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Altai Mountains

Area: Western Siberia, south, Altai mountains.
Nearest cities: Gorno-Altaisk, Baranaul (300km), Novosibirsk (600km).
Activities: trekking, rafting, hiking, climbing, horseriding

Altai mountains are located in the southern part of Western Siberia region, the Altai-Sayan region was identified by WWF as one of 200 ecosystems in the world which are viewed as the most distinctive examples of the world's diverse habitats. The ecoregion covers vast 845,000 square kilometer area at the junction of the countries: Russia (mostly), Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. Novosibirsk, through which the Trans-Siberian route goes, is about 600 km far, which is very not far for Siberian scales. On the east from Altai mountains lie west Sayan mountains and further – east Sayan mountains.

Highlights. Altai - is a land where myths and legends are incarnated into reality. It's one of those rare corners on the Earth where Nature decided to show everything it was capable of. Broad and boundless views of steppes, luxuriant varieties of taiga thickets, modest charm of deserts, severe splendor of snowy peaks, laconic beauty of tundra - the diversity of landscapes here is so rich, it is as if you are turning over pages of a geographical atlas!
Three major factors make the place a recreational domain of great value. Stretching for nearly 2000 km from north-west to south-east,

Altai mountains form a natural border between the arid steppes of Mongolia and the rich taiga of Southern Siberia. Both climatic zones create the landscapes of striking diversity, ranging from the Tibet-like ones to those of the Swiss Alps. The two other factors, the thin population, historically nomadic, not disposed for agriculture and the remoteness from any industrial centres account for the natural reserve's quality of the terrain and for the abundance of wildlife. Cupped in wooded mountains, crystal clear and pure Teletsky Lake (a smaller replica of Baikal) is a testimony to it, despite the fact that for decades it has been a remarkable health resort well known in Russia.

Altay's Nature.  The wildlife vary from big mammals (bear, lynx, glutton, Siberian stag, even reindeer and snow leopard above the tree line) to small birds (230 species) and fishes (20 species - umber, loach, white fish among them). Many species and plants are really unique.
Camel and yak are a good Mongolian touch to the picture of the Russian Altai. Another, and very pleasing touch is no mosquitoes and such-like making life miserable in Northern Siberia. Cedar is a very common tree in the rich mountain forests as well as pine, birch, spruce, fir, larch. Berries and mushrooms are abundant in the season.

Ethnography and Inhabitants. For innumerable centuries being the cross-roads of human migration, the Altai has a long and rich history. A lot of archaeological finds prove that. Those of the Ulalite paleolithic site (in the town of Gorno-Altaisk) are 900-800 thousand years old. So, man's ancestors lived in the Altai long before the pithecanthrope of Java. The number of younger sites (mainly in caves) comes to dozens. So, going from cave to burial mound, from graffito to graffito you will get the stereoscopic picture of man developing from the Stone to Bronze and Iron Ages. The modern population is a mixture of indigenous Altais and Russian settlers, some of the latter still leading in their villages the life of Old Believers, with strict rules and very much isolated from civilization. There are few remote villages in Altai where you can see wool being spun on a hand and hear traditional Altai throat singing (a very interesting and strange technique).

Altay National Part.  Founded in 1932, The Altai National Park is located on the southern border of Russia, where Kazakhstan, China and Russia meet. With peaks reaching 4,620m (15,157ft.) this park is the perfect place to escape from crowded cities and polluted air. Lake Teletzkoye contains transparent and absolutely clean water, and throughout the mountains, rivers and waterfalls abound.

Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls.  Katun river starts its way near the highest point of Altai mountains (4620 m) and goes down through pristine alpine scenery, with a number of remote Altai villages along the way to Ob' river, that crosses the west Siberia from North to South and brings its waters to Karskoe more, in the ocean. Katun river is very good for rafting as it offers many exciting routes and magnificient views at Altai mountains. Altyn-Kyol (in Russian means "Golden Lake") is the native Altai name for Lake Teletskoye. The numerous myths and legends about its enchanting beauty attract tourists and hikers like a magnet. To come here is to touch mystery. The Cordon of Chelush is a lonely place on the shore of the amazing highland lake, not far from the mouth of a mountain river. It is only possible to get there by water or by helicopter. The picturesque landscapes of the cordon may give a great pleasure to the real connoisseurs of Natural beauties and wonders. The Biya is the only river flowing out of Lake Teletskoye. A rafting journey down the Biya is considered a classic route of water tourism. The mixture of impetuous rapids and calm, extensive sections of the river allow enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and at the same time receive a sufficient dose of adrenalin.

Around 100-150 years ago there was a great mountain avalanche, but it couldn't stop the impetous Chulcha river and from a great height it falls down by cascades, forcing its way to the Chulyshman River – Uchar Waterfall (in Russian means "Unapproachable"). The Uchar Waterfall was discovered only about 20 years ago, so not many people have had a chance to see it yet.

Nearest Towns and How to Get There.  Altai montains is a quite remote region. The closest big (more than 100,000 inhabitants) city is Gorno-Altaisk, located just at the beginning of Altai mountains, on Katun river. Another big city is Barnaul (to the north-west, around 300 km far) and Novosibirsk (around 600 km far), that's located on Trans-Siberian railway.
The most expensive and quickest way to get to Altai region is to take a plane to Barnaul ($350 return way) and then take a train and a bus to Gorno-Altaisk. The cheapest and slowest way to get to Altai area is to take a train from Moscow to Novosibirsk or Barnaul ($120 return, 3 days one way), then take a train to Biysk (through Barnaul - about 370 km and $10 one way), then take a car or a bus (cheap) to Gorno-Altaisk (just at the beginning of Altai mountains) and further - to Altai mountains (the auto-road goes through Altai to Mongolia).

Activities. Most outdoor activities can be practised in Altai: caving, climbing, mountaineering, trekking, hunting, rafting, paragliding, horse riding. Rafting has made Altai known not only in Russia and the Chuya Rafting Rally is an international event.
 

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