I had never been to Altai before. My first visit there was to the tourist base "The Ark" in Ust-Koksa. Firstly, the very location of the base makes it possible to get away from everyday fuss, which is really attractive. It’s so delightful to walk along the streets, to feel the rural atmosphere and enjoy breathtaking landscapes. There is no fuss and it makes you feel as if you have already had a good rest. Staying at the base, I did not feel that I was a visitor, it felt like home. I could address any question to the staff without fear of being misunderstood. I got everything I asked for, even organizing a horse ride "right now because I'm leaving in an hour." Not a single day was wasted. If you haven’t been to Multinsky lakes - I really recommend going there! It's unforgettable! I don’t know where else I could experience the same. I slid down the icy Mount Red without a snow saucer or anything. This is all in addition to the beauty that you should see with your own eyes, and not just talk about it. All the guides I dealt with were a blessing; I was very excited. And especially the guide we rafted on the river Biryuksa with. Five days in the company of an experienced geologist and the director of the rafting school will greatly expand the outlook and you definitely won’t get bored. The rafting trip itself is a continuous adventure. Now if I hear about the fact that someone is going rafting, I feel really envious. Altai is awesome!