How to plan a vacation in Altai to remember it for a lifetime

When to go to Altai

The best time to plan your trip is from May to September. At this time, it is warm, which allows you to see the maximum number of attractions and arrange a full-fledged summer vacation.

In autumn it is already cooler in Altai, but there are fewer tourists. And the golden landscapes are truly mesmerizing. Winter in these parts lasts from November to mid-April and is characterized by severe frosts and an abundance of snow. Due to the weather, most activities will not be available, but there is a ski resort.

How to get to Altai

Destination — Gorno‑Altaisk. In 4.5 hours you can fly to it by plane from Moscow. Ticket prices start from 10 198 rubles.

You can also get by train to Biysk. Travel time is about 2.5 days, and the price of the trip is from 8 228 rubles. From there, by bus to Gorno-Altaisk, you need to drive about 100 km.

Where to stay in Altai

You can rent a house in Gorno-Altaisk. True, if you like hotels, there are not so many options, and prices for them start from

2 600 rubles. The most budgetary will be accommodation in a hostel - an overnight stay will cost about 600–700 rubles.

To better feel the energy of these amazing places, choose accommodation at numerous recreation centers. They are located both in Gorno-Altaisk itself and on the banks of lakes and rivers. There are offers for every taste and wallet: for one person per day you will have to pay from 2,600 to 54,000 rubles.

What sights of Altai are worth seeing

Mountains, waterfalls, picturesque lakes, caves, glaciers - it seems that you can spend more than one vacation in Altai.

1. teletskoye lake

This point on the map attracts many tourists from all over the world. They say that in terms of picturesqueness, the reservoir is not inferior to Baikal. The lake is surrounded by steep shores, which in some places turn into a kind of fjords. It has a fairly developed infrastructure: there are hotels, places for recreation, beaches and much more.

To see all the beauty, take a boat from one of the rental points. Or go on a 5-hour boat ride, at the same time you will be shown the Korbu and Chador waterfalls. You can also ride horses or bicycles along the lake. And if you are a fan of fishing, do not miss the opportunity to hunt 18 species of fish, including pike, burbot, whitefish and perch.

2. Chemal valley

Here you can not only soak up the impressions of the incredible nature, but also improve your health in one of the sanatoriums or reboot at the recreation center. Even before the revolution, they began to come here for treatment, because the place is famous for its special healing climate.

The island of Patmos lurks in the valley, on which one of the important Orthodox shrines is located - the Church of St. John the Theologian, which has been preserved since the 19th century. History buffs should also visit the Chemal HPP. It no longer works, but serves as a tourist site. There is an extreme entertainment park near the hydroelectric dam: children and adults can jump from a bungee, ride a Ferris wheel or ride a motorboat along the Katun River. Near the power plant, you can quench your thirst at a source of living water and watch how dead water rusts stones in the nearby well.

3. Karakol valley

Once upon a time, petroglyphs were found here, painted with mineral paints of white, black and red. Numerous burial mounds, sacrificial altars and stone slabs with rock paintings also speak of the fact that people lived in this place in ancient times.

The territory of the valley and its environs are combined into the natural park "Uch-Enmek" with an area of ​​60.5 thousand hectares. It has visit center, where you can not only book a tour of sacred and mysterious places, but also get to know the way of life Altaians, try national cuisine and stay in a hotel complex, which is open round the clock. year.

4. Katun

The source of the main river of Altai is located on the slope of Mount Belukha, which rises to 4,506 m above sea level and is considered the highest point in the region. On the left bank of the Katun are Tavdinsky caves. For about 5 km, a whole complex of 30 interconnected caves, each of which has several inputs and outputs.

Along the river you can see the so-called marals - farms where rare maral deer are bred. On the right bank there is a tourist zone "Turquoise Katun", where you can relax with the whole family: live in a cozy house, sunbathe on the beach, go rafting down the river - in general, arrange a complete vacation in the mountains.

5. Altai Mars

What do you think, Elon Musk? In the valley of the Kyzyl-Chin River, in the immediate vicinity of the village of Chagan-Uzun, you can enjoy a truly martian landscapes. The mountains in this place are painted in different shades of red due to the high content of polymetallic ores in the soil. Probably, this was the reason for the almost complete absence of any vegetation. So choose a good angle for a photo to simulate interplanetary travel.

6. Aktru Valley

On the territory of about 16 square kilometers, five glaciers rest quietly. The thickness of the largest is as much as 360 m. The Aktru River flows between them with bewitching milky ice water. A popular place among tourists is the alpine Blue Lake. You can get to it on your own, but it’s still better to take a tour, as walking through the mountain-glacier terrain is not always safe.

In addition, there is a climbing camp in Aktru. The slopes of the glaciers and surrounding mountains are suitable for descents. True, travelers with special training should go for extreme sports and thrills.

7. Manzherok

Here is a major ski complexand you can enjoy it all year round. In summer, outdoor enthusiasts are attracted by the largest bike park in Russia with the most difficult tracks with a total length of 13 km. You can look at Altai from a bird's eye view by riding a gondola cable car.

In winter comes expanse for skiers and skateboarders. By the way, you don’t have to take your equipment with you: the complex has a rental of everything you need. And in between entertainment, do not forget to go on an excursion to Mount Malaya Sinyukha. At its top there is an observation deck with stunning views of the neighboring hills, Lake Manzherok and the Katun River.

8. Waterfall Uchar

The second name is the Big Chulchinskoy waterfall. The height of the fall of the cascades reaches 160 m, which makes it the largest in Altai. An ecological trail leads to the sights. You will have to walk 8.5 km, the route will require good physical fitness. So wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The opportunity to breathe clean mountain air and be impressed by the unique nature is really worth it.

The waterfall is located on the territory of the Altai Biosphere Reserve. Therefore, a trip to the waterfall must be planned in advance and at least 30 days in advance, leave an application for website.