Altai

Altai is a vast mountainous area, located in the center of Eurasia at the juncture of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. Russian part of Altai includes the Altai Region (Barnaul is the central city) and the Republic of Altai (Gorno-Altaisk is the capital). The most attractive sites for ecotourism are concentrated in the Republic of Altai which is also called Gorny Altai. Unique natural and cultural features of Gorny Altai grant wonderful opportunities for all kinds of ecotourism activities.

Gorny Altai is the highest mountainous province of Siberia. Some mountain-masses are 3000 – 4000 m high. Their peaks are covered with snow and ice all year long. Glaciers descend along their slopes. The highest point of Siberia – Belukha Mt (4506 m) is situated there.

Gorny Altai is also famous with its rivers and lakes. Biya and Katun are the two largest rivers which interflow near the town of Biysk and give start to the Ob River – one of the greatest rivers of the world. Katun with its tributaries Chuya, Koksa, Kucherla, Argut, Ursul are very popular among whitewater rafters because of thrilling rapids and exciting landscapes. The Biya River has its source in the Teletskoye Lake which is situated between high ranges of mountains. The Teletskoye Lake with its length of about 80 km, depth of 325 m and volume of 40 cubic kilometers is considered as a symbol of Altai. The beautiful Shavlinskiye Lakes are situated on the Northern slope of the Severo-Chuysky Range.

The greater part of Gorny Altai is covered with taiga. Larch and cedar prevail but you can see many other species of trees and bushes. Alpine areas, situated on heights more than 2000 – 2400 m, offer large meadows with various grasses and flowers. In the whole, in Gorny Altai tourists have opportunities to observe practically all kinds of Siberian scenery: dry steppes of Central Asia, taiga, alpine meadows in blossom, tundra, majestic glaciers and snow peaks. Fauna is very diverse too, including 90 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 20 species of fishes. Snow leopard (irbis), wild ram, elk, Siberian stag (maral), bear, golden eagle, hawk, umber, sterlet can be met there.

The climate of Altai is continental with a stable cover of snow in winter and with summer temperatures up to +30⁰C.

The Golden Mountains of Altai are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can find more information about this protected area at
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/altai.htm and
http://eng.altai-republic.ru/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=47&page=1.

Highlights

• Aktru Gorge is situated in the Severo-Chuysky Range, often called ‘Severo-Chuysky Alps’ because of high snow peaks and glaciers. The main peaks are Maashey (4173 m) and Karagem (3750 m). This area is very popular among trekkers and mountaineers.
• Altaisky Reserve (Zapovednik) in the Eastern part of the Altai is composed of a mountainous taiga, a glacial zone, mountain meadows, and high altitude tundra and steppes. More than 1,400 vascular plants (70% of the Altai flora) are found in the zapovednik and of these 17% are endemic species. The area supports a diverse fauna, including 72 mammal species and 310 bird species. The snow leopard and the mountain ram 'argali' are also found within the zapovednik. More information about the Altaisky Reserve can be found at http://www.wild-russia.org/bioregion9/9-altai.htm.
• Biya River with its beautiful views and impressive but not dangerous rapids is considered a classic rafting route for beginners.
• Chuysky Tract is a main automobile road of Gorny Altai, which stretches for 717 km from Biysk to the settlement Tashanta, situated near the Mongolian border. The road is built mostly along Katun and Chuya rivers with two passes – Seminsky (1894 m) and Chike-Taman (1460 m). A trip along the Chuysky Tract grants unforgettable impressions owing to beautiful and diverse landscapes.
• Katun River and its tributaries are famous among amateurs of rafting first of all for their whitewater streams, applicable for tours of any grade of complexity except the highest one. Tours along upper Katun often begin on one of its tributaries. The key section of upper Katun is a canyon named Akkemsky Proryv (Akkem Break) 5 km long with 10 powerful steps and vertical rocky banks. Downstream Katun accepts two tributaries (Argut and Chuya) and becomes even more powerful with billows of up to 3 m high. The section of Katun between the mouth of the Yaloman River and Chemal is called Middle Katun. It takes 4 – 6 days to get over about 180 km long rafting through tens of powerful rapids. Lower Katun is much simpler for rafting.
• Shavlinskiye Lakes are situated on the Northern slope of the Severo-Chuysky Range. Some idea about their beauty may be obtained if taking in the mind that three nearby peaks, which are reflected in a water mirror, are called Dream, Beauty and Fairy Tale.
• Teletskoye Lake is considered as one of the main sights of Gorny Altai. Aborigines call it Altyn-Kel that means Golden Lake. It lies 436 m above the sea-level between high ranges Korbu (2059 m), Teletsky (2493 m), Monargy (1688 m) and others. The Eastern part of the lake belongs to the Altai State Reserve. One of most impressive sights on the lake is a powerful Korbu waterfall 12 m high. Voyages along the lake are possible only by boat because roads are absent.
• Utchar (‘Inaccessible’) Waterfall is situated on the Chulcha River in 10 km from the confluence with the Chulyshman River. The biggest waterfall of Altai with total drop of 160 m was formed about a century ago as a result of a tremendous landslide.