ADL2. Junction of Ancient Cultures

Mode of Travel: bus, on foot, raft, off-road truck



This saturated trip covers the South-Western part of Gorny Altai. It is constructed to show all main features of the whole Altai:

• beauty of diverse local nature
• historical and cultural memorials including archeological excavations, ancient stone monuments, petroglyphs, traditional shamanist culture of indigenous population of the Altai Republic - the Altaians, traditional culture of local Russian old-believers.

Highlights

• Chuysky Tract - an automobile road through Gorny Altai, way to  Mongolia
• Uch-Enmek Natural Park is situated in Karakol Valley , the holy place for aborogines. Local groups of ancient burial mounds are still one of scientific enigmas of Altai Mountain Country. The park grants a chance to deep into original culture and lifestyle of the Altaians
• Denisova Cave. The cave is named after the hermit Denis who lived there in XVIII century. It contains the most ancient archeological findings in the region and consists of more than 20 cultural layers from different periods of Human History. The cave is included into the UNESCO World Heritage list. Excavations are still in progress there.
• Shinok waterfall - is a system of several waterfalls ranging from 3 to 60 meters. Pressed into the narrow gorge the Shinok River finds its way through the rocky barriers and rushes down, creating an enchanting sight of stooping streams and sparkling mist of water s.
• Museum of Russian Old-believers. Old Believers are a part of the Russian Orthodox Church that still celebrate the liturgical rites as they existed prior to the reforms of Patriarch Nikon in the seventeenth century.  Old Believer's goal is  to preserve the Old Rite of the Russian Orthodox Church. Museum is located in old Russian log house and gives the opportunity to get acquaintance with traditions and customs of old Russian families.
• Museum of Nikolay Rerikh - philosopher and traveler who visited Altai in 1926. Reproductions of his pictures, books are selling there.
• Ancient stone monuments and petroglyphs on the rocks. Keep the mystery of old Altai culture.