Traveling by car in Altai. Where to go in Gorny Altai by car: main attractions Who went to Altai

Altai is a stunning and picturesque place. In a small area you can see a variety of landscapes: rivers, lakes, mountains, forests, steppes. There are about 20,000 rivers and streams and almost 7,000 lakes, as well as the famous Altai mountain ranges. Everyone can choose a trip to Altai to their liking.

The diversity of the landscape provides a large number of recreational options. So in the steppes you can ride horses. In the lakes you can swim and fish. Rivers are an excellent place for rafting, and both experienced travelers and beginners can climb the mountains. It is better for beginners to make their first hike as part of a group, while experienced tourists can decide to climb on their own.

Altai is ideal for long walks. Enjoying beautiful natural scenery cannot be compared to walking around the city. But if active recreation is not suitable, you should give preference to traveling by car. This way you can see much more and not suffer from being tied to one place.

You can go to Altai at any time of the year, but you need to keep in mind that due to the sharply continental climate, the weather can be unpredictable. Warm summers are suitable for walking and swimming, and in winter ski resorts open. Of course, most people visit Altai for hiking and enjoying nature. But for those tourists who value comfort, there are cities with cozy hotels.

Our dear reader, we invite you in this article to get acquainted with a trip to Altai. After reading to the end, you will take a virtual trip, visiting various points of a wonderful place, full of secrets and indescribable beauty of landscapes. You will find out how best to organize this trip, what you need to take with you, where to go, where to spend the night.

Traveling around the Altai Mountains

Where does any journey begin? That's right, with his planning!

To get from point A to point B, you need to understand how to get there. It's good if you have a car. This makes the task much easier. Upload maps to your navigator, choose a route, fill up with gas and off you go! 🙂

From Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaisk it is about 450 km (about 6 hours drive) along the R-256 highway. If we take an average gasoline consumption of 10 liters per 100 km and the cost of a liter is 35 rubles, then a trip to Gorno-Altaisk will cost you 1,600 rubles.

Next, you choose in which direction your route lies. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday with developed infrastructure, Chemal is for you. If you dream of conquering mountain peaks, then your path lies through the Seminsky Pass and beyond. And if you want to take a walk on the water, then you should go to Lake Teletskoye in the village of Artybash. The main thing is, do not forget to refuel your car on time, otherwise a situation may arise when the gas runs out and there may not be gas stations nearby.

On average, when traveling by car, gasoline costs are about 5 - 8 thousand rubles (depending on the distance of the trip).

Traveling to Altai without a car

three options for getting to the Altai Republic:

• 1. Bus. Departs from the Novosibirsk bus station, it is possible to get to Chemal without a transfer. There are day and night routes. The cost is about 1600 rubles. Travel time - 9 hours. Buses also go to other destinations (Teletskoye Lake, Aktash, Tungur).
• 2. Train. Departs daily in the evening from the Novosibirsk-Glavny railway station to Biysk. The cost of the coupe is about 1,700 rubles. Travel time - 10 hours. There are regular buses from Biysk to the Altai Republic.
• 3. Airplane. Novosibirsk - Gorno-Altaisk. A round-trip flight was found on the website aviakassa.ru for 3,400 rubles. Dates: May holidays. Then take regular buses to the desired location.

Moving around Altai in your own car is more comfortable than other modes of transport, especially when it comes to traveling within the Altai Republic itself. Domestic flight schedules should be found at local bus stations. The cost of moving without a car will be on average 5–8 thousand rubles, although the level of comfort will be much lower due to transfers and the need for connections between different types of transport.

Traveling around the Altai Mountains by car

In recent years, road travel to Altai has been experiencing a renaissance. The local tourism industry does not stand still; guests are offered recreational tours with a variety of possibilities and conditions. We will tell you about all the intricacies of traveling in your own car.

Travelers by car value them for their sense of freedom. Your car makes the owner independent in his desires.

Speed. Traveling by car is faster than by bus or train. In addition, you can always make an unplanned stop in an interesting place.

Possibility to choose a travel companion. If you need company, use the service to find who is traveling along the way. “Poisoned by people” - travel alone.

Automobile route from Moscow to Gorny Altai

The most convenient route: Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod – Kirov – Perm – Ekaterinburg – Tyumen – Omsk – Novosibirsk – Gorno-Altaisk. The road through almost a third of the territory of Russia is replete with attractions, but the goal of the trip is Altai, so we skip the details. It is better to drive along federal highways - they are actively being repaired, so you are more likely to encounter good coverage.

Overall, the best part of the journey is the roads of Western Siberia. The most problematic roads are at the crossing from Nizhny Novgorod to Perm. After Novosibirsk, exit onto the federal highway Novosibirsk-Mongolia (Chuysky tract). You can drive along it throughout Altai in a southern direction.

Reminder for road travelers

Here you will find all the necessary information for a comfortable trip around the Altai Mountains by car.

When to go to Altai?

Every season has its own seasonal characteristics.

Winter here is cold, but because of the snow-white snow it is fabulously beautiful. Keep in mind that avalanches are common in the mountains. Therefore, when going to the mountains, avoid avalanche-prone areas.
Late spring and summer are warm, but meltwater raises river levels, so roads are flooded in some places. This is a period of increased tick activity.
The optimal time to travel is from August to September. There is less water and access is open even to the farthest points of tourist routes. And the least number of ticks.

What are the roads like in Altai?

Local roads are of very different quality. The Chuysky tract is perhaps the best road in Russia. And mountain climbs in some places are accessible only to specially trained “tanks.” However, owners of low-clearance cars also have places to ride.

There are many well-equipped and comfortable tourist centers (Chemal, Teletskoye). You can get here by hitchhiking, bus or on foot, so there are a lot of tourists. Buses don’t go to the most beautiful places, and it’s difficult to catch a ride. It is to these places that the off-road vehicle travelers go. Altai is a haven for off-road connoisseurs. They are the ones who will find themselves in the most picturesque places.

The road to the valley of the Chulyshman River is a narrow and dangerous steep slope, but even cars with little clearance can get here. But in some places on the road there are some very decent stones. Unpredictable weather creates additional difficulties. Heavy rains quickly give way to thick fogs. If the weather is clear, just have time to turn your head - mountains, lakes, landscapes, serpentines. In terms of silence, tranquility, and beauty, Gorny Altai surpasses any abroad.

What to take with you?

Those who have visited Altai know: there can never be too many things. The weather in the mountains changes rapidly and unpredictably. Airlines will ask you to pay for carrying things in excess of hand luggage, and the trunk will fit everything you need with a spare.

• Tent and sleeping bags, travel mat. A tent will allow you to spend the night comfortably in nature. Additionally, it is better to take another blanket or a second sleeping bag. Even in July the nights can be very cold and additional insulation for an overnight stay will be useful. A rug under the sleeping bag will make the feather bed softer and warmer.
• Shoes and clothing. Possible sudden changes in temperature will help you survive with a sufficient supply of warm clothing. Get ready for any surprises, take with you: a rubberized windbreaker;
• two tracksuits(warm and lighter);
• T-shirts and tank tops made of breathable fabric;
• shorts;
• socks(light and woolen - for overnight stays);
• swimsuit;
• headdress(cap);
• sneakers and an open pair of shoes with non-slip soles;
• To organize hiking, take a small backpack with you.
• Personal hygiene products. In this matter, everything is purely individual. The minimum sufficient set will be: two towels, soap, shampoo, washcloth, brush with paste, toilet paper.
• Utensils for cooking and eating.
• Devices. It is optimal to take multifunctional equipment.
• Other accessories. The list of required things includes: a lantern, matches, an axe, and a rope.
• Means of protection. The local nature is rich in ticks. Therefore, before visiting, it is better to undergo a course of vaccinations, acquire special insurance in case of a tick bite, and stock up on bottles of repellent.
• First aid kit. With basic medications: painkillers, cold relievers, disinfectants.

Travel insurance

To travel abroad, it is mandatory to purchase insurance. There is no such requirement for domestic travel, but we are sure that travel insurance will come in handy. In what cases is insurance most often needed:

• cold;
• toothache;
• poisoning;
• insect or animal bite;
• sunburn;
• injuries and fractures;
• and anything else.

Benefits of paid insurance

Travel insurance covers medical expenses that go beyond compulsory medical insurance: the purchase of medicines, diagnostic procedures, evacuation of the traveler and, in case of a tragic outcome, the body. In addition, the policy insures non-medical risks: canceled trip, lost luggage, etc. Insurance is especially important for mountain tourism destinations.

How to eat deliciously: Altai cuisine

If you are planning a trip to wild places, you will have to cook yourself over a fire. You can try local cuisine in stylized roadside cafes. The basis of the Altai mountain menu is meat dishes; fermented milk products are widely used. In general, the cuisine is similar to Kazakh.

Meats include beef, lamb and goat. Terpek (flatbread), boorsak (donuts), and kurta (cheese balls) are prepared from fermented milk. The most common drink is, of course, herbal tea.

Gornoaltai cafes

We will only highlight those that our club members have responded well to. In the village of Srostki, on the market square, there are excellent huge pasties with fragrant herbal tea - you can have a tasty snack.

Near the Golden Lake tourist center on Lake Teletskoye, be sure to visit the Altai Cuisine cafe. Decoration in the form of an Altai yurt: with a fireplace in the middle. The menu is not so varied, but very tasty at reasonable prices.

At the base of the Seminsky Pass on the Mongolian side in the hotel complex you will meet the Silk Road cafe. I especially liked the gorgeous pilaf and delicious manti.

Excursions around the Altai Mountains

The excursion possibilities of the Altai Mountains are limitless. Individual tours and corporate programs can include a wide variety of excursion options - walking, car, horseback, water (rafting and motor rafting on the Katun and other mountain rivers and boat trips on Lake Teletskoye), helicopter, ATV rides, etc.

Excursions around Chemal

The Chemal resort is one of the most picturesque places in the Altai Mountains. During the sightseeing tour, tourists will visit the island of Patmos, the Goat Path, the Chemal hydroelectric power station, Mount Beshpek, sources of living and dead water. In addition, you can climb Mount Camel, take an excursion up the Katun valley and climb the Chichkysh gorge, from the observation deck of which stunning views of the Katun open. An excursion through the Katun Valley and the Chichkysh Gorge can be combined with a 2-4 hour rafting trip along the Katun.

Water excursions - rafting

Rafting - rafting on mountain rivers always leaves an unforgettable experience. The rivers of the Altai Mountains are very fast and stormy, replete with rapids, barrels and other obstacles that the rafting participants will overcome through team efforts under the guidance of experienced instructors. Rafting can successfully complement team building - team building training, or even replace it altogether.

Karakol lakes

The Karakol Lakes are seven high-mountain lakes located at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. The Elekmonarka River flows from the lower Karakol Lake. Tourists climb the first 29 km by all-terrain vehicle (UAZ, Gaz-66), and then walk 7 km. through the cedar taiga. In addition to one-day excursions, excursions for several days with an overnight stay at the Karakol Lakes base are possible. For extreme sports enthusiasts, one- or two-day excursions on ATVs are also available to the Karakol Lakes.

Lake Teletskoye

Lake Teletskoye is one of the most beautiful lakes and the largest lake in the Altai Mountains. Along the shores of the lake and in its surroundings there are many very beautiful waterfalls. The shores of the lake are either steep or overgrown with dense impenetrable taiga, so it is impossible to get to excursion sites in the vicinity of the lake except by water transport along the lake.

Lower Katun (from Lake Aya to Ust-Sema)

Mount Bobyrgan

This is the very first mountain that tourists see from the Chuysky tract on the left bank of the Katun, entering the Altai Republic. The shape of the mountain resembles the ridge of a giant fossil lizard. The height of the mountain is 1007 m above sea level and from its top stunning panoramas of the Katun open up, and in good clear weather even the city of Biysk is visible. There are legends about Mount Bobyrgan. An excursion to the top of Mount Bobyrgan takes a whole day and requires some endurance from tourists.

Lake Aya

Aiskoe Lake is a favorite vacation spot for residents of Biysk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk. The lake is small but very picturesque. Entrance to the area around the lake is paid.

Manzherokskoye Lake

Lake Manzherok, also known as Lake Doingol, is a natural monument. Once upon a time, the channel of the Katun passed here, and the lake basin was formed from the damming of the ancient valley by the moraine of the glacier during its retreat. The length of the lake is 1112 meters, the maximum width is 400 meters, the depth does not exceed 3 m. You can swim in the lake, there is a rental point for boats and pedalos. The Chilim water chestnut, a relict plant, grows in the lake.

The nut kernel is edible both raw and boiled; in eastern countries it is even specially cultivated. Manzherok Lake is home to crucian carp, carp, tench, pike and minnow. Entrance to the lake is paid.

Mount Sinyukha

Mount Sinyukha rises above Lake Manzherok. The height of the mountain is 1196 meters above sea level. You can climb to the top of the mountain, from which breathtaking panoramas of Lake Manzherok and the Katun Valley open, by cable car. Opening hours from 10 to 18 hours, the cost of lifting for adults is 250 rubles, for children under 12 years old - 150 rubles.

Waterpark Turyuzovaya Katun

This is one of the few places in the Altai Mountains where a “beach holiday” is possible. An artificial lake was built near the shore of the Katun, there are water slides, and inflatable figures in the water for small children. Not far from the water park are the Taldin Caves. Entrance to the water park is paid.

Taldinsky caves

The Taldin caves are located on the left bank of the Katun, opposite the limestone village. The most visited cave is Bolshaya Taldinskaya. A visit to the Taldinsky caves can be combined with relaxation at the Turyuzovaya Katun water park.

Kamyshlinsky waterfall

Kamyshlinsky waterfall is located on the left bank of the Katun on the Kamyshla River, 200 meters from its confluence with the Katun. It is small, the total height of its cascade is about 12 meters, but all three tiers of it are not visible from one point, only two are visible from below, so it is usually considered two-tiered. You can go to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall on foot, take a horseback ride and sail by motor raft. You can also visit the Kamyshlinsky waterfall while rafting on the Lower Katun.

Chuysky tract

The Chuisky tract is very picturesque and along the Chuisky tract, starting from the village of Tuekta and right up to the border with Mongolia, many historical, cultural and archaeological monuments are concentrated. The Chuisky tract itself has a unique history: a caravan route passed here in ancient times; in the 19th century, a wheeled road was built here, which turned into a caravan route by Russian merchants conducting trade exchanges with Mongolian traders.

And already in the 30s of the 20th century, Soviet political prisoners built an asphalt road according to the research projects of V.Ya. Shishkov, better known as the author of the novel “The Gloomy River”. The most famous sights of the Chuysky Tract:

• Karakol Ethnocultural Park
  The Karakol River valley is considered the spiritual heart of Altai. There are many mysterious archaeological sites here - petroglyphs (rock paintings), mounds, steles, rings of hewn stones, and here is one of the sacred mountains of Altai, the real name of which cannot be pronounced out loud.
• An ancient settlement above the Bolshoi Yaloman River
  This ancient settlement is a unique archaeological monument, testifying to the urban civilization of medieval Altaians. From the place where the ancient settlement is located, wonderful panoramas of the Katun river terraces open up.
• Merger of Chuya and Katun.
  A very picturesque place, which is considered one of the most energetically powerful places of power in Altai.
• WITH Kalbak-Tash sanctuary
  The Kalbak-Tash sanctuary, which means “flat stone”, located above the Chuya River and the Chuya tract, has more than 5 thousand petroglyphs, combined into 500 compositions. The compositions of the petroglyphs of the sanctuary date back to the Neolithic, Neolithic-Bronze, Scythian and Ancient Turkic eras.
• Chui deer stone (Adyr-Kan sanctuary)
  The Adyr-Kan sanctuary consists of the Chui deer stone and two compositions of petroglyphs painted on the rocks behind the deer stone. The exact purpose of deer stones is still unknown to science

Katunskaya horseshoe - Katunsky ridge and Upper Katun (Ust-Koksinsky district)

If you look at the Katun, whimsically bending around the Katunsky ridge from its source to the village of Tyungur, on the map, you will see nothing more than a horse’s horseshoe. And this is exactly what the Russian settlers who have been living here for 300 years call this place. This is one of the most unique places in Siberia and Altai. The highest peak of the Katunsky ridge is Mount Belukha (4506 m), which is the highest mountain not only in Altai but also in all of Siberia.

From the southern slope of Belukha, from the Katunsky glacier, the largest river of the Altai Mountains, the Katun, originates, into which many of its tributaries, Argut, Akkem, Kucherla, Kuragan and others, also flow, originating from the glaciers of the Katunsky Range. On the Katunsky ridge there are unusually picturesque lakes - Lake Talmen, Multinskie Lakes, Kucherlinskoye Lake, Lake Akkem and many others, and waterfalls - Tekelyu, Tegeek, Rassypnoy, etc.

The intermountain basins between the Katunsky and Terektinsky ridges - the Uimonskaya and Katanda valleys - are also unique. The Uimon Valley (Uimon Steppe) is more than 35 km long and 8 to 13 km wide. From north to south it is crossed by mountain rivers: Margala - on the left side, Uimon, Okol, Multa - on the right side. From the west, transparent Koksa rushes into the valley from the mountains, translated as “green or blue water”; they all flow into the Katun, which, spreading widely into many channels, seems to cut the valley into two parts.

In 1926, the Central Asian expedition of N.K. Roerich visited the Uimon Valley. The great artist and philosopher attached special importance to Altai and Siberia as a whole, and believed that Mount Belukha, which is the geographical center of Eurasia, is also a special energy center, a place where three great religions meet - Orthodoxy, Buddhism and Islam. The Uimon Valley, which Roerich considered the heart of Asia, in his opinion was to become the place where the city of the future would be built, from which a new era of civilization would begin. The expedition members stayed at the house of Vakhromey Atamanov in the village of Verkh-Uimon. This house, rebuilt several times, survived until the 90s of the 20th century, but when the estate was restored to its original form, the logs of the old house were used to build the new one along with new logs. In this way, the unique energy of this place was preserved. Now the Museum-Estate of N.K. has been created here. Roerich.

To visit the Ust-Koksinsky district, you must obtain a pass to the border zone in advance. For Russian citizens it is done 30 days before the date of entry, as well as upon entry, for foreign citizens - 60 days.

Most of the attractions of the Katunsky Range are remote from their accommodation sites and visiting them requires multi-day hiking or horseback riding, but some of them can be visited in one day using all-terrain vehicles or horseback riding.

• Multinskie lakes

  Three high mountain lakes located in the east 1710 m - lower lake, 1740 m - middle lake and 1940 m - upper lake above sea level. The Multa River, a tributary of the Katun, flows from the Lower Multinskoye Lake. Multinskie lakes are probably the most picturesque lakes not only on the Katunsky ridge, but in the entire Altai Mountains. Tourists get to the lower Multinskoye lake on UAZ or Gazakh-66, specially prepared for travel through these places, and walk to the middle and upper lakes.

  Upper Multinskoye Lake is located on the territory of the Katunsky Biosphere Reserve, so a special pass is required to visit it. A one-day excursion allows you to visit the lower and middle lakes; to visit the upper Multinskoye Lake, as well as other, also very picturesque lakes - Kuiguk, Poperechnoye and others, you need to plan a multi-day hike with overnight stays in tents or at the reserve’s cordon.

• Mount Saptan
  Horseback riding to Mount Saptan, 2764 meters above sea level. From the top of Mount Saptan, a view of up to 100 km in each direction opens - stunning panoramas of the Katunsky ridge, Katun, the confluence of the Kuragan, Malaya and Bolshaya Katanda rivers with the Katun. In good weather, from the top of the mountain you can clearly see the highest peak of the Katunsky Range and all of Siberia - Mount Belukha, 4506 meters high.
• Pass "Kyzyl saddle"
  The most accessible observation deck of the Katunsky Ridge and Mount Belukha. Available to visit all year round.
• Mount Baida
  The top of the Terektinsky ridge, towering above Tungur. But Mount Baida can be done on horseback and also on foot. The path to the top of the mountain passes through the cedar taiga. From the top of the mountain there are views of the Katunsky Ridge. the valley of Katun and Kucherla. In good weather, Mount Belukha is visible.
• Red Mountain Lakes and Glaciers
  Very picturesque lakes formed in the craters of former volcanoes. The height of Mount Krasnaya is 2471 meters above sea level.
• Shinok waterfalls
  Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River (Soloneshensky district of the Altai Territory)

Hello everyone friends! One of the most important topics in planning a trip to Altai is the question of whether it is worth going to Altai by car, what kind of roads there are, how to plan a route around the Altai Mountains by car and which route to choose. In this post we share our experience.

Chuysky tract. Behind is the North Chuysky ridge

5 reasons to go to the Altai Mountains by car

To the question is it worth going to Altai by car - the answer is definitely YES! And in no other way. Here are a few reasons for this:

1. Firstly, it is very convenient for sightseeing. By car you have the opportunity to see the main attractions of Altai on your own, without extra expenses. If you don’t go by car, you will suffer one of two fates: either you will simply be tortured to pay to be taken everywhere and shown everything, or you will simply relax in one place

Chuysky tract

2. Secondly, it is definitely worth crossing Altai by car along the federal highway M52 (Chuysky Trakt), which runs from Novosibirsk to the border with Mongolia. And it's not just that this is just an IDEAL track. The Chuysky tract is one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the world. The beauties that will haunt you along the road cannot be described in words!

Chuysky tract

3. Thirdly, you don’t have to carry the entire tent-camp-clothing load on yourself, as true hikers do, but load it into the car and carry it with you

Our halt on the banks of the Katun

4. Fourthly - where I wanted, I stopped there. In general, this is, in principle, the most important advantage in road travel, and undoubtedly it works in Altai. What I liked most about our trip was that we didn't have a set plan. We simply drove along the Chuysky tract, stopped at every beautiful sight, enjoyed the views, and also chose a place to spend the night visually, driving along the road. There was no rush, it was just a delight!

5. Fifthly, when going on a road trip to Altai, you certainly save your budget compared to, for example, going to Altai by train or plane. I’ll tell you how much money we spent on the trip to Altai in subsequent posts.

Where to go to Altai by car?

The answer to this question largely depends on what kind of car you have. If we talk about Altai roads, then only the Chuysky tract is ideal. Otherwise, as soon as you turn off it, you find yourself on roads where either not every car will pass, or only a dead Niva that you don’t mind, or no car will pass at all.

Our trip to Altai was in a Mazda 3. Therefore, without planning anything, we definitely decided only one thing - to travel along the Chuysky tract, without particularly veering into the wilds. But then they themselves broke their word twice:

1. first climbing the Katu-Yaryk pass (4 hours along a road that you can’t call a road, I think everyone of us will remember), and then turning back the same way because our car will not pass on the descent from the pass

Katu-Yaryk pass

2. and then after reading on the Internet about an excellent road to the Beltertuyuk (or Beltyresk) waterfall. By the way, the road was so excellent that we had to leave our Mazda and transfer to a local in the field, on which it was like miracles to climb the mountain to the waterfall on turns

The road to the waterfall began like this

And here, we are already at the waterfall, and our driver in the field is obediently waiting for us

Everything turned out well for our Mazda, thank God! Conclusion: Don’t abuse your car, or go with one that you don’t mind raping))

So where to go to Altai by car? I would recommend just going along the Chuisky tract to the border with Mongolia. Landscapes will change one after another, the mountain river Katun running along the road, the Seminsky and Chike-Taman mountain passes, the Kurai steppe, the glaciers of the Maashey Bash mountain peak (4,177.7 m) and in general the North Chuisky ridge and many many other beauties. You can also turn off the Chuysky tract in the direction of Gorno-Altaisk and get to the legendary Lake Teletskoye, the road to it is good. Of course, there are other paths and routes; unfortunately, we did not get to Belukha on this trip. Guys, who have been to Altai, share your routes! It is very interesting who traveled how.

Sights of Altai by car - what you can see along the way without straining

What sights of Altai will you see if you travel by car along the Chuysky tract?

1. Lake Aya and Devil's Finger (territory of the Altai Territory)
2. Chemal is, one might say, the tourist center of Altai, close to it are the Chemal hydroelectric power station, the island of Patmos, the Manzherok GC and Manzherok Lake
3. Chemal, Katun, Chuya rivers
4. Seminsky, Chike-Taman, Ulugansky passes
5. confluence of the Chemal and Katun rivers (at the Chemal hydroelectric station), Chuya and Katun (near the Chike-Taman pass 712 km of the Chuya tract)
6. Chech-Kish waterfall (near Chemal)

Attractions near Lake Teletskoye:

1. northern and southern shores of Lake Teletskoye
2. Korbu waterfall, and other waterfalls flowing into Lake Teletskoye (can only be seen from the water)
3. Mount Telan-Tuu
4. Third River

Sights of Altai by car - what you can see turning off the Chuysky tract

1. Katu-Yaryk pass (section of the Ulagan - Balykcha road beyond the village of Balyktuyul).
2. Geyser Lake (near the village of Aktash)
3. Beltertuyuk waterfall (Beltyresk) (near the village of Kuyus)

I hope this information will be useful to those who are planning to travel to Altai! Thanks for your attention, friends! Travel everyone!

Gorge of the Sofia Glacier

Interesting places in Altai and how to get to them.

Altai is huge and different. You can come here every year for the rest of your life and discover something new every time. In this post I share with you my favorite places where you can drive an SUV and walk a little here and there. Altai will be completely on foot next time :)

When to go to Altai (seasons) and some features

You can travel around Altai all year round, but:

• In winter it’s certainly cold here, but it’s fabulously beautiful because everything is covered in snow. Avalanches are possible in the mountains and it is worth walking on them, understanding what avalanche areas are.
• At the beginning of summer it is good, but there is a lot of water on the roads of the gorges and ticks.
• There are many recreation centers in the foothills of Altai (Chemal, Lake Teletskoye, etc.) and it’s nice here all year round.
• The best time for hiking and traveling in Altai: August-September, when you can even drive to the Ukok plateau (less water) and the least number of ticks.

What else is important to know about traveling in Altai:

• In tourist Altai (Chemal, Teletskoye) there are many tourists, but also many amenities. It is easy to get here by hitchhiking and by public transport.
• The most interesting places in Altai are located where buses do not go and rides are very, very rare (not every day), and occasionally you come across houses with local shepherds within 100 km. You can get to such places partially by off-road vehicles, or walk through them.
• The off-road in Altai is magnificent. You can see many beautiful and different places. Let's see which ones exactly.
• (I’ll remember something else important, I’ll be sure to add it :).

Interesting places in Altai for traveling by car, coordinates and photos

Gorge of the Sofia Glacier

In general, from the village of Beltir you can go to different gorges and they are all beautiful. You can get to the Sofia Glacier in autumn. In winter there is a lot of snow, and in early summer there is too much water in the gorge. Coordinates: 49.794444°, 87.772222°

You can read how to use Google coordinates

Martian landscapes outside the village of Beltir

You will pass such landscapes on the way to the Sofia Glacier or Karagemsky and other gorges. This is not the popular Altai Mars that I write about below, but it looks even more real.

Martian Altai, Kyzyl-Chin gorge behind the village of Chagan-Uzun

And this is the “Martian Landscapes of Altai”, where they take you on excursions. You will have to find this place without coordinates, by looking on Google maps where Chagan-Uzun is located. After it there is a small puzzle in the form of branching roads and you are on Mars.

Vershina (repeater) behind the village of Aktash

Google Place coordinates: 50.34001,87.748672 You can climb here by SUV right to the very top, driving from Aktash past the abandoned one. The views from the top are amazing.

Teletskoye Lake at night

You can approach the lake from two sides. For those who are not interested in easy routes - the southern shore of Lake Teletskoye, which can be reached through the Katu-Yaryk pass and the valley of the Chulyshman River. The road is quite tiring, but the views here are more beautiful. There are houses on the shore where you can stay or pitch tents. Coordinates: 51.347994, 87.776104

An easier way to get to Lake Teletskoye is to approach it from the north through the village of Artybash, using public transport.

Chulyshman River Valley and Katu-Yaryk Pass

Descent into the valley straight along the serpentine road, which is in the photo↓. The road is considered unsafe, but to be honest, I never felt in danger going down it. We go and eat for ourselves, admiring the views. Even pussies pass through here, although some have trouble getting up afterwards. Google Coordinates: 50.911640, 88.216379

And here is a video from those places:

Uchitel pass, Aktru gorge

Pass Teacher located in the Aktru gorge. Height is about 3150 meters. Difficulty category 1A. One of the easiest category passes in the gorge, which can be climbed and descended in about 4-5 hours.

Google coordinates: 50.084444, 87.778611

Mountain trails in the Aktru gorge area, trail to the Blue Lake and Aktru glacier

There are many places to go in Aktru Gorge. The routes here are very complex, where you can only go with equipment and in bundles, and simple, where you can “run away” in a few hours. You can ask climbers at the base about routes.

Aktru Base is a place worth visiting in itself. Firstly, because it’s not so easy to get here by car and if you’ve driven through, then that’s already cool, and secondly, it’s wonderful here...

Blue lake near Aktru glacier

Blue Lake is a transit point for climbers ascending to the peak or Aktru glacier. An amazing place that is worth a walk from the Aktru base. This will take about 4-5 hours. Google Coordinates: 50.077716, 87.724579

Peak Dome of Three Lakes

The difficulty of climbing to the top of the Dome is 1B. You can spend the whole day going up and down (about 12 hours). There are two ways to go here. It is recommended to climb with a guide. In winter - with cats. In any case, before the climb, you will have to talk with knowledgeable people at the Aktru base to find out the route and the safety of the climb. The ascent starts from the Aktru camp. The coordinates of the Dome are approximately here:): 50.044800, 87.806500

Glade behind the Karagem Pass

Location coordinates: 49.962720, 87.622576

The place is beautiful, but you can only get here in a prepared SUV and it’s better not alone, because sometimes you have to pull each other out. The road is difficult. There are many fords with large stones, slopes and...lack of a road. But it's definitely worth it. Get there from Beltir. There is a bathhouse in the clearing itself :)

The road from the clearing to the Karagem Pass.

Ukok Plateau

Ukok is a plateau located at the junction of the borders of Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia. The altitude here is 2200-2500 m, winds blow, and in winter the temperature drops to -50. The highest point of Ukok is Mount Kuiten-Uul 4374 (the second highest in Altai).

Ukok is a place of ancient burials; it is here that archaeologists unearthed the princess of Ukok. The place is strange, cold, wonderful. It attracts you again and again... It is more likely to travel here in August-September. In spring and early summer there is a lot of water. You can get to Ukok either through the Teply Klyuch pass (the most likely way) or through the Dzhazator River.

Plateau coordinates: 49.268354, 87.413683

Warm key: 49.408177, 88.035687

*All other places do not fit here, because Altai is vast and there is always everything else that has not yet been explored... There is also Tuva through the Buguzun pass and many many gorgeous places.

In this article we will tell you when is the best time to go on an independent trip to Altai.

Altai is a land of lakes, rivers, mountains, forests and steppes. It is difficult to imagine how such a variety of landscapes fits into the area of ​​one republic. But the fact remains that the pictures, like artist’s canvases, change one after another outside the car window, surprising and delighting travelers with their natural beauty. The inaccessible, proud region has all the conditions for tourism, despite this it remained in the shadows for many years. But recently everything has changed; curious travelers have reached the south of Western Siberia.

When to go

Extreme sports enthusiasts, naturalists, lovers of excursion holidays - Altai unites almost all categories of travelers. Of course, the central figure is local nature. Everyone chooses what to do: contemplate the surrounding landscapes, enjoying the peace and tranquility, or take an active part in all kinds of entertainment.

Any landscape here is used to its advantage. Ahead, the steppe is a wonderful place for horseback riding. Lakes are an excellent choice for swimming and fishing. Stormy rivers will be washed with clean water, and especially the brave ones will be invited to take part in rafting. Mountains are generally unique. They train physical endurance, teach communication with nature, introducing it to its brightest representatives, and open up breathtaking views of the region. Hiking is available for tourists in summer, but ski resorts operate in winter.

Preparing for your trip

In Altai, the most popular three destinations are Chemal, Artybash, and the Seminsky Pass region. If you have no desire to lead a nomadic lifestyle, traveling around the expanses of the republic, you should decide on the route in advance and find a suitable place to stay.

Chemal is popular among lovers of civilized recreation. The infrastructure is developed here and there is a choice of hotels. Artybash is located near Lake Teletskoye, so it is suitable for tourists who are in love with water activities. But the Seminsky Pass area is beautiful for mountain lovers.

To catch the warm season, it is recommended to plan your trip from the second half to. The harsh continental climate makes its own adjustments, so it’s worth stocking up on both summer and autumn clothes. Temperature changes are especially noticeable when climbing into the mountains.

How to get there

There are 4 ways to visit the Altai Republic:

• An airplane is the shortest and most expensive route by air. The airport is located in Gorno-Altaisk, from there you can take buses to your destination.
• Train – the nearest railway station is located in Biysk, from where tourists are transported by regular buses.
• Bus – there are options both with and without transfers (it all depends on the place of departure). The route of some flights goes directly to the resort - Aktash, Chemal, Tungur, etc.
• A car is the most comfortable transport, as it allows you to create a personal schedule for visiting certain attractions. The only note is that the driver must monitor the presence of gasoline in the tank. It is recommended to take spare cans with you, since gas stations are not available in every locality.

Despite the fact that the Altai Territory is just developing, there are many options for comfortable living. There are hotels of different stars, campsites, and recreation centers. You can also live in “green” rural houses surrounded by pristine nature. What to choose depends on the budget and personal wishes of the traveler.

What to bring as souvenirs

There are many souvenir shops along the Chuisky tract, at recreation centers, and in settlements. Not a single tourist will return home without gifts. Mirrors of all kinds and sizes, boxes, juniper stands, clay whistles, wooden spoons - all this ends up in the suitcases of guests of the region.

In addition to souvenirs in these parts, it is recommended to purchase honey at a private apiary, and look at the pharmacy for balms made from the antlers of red deer and mountain herbs. You should buy Chergin cheese from local housewives, and smoked grayling and taimen, Altai fish with a wonderful aroma from the owners.

A trip to Altai charges you with positive energy and gives you strength for new achievements. Organizing an independent trip is not at all difficult, but you will be able to get impressions for the year ahead.

It’s very emotional, I’ve never been separated from the girls for such a long time, I haven’t even left them alone with their mother overnight. And this is for about a MONTH.

On June 13 we left. The first planned stop is near Nizhny Novgorod, we have friends there, very interesting people, who also at one time moved from Moscow to an abandoned village, raised a farm: a cow, goats, chickens, geese. Children study at home. We stayed with them for three days. They even gave me a cow to milk, they said I had talent), what kind of experience would I have, I fed both girls up to 2.5 years old, and even now Denis is on my chest, and the boobs are boobs in Africa, only the cow’s nipples are longer))) ))

We were given this guest house.

And again on the road. Highway M7. The road is good by the way. Next stop Kazan.

Oh, we really liked Kazan, it’s a beautiful city! First stop at the lake. We ate, sat by the fire and went to bed.

About food on the road. Who doesn’t know, we are vegetarians and not everywhere we have something to eat, and eating at roadside cafes is a bit weird. We also don’t forget that we are lovers of nature and hiking. We have prepared as much as possible to be autonomous. In your car you have a refrigerator, a gas burner, even a travel shower))) and a bunch of other things that can make a traveler’s life easier))). Before leaving, I fried a mountain of lentil cutlets, distributed them into portions and sealed them. I made roasts for the soup, also under vacuum. Dried champignons, dried cabbage (when it is reconstituted in soup you can’t tell it from fresh), dried already boiled lentils, this made it possible to periodically prepare different soups in nature.

I also always had cheese and sour milk with me. Pasta, sometimes dry mashed potatoes (yuck), fruit. For small children, baby cereals and purees. Well, tea, coffee with goodies.

In the morning I was awakened by rain on the roof, heavy downpour, and cool. We start the car, but no such luck, it won’t start, the battery is dead. I remind you - lake, forest, morning - no one around. You can’t even go outside with small items because... shower. Our refrigerator worked all night, but we checked the battery could handle it. It turns out that when they were laying out the mattress, someone accidentally turned on the heated seats. The husband went to the nearest holiday village for help. Fortunately, help came quickly; a young man was found who agreed to give us a light. The engine is started, but the instruments don’t show how to drive further? It flashed through my head how long we could be stuck in Kazan. After 5-10 minutes everything returned to normal.

Let's go to the center. The weather also cleared up and summer began))) We decided to devote this day to Kazan, take a walk along the Kremlin and the embankment, and go shopping.

We spent the night again in the car, right opposite the Kremlin.

This is the view from the car window before bed.

The Urals are beautiful, but the constant descents and ascents are tiring and my ears were a little blocked.

We passed by Chelyabinsk.

Kurgan region. Some fields and lakes, many lakes.

Before the turn to Ishim the road was normal, but after the HORROR that lasted 200 km, all the good asphalt went towards Kazakhstan.

I liked Omsk, it’s a beautiful city, the only negative is a lot of midges.

Novosibirsk is wonderful, the Ob reservoir is huge, like the sea you can’t see the opposite time. BUT there are even more midges than in Omsk. We arrived at the beach in the evening, it was hot, but it was impossible to go outside, a swarm immediately attacked. You can, of course, spray yourself with poison, but that won’t work with Denis.

During the day you can go for a walk.

Barnaul is the capital of Altai. Again there was a midge, less than in Novosibirsk, but there were more mosquitoes, biting terribly. I liked the city. It’s just a strange contrast of the big main streets, but it’s worth visiting the secondary, narrow, terrible roads. We had to hang out in Barnaul for several days. Approaching the gas station, not having reached it a couple of meters, we stalled, the gas ran out, we pushed our baby, we refueled - it won’t start, we’ve arrived. 10 minutes pass and it starts up. ???? We decided to take it to the service center to have a look. While my husband was in the service, I rested in the hotel))), and then went for a walk around the city and the local shopping center. It's hot outside, but summer hasn't started in Moscow.

And here we are in Belokurikha, we arrived in the evening, at the height of the holiday season, all the rooms were occupied, we were looking for somewhere to stay until nightfall.

The next day we went to look at the house with these people and stayed for several days. Still, we decided not to rush into making a choice and travel around the Altai Mountains.

Thank you for your attention, to those who made it to the end. There are not many photos because... I mostly shot videos.