And even if you have already been to some of them, this time they will open up to you from a new side. In the summer, you can visit authentic villages, find little-known places of power, meet the Tubalars and learn living legends passed on by the indigenous Altaians from generation to generation.
Village Krasnoselsk
Among the indigenous inhabitants of Altai there are small nationalities that are of particular interest from the point of view of ethnic heritage. They have their own traditions, language, costumes and cooking. In the village of Krasnoselsk, Choysky district, there is the Tubalar Culture Center, where various entertainment events are held. There is also a recording studio: local women have united in a vocal ensemble, developed their own repertoire and are actively touring the area.
Within walking distance from the village there is Krasny Yar, a secluded beach with purple stones. Among them you can find the so-called Chicken God – this is a small stone with a through hole. The landscapes here are especially beautiful: a river with a rapid current makes a sharp turn, and forests of bright emerald color stretch to the horizon. As local shamans say, in these places you can find peace and make an important decision.
However, the most valuable attraction of Krasnoselsk is the spring, which is famous for its healing properties. Previously, only locals knew about it, but now it is becoming more and more popular. Finding it on your own is still not easy; you will need a guide. The path to the spring itself is a real adventure. You will have to drive an SUV or tractor along herds of horses and mountain rivers to the foot of a small mountain. Then the most interesting part begins – climbing an almost vertical slope and searching for a tiny spring among the thick grass. Overcoming all these obstacles will not be easy, but it will be worth it. An incredible panorama opens up from the top. And the water obtained with such difficulty seems to be the most delicious in the world.
How to get there:
By plane to Gorno-Altaisk. From the airport by rented car to your destination or by regular bus, first to the village of Choya (64 km), and then to Krasnoselsk (39 km).
Village Karakoksha
It is located in a unique place – at the junction of two rivers Sarakokshi and Karakokshi, surrounded by taiga. If you need to restore your strength, then you have found the ideal place.
Near the village there is a tourist base, run by a real shaman named Valery. Although he does not advertise his shamanism, he is happy to share details with those who are interested. And his wife, the owner of the base, will tell you about local legends and myths, and also tell you where to look for healing springs.
Of particular interest to tourists is the village located on the territory of the base. This is a house where local residents used to live, with all their costumes, utensils, furniture, musical instruments and household items. The owners allow you to try on costumes and touch antiques. There is also the opportunity to go fishing, ride a horse or ATV and enjoy the local scenery.
For those looking for more vivid impressions, there are excursion routes to the mountain lakes Ashpogach and Surdin, as well as to Mount Albagan (height 2,618 m). You can also get to the regional center – Choi (distance about 50 km). Enjoy the views of the Bulanak and Kuchuk mountains, stroll along the picturesque banks of the Ishi River and breathe in truly fresh and environmentally friendly air.
How to get there:
The distance from Gorno-Altaisk is 88 km. The village can be reached by regular bus or taxi. But the most convenient way would be to rent a car.
Teletskoye Lake
This is one of the largest freshwater bodies of water in Russia, and its popularity continues to grow. Even if you have already been here, your next visit can be even more eventful. We recommend contacting local residents. If you show interest, they will be happy to share with you information that usually eludes tourists. In addition to famous sights and legends associated with them, you can learn more about Nicholas Roerich’s visits to the Altai Mountains, the mysterious Shambhala, and even ask to develop an individual route, taking into account your interests.
Excursions on Lake Teletskoye are mainly carried out on boats, which adds a special flavor to the trip. If you want to save a little, you can look for housing not directly on the shore, but in the depths of the village. The distance is small, but the price difference can be significant.
A few kilometers from the village of Iogach there is an interesting attraction – the ski lift to Mount Kokuya. It has several stations at altitudes of 610, 1,050 and 1,386 m, each of which offers truly unique views.
If you have time, you should definitely visit the Chulyshman Valley, one of the most sparsely populated places in the Altai Mountains.
How to get there:
From Gorno-Altaisk by bus to the village of Artybash, about four hours on the road. You can get there by taxi or car in two hours.
Katun terraces
The beautiful river is also worth visiting again. The color of the water, the atmosphere, the energy and the air create an amazing atmosphere. There are many impressive sites around the river.
One of the unique natural attractions that is worth visiting are the terraces – flat areas that resemble huge steps along the banks of the river. They extend from the Kur-Kechu cordon to the mouth of the Chuya River and are clearly visible from the Chuya tract.
There is a version that the terraces are not only of natural origin. Their smoothness and clarity are so impressive that some believe they were created by an advanced civilization. Over time, many legends have arisen about this natural monument. A scientific explanation of the origin has not yet been found, but local residents will be happy to tell you the story of a hero who parted a mountain in half and freed all the surrounding rivers.
The terraces stretch for tens of kilometers, and to view them you can stop near the villages of Inya or Maly Yaloman. In Ina there is a unique structure – the world’s first double-cable cable-stayed suspension bridge with a height of 21 m. Today it is not very strong, but at one time it could withstand a load of up to 36 tons.
A few kilometers from the village there are ancient stone steles, the origin of which also causes a lot of controversy. In the surrounding area you can find rock paintings, stone sculptures and burial mounds. This is a great place for a closer look and a colorful photo shoot.
In the village itself there are several shops and a small local history museum. There are also interesting archaeological sites in the surrounding area.
How to get there:
By bus, taxi or rented car from Gorno-Altaisk (272 km).
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
