Despite the variety of local attractions, the first thing that attracts Altai is the unique nature and the purest mountain air. You will not find such landscapes anywhere: mountain ranges are harmoniously combined with picturesque rivers and lakes, majestic cliffs and mysterious caves. The beauty of the Altai Territory has already been appreciated by millions of tourists not only from Russia. Consider the main attractions with photos and descriptions, which I advise you to visit first of all.
«Airy, sunny, colorful, like a soapy rainbow bubble“… This is how the poet Nikolai Rubtsov describes Gorny Altai, a fairy-tale world of crystal clear lakes and majestic mountains. Tourists "flock" here from all parts of our vast Motherland to enjoy the fresh, invigorating air and untouched nature. Travel acquires a special charm when you set off on your own - by your own car or any other transport.
For reference. The Altai Republic is a subject of the Russian Federation. The capital is Gorno-Altaysk. The population is about 214 thousand people. The official language is Russian. The population consists of nationalities: Russians, Altai, Kazakhs, Ukrainians, Telengits, Germans. The climate is sharply continental: summers are short and hot, winters are long and cold. The relief is mountainous, with high ridges and river valleys. The highest mountain is Belukha (4506 m). There are about 7 thousand lakes on the territory of Altai. The largest: Katun and Biya, which, merging, form the Ob River - the largest river in Siberia. The largest lake in Altai is Lake Teletskoye. The main branch of the Altai economy is tourism.
Mount Belukha
The most favorite place for tourists. There are no highways leading to the foot of the mountain. You can get to the mountain only by trails through the villages of Tungur and Kucherla in the Ust-Koksinsky district. In Tungur, you can see a suspension bridge over the Katun River. The village is located on the left bank, and on the right there are tourist centers, where you can leave your car and then go to the mountains. To get to the place where you can contemplate Belukha in all its glory, you will need 2-3 days.
From Tungur you will need to walk 10 kilometers to the next village - Kucherly. Then there will be a forest, another bridge and fields, along which you will see the snow-capped peaks of the Altai Mountains. Then the road goes deep into the mountains - here you will meet the Kucherlinskoye lake and the ascent to the Kara-Turek trail. From here, a view of the magnificent peaks of Belukha opens. If you are a fan of horse riding, you can rent horses at the camp sites for a couple of days.
Belokurikha
This is a famous federal resort town with thermal springs and healing air. The resort area can accommodate 5,000 vacationers, and the number of health resorts and sanatoriums on the territory is growing.
Important: relatively recently, Belokurikha has become a popular ski resort with a modern material base, which is annually visited by skiers of various skill levels.
Denisova cave
If you wish to visit the most beautiful Altai mountains, this natural monument in the Soloneshensky region of Altai deserves attention, where archaeological excavations have been conducted for several years. It has already been proven that 280,000 years ago, these territories were inhabited by the ancestors of modern humans. Archaeologists managed to unearth not only the tools of labor and everyday life, but also more than 200 species of remains of the animal world, an unfamiliar species of man. If you book an excursion, the guide will tell many fascinating and mysterious legends about Denisov's cave.
It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Gorny Altai in recent years. To overcome the path to the cave is quite easy, except for the "walking" up and down roads. You need to get to the resort of Belokurikha, which is not far from Biysk. On the Shinok River, you will encounter a cascade of waterfalls, and from there you can go straight to the Denisova Cave. It contains a huge amount of sediments representing different eras. The walls of the cave are covered with petroglyphs - intricate signs.
Lake Aya
This fresh water body separates the steppe and Gorny Altai, is located next to the Chuysky tract. Translated from the Turkic name "Aya" means "Moon", the lake has a corresponding shape, quiet and calm. There are many tourist centers on the coast that accept visitors not only from Russia. In summer, the water warms up, even children can swim. People come to Lake Aya for a quiet rest in tents or at tourist centers. Tourists are attracted by picturesque landscapes, windless terrain, clean air.
Mount Tserkovka
This natural landmark of Altai and Altai Territory is located in the Smolensk region, the village of Belokurikha. The 851 m high mountain got its name due to the original shape of its top - in the form of a church dome. There are several outdoor cafes on the territory, a cable car, a souvenir shop and a tour desk.
Interesting to know: in winter Tserkovka turns into a ski resort, a favorite place for professional skiers.
Lake Bolshoye Yarovoe
Altai nature not only delights tourists with picturesque landscapes, but also heals. To improve the health of the body, tourists go to Lake Bolshoye Yarovoe. It is a fresh water reservoir with an area of 53 square meters with mineral water and silt mud. There are several sanatoriums, clinics and health resorts on the coast, the main direction is the treatment and prevention of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and not only. The lake is located near Slavgorod in the Kulundinskaya steppe.
Tavdinskie caves
In the list of what to see in Altai, this natural object is among the first. This is a unique complex of 50 caves of various depths and lengths, which occupies an area of 5 km, and runs along the Katun River. The largest is Bolshaya Tavdinskaya Cave with a rich exposition for tourists, electricity inside and a rich excursion program.
Interesting to know! Traditionally, before leaving, you must leave a coin on the ledge in the center of the cave and thank its keeper for the hospitality.
Altai State Reserve
This is the "visiting card" of these places. The UNESCO World Heritage Site with a length of 230 km has been operating since 1932, maintains the identity of Lake Teletskoye, protects coniferous forests and their ancestral abodes. On the territory there are alpine meadows, mountain rivers, healing springs, waterfalls with the purest water. Some representatives of the flora and fauna of the Altai Reserve are listed in the Red Book, are rare and endangered species.
Teletskoe lake
For local residents it is a shrine, for tourists it is a fresh water reservoir with unique landscapes. Teletskoye Lake is located on the border of the Western Sayan Mountains in the northeastern direction of the Altai Mountains. The natural site is under the protection of UNESCO, it is distinguished by two sights - the Korbu waterfalls with an observation deck and the Uchar 160 m high. This is a developed tourist zone, a favorite place for recreation all year round.
Chike-Taman
This is a mountain pass 1295 m high, 11 km long and equipped with a viewing platform at the top. Chike-Taman originates from the famous Chuysky tract. Tourists are attracted by the extreme nature of these places, and the excursion program along the narrow granite road is complemented by unique views of sheer cliffs and deep gorges, impresses with mountain landscapes. This is the sight of Altai with photos and descriptions, which literally beckons to the mountains.
Mountain Devil's Finger
This natural object is comfortably located near the mountain river Katun and Lake Aya, outwardly resembles a part of a human hand. Hence the name.Thanks to the easy ascent, tourists from the summit can enjoy the local beauty, take a whole series of memorable photographs. Altaians sincerely believe that climbing the Devil's finger helps to cure infertility. It is also a great place to meditate.
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Oroktoy bridge
It is an architectural landmark that can be reached by car. A suspension road bridge 95 m long and 3 m wide is installed above the Katun in the deepest and narrowest place. A gorgeous view of the deep canyon opens in front of the driver and passengers.
Anokhin National Museum
This cultural monument of Altai not so long ago celebrated its centenary; it is a multi-tiered complex in the style of a mound. The exposition of the museum covers different historical periods up to modern years. Here you can see old books, historical documents, collections of minerals, manuscripts, photographs and household items of the indigenous population of Altai and not only.
Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden
This is a branch of the Siberian Botanical Garden, which is located on the territory of 60 hectares of the Chistyi meadow tract. The territory is washed by fast rivers, surrounded by mountain ranges and relict forests. Here are the collections of endangered plants that are listed in the Red Book and are under state protection.
Important! Externally, the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden is a huge meadow with artificial ponds and paved paths.
Katunsky reserve
This nature reserve, created in 1991, is also a UNESCO cultural heritage site, among travelers it is called the “land of a hundred lakes”, “the golden gates of Altai”. The Katunsky Reserve with an area of 152,000 hectares is a corner of virgin nature and a habitat for rare animals, and is located in the mountains of the central part of Altai.
Museum-reserve of V.M.Shukshin
The great writer Vasily Shukshin once lived and worked in the village of Srostki. In memory of the cultural figure, a whole memorial complex of several buildings and objects of nature has been created. Among them are the writer's school, a childhood home and real estate donated to his own mother, a local cemetery, a chapel, Mount Piket and Popovsky Island.
Mining pharmacy-museum in Barnaul
The Pharmacy Museum in Barnaul is built of old brick, and is located in the center of the city on the site of an old pharmacy, where medicine was brewed and pills were made 200 years ago. Today it is a light and airy room with a rich exposition. In addition to an exciting excursion, tourists can taste balms, learn a recipe for making healing pills, and delve into pharmacy.
Museum "City" in Barnaul
This relatively new attraction has been available to tourists since 2007. The museum is located in the pre-revolutionary building of the city hall, contains 6,000 exhibits from different eras (mainly archival documentation). Tours run daily, except Sunday and Monday. The cost of the excursion is available to everyone. An adult ticket costs up to 100 rubles.
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Tsar's mound
This natural monument with a diameter of 46 m and a height of 2 m was included in the list of the most beautiful and interesting places in Altai, located on the banks of the mountain river Sentelek. Structurally, this is a spacious clearing, on which stone steles of various heights are installed. Each has its own unique history and legend. The distance between adjacent steles is 320 cm.
Intercession Cathedral
This temple was located in the poorest area of the city, and was built over 100 years ago with donations from parishioners. The Cathedral was erected in the Byzantine style. When decorating the interior, frescoes with plots of paintings by Nesterov, Vasnetsov, Kramskoy were used. The architectural monument has been finally restored since 2011.
Arboretum "Kholmogorye"
This is a unique complex of 800 hectares with plantations and two ponds with the purest water. The arboretum has become an excellent place for family recreation and relaxation. In addition to the mountain air, here you can enjoy the local panoramas. On the territory of the "Kholmogorye" complex there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure: there are summer cafes, souvenir shops, children's attractions, pottery workshops, a zoo and a shop with natural Altai products.
Assumption Cathedral in Biysk
This is the most luxurious Orthodox church in the Altai Territory, which has been welcoming the townspeople for over 100 years. Tourists are attracted not only by the exterior, but also by the interior of the building made of red brick and with hipped domes, built in the Russian-Byzantine style. The temple was built with donations from the townspeople. The Assumption Cathedral not only survived during the Soviet era, but also regularly held services for parishioners. For about 120 years, the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos has been the "calling card" of Biysk. Open daily - from 7.00 to 19.00.
Altai Memorial Museum of Titov
This is a museum of cosmonautics with a unique exposition, which can be viewed in the village of Polkovnikovo. Here you can even find a mock-up of the Vostok-2 spacecraft, which was once flown by German Titov.
Structurally, the Altai Memorial Museum consists of two objects - the old school of cosmonauts and a more modern building with a rich exposition on the development of astronautics.
Museum of the Chuisky tract in Biysk
The exposition of this cultural institution is entirely devoted to the road theme, namely, the history of the main road of Altai, which begins with a small path and ends with a modern high-speed highway. The presented collections include the flora and fauna of Altai, ornamental stones, and a paleontological collection. The Chuisky tract, well-known in Altai, begins at the gates of the museum.
Kolyvan stone cutting plant
This architectural landmark is located in the village of Kolyvan. Altai craftsmen are engaged in the processing of decorative and semiprecious stones, the manufacture of dishes, the construction of interior and exterior elements (more often from marble).
The Kolyvan plant is still functioning, and a thematic museum has been opened on its territory. The exposition of this institution is entirely devoted to the unique works of the local stone carvers.
Chapel at the site of the death of Mikhail Evdokimov
A small chapel of Mikhail Angel was built on the site of an accident in which the governor of the Altai Territory and talented actor Mikhail Evdokimov died in 2005. A memorial stone was also installed, and 47 birches were planted in the district (the beloved artist lived for so many years). Admirers of Evdokimov's creativity and not only do not bypass the local chapel, especially if fate has brought it to Biysk.
Mountain Charysh
The Charysh River is famous for unforgettable kayaking. Tourists make their way to this place along the Novosibirsk-Biysk highway, through Barnaul. After the bridge over the Katun river, you need to overcome the Siminsky pass and turn to Ust-Kan. Here you will meet another pass - Yabogansky. If the hood of your car has not boiled yet, then move on! After driving a little, we notice the village of Tudral, where the upper course of the Charysh River begins. Where the Kumir River flows into it, a full-flowing section of Charysh opens up - the famous kayak resort. You need to drive across the Kumir bridge and go to the river rafting. Charysh conquered!
Kamyshlinsky waterfall
A unique natural monument and landmark of Altai, which is definitely worth seeing. The place can be easily reached by car, it is located on the 490th kilometer of the M-52 highway - on the Chuysky Trakt. Near the waterfall there is a tourist complex "Tsarskaya Okhota" - the most important landmark by which you can get to the waterfall. Climb the suspension bridge struggling to overcome your fear. Further there will be a forest, and along the path you will get to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall.Near the waterfall there are attractions, as well as the possibility of kayaking on the Katun River.
Lake Manzherok
It has been a natural monument since 1996. It is located on the right bank of the Katun River, in the village of Manzherok. You need to get to the Maiminsky district and drive through the village of Maima, which is only 40 kilometers from the lake. In the village of Manzherok you need to turn left and go up the hill. on the way you will come across a pine forest. We pass the village of Ozernoe, another 200 meters and - here it is, Lake Manzherok! Nearby there is a tourist base "Turquoise Kautn", where you can raft along the Siberian river.
The list of monuments of culture, nature and history does not end there. For example, the sights in the Chemal region are represented by the Camel Mountain, Patmos Island, the Chemal River, Karakol lakes, paleopark, the Church of St. Macarius, castles of mountain spirits, etc. Before a trip to Altai, it is important to correctly draw up an excursion route and an entertainment program so that every minute of your vacation is spent with benefit and pleasure for travelers.
Altai vacation tips
Do you want to see Gorny Altai on your own? Traveling by car is a great idea! Now this is a very popular phenomenon among Russians, when the world is going crazy with a pandemic. However, so that the trip is not overshadowed by unpleasant nuances, you should know the following:
- Altai is a "country" of massive mountains and dense forests, so it is worth preparing for the fact that some part of the way will have to be walked on foot, unless you are the owner of an all-wheel drive SUV capable of crossing any terrain.
- In the mountains, you will not find a cafe or a grocery store, and a self-assembled tablecloth is also unlikely to appear. Therefore, before the trip, stock up on food and a portable gas stove so that you can have an unforgettable picnic in the mountains with freshly prepared food.
- Be sure to take warm clothes and an umbrella on the road. Temperature drops and rainfall in the mountains are common.
- Before traveling, carry out a technical inspection of the car to see if everything is in order. The best thing to do is to replace the tires - many travelers "cursed the day they got behind the wheel of their vacuum cleaner", leaving the old, worn rubber on the wheels. Gasoline is also worth stocking up on - the likelihood that you will often come across gas stations along the way is very small.
- Think carefully about the route so as not to get lost. Study well the area you want to go to, the maps, the time you plan to spend on the trip.
- Be sure to take the tent, which I have already discussed in a separate article, on choosing a tent for rest.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you to see with your own eyes each of all the listed sights of Altai. You cannot convey your emotions with one material with a description and photographs of Altai, you just need to feel it. Have a good rest, friends.
