See 8 of the most picturesque places in Altai! We will tell you about prices and ways to get to attractions.
Gorny Altai is a real paradise for a traveler, it contains so many beautiful, interesting and even mysterious places. On its territory there are two state biosphere reserves, the Belukha National Park and the Ukok Natural Park. All these sites are part of the UNESCO heritage. The list of natural attractions is so rich that tourists are lost in their desire to see all the beauty of this region. We will tell you only about some of them, the most popular.
However, Altai is not only majestic and beautiful landscapes, many come here to get in touch with the unusual and mysterious. If you are interested in this issue, then we advise you to read about places of power in Altai.
Turquoise Katun and Tavdinskie caves
The most famous river in Gorny Altai is the full-flowing Katun, and it rightfully ranks first in the list of the most beautiful places in Altai. The most popular among tourists is the recreation center "Turquoise Katun", located on the left coast, there is also a lake and an amusement park. From here it is convenient to go for rafting along the rivers or to the Tavdinsky caves, which are located a kilometer from the base. It is easy to get to the place by car along the Chuysky tract, moving towards the village of Manzherok, then a few more kilometers to the bridge over the Katun. In the summer, the tourist centers organize a transfer.
Patmos island
For those who are interested in shrines, we advise you to go to the island of Patmos in Gorny Altai - this is a huge rock located in the middle of the Katun River. The island got its name in honor of the Greek island of Patmos. In the 19th century, the Russian hieromonk John built the first temple in Chemal and founded a small cell on the island.
In 1915, the temple was moved to the island and consecrated, but in the 1920s it was burned and destroyed. Locals say that this was done by a certain Moscow artist who wished to preserve the appearance of the temple only on his canvases. 70 years later, thanks to the efforts of the photographer Viktor Pavlov, the temple was restored, slightly reducing its original dimensions. A suspension bridge was built to the island - previously it was only possible to get there by water.
In 2001, the temple was consecrated, now there is a functioning nunnery. Later, the image of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms was carved into the rock by the nun Felothea, and one of the niches was decorated with an icon depicting a scene of the adoration of the Magi to Jesus in the Bethlehem cave.
The island is located on the outskirts of the Altai village of Chemal; you can visit it on your own (35 km from the turn from the Chuisky tract) or as part of a tourist group. In the center of the village you need to turn onto Beshpekskaya Street and drive along it to the Katun River, then cross the bridge to the island. Free access for everyone. It is best to visit in May or September, in summer there are a lot of tourists.
What to see in Altai: TOP-25 attractions >>
Teletskoe lake
In Gorny Altai, you should also see the famous Teletskoye Lake, formed as a result of a crustal break. Local residents call it Golden, and Russian pioneers christened it Teletsky because of the Türkic Teles tribes inhabiting these lands. Fishermen claim that strange creatures live in the lake, sometimes long-extinct fish species fall into their nets. Its water is considered curative, and some initiates claim that they have heard the voices of people on the lake who have long passed away.
Not far from the lake is the Stone Bay - the place where the meteorite fell, the Kishte and Korbu waterfalls. To visit the latter, you need permission from the administration, it can be issued on the spot.
You can get to Lake Teletskoye from Gorno-Altaysk or Biysk; in summer, bus routes are organized from Novosibirsk and Barnaul. The most convenient way to approach the lake is from its northern part, where the village of Artybash is located. If you wish, you can settle in one of the camp sites on the lake.
Chapel of the Archangel Michael
This small chapel made of Altai cedar is located at the foot of Mount Belukha on the shores of Lake Akkem. The temple was erected in 2005 in memory of tourists who died in the mountains - in the last decades alone, more than 150 people died while climbing Belukha. The place was not chosen by chance - it is here that climbers flock, who, before climbing Belukha, ask permission so that the mountain will accept them and then release them back.
Holy spring Arzhan-Suu
Where else to go in Gorny Altai? Visit the Arzhan-Suu spring - the water in it is distinguished by a high content of silver, iron, copper and other minerals that have a beneficial effect on the body. The place is very popular among tourists; in summer, the number of its visitors is 1000 people a day. It can be found a few kilometers from the village of Manzherok on the left side of the Chuysky tract.
Valley of seven lakes
Tourists recommend visiting the picturesque Valley of the Seven Lakes in Gorny Altai. It is notable for a chain of small mountain lakes, which are fed by streams flowing from the mountain peaks. The water in them is of different colors - there is a green lake, black, yellow, turquoise, etc. The water is quite cold and even in the heat does not heat up above + 10 ° С. The valley is located next to Lake Akkem and is visited by tourists as part of hiking groups. The walk takes several hours, the ascent along the trail begins next to the campsites above the lake on a small hillock.
Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions on how to search for cheap flights correctly.
Denisova cave
A unique place in Gorny Altai is the Denisova Cave, which is worth a trip to all lovers of antiquities. The archaeological site is located on the banks of the Anui River. According to one version, the cave is named after the Old Believer Dionysius, who lived here at the end of the 18th century. Archaeologists have found jewelry, weapons, tools, household items, remains of animals and ancient people in the cave. In 2010, the world learned about a new type of man, whose remains were found in this cave. Its genome differs from that of modern Homo sapiens and Neanderthal.
A scientific tourist complex is located 200 meters from the cave on the river bank, which conducts excursions to the cave and to nearby objects. An excursion to the cave costs 70 rubles. for adults and 30 rubles. for kids. You can get there by your own car or bus from Gorno-Altaysk or Biysk to the village of Soloneshnoye, and then - only by off-road vehicle, since the roads to the cave are unpaved, and after the rain they are greatly washed away.
Petroglyphs
Not far from the confluence of the Katun and Chuya rivers in the Ak-Uzuk tract, there is a complex of rock paintings - petroglyphs. This is one of the most interesting places in Gorny Altai, it will be interesting to see both adults and children. The earliest images date back to the 7th century BC. e. This complex is fenced with a fence made of stones, and it is easy to notice it when traveling along the Chuysky tract - the place is located a few meters from the highway. There are other drawings a little higher up the ridge outside the fenced area.
You may also be interested in the lists of interesting and beautiful places of Lake Baikal, Crimea and Karelia.
