10 am the following day for a horse trek the white water rafting in the afternoon. That night we drove a few hundred metres out of town and up on a plateau next to mountains. We made some herbal tea with wild herbs and went for a climb up the mountain.

The next day we met up with big John for probably the best day of the trip so far. We were driven to the river then taken across on a small rib to the stables.  We were given a talk about how to ride a horse, unfortunately being in Russian we didn't understand a word. It was all good we jumped on and headed off. The track took us along the river then up into the mountains. The view was class of the river, mountains and valley.  All in all a great few hours.

We headed off in the afternoon for rafting, it was awesome, some big rapid sections where we were properly thrown around. We made friends with the other people on the tour and the tour guides. When we got back to the van (parked outside the rafting yard) we played volleyball with the giudes, bought some beers and had drinks with the guides. Alex, Tanya, Anya. They were mainly students working during their summer holidays. They invited us into their living area and we drank with them until late. Was a good crack. They gave us some local fish to eat, we reciprocated with beer and vodka.

The day after we woke up with sore heads to one of the guides greeting us with a can of beer. We cooked them eggy bread then played cards around their table. We learnt a Russian card game, called looser, which we will defiantly continue playing. We taught them crazy 8's. We spent hours playing. Thanks guys for being so hospitable. Spasibo!

Rob