Photo: Alexandr frolov ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Russia’s most beautiful road.
The R-256 federal highway from Gorno-Altaysk to the Mongolian border: the Seminsky pass, the Chike-Taman hairpins, the confluence of the Chuya and Katun, the Kurai steppe beneath the North Chuya range and the ‘Martian’ hills of Kyzyl-Chin. The tarmac is excellent, and gravel side roads lead off to the Karakol lakes and down the Katu-Yaryk pass into the Chulyshman valley. A visa-free home tour, banya included.
- The Chike-Taman hairpins and the Chuya–Katun confluence
- The Geyser Lake and the Kurai steppe
- The Katu-Yaryk pass, 3.5 km of gravel switchbacks
- The Mars hills at Chagan-Uzun
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 100 km, tarmac
Gorno-Altaysk and Chemal
Airport pick-up, bike collection and a short ride along the Chemal road beside the Katun. Patmos island and the Chemal hydro dam.
Overnight: Tourist base in Chemal - DAY 2 · 200 km, mountain tarmac
Seminsky and Chike-Taman
Back on the highway: the Seminsky pass, 1,717 m, the Chike-Taman hairpins at 1,295 m and the descent to the Katun. Night near where the Bolshoy Ilgumen meets the Katun.
Overnight: Tourist base near Kupchegen - DAY 3 · 150 km, tarmac
The Chuya–Katun confluence and Aktash
The Kalbak-Tash petroglyphs, the viewpoint over the Chuya–Katun confluence, the cliff bends above the Chuya and Bely Bom. The Geyser Lake at Aktash in the evening.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Aktash - DAY 4 · 180 km, tarmac and gravel
The Kurai steppe and Mars
The Kurai steppe facing the North Chuya range and Aktru, gravel to the coloured hills of Kyzyl-Chin near Chagan-Uzun, then Kosh-Agach by the Mongolian border.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kosh-Agach - DAY 5 · 230 km, gravel descent
The Ulagan pass and Katu-Yaryk
Back to Aktash and north through the Red Gates and the Ulagan pass, 2,080 m, to the Katu-Yaryk rim. A 3.5 km gravel switchback descent into the Chulyshman valley.
Overnight: Tourist base in the Chulyshman valley - DAY 6 · 120 km, gravel
The Stone Mushrooms and the climb out
A morning boat crossing and a walk to the Ak-Kurum Stone Mushrooms. Back up Katu-Yaryk and a night in tents by a lake near Ulagan.
Overnight: Tent by a lake near Ulagan - DAY 7 · 420 km, tarmac
The long road back down the highway
Via Aktash and Ongudai back north along the highway, with a stop on the pass for last photographs. Night at Manzherok on the Katun, then the banya.
Overnight: Hotel in Manzherok - DAY 8 · Transfer
Flight from Gorno-Altaysk
Bikes returned and a thirty-minute transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 850 GS / Honda CRF 300 L / CFMoto 800 MT hire
Support vehicle with mechanic and luggage
Ivan and a local riding guide
Tourist bases and guesthouses, one night in a tent
Breakfasts and dinners
Fuel and the border-zone permit
Gorno-Altaysk airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Banya at the tourist bases
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, two or more years of riding; the Katu-Yaryk descent requires gravel experience on steep grades. Ivan runs a dirt session near Moscow and handles the border-zone permit for the Kosh-Agach district.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.