The most beautiful places in Altai for relaxation

Going on a trip to Altai is something everyone should do at least once in their life. Mountains, passes, waterfalls and lakes, valleys and steppes. One of the most beautiful roads in the world, unusual archaeological finds, ancient burial mounds and rock paintings. Choose which of these places you want to see most and we will plan, book and organize a personalized premium trip for you.

Below we will tell you about the main attractions in Altai that you can see during your trip.

Chuysky tract

The vast majority of tourists who come here on vacation by car certainly end up in this place. The Chuysky tract is one of the oldest and most beautiful roads in all of Altai. This 968-kilometer-long federal highway was included in the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world according to National Geographic Russia. It connects Novosibirsk with Mongolia, and along its length travelers encounter unusually beautiful landscapes that cannot help but be captured in photos.

The most exciting of them start from the village of Freedom Valley in the Krasnogorsk region. Most of the route runs along the banks of the Katun and Chuya - the famous Ural rivers, winds between mountains, and goes around picturesque lakes. Driving along it, it is easy to find the famous tourist centers of Chemal, Turyuzovaya Katun and some others. The road crosses the very beautiful Katu-Yaryk pass and passes by the majestic Babyrgan ridge and Karakol rocks. Landscapes of high mountains give way to birch groves and picturesque river valleys. Along the road you can reach the valleys of the Chulyshman and Bolshoy Ilgumen rivers, and when you reach almost Mongolia itself, you can see the famous Mongolian mounds and “stone women” - idols, according to legend, guarding centuries-old mounds.

Chuysky tract

The Chuysky tract is the main road along which tourists travel. You can drive your own car, exploring the beauty of these places, or book an excursion in Gorno-Altaisk.

The places through which the route now passes have long been the route from Russia to Mongolia and China: traders and warriors passed along it. And the first mentions of this road were found in Chinese chronicles of the last millennium.

Mount Belukha

Belukha (Kadyn-Bazhy, Uch-Sumer) is the main peak of the Katunsky ridge and the highest peak of the Altai Mountains. Over many centuries, it has acquired hundreds of legends and almost its own mythology. According to the legends of Buddhist monks, the legendary Shambhala is located on the top of Belukha. Altaians revere Belukha and consider it a sacred mountain. And it was in its vicinity that Russian travelers searched for the country of Belovodye for two centuries.

Beautiful places in Altai for recreation: lakes and rivers

Altai is called the land of seven thousand lakes, and not by chance. Here they can be found everywhere: in river valleys, among mountain peaks and at their foot. Each one is surrounded by unique landscapes. The entire region is crossed by deep rivers - large and small, which deserve to be visited and taken as a souvenir photo.

Lake Teletskoye

One of the most frequently visited attractions in the Altai Mountains. It is also called Little Baikal for its crystal clear water (visibility and transparency up to 14(!) meters deep) and the second largest reserve of fresh water in Russia. The area of the lake is 223 square kilometers, and the maximum depth is 325 meters. Lake Teletskoye is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

On the banks of the reservoir are the villages of Artybash, Yailyu and Yogach. This place is very popular among tourists, especially in the summer. For a summer holiday, it is better to choose the southern shores: here the water warms up to +18–20 degrees Celsius. From here, from Cape Kyrsai, you can take a ferry trip to the village of Yogach. The ferry travels 78 kilometers along the lake. This will be an unforgettable trip: with beautiful landscapes, vivid impressions and, of course, a lot of memorable photos.

You can diversify your vacation on the lake by walking to nearby attractions:

Korbu waterfall. Its height is 12 meters. In the place where it flows into Lake Teletskoye there is the greatest depth. Tourists are invited to take a boat to the observation deck at the waterfall itself. It’s worth taking advantage of this offer to get an unforgettable experience and great photos.

Korbu Waterfall

Kishte waterfall. Smaller than the previous one in height, but more water-rich: a large volume of water falls with tremendous speed. Its name is translated from Altai as “calling”: its “call” can be heard from afar.
Stone Bay. This is a bay near the village of Artybash, the characteristic feature of which is large boulders along the entire coast. Their appearance is associated with a legend according to which a meteorite fell in this place, leaving a whole scattering of huge stones. Travelers love to take unusual photos here.
Pine Yaylu. A unique tree that has become a local landmark. It grows almost horizontally, tilting strongly over the water. Back in the last century, storms and tides washed the earth out of its roots, which are now literally spread out along the shore. Despite this, the pine tree continues to live and amaze tourists with its unusual and beautiful appearance. Coming to Altai for a vacation and not taking a photo of the Yailyu pine is a crime.

Shavlinsky lakes

Reservoirs that are rightfully considered the most beautiful in the entire region. They are located in the center of the North Chuya Range. The main asset of these lakes is the incredibly beautiful color of the water: bright turquoise. They are surrounded by the peaks of the Altai mountains with “talking” names: Dream, Beauty and Fairy Tale. Such a unique combination can’t help but be captured in a photo. Hiking routes from the village of Chibit are organized to this place. One such trip takes about a week.

Geyser Lake

An amazingly beautiful lake, thanks to the springs gushing at the bottom. The water in it does not freeze even in winter at sub-zero temperatures. And circles of blue clay “drawn” by underwater sources along the entire bottom create an incredibly beautiful effect when looking at the surface. It is noteworthy that the pattern of these circles constantly changes throughout the day. If you take two photos of the same place a few hours apart, you can see the difference.

This beautiful lake is located not far from the village of Aktash and belongs to the Little Paradise tourist center. Therefore, in order to fully enjoy the beauty of this reservoir, it is not necessary to come on vacation to the base itself: you can pay a small amount for passage to the lake.

Ulagan lakes

If you leave the Chuysky tract at the 793rd kilometer towards the village of Aktash, then after passing it you will come to amazingly picturesque lakes. The most famous of them are Uzunkel (Long Lake) and Cheybekkel (Dead Lake). This is a favorite vacation spot for tourists. However, experienced travelers advise going even further - to Lake Igristu-Kol. Due to the fact that it is located further in the taiga, it is hidden from most tourists. There is a recreation center nearby where you can stay in tents. This experience will give you an unforgettable unity with nature and peace. Thanks to the silence and sparseness of people during the day, you can meet local inhabitants here, such as squirrels and chipmunks. This place is surrounded by beautiful taiga, where berries grow in abundance in summer.

Uchar Waterfall

This waterfall in the Ulagansky district is the highest in the region. He is perhaps the most beautiful. Therefore, many tourists flock here on vacation. Its height is 160 meters. The water does not drop down, but flows at great speed between rocky stones and large boulders. Because of this, there is such noise here that it is impossible to talk in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall. The rapid speed of the water probably gave it its name, which translates as “Flying”.

This picturesque place was found in 1981. And the waterfall appeared, according to scientists, more than 200 years ago: as a result of an earthquake, a large pile of stones formed.

Katun River and Patmos Island

Katun River

These are the two most famous, beautiful and unforgettable sights of Altai. The Katun originates on Mount Belukha (another landmark of the region) and flows throughout the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. Along its entire length there are incredible views that change from mountainous and rocky to meadow. There are many recreation centers on its banks, the most famous of which is Turquoise Katun. And an excursion to one of the deer breeding farms will give you an unprecedented experience. Their horns (antlers) are used in medicine and cosmetology.

But the most iconic place on the Katun River is the island of Patmos. The Temple of St. John the Evangelist and the Znamensky Convent are located here. This beautiful rocky island is also a place of power, shrouded in many legends and beliefs. It is believed that there is the most divine power here, and the Lord himself speaks to the temple servants and sends signs to the parishioners. Getting to the island is not easy: you need to cross a long suspension bridge over a cliff 15 meters high. This is a real test that only the bravest can pass: the bridge often sways from the wind and the movement of people. But the courage of those who crossed to the other side is more than rewarded: picturesque views, the opportunity to visit the famous temple and attend services, as well as take unique photos as a souvenir.

Pink lakes

Near Yarovoye there is Lake Burlinskoye, which is famous for the pink color of its water and its ancient salt industry. The shallow waters, high salt content and extraordinary color make for some incredibly spectacular photography. The lake is located in the Kulunda steppe, 18 km from Slavgorod and 40 km from the resort town of Yarovoye. It is often found under the names Pink, given to it because of its unusual color, and Bursol, received after the name of the village that arose on its shore for salt extraction.

Beautiful places in Altai for relaxation: mountain ranges

Altai is not only lakes and rivers: a significant part is occupied by mountains. All of them are beautiful in their own way and deserve to be visited and photographed.

Mount Belukha

The main mountain of Altai, the highest peak in all of Siberia, the peak of Katun - all this is about Mount Belukha. Its highest point is located at an altitude of 4506 m above sea level. At the top there is always a non-melting snow “cap”, thanks to which the mountain got its name. It is shrouded in many legends, and locals call it “the home of the three gods.” The traveler Nicholas Roerich, deeply interested in esotericism, claimed that somewhere on its slopes the entrance to Shambhala was hidden from people; he sincerely believed that it was a powerful place of power and called it “the mistress of Altai.”

The most beautiful view of Belukha opens from Lake Akkem. Numerous hiking trips are organized here. You can climb the mountain only accompanied by a guide. Air travel by helicopter is also offered, which allows you to appreciate the beauty and scale of the mountain from the air. Whatever you choose, you are sure to get an unforgettable experience and a lot of unusual photos as a souvenir.

Mount Belukha

Katu-Yaryk pass

The unusually beautiful Katu-Yaryk pass is definitely worth a visit when traveling to Altai. This is one of the main and most visited attractions, where you can see amazing places - picturesque mountain slopes, Lake Teletskoye, Chulyshman Valley and amazing “stone mushrooms”. There are several observation platforms with good infrastructure: cafes, toilets, parking and even houses where you can stop for a rest. In front of one of these sites there is a beautiful and impressive cliff 800 meters high. From here you have a magnificent view of the surrounding landscapes.

Those who do not like relaxing among the crowds of tourists can drive further than the well-maintained areas. But you should choose your route carefully: with a steep descent, problems may arise with getting back up. But here there is freedom for those who travel in all-wheel drive SUVs.

"Stone Mushrooms"

Stone mushrooms

The already mentioned “stone mushrooms” are an amazing attraction of Ak-Kurum. Outwardly, they really resemble mushrooms: on narrow and tall stone blocks, like mushroom caps, lie huge boulders of different shapes. All this creates a beautiful and incredible view: as if giant mushrooms had grown between the mountain slopes.

This structure was formed due to the constant weathering of rock. Ak-Kurum translated means “white scree”. Scree is the name given to just such large boulders formed as a result of soil erosion and blowing out rock. Under the influence of winds and precipitation, the “legs of the mushrooms” became thinner, but the “caps” remained in their place, creating not only a beautiful, but also partly a fairy-tale landscape.

If you have not visited this place yet, you should hurry up to take a photo as a souvenir. Under the influence of winds and earthquakes, this landmark is gradually destroyed.

Ascent to the repeater on the Achik pass

On the way to the repeater, tourists have to overcome a difficult path: steep climbs and off-road conditions become a common cause of car overheating. Therefore, it is better to go here on all-wheel drive SUVs. If there are none, you should use excursion services. But all the difficulties of the journey are more than compensated by incredible views: a beautiful landscape, an almost 360-degree view, and all the main ridges of the Altai Mountains are in full view. From here the most beautiful view of Mount Belukha opens. Everyone who gets here is guaranteed an indescribable experience and exclusive photos as a souvenir.

The road to the repeater begins at the entrance to the village of Bely Bom (Ak Boom) and goes into the gorge along the Sirnakh River. On the way you will have to ford the river several times. It’s worth taking this into account when choosing a car for a trip: like any mountain river, Syrnakh is full of sharp stones and boulders. SUVs with high ground clearance can overcome such obstacles.

The higher you go, the more difficult the path: off-road, serpentine, narrow track for only one car: you have to look for a place to pass oncoming cars (fortunately, there are not many of them here). Along the entire route, tourists are surrounded by picturesque views. We warn you: the desire to take memorable photos arises literally at every step: the landscape here is so beautiful.

But the most important reward for such a difficult journey is the beauty that opens from the top where the repeater stands. This structure looks surreal in the middle of nature almost untouched by man. Just what you need for hunters of original photos. And if you stay here for a rest and spend the night in tents in cloudless weather, you will never forget such a sight: the closest possible sky, bright stars that seem to be possible to reach with your hand.

Seminsky pass

Seminsky Pass
This place separates two completely different worlds - Chemal, full of tourists, seething with life, and the Altai Mountains with its majestic peaks and untrodden meadows. The pass itself is beautiful in any weather: meadows flooded with sunlight, and dramatic peaks under menacing clouds and fog spreading along the slopes.

red mountain

This unusual and beautiful attraction is a volcano that was extinct in ancient times. It rises as a separate mountain range at 2500 meters. Local people associate many legends with it. It got its name for the reddish tint of the rocks of volcanic origin, which is not typical for the local mountains.

This place is one of the most beautiful in the Altai Mountains. Surrounded by high mountain peaks lies a cascade of picturesque lakes. Rocky slopes of a red hue, covered in some places with greenery, are reflected in the perfect blue surface, which creates an incredibly beautiful look, as if straight out of a painting by a talented artist. There are seven lakes in total, located at different altitudes. Most tourists stay on vacation near the lower one - Bolshoy. There are a lot of trout in it: fishing lovers will find a rich catch.

Even in summer, when bright greenery covers the mountain slopes in some places, snowfields remain in some places until the next winter. They feed the lakes and the nearby Biryuksu River.

When planning a vacation at the foot of Red Mountain, it is worth considering that the climb here is quite difficult. A good road leads from Ust-Koks and passes through Berezovka, Ognevka, Kaitanak. Further, steep climbs await travelers, sometimes quite long. Only powerful SUVs can handle them. If you are not confident in the capabilities of your car, then it is better not to go here after rain, when the ground is wet and washed out.

What to bring from Altai?

1. Honey A kilogram will cost about 300 rubles.
Many consider Ust-Koksinsky white honey to be the most delicious and healthy, but it costs from 1000 rubles per 1 kg. It is better to buy it directly from the owners of the apiaries: unlike market traders, they do not try to be cunning and do not pass off other “products” of local bees as it. 2. Cheese. Place of production - Cherginsky creamery, production is based on natural milk and ancient recipes. Price starts from 600 rubles per 1 kg, can be bought at the factory store in the village of Cherga.

3. Herbal tea and herbal medicinal mixtures. Sold at Altai souvenir markets, cost from 150 rubles. We recommend “Gorno-Altai balsam” with herbs - it quickly relieves cold symptoms, however, it costs 1000 rubles for a half-liter bottle.

4. Chocolate with cannabis. We are talking about harmless and healthy edible hemp that strengthens the immune system.

5. Antler products: cosmetics, balms, bath concentrates.

6. Talismans. Often sold in souvenir shops. For example, you can buy dream catchers or a real shaman's tambourine.

Archaeological sites: visit, look, take photos

Many traces of the existence of ancient people have been found in these areas. The sites of ancient man, preserved to this day, are very popular among tourists. Moreover, they are located surrounded by the most beautiful places in Altai.

Ukok Plateau

The Ukok Plateau is located in the south of the Altai Mountains, at the intersection of the borders of Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. To explore as many archaeological sites as possible and take photos of them, it is worth setting aside more than one day for such an active holiday. This place is a concentrate of archaeological finds: more than 150 monuments have been found here. Among them are characteristic rock paintings (petroglyphs), deer stones of various sizes, mounds with ancient burials, and graves from the Scythian times.

Many legends and beliefs are associated with these places. Here, archaeologists found the mummy of a woman, who was called the “Princess of Ukok” and was taken to the Novosibirsk Museum of Archeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The local council of elders claims that immediately after this, natural disasters struck Altai. And, despite the fact that the remains of the mummy were returned to Altai in 2014, the disturbed spirit cannot find peace.

The Ukok Natural Park is organized here, only one third of which is available for tourists. The other part is for limited visits only. The third is exclusively for scientific activities: excavations are still underway here.

Due to the fact that there are few tourists here, the fauna is well preserved. During the rest, you can meet foxes, wolves, and wild horses. And if you're lucky, you can even see a snow leopard. Eagles and golden eagles soar over the plateau, black storks fly by. There are many other birds and animals here.

The Ukok Plateau is considered a place of power: yoga tours are organized here, esotericists from different parts of Russia visit it, and local shamans perform traditional rituals here.

Petroglyphs of Kalbak-Tash

Petroglyphs of Kalbak-Tash
Kalbak-Tash is a large complex where more than 5,000 rock paintings were found. They all belong to different times - from the 4th-6th centuries BC to the 8th-10th centuries AD. The “collection” includes a variety of drawings - images of animals of those times, hunting scenes, various symbols. Some of them were knocked out with stone tools, some with metal tools. Here you can also see runic inscriptions from the ancient Turkic era. Experts draw a parallel between these stories and well-known Altai national myths.

Tavdinsky caves

A beautiful archaeological site located near the tourist base “Biryuzovaya Katun”, near the village of Izvestkovy. This is a whole network of caves connected to each other: there are about 30 of them. The entrances are on a rocky ledge five kilometers long. The caves served as housing for Bronze Age people, which was confirmed by numerous archaeological artifacts found inside. It will be interesting for tourists to walk along the passages of these caves and take photos as a souvenir. Some are well equipped for visiting. The most famous is “Tavdinskaya”, it is also called “Maiden’s Tears”.

From the ledge where the entrances to the caves are located, a beautiful view of the surrounding area opens up: the Katun River, the Chuysky Tract and the nearby mountains.

Jalgyz-tobe

In the Kosh-Agach region of the Altai Republic, in the middle of the Chui steppe, Mount Jalgyz-tobe rises, on the rocky slopes of which archaeologists discovered more than 700 petroglyphs. They date back to the Bronze Age and depict various scenes of life and hunting of ancient people, animals, and household items. There are practically no tourists here, so no one can stop you from inspecting them and taking as many photos as you like: you can take your time and devote maximum time to this activity.

Complex "Adyr-Kan"

This place is an archaeological site, where crowds of tourists also do not flock. It is not as famous as other similar attractions that Altai is rich in. Therefore, when visiting it, you feel something mysterious and enigmatic. There are no signs, fences or benefits of civilization here. The only thing that greets travelers is a deer stone depicting a warrior with a bow and sword. There are many drawings of ancient people on the steep cliffs of the mountain. Mostly these are goats and deer. For those who are especially curious, we recommend that you go higher up the crevice: there you will find even more drawings and you can take photos that few people have.

Denisova Cave

Denisova Cave
An archaeological monument, known not only throughout Altai and Russia, but also throughout the world. Archaeological finds were found here that were comparable in significance to the artifacts of the Egyptian pyramids: a new species of human was discovered, previously not found anywhere. The age of the remains is fifty thousand years. DNA analysis showed that man differs from both Neanderthals and modern man: he was separated into a separate branch of evolution, which was called Denisovan man.

The cave received its international name after the hermit Dionysius, who lived here in the eighteenth century. The locals call it differently: Ayu-Tash, which translated means “Bear Stone”. According to some legends, in ancient times, a Black Shaman with extraordinary abilities lived in this cave, who turned into a bear.

Geyser Lake

The “geyser” lake owes its color to the blue silt at the bottom. Official information about its origin and clear explanations about the reasons for changing the design turned out to be difficult to find. Some say that thermal springs change the pattern, others argue that there is no volcanic activity in Altai at all, so there are no geysers, and ordinary springs can move the blue silt.

Sartakpai Gate

The tight rocky 100-meter gorge at the confluence of the Chemal and the Katun is called the Sartakpai Gate. The width of the spectacular crevice is about 50 m. Getting down to the water is very difficult even for professionals, so people usually admire the sight from the “goat path”, which is used by tourists and indigenous residents.

Local legend says that in ancient times, the hero of the folk epic, the hero Sartakpai, manually laid the beds of Altai rivers locked in the southern lake in the northern direction. The Katun was supposed to be led by the giant’s young son, but he did not have the strength to crush the rocks along the river’s path. The riverbed twisted heavily, and living on the banks was extremely inconvenient. The father decided to correct his son's mistakes. He took his metal bow and fired a copper arrow that split the rock in half. The water has a direct path.

Stove benches: Shukshin House-Museum

What would Altai be without the “last genius of Russian literature”, a native of the village of Srostki in the Biysk region, where today the Vasily Shukshin Museum is located. It consists of three buildings: the writer’s mother lived in one, the other was where he spent his childhood, and the third was the wooden school where he studied. On the territory there is also Mount Piket, where the monument to Shukshin is located, and in the park near the main building of the estate-museum, the world of the writer’s heroes is recreated: an open exhibition of wooden sculptures. Literary festivals are also held here - Shukshin Days.

How to get there

All information about the museum is on the official website.

Life on Mars: Kyzyl-Chin

If you think that Altai is all green mountains, then you are mistaken. There are absolutely cosmic places here. For example, Kyzyl-Chin, which translated from Turkic means “Red Gorge”. Unofficially, these hills are called Mars. This is all due to the very ancient multi-colored clays of red and yellow hues lining these mountains.

How to get there

The trip is quite within the capabilities of any passenger car. At the 863rd kilometer of the Chuysky tract, turn right towards the village of Chagan-Uzun, and then right again - following the sign. Having reached the center of the village, turn left, and again follow the sign - also left. Pass the shepherds' camp and move along the river without turning. It is better to see the attraction in the morning or during the day, because... in the evening, part of the colorful mountains is hidden by shadows.

Kyzyl-Chin (Photo source: photosight.ru)

In order to economize

Airplane and car rental.

If you are traveling alone, in a small group, and want to save money, look for air tickets to the nearest (or not so large) large city. In addition to Barnaul, for example, there are also Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk and a bunch of smaller cities.

For example, if there are 4-5 people, you can rent a car. For example, as of July 2021, the cost of a Hyudai Solaris at Novosibirsk airport is about 2,400 rubles; you can find the cheapest car rental on Economy Bookings. If you spread this cost over 4 people and take into account that air tickets to Novosibirsk will be cheaper, you get a very tasty saving.

No car rental.

If the rental turns out to be unprofitable, you can get from these cities to Gorno-Altaisk by one of the travel companion search services or by a regular bus. Long, but cheaper.

There is a nuance - in Gorny Altai, public transport is so-so developed. Not developed at all, to be honest.