ALTAI REPUBLIC AND PLACES IN THE ALTAI REGION

ALTAI REPUBLIC

Altai Republic (near the border of Mongolia and Kazakhstan) is a semi-autonomous republic set up for the Altai minority and known until 1991 as the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Republic. Much of the Altai region in Russian lies within this sparsely-populated republic About 35 percent of the republic's 206,000 people are Altai. Most of the remainder are Russians (56 percent) and Kazakh (6.2 percent). Altai Republic has a population density of only 2.2 people per square kilometer. About 72.5 percent of the population live in rural areas. Gorno-Altaysk is the capital and largest city, with about 56,000 people.Ancient petroglyphs found in the area area believed to have been made the ancestors of the Altai.

Remember Altai Republic is different from The Altai Krai. The Altai Republic was established in 1922 as the Oirot Autonomous Oblast, for the Mongol people of that name. In 1948 the region was renamed the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast. Redesignated a republic in 1992, the region took its present name — the Republic of Gorno-Altai, or simply Altai (the vernacular term omits gorno , which means mountainous in Russian) — in that year. Occupying 92,600 square kilometers (35,800 square miles) on the north slope of the Altai Range on the northeast border of Kazakstan, Gorno-Altai had a population in 1995 of 200,000, of whom 60 percent were Russian and 31 percent Altai. About 83 percent of Russia's total Altai population live in the Altai Republic. [Source: Library of Congress, July 1996 *]

The economy of the Altai Republic is primarily agricultural, supported mainly by livestock raising in the hillsides and valleys that dominate the republic's landscape. Gold and other precious and nonprecious minerals — especially the rare earth minerals tantalum and cesium — support a small mining industry, and Altai Republic possesses rich coniferous forests. The main industries, mostly based on local resources, are the manufacture of clothing, footwear, and foods, and the processing of chemicals and minerals. The capital of the republic is Gorno-Altaysk.

Getting There: The Altai Republic is in a corner of Russia not touched by human civilization. There are few railways and none in the largest city of Gorno-Altaysk. The nearest railway station is in Biysk, 96 kilometers away. The price of a one-way ticket for the Moscow-Biysk train is 5,000 rubles for a reserved seat, and 9,782 rubles for a berth in a compartment. Another option rom Moscow, is take a more frequent train to Novosibirsk or Barnaul, then transfer to a regular bus. The bus trip from Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaysk is 9 hours and costs 1,500 rubles. From Barnaul to Gorno-Altaysk is 5 hours and 640 rubles.

By Plane: There is an airport near Gorno-Altaysk. The flight from Moscow takes 4-5 hours. The round-trip airfare in the offseason starts at 6,000 rubles; in the tourist season it can be up to 25,000 rubles. Flights fly from Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Yekaterinburg and Kazan are available and range from 3250 to 20,000 rubles.

Getting Around A car or SUV with a driver is best way to get around. Residents of Siberian regions and tourists from the Urals and Kazakhstan generally get around with their own cars. Populated areas are compact; the road system is well developed within and near cities. Distances between villages and towns are somewhat less than in other regions. Off the beaten the roads can be quite bad and it take a long time to go a short distance.

Altai People

Altai (also spelled Altay) is a general name used to describe a group of Turkic peoples living in the region o the Altai mountains in southern Siberia in the Altai Republic. Also known as the Altai, the Altaians, the Altai Turks and the Kizhi, they hail from a mountainous region that stretches into Mongolia and Kazakhstan and is regarded as homeland of all Turkic people and people which have spoken Altaic languages which includes Mongols, Mongolians, Kazakhs, Koreans and a host of other people.

The Altai people comprise several Turkic-speaking tribes living in the Altai and Kuznetsk Alatau mountains. Several collective terms have been applied to the overall group, including "Oirot," which was used in tsarist times. The Altais first came into contact with Russians in the eighteenth century, when colonization of the region began. Some conversion to Christianity occurred in the nineteenth century, but substantial numbers of Altais returned to their previous Mongolian Lamaism in the early twentieth century, as part of a general movement against Russian domination. In the post-Soviet era, most of the republic's population is Orthodox Christian. [Source: Library of Congress, July 1996 *]

There are about 70,000 Altai in Altai republic in Siberia near the Mongolian and Kazakhstan borders, forming 28 percent of the population there. Among the Altai groups are the Chelkan, Kumandin, Telengit, Teles, Telut and Tubalar. Most Altai are bilingual in their native Turkic tongue and Russian.

Tourism in the Altai Region

Many foreigners and Russians come to the Altai to trek, mountain climb, white water raft, fish, hunt, ski, go snowboadring, snowmobile or engage in other outdoor activities.. Most do so as part of organized tours that are arranged abroad or a major city, but it is also possible to travel around independently picking up guides in the cities, park headquarters or villages near the camps. The only way realistically reach the area is by plane and the only way to get around once there is by jeep or truck.

The summer tourist season lasts from May to October. The average temperature is + 25°C in the summer. The contrast of temperatures in the summer can from 30°C during the day, to +5°C at night. The peak winter season falls on New Year's holidays and Christmas. Temperatures in the winter range from –10°C to −30°C. The weather depends on the area: the mildest climate is in the Chemal region, the driest and harshest is close to the border with Mongolia.

The Altai is called the land of blue lakes. And not without reason. There are many lakes — large and small. Some of them are located high in the mountains and are not easy to get there. Others are accessible by well-traveled roads and have tourist villages and camps that offer hikes, horse routes, auto tours with off-road vehicle trips. The most famous lakes among tourists are Multa, Karakol and Shavlin lakes. Teletskoye lake is by far the largest.

Gorno-Altaysk

Gorno-Altaysk (500 kilometers south of Novosibirsk and 300 kilometers south of Barnaul) is the capital of Altai Republic and its only city. Located near the northwestern border of the republic, it lies in an inter-mountain hollow between the spurs of the Iolgo Range at an altitude of 270-305 meters above sea level. The mountains shelters the city from the harsh winds. There are two high mountains in the vicinity of the city: Komsomolskaya and Tugaya, attracting people who enjoy the outdoors. Mount Tugaya has a ski resort of the same name on it.

Gorno-Altaysk is served by the Gorno-Altaysk Airport. Highway M52 passes through Gorno-Altaysk, connecting it with Novosibirsk in the north and the Mongolian border in the south. The town It is 96 kilometers from the nearest railway station in Biysk. It is also near Altai Krai and some of the places there are more accessible to Gorno-Altaysk than they are to the main cities in Altai Krai

The town hosts a theater, the Gorno-Altaysk State University, and the Anokhin Museum (National Museum of AV Anokhin Gorno-Altaysk Altai Republic). The Anokhin Museum — originally known as the Oyrot Regional Museum of Local Lore — opened in 1927. It contains a reconstruction of a Pazyryk burial chamber and mummy of "Siberian Ice Maiden", also called the “Ufok Princess.”

History of Gorno-Altaysk

Judging by the materials of archaeological sites, people settled in the mountain hollow with a soft microclimate in ancient times. The oldest site in the city is Ulalinka, and Early Paleolithic complex on the Ulalinka River, discovered in 1961 and estimated to be between 300,000 to 1.5 million years.

Gorno-Altaysk's historical name is Ulalu. From 1834 to 1879, the village of Ulala was the center of the Altai Spiritual Mission. Churches are built here, the Nikolsky Women's Monastery and the first missionary school were opened. The Population of Ulala consisted mostly of newly baptized Altai, who received preferential yasak payments and initial material aid like state houses, cows, horses and peasant gear. As noted by the Orientalist Academician V.V. Radlov, who visited Ulala in 1865, “I found a knowledge of religion among the local Teleuts on a level we would've failed to find in Russian villages, and in addition, very firm moral foundations...”

Merchants appeared in Ulala in the second half of the 19th century: stone buildings, shops and a market where people traded every day were built. The Nikolskaya Fair was held annually from December 6 to 19. The main occupations of the Ulalin people of that time were agriculture and cattle breeding, but crafts like forging, horse riding, icon painting, pottery and others were also developing. There were 27 craft shops in the village.

In 1918, with the formation of the Karakoram-Altai District, Ulala became its center. And in 1922, when the decree of the Central Executive Committee “On the formation of an autonomous region of the Oirot people” was passed, the village became the center of the newly formed region. In 1922, the first issues of the regional newspapers Krasnaya Oirotia and Kyzyl Oirot were published in Russian and Altaic.

On January 27, 1928, the Ulalu village became a city, and four years later it was renamed Oirot-Tura. During World War II, the K. Liebknecht Moscow Pedagogical Institute, the Michurin Tambov Fruit-and-Vegetable Institute, the Leningrad Flight School and other institutions were evacuated to Oirot-Tura. Industrial enterprises switched to the production of military products: sewing military uniforms, making skis, sledges, boots. In 1948, the city received a new name — Gorno-Altaysk, and in 1992 Gorno-Altaysk became the capital of the Altai Republic.

Near Gorno-Altaysk

Lake Aya (24 kilometers from Gorno-Altaysk in Altai Krai) is a small. warm lake about is a popular picnic place. The blue lakes of Askat (25 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk) appear on the Katun River from the end of August to April. Their amazing turquoise color contrasts with white snow. The lakes are spring fed and freeze only in very severe cold. Locals consider the water of these lakes to be beneficial for eye diseases. The lakes are easily accessible on their own. By car you need to get to the village of Askat and walk about four kilometers along the trail.

Chemal (100 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk) is a natural sanatorium in the Altai Mountains with a relatively mild climate. The average annual temperature is 4.4°C. There is almost no snow in the winter, when air temperature ranges from is minus –5 to – 8°C. Chemal is a popular tourist destination with a reasonable number of tourist facilities kilometers.

Patmos (accessible from Chemal) is a rocky island on the Katun River and home to the Church of St. John the Evangelist. You cross a suspension bridge, 15 meters above river to get to the church. From Patmos along the steep “goat path” along the river, a little more than a kilometer long, leads to the mouth of the Chemal River and the Chemal hydroelectric station.

Church of St. John the Evangelist is a reconstruction of the original church. A church was first built at this location in 1849. Before then, monks had lived on the island in seclusion. On the initiative of one of them, John, a chapel was built. The chapel was named after the monk's guardian, St. John the Evangelist. Ever since, the island has been called Patmos (St. John the Evangelist lived on a Greek island with the same name). After the revolution, the chapel was burned down but later the church was reconstructed. A convent has also been built nearby on the banks of Katun river and connected to the island by the suspension bridge.

Karakol Lakes (accessible from Chemal, 130 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk) are seven glacial lakes connected by rapid, wild streams. The upper lakes are set among alpine meadows; the lower ones by cedar taiga. The water is crystal clear and never warmer than + 7°C. They can be reached from Chemal on foot or on horseback. You can go part of the way on a rocky road running along the Elekmonar River into a picturesque mountain gorge, but the last five to seven you will have to climb on a mountain trail.

The lakes are 300-800 meters from each other. The hike from the bottom lake to the top lake takes a couple of hours. As one climbs the lake become smaller and colder. The water is very clear but virtually no aquatic plants or fish in the lakesthey are virtually absent, as well as fish. "Kara-Kol" means "black" in the local language. An excursion from Chemal by car with lunch costs from 3100 rubles. per person. Horseback riding is 1500 rubles extra. The tourist base “Karakol Lakes” is located 30 kilometers from the Chemal highway, in the area of the village of Elekmonar. A room able to sleep four costs 2000 rubles per night. One that accommodates six is is 3000 rubles.

Tavdinsky Caves

Tavdinsky Caves (near the Altai Palace Casino in Altai Krai, 20 kilometers southwest of Gorno-Atlaysk) is also called Taldinskaya caves. They got the name from the village located near the common rail (or otherwise Talda). The caves are a system of thirty caves, which are fairly easy to get into - it attracted the ancient people, and now attracts modern tourists. Cave connected to each other, each having several inputs and outputs.

One of the most popular caves - this "Big Tavdinsky", it is also called "Maiden's Tears", "Tavdinsky-1." It has a lower inputs, which are located near the road: they can be seen in the gaps between the trees. The main gallery is different here spaciousness and a slight rise. Differential input from the lower to the higher of 23 meters, wherein the end portion forms a gallery spiral ledge overlapping its lower part.

Tavdinsky caves served as a refuge for people in different time epochs. In the cave were conducted archeological excavations in which scientists have found evidence of pottery production and fishing activities, as well as material artifacts of the Bronze Age - for example, a product made from the horn of a huge male deer, on which is carved the likeness of a human face. Perhaps this is part of the staff of the shaman. We find different beads and pendants that were previously sewn on clothes.

Tavdinsky cave is open all year round. Special training or equipment to visit is not required. Tourist must be dressed according to the season and weather. One has only to take with this flashlight. The caves are located on the left bank of the Katun River in the territory of the special economic zone "Turquoise Katun". Entrance to the cave is equipped with turnstiles and is chargeable. Some of the cave entrances are equipped with wooden steps. Speleological complex provided lighting and video surveillance systems.

Kalbak-Tash Petroglyph Complex

Kalbak-Tash Petroglyph Complex (200 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk in Ongudai district, seven kilometers to west from the village Iodro) is a unique petroglyphs site located in the picturesque tract Kalbak-Tash (“kalbak” stands for “spoon”, “tash” for “stone”). The rocks are covered with about 3,000 diachronic pictures: from large figures of deer and moose of the Neolithic age, dating from 6-4 millennia B.C., to the runic inscriptions of the Old Turkic era. Such a wide array of petroglyphs carved at different times at a single location is extremely rare. Most of the drawings are images of animals and people. Surprisingly, among the petroglyphs there are drawings that resemble modern spacecraft with a capsule attached to the body at the bottom and with large tongues of flame below.

According to a report submitted to UNESCO: A petroglyphic complex "Kalbak Tash" is one of the largest archaeological sites in the Altai Republic where rock paintings of different periods from the Bronze Age to the ethnographic antiquity are accumulated. Petroglyphs present drawings made in Pazyryk and Hun-Sarmatian times, as well as in the early Middle Ages. They include scenes of hunting deers, wild bulls, bears. Images of the main characters of the Pazyryk animal style such as goats, wolf-dogs, feline predators, deers and horses also present in the scenes. The petroglyphs portray not only the various shapes of real animals, people, scenes of everyday life, hunting, war, but also stories and mystical animals which have arisen from religious beliefs, from ancient myths and heroic legends. Researchers estimate that petroglyphic complex "Kalbak Tash" contains up to 8,000 drawings and inscriptions. Data research works on petroglyphs are being continued up today. [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

One of the most expressive monuments of ancient art is rock painting - petroglyphs. Petroglyphic sites of the Pazyryk Culture are distinguished by the technique of pecking or incised engraving and graffiti techniques. The central role in Pazyryk art plays fight of beasts - a plot line specific for Scythian art in general. The petroglyphs mainly portray images of wild animals and hunting scenes. Basically when making multiple rock images the ancient artists were motivated by the desire to ensure maximum success in hunting and convey a sense of afterlife as a whole.

Katun River

The Katun River (in Altai Republic and Altai Krai) is a famous Altai river. It originates at Gebler glacier, 2,000 meters above sea level and its water may change color, depending on the season. The bright leaves of trees and bushes along the banks serve to complement the beauty of the Katun. The time to see the Katun in all its splendor is before the real cold season sets in.

In spring and summer the river is fed by rains, thaw water, and glaciers. The water at this time is muddy and gray, losing its blue-green color. In fall and winter the river is fed by groundwaters and looks totally different.

The Katun has many tributaries: the Chuya, Sumulta, Koksa, and Akkem. The Katun has a volatile character, like all rivers that begin in the mountains. In some places it is violent and rough, in others it flows calmly, all depending on the relief. After the Sumulta, the Katun loses its mountain-river appearance and continues on its way among the mountain spurs that become lower and lower.

The river's middle part and its tributaries are used for rafting of difficulty grades 4 to 6. The lower part offers great rafting opportunities for novices and families with children. At the same time you can feel the strength and power of the Katun at its every part. There are also fishing opportunities. The river is home to the sterlet, Siberian white salmon, ide, pike perch, grayling, burbot, and other fish. You can fish with an regular fishing rod or spinning reel.

Lake Teletskoe

Lake Teletskoe (160 kilometers east of Gorno-Altaysk) is the largest lake in the Altai Region. It is surrounded by forest and is over 1,000 feet deep. It is a popular hiking and camping area. It can be easily reached by bus or car from Gorno-Altaysk. From June to August it receives a fair number of tourists.

Teletskoe received its name from Russian researchers in honor of the Teleut tribe living there. Indigenous people called the lake Altyn-Kel — “Golden Lake”. And they tell the legend of a gold nugget with a horse's head thrown into the lake. The long and narrow outline of Teletskoy really does look like a horse's head. The lake is part of Altai Golden Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site

The area of the lake is 223 square kilometers and it extends for 77 kilometers. Lake Teletskoye is one of the deepest lakes in Russia, with a maximum depth of 325 meters. In terms of clarity it is almost as clear as Lake Baikal (the transparency of Lake Teletskoye is up to 12-15 meters). All sides the lake are surrounded by high mountain up to 2,500 meters in height. The average water temperature of the lake is 10º degrees C, in the summer it warms up to 19º to 21ºC. The southern and central parts of the lake do not freeze in the winter, which explains the presence of many species of waterfowl. In the winter, temperatures above freezing are not uncommon.

The Old Believers’ village of Artybash is main tourist center for the lake. As you approach the lake you cross the Biya River. The bridge here spans from Artybash to the Altai village of Iogach. The most popular type of tourism is a trip in the large motorized ship, the “Pioneer Altai”. Boats also go to Korbu, Chedor and Cape Ayran waterfalls on the south coast of the lake. Hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, rafting on the Biya are popular. Fishermen catch burbot, whitefish, grayling, pike and taimen. In the winter people take tours on snowmobiles and dive in the ice-free sections of the lake. The Artybash Ski Resort is located nearby. Accommodation: Altai Village Teletskoe is the only five-star resort of Altai on Lake Teletskoye. Rooms range from 8900 to 108,000 rubles. The “Golden Lake” complex offers comfortable rooms in the summer houses and tourist tents for between 900 to 5400 rubles.

Chulchinsky Waterfall and the Risky Hikes to Get There

Chulchinsky Waterfall (near Teletskoye Lake, 170 kilometers east of Gorno-Altaysk is biggest waterfall in the Altai Republic. Also known as Uchar Waterfall, it is located on one of the largest tributaries of the Chulyshman River (the Chulcha river). Over a distance of half a kilometer, the river drops more than 250 meters. The waterfall's produces a roar. It can be heard long before you see it. When you there the thundering noise is so loud you have to screaming at the top of your lungs to talk to the person beside you.

The waterfall appeared only 100-150 years ago as a result of a landslide, whose falling rocks dammed the turbulent Chulcha river. To reach the waterfall, you need to go to Artybash village in the Turochaksky region, cross the Teletskoye lake by boat and head to the mouth of the Chulcha river, traverse the river (after paying), and then walk several hours to the waterfall. Every traveler should take a safety rope and, better yet, employ the services of a guide.

Another option is to go to Aktash village in Ulagansk district, then head in the direction of Ulagan and Balyktuyul. After the Katu-Yaryk pass, you will arrive in the Chulyshman valley at the mouth of the Chulchi river. A mountain trail leads from the Chulyshman valley to the waterfall. It is not a especially technical trail, but requires a certain level of caution, especially in wet weather.

The trail does crosses rock slides and scree, and in one place, there is a small cliff where organized excursions usually use a safety rope. On the way to the waterfall, sometimes it is necessary to cross turbulent streams flowing down the mountains to the Chulcha river. In case of high water, these crossings can be difficult, especially in spring, when logs used by hikers the previous year are washed away.

Chuysky Tract

Chuysky Tract is a 953-kilometer-long trunk road in Novosibirsk Oblast, Altai Krai and Altai Republic. Officially known as Russian route R256, and also called the Chuya Highway, the highway was constructed in the early 1930s by gulag inmates and extends from Novosibirsk to Russia's border with Mongolia, passing through Berdsk, Novoaltaysk, Biysk, but bypassing Barnaul and Gorno-Altaysk. It is part of Asian Highway AH4 and used to be called the M52.

The Chuysky Tract is also spelled and written as Chui Tract, Chuya Tract and Chuysky Trakt Between Novosibirsk and Biysk the road follows the right bank of the Ob River, then traverses a steppe region and the Altay Mountains, where much of it is above to 2000 meters. Parts of it approach the Chuya River. The section in the Altai Republic is 330 kilometer long and stretches from the town of Mayma to the Mongolian border. Following the Katan River for much of its route and is well-known as a place of adventure in Russia.

Once a pack animal trail and caravan route between Russia, Mongolia and China, the Chuysky Tract is the main “transport artery” for the Altai Mountains. Mostly a solid asphalt road, it passes through some spectacular scenery and has roadside service, viewing platforms, breathtaking views of wild river, ancient forests, mountains and cliffs. Foreigners can travel on the route but many are no allowed to pass into Mongolia even if they have a visa.

Places Along the Chuysky Tract

The distance from Novosibirsk to the border with Mongolia is 942 kilometers, Small towns and villages along the way in the Altai Republic, such as Manzherok, Cherga, Shebalino, Seminsky Pass and Onguday have basic accommodation. Rafting and horseback riding trips are organized in Manzherok. There are some deer farms around Cherga and Shebalino. Around Onguday is famous group of Pazyrk tombs.

The road skirts Mount Babyrgan — the guard of Altai. The Ilgumen Road (60 kilometers from Onguday) is a put in place for white water rafting trips. There also some petroglyphs in the area. Further on are beautiful Lake Shavlo, the Pazyryk burial mounds at Aktash, and Kish Agach, a small villages with an end-of-the-earth atmosphere.

Manzherok tourist complex (42 kilometers from Gorno-Altaysk) has cable a car and chairlifts to the Malaya Sinyukha Mountain. The cost of the lift is from 470 rubles to 360 rubles. In the winter, visitors can go skiing and snowboarding. After about 100 kilometers you come to Seminsky pass. After another 140 kilometers you come to Chike-Taman Lookouts, a rocky serpentine pass with a cafe and spectacular views. At 690 kilometers you will see the sandy rocks and Katun terraces. After another 100 kilometers you come to confluence of the Chui and Katun rivers. A little further, there is a whole complex of petroglyphs in the town of Kalbak-Tash. After that, as you approach the end of the tract, the road, reaches the picturesque open Kurai steppe, with the Martian landscapes and the massif of mountains of the North Chuysky ridge. Near the village of Aktash there is an ice-free geyser lake.

Accommodation: Seminsky Pass Tourist complex has served as a training center for Olympic skiers and biathletes. The center is located at an altitude of 1800 meters and is surrounded by cedar taiga. There is a rope tow on the ski slope and ski-roller track Accommodation ranges from 700 to 1500 rubles per person per night. The Nomad tourist complex is located closer to the end point of the Chuysky tract, seven kilometers from the village of Aktash, in the vicinity of the village of Chibit. The complex is open all year. Accommodation ranges from 800 to 1600 rubles per person per night.

Chuya River (350 kilometers south-southeast of Gorno-Altaysk) is north of the Ukok Plateau and accessible via Chuysky Tract. The Chuya is 320 kilometers (200 miles) long, and its drainage basin covers 11,200 square kilometers (4,300 square miles). The river freezes in October or early November and thaws in late April. The is a river a right tributary of the Katun River (Ob's basin).

Chui-oozy Natural and Economic Park (350 kilometers south-southeast of Gorno-Altaysk) is located on Chuysky Tract near the 708 kilometers marker, where the majestic Katun merges with wayward Chuey.. The confluence is interesting due to the different water colors: brown Chuya River and emerald Katun. Since ancient times this has been a holy and revered place in the Altai. "Chui-Oozy" in Altai means "Feeling the mouth of the river")

Altai Nature Reserve

Altai State Nature Reserve was established in 1932 for the protection of the Altai region’s taiga and alpine tundra ecosystems in the northeastern part of the Altai Mountains. Covering an area of 8,712 square kilometers (3,364 square mile, it is one of largest reserve in Russia and is part of the "Golden Mountains of Altai" UNESCO World Heritage List. In the reserve there are about 1500 species of plants, of which 22 are listed as endangered, and 60 rare and endangered animal species, representing about 52 percent of all protected animal species in the Altai Republic. The reserve is famous for its beautiful lakes, particularly Lake Teletskoye Lake and Lake Karakol. Also on the territory of the reserve there are more than 150 waterfalls, most of them unreachable or at least difficult to reach. There are virtually no roads in the reserve, only tracks and trails, which one should not explore without a guide. Visiting the reserve requires a permit.

Altai State Reserve is one of the first places in Russia to be declared a biodiversity reserve. Located in the northeastern part of the Altai Republic in the Turachakskiy and Ulagan areas, it embraces mountains, coniferous forests, alpine meadows, alpine tundra, rushing rivers and lakes. There are 1275 lakes. All of them are small, except 30-kilometer-long Teletskoye, one of the largest lakes in South Siberia. The reserve stretches 230 kilometers into the high mountains to the southeast of the lake and has an average width of 35 kilometers. The area under protection includes Teletskoye Lake and taiga. Among the critically endangered birds and animals protected here are sable, snow leopard, argali, demoiselle, saker falcon, the black vulture and osprey. Elk (moose) and deer are also found here.

Recognized as an area of high biodiversity and isolation from human intrusion and included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the Altai Biosphere Reserve has an elongated shape running from the northeast to southwest along the Teletskoye basin and into the high interior. Elevations rise to 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Lake Teletskoye is in the upper northwest end of the reserve. The Chulyshman River runs into the lake, with the Chulyshman valley forming part of the western border of the Altai Reserve. Most of the reserve is the plains and alpine ridges of the Chulyshman Highlands. Over 20 percent of the territory is rock, scree and gravel.

The Altai is located in the Sayan montane conifer forests ecoregion. This ecoregion is characterized by mountains dissected by river valleys, high levels of precipitation, and high biodiversity. Flora is generally dependent on the elevation and terrain, with forest having three main subzones based on altitude: light needle-leaf sparse taiga, dark needle-leaf taiga, and dark taiga. The Altai reserve has been for the most part undisturbed by human activity, and is one of the few remaining pristine areas of this ecoregion. It covers 9.4 percent of the entire Republic of Altai, and there are no roads in the reserve.

Permits and Visiting Altai Nature Reserve

As a strict nature reserve, the Altai Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with "environmental education" purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. There are six "ecotourist" routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance. Park management recommends allowing 2–3 months in advance for obtaining permits. The main office is in the city of Gorno-Altaysk.

The six ecotourist routes open to the public (permits required) are: 1) Chichelgansky Zigzag. Overlook of Lake Teletskoye, ethno-cultural visitor center, Yaylyu waterway hike. (website (in Russian); 2) Belinskaya Terrace. Ancient monuments of the Turkic period - "Kaeser-Tash" (stone warrior), "IT-Bash" (stone-dog). (website (in Russian)); 3) Corbou Waterfall . 25 km boat ride and hike. 13 meter waterfall. (website (in Russian)); 4) Cordon Chelyush - Waterfall. Softwood forest, overviews of Altai. (website (in Russian)); 5) Kokshe Waterfall. Orientation by reserve ranger, hike to Kokshe Waterfall on the Koskhe River (largest right bank tributary of Lake Teletskoye. (website (in Russian)); and 6) Great Falls of the Chulchinsky. Hike for experience mountain hikers only. Altai Zapovednik (Official Site)" (in Russian). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia).

An entry permit can be obtained in the Reserve’s head office in Gorno-Altaysk (tel. 2-14-19), on arrival in Yailu check point, or in the Artybash settlement (Teletskaya Str., 12). Those willing to receive a group entry permit are required to submit the list of the group, specifying its leader and providing his/her passport data, aim of the group’s visit, schedule (terms) and travel plan (itinerary). Application must be submitted not later than a month before the intended visit. If you need further information, feel free to contact the Reserve’s headquarters in Gorno-Altaysk.

One person posted on Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forum in 2018: I live in Russian part of Altai mountains (Altai republic). There are at least ten fantastic options for trekking in Altai and the final choice depends on traveler's preferences/budget/days...Permits are not a problem here, tourists don't need them unless they're planning to visit areas close to border, ~30km (Akkem lake is close to border with Kazakhstan). In order to get a permit one needs to fill the application 60 days before the trip starts and pick the permit up on the way. Usually, they do it in 40-50 days, but 60 is the best.

Federal State Budgetary Institution “Altayskiy State Nature Biosphere Reserve” FSBI “Altayskiy State Reserve”
Director - Kalmykov Igor Vyacheslavovich Altayskiy Reserve is headquartered in Gorno-Altaysk
Address:Postal address: 649000 Gorno-Altaysk, Naberezhniy Lane 1, POB 91,Altai Republic, Russia
Actual address: Gorno -Altaysk, Naberezhniy Lane 1, Altai Republic, Russia
Altayskiy Reserve's office in Gorno-Altaysk. Scheme
Telephone (fax): 8 (388-22) 2-14-19
email: agpzmain@mail.ru
website: www.altzapoved.ru
Altayskiy Reserve's 24-Hour Hotline:
in Gorno-Altaysk: 8-903- 074-00-44
in Yailu settlement (sat-phone): 8 (495) 645-22-62, dial 4512 after the voicemail message.
in Artybash settlement: 8 (388-43) 8-960-967-53-51

Trekking in the Altai Mountains

There are some trekking and hiking opportunities around ice-covered Mt. Belukha and 4173-meter-high Mt. Aktru. The treks in the 5-day to 2-week range generally begin at Tyungar (500 kilometers from Gorno-Altaysk on a daily bus). Destinations include Turkic stone sculptures, petroglyphs, Lake Kucherla, Kara-Tyurek Pass, Lake Akkem, Akkem Glacier, and Kiziyak Pass. Around the lakes there are some mountaineer huts where hikers and trekkers can stay.

The six ecotourist routes in the Altai Biosphere Reserve open to the public (permits required) are: 1) Chichelgansky Zigzag. Overlook of Lake Teletskoye, ethno-cultural visitor center, Yaylyu waterway hike. (website (in Russian); 2) Belinskaya Terrace. Ancient monuments of the Turkic period - "Kaeser-Tash" (stone warrior), "IT-Bash" (stone-dog). (website (in Russian)); 3) Corbou Waterfall . 25 km boat ride and hike. 13 meter waterfall. (website (in Russian)); 4) Cordon Chelyush - Waterfall. Softwood forest, overviews of Altai. (website (in Russian)); 5) Kokshe Waterfall. Orientation by reserve ranger, hike to Kokshe Waterfall on the Koskhe River (largest right bank tributary of Lake Teletskoye. (website (in Russian)); and 6) Great Falls of the Chulchinsky. Hike for experience mountain hikers only. Altai Zapovednik (Official Site)" (in Russian). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia). See Above

The person who posted on Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forum in 2018 said: If you have only five days to travel in Altai I'd recommend you to trek in Aktru valley. There are short distances for trekking (6-12km), but you can step on huge Aktru glacier, visit beautiful Blue lake/three lakes in a row and shot an astonishing panorama. There are lot of archaeological and ethnographic sites en route. The main road here (Chuisky trakt) is the most beautiful road of Russia (by National Geographic, 2014) and there are many "most"s more like the highest mountain of Siberia, the highest alpine steppe in Russian, second Baikal (Teletskoe lake or Altyn koel), biggest Russian solar station, unique Martian landscape (no other in Russia).”

Belukha Mountain

Belukha Mountain (300 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk) is the highest mountains in the Altai region and Siberia at 4,506 meters in height – is located at the border between Kazakhstan and Russia, it has two peaks in the form of an irregular pyramids, The height of the eastern summit of the mountain — Vostochnaya — is 4506 meters; the western summit — Zapadnaya — is 4435 meters high. Between the two is 4000-meter-high Sedlo Belukhi (Belukha's Saddle).

The slopes of the Belukha have 169 glaciers. The largest of these are: Glacier Sapozhnikov, which covers 13. 2 square kilometers. Greater and Lesser Berel glaciers are 12.5 and 8.9 square kilometers, respectively. The Katun, Kucherla, Akkem and Idygem Rivers originate from the glaciers on the slopes of mountains. Lynxes, snow leopards, Siberian ibexes are occasionally encountered at Belukha Mountain. The following bird species inhabits in the region: white and tundra partridge, Alpine daw, chough, Himalayan Accentor.

Permanent snow and ice make the mountain astonishingly beautiful. . According to local Buddhist tradition, on the top of Belukha Mountain there is sky-high country of the gods — Shambala — where the great Gautama Buddha began his march to India. The Altai people believe that Belukha is a sacred mountain; they call it “Uch Sumer” — Three-Headed, or “Kadyn-Bazhy” — the Top of the Katun. There are Altai legends that connect Belukha with the abode of the goddess Umai — the patroness of women and children.

High snowy mountains are the subject of sacred veneration among the Altai. Any one who dares climbing to the top risks death. It is claimed that on the top of the mountain there is invisible energy bridge that connects one of the symbols of Altai directly with the cosmos. According to these beliefs, anyone that can make it to the top of Belukha Mountain will receive good health and spiritual blessings. White “current fog” often shrouds the mountain. Because of this Old Believers called the area Belovodye, the place from where mountain spirits descended to Earth

Equidistant from the four oceans, Belukha is the center of the giant continent of Eurasia and has been called "the navel of the earth" and the “center of the universe.” The root word for Belukha is the same as the one Beluga whales (the white whales of the Arctic). The mountains and its climate has been carefully studied and painted by the artist and researcher Nicholas Roerich.

The mountain is still deeply by the Altai people today. The famous Altai artist Grigory Choros-Gurkin wrote,“Mighty, rocky, colorful ridges of huge mountains stretch out ahead. Pushing back against one another, they spread out into the endless expanse and distance, lost in the blue air of dust. The steep slopes are covered with deep cuts of gorges. Gloomy cliffs everywhere, ready to collapse over dark gaping abysses, with gigantic ridges, rising to clouds beyond their ledges. Farther and higher, beyond the blue sky, in a clear blue, are the kings of the mountains, standing like a host of fabulous heroes: they spread out their tent-shaped outlines and proudly raise their snowy peaks, shining above. Glaciers shine on their huge helmets, like precious stones, rubies, emeralds. They are bordered with a pattern of bizarre rocks and thick layers of snow.”

Visiting and Hiking on Belukha Mountain

Belukha Mountain is located in the Ust-Koksinsky district of the Altai Republic. Belukha Natural Park is part of the Golden Altai UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a trip to Belukha, tourists see Akkem Lake Akkem glacier, Tekelu Waterfall, Yarlu River Valley, Mountain Spirit Lake and Seven Lakes Valley. There are lots of ancient burial mounds in the area. So-called king’s burial places have been found at the foothills. They are dated back to 3-2 centuries A.D.

There are two main ways to explore the mountain — hiking on foot and with climbing using ice climbing and mountaineering gear. There is a camp set up on Lake Akkem, from there are hiking up the slopes and in the vicinity of the mountain. Ten-day treks, including some walking in ice, cost around is 50-60,000 rubles per person. To do this climb, you need to be in good shape and have some experience in mountain hiking and climbing. Chalet “Vysotnik” organizes helicopter tours. Accommodation at the base start at 1600 to 2000 rubles per person. Excursions to the Belukha area by helicopter cost 38,800 rubles. A lot of mountain climbers from all over the world come to visit the mountain annually. Combination of different conditions: steep relief, different shapes of ice make it possible to climb at a variety of levels

You can reach the foothills of Belukha through the Karatyurek Pass or the Kuzuyak Pass. The area where Belukha is located is part of a zone of high seismicity Micro-earthquakes are frequent, resulting in cracks in Belukha's ice cover, landslides, and avalanches. The climate near Belukha is harsh. Negative temperatures persist in the foothills until March. Even in the summer, temperature at the top of the mountain often falls to — 20 C. The best time to climb Belukha is late July or August. In January 2000, Belukha and the adjacent territories — Lake Akkemskoye, Lake Kucherlinskoye — was designated received the status of the Katun Biosphere Reserve.

Lakes in Southern Altai Republic

Multa Lakes (200 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk) is a cascade of lakes in the upper reaches of the Multa River and its tributaries. They are located in the northern part of the Katun ridge, in a reserve in the Ust-Koksinsky district. Water in the lakes is from transparent to turquoise. The road passes through the village of Multa, where you can stop at the camp site. You need to be prepared for changeable weather and impassability.

Akkem Lakes (220 kilometers south of Gorno-Altaysk, 40 kilometers southeast of the Tungur village) lie at the foot of the northern slope of Belukha Mountain. “Ak-kem” means “white water” in the Altai language. In fact, there are two Akkem lakes, one above the other, but the upper one exists only in the spring flood, at other times the basin of the lake is filled with the sleeves of the Akkem River, originating from the Akkem Glacier (Rodzevich Glacier). So the lake is called pulsating, it's not there every season and not even every year.

The lower Akkem Lake is an integral part of the landscape of the mountain knot of Belukha Mountain. The water in it is cloudy, gray-white. Because of the suspension of the solid material carried by the Akkem River from the glacier, it's transparency is less than a meter and there are no fish in it. The bottom of the lake is formed from glacial silt. The water here is cold, its temperature never exceeds 4.5°C. The lake freezes in October and ice finally disappears in early July.

The mountains scenery around Akkem Lake is astounding. In calm weather, when there are no ripples on Akkem Lake, one can see the reflection of a snow-white mountain in calm water.. High mountain lake near the walls of the snow-covered Belukha is a favorite place for artists, tourists and climbers.

Ukok Plateau

Ukok Plateau (southern Altai Republic, 400 kilometers south-southeast of Gorno-Altaysk) is a bleak area near where Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan all come together and is where many of the important Pazyrk tombs have been discovered. The climate here is ideal for preserving the bodies in the tombs. Some of the mummified remains and artifacts are now in the Hermitage. It is difficult get to the plateau. Many of the archeologist who work here rely on helicopters.

During the winter this 2,285-meter-high (7500-foot-high) region is hit by such nasty winds the "grass stands free of snow." The plateau is a sacred place. Ukok means "the end of everything" and people that live in this region believe it is a step on the way to heaven. People are not allowed to shout out of fear that it might offend the spirits who they believe reside are close by. [Source: Natalya Polosmak, National Geographic October 1994]

The Ukok Plateau ranges in height from 2200 to 2500 meters and is part of the Altai Golden Mountains UNESCO World Heritage List. More than 150 archaeological burial sites and a number of petroglyphs and larger Nazca-like geoglyphs — images made on the surface of the earth that can only be seen from a height — are found here. In 1993, the plateau received worldwide attention when the “Ukok Princess” — a female Pazyryk mummy dated to the 5th-3rd centuries B.C. — was unearthed. Locals consider her to be their ancestral moth and patroness of their land. The mummy is now in the museum of Gorno-Altaysk.

The tourist season is short — from July to August. The climate on the plateau is severe. The differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures can be as much 40°C. Tours with trekking and climbing to the peaks are organized. Trekkers sleep in tents. Snow leopards live here but they are rarely seen. . The cost of a five- to 14-day Ukok tour or trek ranges from 33,000 rubles to 60,000 rubles per person.

Ukok Quiet Zone Natural Park is a protected natural area of national importance. Covering 2542 square kilometers, it is designed to preserve the historical, ethnic and cultural heritage of the country, as well as its landscapes and biodiversity. Among the 1,500 or archaeological sites are early nomads of the Afanasiev culture, ancient fences, funeral steles, and petroglyphs from different time periods. It was here, near the border with China, in the course of archaeological excavations at the Ak-Alakha cemetery in 1993, that scientists discovered the mummy of "Siberian Ice Maiden", also called the “Ukok Princess.” A total of 16 plant species and 30 animal species found in the park are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Altai.

Archaeological Sites Along the Chuysky Tract

Adyr-Kahn (on the right bank of the Chuya River is an archaeological complex that includes a stone statue depicting the face of a warrior, a cluster of petroglyphs (rock carvings) depicting animals and people and several ancient burial graves.

The Stone Warrior "Adyr-Kahn" is one of the few deer stones (ancient stone slabs with images) that remains in its historic location. Many of the others in Russia were stolen or taken to museums. The deer stone here is a 1.5-meter-high 40-centimeter-wide stone pillar. On the top of the column is clearly visible face of a warrior. Further down the column is a sword and a bow in burn (Scythian wooden case for bow and arrow). The back side of the figure shows a horse. The warrior is 2000-3000 years old and has been identified as Scythian.

The nearby ancient burial are also described as Scythian. Fifty meters to the north of the the stone warrior are vertical masonry walls and about 100 rock art images dated to the Aeneolithic Bronze Age period (3000-1,000. B.C.) and the Scythian period (8th-3rd centuries B.C.) There are images of bulls, deer, hunting scenes, and rare in the Altai Mountains, an image of a snake.

Tarkhata Megalithic Complex (on the Chuya steppe, 25 kilometers from Kosh-Agach, on the Chuysky Tract about 30 kilometers from the Mongolia border) features megaliths and painted petroglyphs from the Pazyryk culture. Sometimes called the Altai Stonehedge, the main group of stones is comprised of five smooth, white plates, one of which has a crossbar that are six to seven meters high. One of the stones is strongly reminiscent of the throne or chair. According to legend if you sit in it your soul will be cleansed.

Archaeologists have suggested the site may be a burial ground for shamans. Firstly, stones are laid out in a strict circle and oriented to the cardinal. Each stele every stone on the ground laying out has a definite location. Second, there are "chair" for the shaman. Third, the rock that makes up the pillars, does not occur in this area. In the past there was a tradition of bringing stones for the burial of shamans from distant places. In this case each stone weighs several tons.

Yustyd Valley (in the northeastern part of the Chu steppe) contains a variety of archaeological sites — hundreds of different mounds, fences, steles, balbaly and petroglyphs — in a relatively small area. The length of the archaeological complex is a few kilometers. It includes Kereksury, with burial and memorial structures. At its center is a large round stone mound. A a distance from the mound are is a paved circle-fence, which is connected with the inner mound paths rays. Together, the objects here form a chain of are small ceremonial centers that stretch for tens of kilometers. Yustyd archaeological complex located on the territory of the Geopark "Altai".

Elangash Petrogyphts

Petroglyphic Complex Elangash (450 kilometers southeast of Gorno-Altaysh) contains more than 30,000 images. The most common subjects of petroglyphs are deer, goats, bull processions, anthropomorphic figures, camels, chariots and fighting animals. Elangash in the local Altai dialect means "naked, devoid of vegetation." Indeed, in this area of alpine meadows, you will find lots of mountain tulips and edelweiss, but not a single tree. Elangash can be spelled Yelangash. The name of the site is also written as Petroglify Doliny Yelangash

The Elangash River originates from the eternal snow-covered slopes of the South-Chuya ridge. The huge area of cave art stretches 18 kilometers into deep valleys, it reaches a width of 1.5 kilometers. In this area you can find yak herders and yaks.

According to a report submitted to UNESCO: The petroglyphs in the Elangash valley (Kosh-Agach municipal district) make an indelible impression. In point of fact they present a huge source on the history of culture and fine art by the ancient populations of the Altai, including the Pazyryk Culture. Petroglyphs of the Altai Mountains make up part of the immense ancient rock art of Siberia, Central Asia in contrast with woodlands and taiga. These petroglyphs have own characters and stories related to the life of ancient hunters and herders in the steppes and deserts of Eurasia. [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

The main attraction of the valley is a giant rock art complex, stretched for 18 kilometers into the valley, it reaches a width of 1,5 kilometers. Scientists have copied over 30,000 drawings from here. The most common themes of petroglyphs are deers, goats, bulls procession, anthropomorphic figures, camels, chariots, fighting beasts. Drawings were made by incusing and graffiti techniques. According to scientists, the numerous ancient drawings on rocks illustrate not only the various scenes of everyday life such as migrations, hunting, war, but also scenes from myths and heroic legends.

Pazyryk

The Pazyryks were a horseman group that lived at the same time as the Scythians and were similar ethnically to them and had a similar lifestyle. They lived in the Altai region and are associated with Ukok Plateau described above. Scientists believes the Pazyryks traveled on horseback in clan groups made up of perhaps 30 or 35 families.

According to a report submitted to UNESCO: The Pazyryk Culture is one the related Central Asian cultures of the Scythian time. On the large area of the Altai Mountains it existed from the 6th to the 2nd centuries BCE. This culture has left clear evidences which are presented by unique burial complexes. The archaeological sites presenting cultural heritage of Pazyryk time include burial mounds (the frozen tombs of tribal nobility) and petroglyphs made in an "animal style".” [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

“Though in general, later Pazyryk Culture was transformed into the culture of Hun (Bulan-Koba) type, as evidenced by the succession of the funeral rites and the elements of material culture. But as a self-sufficient culture with the whole range of characteristics, the Pazyryk Culture fits into the category of lost one. The patterns of the highest decorative art, material culture and the traditions of funeral processions, unique techniques of embalming the deceased tribesmen, and the ways of playing the ancient musical instruments (the pazyryk harp, the ritual drums) were lost.”

Based on what has been found in their tombs, it is believed that they lived in yurts; herded sheep between summer and winter pastures; and carried supplies on low carts dragged behind their horses. The yurts were decorated with pillows, rugs and small tables they ate off of while they sat on the ground. At night they slept on thick blankets of fur and rested their heads on wooden pillows. Women wore felt stockings or pants and sometimes sported elaborate hairdo.

The Pazyryk gathered cedar nuts and blackberries, baked unleavened tortilla-like bread from barely or wheat. and made tea from wild roses. Meat was boiled, and sometimes seasoned with wild onions and garlic. Mares milk was made into cottage cheese or fermented into koumiss. They may also have smoked marijuana which grows wild in the area.

Pazyryk Sites in the Altai region

Treasures of the Pazyryk Culture — found in the Kosh-Agachskiy, Ulaganskiy, Ongudaiskiy, Ust'-Koksinskiy and Turochakskr regions of the Altai Republic — was nominated to be a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2018.According to a report submitted to UNESCO: “Altai is the unique region on the planet. It guards huge layers of life - sustaining activities of human civilization. It's a place of formation and cultural evolution of ethnic groups that are scattered through the Eurasia. The "Treasures of the Pazyryk Culture" of the Early Scythian Epoch includes the unique and world famous burial mounds (kurgans) and petroglyphs of the Pazyryk Culture. [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

The main burial sites: 1) Pazyryk is a group of archaeological mounds (N50°44'45.26" E88°4'16.69"). It is located at a distance of 80 kilometers southeast of Lake Teletskoye and on the territory of buffer zone of the Altaysky Zapovednik, which is the World Heritage Property component. 2) Katanda is a group of archaeological mounds (N50°54 890' E085°34'623'') situated in the cooperation area of Biosphere Reserve "Katunsky" - another component of the World Heritage Property "Golden Mountains of Altai". It is at a distance of 5 kilometers to the northwest of the Katanda Village. 3) Tuekta is a group of archaeological mounds (N50°50'726" E085°52'981") situated also in Ongudai region, on the left bank of Ursul River, in the northeastern part of the village of Tuekta;

The main petroglyph sites: 1) A petroglyphic complex Elangash (N50°08.853' E088°18.280') is located in the Elangash River Valley in Kosh-Agach district, in the cooperation area of the natural park "The Ukok Quiet Zone". The task of the park is conservation of the natural objects of Ukok Plateau which is also a component part of "Golden Mountains of Altai". 2) Kalbak Tash presents a petroglyphic complex (N50 40 272 E86 82 076) located on the right bank of the Chuia River, 18 kilometers southeast from Inya village of Ongudai district on the pass named Kalbak Tash.

Pazyryk Kurgans

According to a report submitted to UNESCO: The Pazyryk kurgans (Ulagansky district) are located inside the buffer zone around the component part of World Heritage Property “Golden Mountains of Altai”. They are on the altitude of 1,600 meters above the sea level, where the comparatively limited area of the valley includes about 40 different archaeological structures: large and small stone mounds, oval and round flat stone platforms and fences, stone circles, rows of stones set vertically. Archaeological mounds are considered to be the most important Scythian burial sites in the Altai Mountains, because they laid the foundation for studying the frozen tombs. [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

One of the richest is the fifth kurgan which is located in the center of the complex. Its mound presented piled stones, not very high, with gentle slopes, its diameter was 47 meters, a height of 2,2 meters. About 1,800 cubic meters of stone was used to construct it. Here archaeologists have found the oldest preserved Persian carpet and another carpet, presumably of local production, depicting a man on horseback. Among the remains of four purebred horses, which, apparently were brought to Altai from the south, they found well preserved wooden jewelry of harness, felt saddles blankets, and other trappings braided in the tail of horses.

In this mound they also found a collapsible tent, fragments of wagons, the famous wooden chariot, and richly decorated saddles. Therefore, we should note that in this period of time the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and other nations with developed culture did not use saddles. As for the Altai Mountains, it was the region of the Central Asia where the first felt yurt was invented and a horse was domesticated earlier than anywhere. According to epic studies, it was horse domestication that served as the basis for the emergence of a new hero image in folk literature — an athlete in the heroic legends.

Pazyryk Culture is characterized by the existence of a Scythian triad, which unites it with other cultures of the Eurasian steppes. These are identical weapon systems, the construction and objects of horse harness, and the Scythian animal style. Found in the Pazyryk burials vivid examples of Scythian - Siberian animal style mainly portray excruciation of peaceful cloven-hoofed animals by predators which are mostly winged. The important discovery were the mummified bodies of the leader and his wife (or concubine) in the Pazyryk mounds. Outside the grave chamber in the northern half of the burial pit there was a horse entombment with a full set of horse harness in accordance with the number of sacrificed horses. And the number of horses in the mounds varied from 7 to 14.

Tuekta and Katanda Burial Sites

According to a report submitted to UNESCO: The burial complexes of Tuekta (in Ongudai district) include 197 mounds. Research data on these sites are kept in the museum collections of the Altai Republic and Russia. Burials of the elite of Pazyryk society were also found in the log sarcophagus inside a wooden cabin placed in grave pits under the piled stones. From inventory items there were found ceramics, saddles, jewelry, weaponry, and etc. Medieval burials were put in grave pits under these stone mounds. Such objects as a silver jar, jewelry and weapons were removed from them. [Source: Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to UNESCO]

The first mound with a height of 2 meters and a diameter of 40 meters containing the permafrost was discovered in Katanda. The ice lense has preserved a variety of unique articles from textile, leather and wood. Under the multiple layers of logs there was discovered a hewed log cabin with double walls and double ceiling. The logs were set almost according to the modern construction technologies. This kurgan contained unique items of clothing from sable and ermine fur preserved in a good condition. A fur coat, the sleeves of which were painted in different colors (green, yellow and brown) demonstrates a flaky design. Besides this original decor, the coat was decorated with a buckle carved from wood and covered with golden foil. Artistic design of this coat shows the high technology and art specific for its time.

There is also famous long-tailed coat from Katanda and felt carpet with colored appliques, and wooden carved decorations in golden foil, made in Scythian-Siberian animal style. All these findings demonstrate surprising for its time jewelry craftsmanship of Pazyryk society.

Near the Mongolian Border: Martian Landscapes and Huge Ripple Currents

Martian Altai (accessible from the Chuysky Tract near the Mongolian border) is a fantastic steppe landscape that looks like it belongs on another planet, namely Mars. Between the Kurai and Chui steppes, on the 864th kilometers of the highway, near the village of Chagan-Uzun, tourists enjoy ethereal landscapes. Nine kilometers from the village, in the valley of the Kyzylchin River, you will see mountain ranges in crimson-red shades. This is the Red Gorge called “Martian Valley”. The color comes from ancient clays. In this area about 90 million years ago there was an ancient sea. Red usually means a high iron content.

Kurai Steppe is a place where air currents create an optical effect — trembling air. The region also offers views of the soaring peaks of the North Chuysky ridge. Another natural phenomenon — a giant ripple of the current — is located south of the village of Kurai. A road passes through the steppe and weaves into the Aktru river valley, where there are large glaciers. In Aktu, at an elevation of 2150 meters, there are huge cedars, hiking, a climbing school, climbing, extreme snowboarding and skiing. Off-piste skiing and snowboarding is popular here, freeride are here. It is best to have a good SUV if you are going to explore this area. Close close to the snowy peaks with comfort will not work — off-road. It is better to use off-road vehicles.

The Kurai steppe has one of the most spectacular giant ripple currents in the world. the waves. Formed by the catastrophic discharges of Chui and Kurai lakes, when they broke through their natural dams about 15,0000 years ago., the wave exceeds 20 meters in height and are more than 200 meters in length. The water that formed ripples was traveling at tens of meters per second The same type of ripple current, but on a smaller scale, is created by wave action on a sandy beach.

Kyzyl Chin (accessible from the Chuysky Tract, 70 kilometers from the Mongolia border) is an intense colored mountains. “Kyzyl-Chin” is Turkic for “Red Canyon.’ The red, yellow and orange color bars are located in nearly horizontal layers. Each layer was formed in a certain period; the conditions of the period defined the of color of the clay that formed the rock. Red-brown layers were formed more than 300 million years ago. Greens also belong to this period. This ancient clay with admixture of sandstone and limestone. The mountains have been eroded by meltwater and wind, which burrowed into grooves and gullies, forming slopes, almost vertical walls with columns.

Accommodation: Year-round yurt camping is available at Tydtuyaryk — Golden Camel. The cost is from 1600 to 2500 rubles per yurt. A bed at the Chuy Alps hostel costs 1800 rubles. At the Altai-Aktru Mountain Center in the Aktru River Valley a bed costs from 1200 to 1500 rubles per person.

ALTAI KRAI

Altai Krai covers 169,100 square kilometers (65,300 square miles), is home to about 2.42 million people and has a population density of 14 people per square kilometer. About 55 percent of the population live in urban areas. Barnaul is the capital and largest city, with about 610,000 people. A krai is an administrative territory of Russia that dates back to tsarist times. Remember that Altai Krai is different from Altai Republic. The later is a more popular tourist destination. It where you find the big Altai mountains, scenic Alpine lakes and important archaeological sites associated with the ancient horsemen of the Eurasian steppe. Website: Tourism portal of Altai Krai: www.visitaltai.info

Altai Krai by some reckoning is located smack-dab in the middle of the Eurasian landmass, where the Altai Steppe merges Altai mountains. It is known as being home of Denisova Cave, which produced the first evidence of Denisovans, an extinct group of hominins who coexisted with the Neanderthals and modern humans around 30,000 to 50,000 years ago. Among the other draws of Altai Krai are swan lakes, huge spelunking caves, ski areas and ancient archaeological sites. Altai cheese and Altai honey ate famous through Russia. Lake Yarovoye and Belokurikha are popular tourist resorts where you can get an antler bath and plunge into the ice after a sauna..

Getting There: By Plane: Barnaul has an airport. A flight there from Moscow or Saint Petersburg takes about four hours. The the minimum cost of a round-trip ticket from Moscow is RUB 18,400; from Saint Petersburg: RUB 12,000. By Train: Railways connect the main cities of the Altai Krai with all regions of Russia and the former Soviet Union The cost of a sleeping berth in a compartment on the Moscow train starts at RUB 15,700 per person (round-trip). The travel time is 35 hours. By Car: Road travel to Altai is most popular among Siberians and tourists from the Urals and Kazakhstan. You can travel throughout the region and, if you wish so, continue your journey to the Altai Republic, which is about two hundred kilometers from Barnaul.

Transport in the Region: The most common type of transport in Altai Krai is bus. From the bus station of Barnaul you can take a bus to any regional center, along the famous Chuysky Trakt to the Altai Republic and neighbouring regions. Fares for key destinations: 1) Novosobirsk: starting at RUB 620; 2) Biysk: starting at RUB 340; 3) Gorno-Altaysk in the Altai Republic: starting at RUB 610; 4) Belokurikha: starting at RUB 560; and 5) Yarovoye: starting at RUB 1,100; Online schedule, prices and tickets are available on the bus station website: www.avtovokzal.ru. To get from Barnaul to Biysk, you can take one of the branded trains “Kalina Krasnaya” or “Vostok”.

Barnaul

Barnaul (245 kilometers south of Novosibirsk) is the capital and largest city in Altai Krai, with about 610,000. There isn't much to see other than Siberia's oldest museum, but it makes a good jumping off place for exploring the Altai mountains.

Situated at the confluence of the Barnaulka and Ob Rivers, Barnaul was born in 1730 and took off when was once chosen by the clerks of the Ural mining businessman Akinfiy Demidov for a smelter construction. But soon production of silver, a currency metal, was forbidden to private businesses, and Demidov lost his Altai enterprises. The next stage of development was connected to the merchants.

History of the city is reflected in its architectural look. Witnesses of the factory era, such as Demidov Square, houses and workshops of that time, are located along the river Barnaulka. Merchant's mansions, strong and stocky, like the owners themselves, settled deeper into the city. Most of the Orthodox churches of the city were built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Barnaul boasts a relatively high number numerous museums, exhibition halls, art galleries, theaters and concert halls of a mid-size city. A view of the river floodplain and right-bank flood meadows opens from the high bank of the Ob River. There are medical and health institutions, as well as sports facilities in the relic pine forest. There's a 25-kilometer Ski Track of Health, that turns into a cycling and walking trail in the warm season. The arboretum of the M.A. Lisavenko Institute of Horticulture of Siberia is located near the sanatoriums. Health resorts have small zoos on their territories, where spotted deer, roe deer and bear cubs live, and squirrels and birds aren't afraid of people in the slightest. The first in the city Barnaul Zoo works in the Lesnaya Skazka park of entertainment and recreation.

Barnaul Silver Factory is a unique ensemble of factory buildings of 18th - 19th centuries situated in the historical part of the city. The copper smelter, built in 1739-1744 at the mouth of the river Barnaulka, launched Barnaul’s mining boom. Not long afterwards the plant was retooled for the precious metal smelting, and for a long time, it produced 90 percent of all Russian silver. After the abolition of serfdom production became unprofitable, and silver production was halted in 1893.

A year later the factory complex redeveloped in the sawmill, which lasted until 1942. During World War II, the Gomel match factory was evacuated to Barnaul and placed in the former silver-plant.. Match manufacturing ceased in 2006, and the factory complex has not been used since then. Tours of it are organized by appointment at the museum "World of Stone".

Biysk

Biysk (160 kilometers southeast of Barnaul) is the nearest rail stop to the Altai mountains. It is harder to get to than Barnaul but is located close to the mountains. There are few railways in Altai Republic and none in the largest city of Gorno-Altaysk. Biysk is 96 kilometers from Gorno-Altaysk. The price of a one-way ticket for the Moscow-Biysk train is 5,000 rubles for a reserved seat, and 9,782 rubles for a berth in a compartment. The 953-kilometer-long Chuysky Tract from Novosibirsk Oblast, through Altai Republic, to Russia's border with Mongolia, passing through Biysk, but bypasses Barnaul and Gorno-Altaysk.

Biysk, the second biggest and oldest city in Altai Krai, stands on the Biya river. In 2009 Biysk has celebrated its 300-year birthday. Biysk is in the historical union of the Russian Federation. The city has wonderful architectural monuments. There are 272 architectural and historical monuments, about 50 archaeological monuments, 11 natural monuments. At the moment, the city is an industrial, scientific, educational and cultural center with developed social-economic sphere having a status of a Science Town.

Biysk is a major transportation hub for the Altai region. Roads to Chemal, Belokurikha, the Ukok plateau, Teletskoye Lake and Denisova cave all start in or pass through the city. Two million tourists go through Biysk annually.

Belokurikha

Belokurikha (60 kilometers south of Biysk) is a popular resort city. Situated in the so-called valley of health, it has been welcoming people at its health resorts since the Soviet era. Belokurikha, Russia, Siberia, Katun and Resort SPA hotel Belovodye are among the oldest and most recommended spas and sanatoriums. The Health centers use natural mineral water, radon, lake mud and blue clay for treatment.

In the winters, the resort opens ski trails. The total length of all slopes is about seven kilometers. There are five drag lifts and a chairlift (open all year round, ticket price is RUB 400). . Tourists mainly come here on tours organised by major industrial companies and mines.

The appeal of Belokurikha is not only in its picturesque location and the healing properties of the local waters. It is also boasts a well-developed infrastructure for accommodation and leisure. Belokurikha's resort zone is a separated from the main city. It is located a short distance from the city and is hidden in a valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides. This is especially noticeable, if you take a ride on a cableway up into the mountains — the only cableway in Siberia. This provides twenty-five minutes of a wonderful journey over the mountains and forests.

Accommodation: Health centers are the most comfortable type of accommodation offering all-inclusive service. Prices start at RUB 2,500 per person. If you want a course of treatment, we recommend you consult with a physician first. The final price of the course will depend on the list of required procedures. Belokirukha offers many options for those who looking for budget accommodation: mini-hotels, guest houses and apartments.

Swan Lake

Swan Lake (near Urozhaynoye village, Sovetsky District, 75 kilometers northeast of Belokurikha and 65 kilometers southeast of Biysk) is set among the fields and forests. Properly known as Lake Svetloye, it comes alive in the winter when a multitude of swans come to the unfrozen lake here to spend the colder months. Hundreds of these elegant birds and fill the air with their cries. Swan Lake is one of the few wintering grounds for wild whooper swans.

Lebediny (Swan) Reserve was established in 1973. The lake does not freeze over because of the warm springs at its bottom. Every year up to 500 whooper swans come to the lake, as well as 2,000-2,500 ducks. In 2014, a number facilities were opened for the visitors to the site, including new bridges made for feeding and observing the birds.

The best time to watch the swans is early morning or during the hours before sunset. Keep in mind though that on frosty, windless days it can be too foggy to see the birds. At about noon, the majority of whooper swans fly away from the lake. A very good time for watching the birds is on warmer days in late November or early December: The birds are very active at this time of the year It is better to visit the lake on days that are not too windy and the water is not covered with fog, so you can see the birds better.

You should not come close to the swans, as they prefer to be at a distance. If you are patient enough, they might come closer. The Lebediny reserve staff take care of the birds (and tourists). The entrance fee starts at RUB 100. You can buy birdseed, and treat yourself to hot tea.

Katun River

Denisova Cave

Denisova Cave (60 kilometers south of Belokurikha and 125 kilometers south of Biysk) is one of the few places where you can witness archaeological excavations being in process and see the place where one of the greatest prehistoric man discoveries was made — The Denisovans. Remains of Neanderthals have also been found in the same cave.

Denisovans are an extinct group of hominins who coexisted with the Neanderthals and modern humans around 30,000 to 50,000 years ago. Not much is known about them other than what can be gleaned from their DNA and a few rare fossils. Scientists first learned of their existence from an incomplete finger bone and two molars discovered in the Denisova Cave

Jamie Shreeve wrote in National Geographic: “In the Altay Mountains of southern Siberia, some 200 miles from where Russia touches Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, nestled under a rock face about 30 yards above a little river called the Anuy, there is a cave called Denisova. It has long attracted visitors. The name comes from that of a hermit, Denis, who is said to have lived there in the 18th century. Long before that, Neolithic and later Turkic pastoralists took shelter in the cave, gathering their herds around them to ride out the Siberian winters. [Source: Jamie Shreeve, National Geographic, July 2013 +]

“In the back of the cave is a small side chamber, and it was there that a young Russian archaeologist named Alexander Tsybankov was digging one day in July 2008, in deposits believed to be 30,000 to 50,000 years old, when he came upon a tiny piece of bone. It was hardly promising: a rough nubbin about the size and shape of a pebble you might shake out of your shoe...The bone preserved just enough anatomy for the paleontologist to identify it as a chip from a primate fingertip—specifically the part that faces the last joint in the pinkie. Since there is no evidence for primates other than humans in Siberia 30,000 to 50,000 years ago—no apes or monkeys—the fossil was presumably from some kind of human. Judging by the incompletely fused joint surface, the human in question had died young, perhaps as young as eight years old. +\

Scientists have uncovered more than two dozen layers which can be dated. The Early Paleolithic period, about 282,000 years ago, is represented in the 22nd layer. The Middle Paleolithic corresponds to the 20th to 12th layers. Denisova Cave sits 670 meters above sea level and has an an area of 270 square meters and is 110 meters long. The cave has several branches. The upper part has a well placed opening that allows light to enter the cave and smoke to escape. Even you see why Denisova Cave was used by hominids for tens of thousands of the year; it was a good place to escape from bad weather and it is excellent for storing food, since the cave was a consistantly low temperature and is quite dry.

The cave is surrounded by the archaeological camp run by The Institute of Archeology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The camp staff takes visitors on educational tours. And the local cafe offers delicious cuisine. Not far from the camp, in the neighouring villages there are several summer camp sites: Iskra Tourist Сomplex (located in the village of Soloneshnoye, standing at the foot of a cliff on the bank of the Anuy river). Altyn-Tura Estate (located in the village of Black Anuy).

See Separate Article DENISOVANS factsanddetails.com

Caving in the Altai Territory

Caves in Altai Territory (100 kilometers southwest of Biysk) have long attracted the attention of travelers, scientists and tourists. Especially popular are Taldinskie and Charyshskie cave. In Charyshskie caves many researchers found the remains of extinct animals: mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, bison, cave hyena and fossil deer, tigers, beavers and wild boar. Charyshskie caves are located mainly in Krasnoshchyokovsky District in the valleys and watersheds left tributaries Charysh.

Taldinskie (Tavdinsky) Caves (left bank of the Katun) are located in the cliffs and rocks, but it is easy to get to them. Taldinskie caves served as shelter for humans. At the bottom of one of them archaeologist found pottery items and fishing equipment. A series of caves found in the Sandy River basin, near Solonovka in the direction d. Karpovka, as well as a large cave on the river. Baragash (Sand influx) are of great interest to geographers, geologists, mineralogists, archaeologists and other professionals.

Caving has its own specifics. There are many elements in common with rock climbing, scuba diving, mountaineering and other types of adventure tourism. The activity is complicated total darkness, low temperature air (-4 to 10-12°) and almost one hundred percent relative humidity. This places special demands on the technical and psychological preparation of tourists and equipment. In the preparation of the caves campaign Altai be consulted in speleosektsii, speleokomissii club tourists.

When visiting the caves, tourists must strictly follow the rules under the earth: 1) inside the cave can not move away from the group one by one. With the passage of the maze of complex should stay within the audio communications, or to install additional target dates and collection facilities; 2) in any case, do not disassemble the rubble. With the passage of blocky debris, not cemented sinter crust, you need to be careful not to move the swinging boulder; 3) as you move through the cave should be careful all the time. Where there is a possibility even if small breakdowns, necessary precautions; 4) orientation in complex and intricate caves made by paper markings, which must be removed when you exit the cave. On the walls you can not leave no inscriptions; 5) the passage of the caves is necessary to observe cleanliness. All the garbage you need to bring to the surface in special bags; 6) when it detects graffiti, archaeological finds and other interesting material for scientists speleotourists should take all measures to preserve them and report them to the relevant bodies. Undertake independent research is not recommended.

Tavdinsky Caves

Tavdinsky Caves (near the Altai Palace Casino 20 kilometers southwest of Gorno-Atlaysk) is also called Taldinskaya caves. They got the name from the village located near the common rail (or otherwise Talda). The caves are a system of thirty caves, which are fairly easy to get into - it attracted the ancient people, and now attracts modern tourists. Cave connected to each other, each having several inputs and outputs.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (official Russia tourism website russiatourism.ru ), Russian government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Yomiuri Shimbun and various books and other publications.

Updated in September 2020