In the spring, part of the team traveled to Central Asia to discover new routes, while the other part stayed in Altai to receive guests in their native lands. We traveled around Uzbekistan for the first time, we managed to visit the major cities of Tashkent and Samarkand, see snowy mountains, green valleys and Martian landscapes. We thought about the route for a long time, we really wanted to surprise, capture interesting places, wildlife, and high mountains. We succeeded. Then there was a transfer to Kyrgyzstan and a favorite route through mountain gorges, with a stop at hot springs and warm glamping. That's where the scale really strikes the imagination. And then south Kazakhstan and the Charyn Canyon. This is the case when it would seem that everything is clear, but a well-designed route delights with contrasts.
It was not the warmest spring in Altai, and it was fresh on the road tour. Vests, boots, and shoe covers came in handy. And during the May bike tour on The sun shone brightly and the maralnik blossomed.
For the big June holidays, we've rolled out a steep route to Ust-Koksinsky district, climbed Krasnaya Gorka and swam in an icy lake. The set for the day was 2000 m. Tired? Yes! Are you satisfied? Absolutely!
In July, our flagship multi-day bike tour «Bolshoy Altai» took place, where we collected the most interesting cycling routes in the region. And they even made a forced first pass from Kuraya in Aktau, because of the washed-away bridge. A great team gathered, and even after a difficult day on the bike, there was always energy left to sing and dance.
At the end of the month, in the fast and light format, We managed to make radial routes on the Multin lakes — to Lake Kuyguk, Transverse, Middle and Upper, Strong. We also swam on sups, steamed in the only for us sauna, and brewed coffee over a campfire.
In August, a cycling expedition took place in Western Mongolia, and we finalized the program again, making it even cooler. As difficult as this route is, it leaves a mark on the inside and improves physical fitness.
In September, we split up again. Some went along the legendary Chuisky highway on road bikes, some went to the Caucasus, Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Le tour d'ALTAY road race (600 km and 5000 m set) from the very border with Mongolia was warm and very powerful, this time strong guys from different cycling schools and clubs came. A pack of leaders claimed and took crowns at the polling stations. The weather and the atmosphere were wonderful. Meanwhile, MTB connoisseurs stormed the passes and gained 1,000 m or more every day. Dagestan continues to amaze and fall in love with such unusual landscapes, bizarre shapes and colors. The route through Ingushetia and North Ossetia has become a real discovery of this season — the richness of autumn colors, sharp peaks of mountains, glaciers. The roads are suitable for mountain biking and hiking. And a minimum of tourists. Abkhazia did not indulge in good weather, but it was possible to prolong the summer. Overnight stays by the sea favored morning swims, and fruit orchards along the route filled backpacks with persimmons, grapes, and figs. And what a khachapur on the Ritz!
In addition to multi-day tours, we managed to spend weekends in the mountains, have breakfast on the banks of rivers, storm our favorite passes, and set up tents in flowery clearings. Sometimes it was necessary to duplicate tours in a row, because there were a lot of people who wanted to go to the mountains.
Thank you for being with us this year, because the key to success is not only a team of guides and careful preparation, but also the participants who bring a unique atmosphere to each tour.
The plans for the new 2024 season have not been a surprise for a long time, the schedule is already on the website and half of the seats plus/minus in groups have been booked. Keep up if you want to spend your vacation in the mountains cycling with your favorite team.