Getting to know Altai. There are Martian Mountains along the Chui Tract. Winter holidays

On this day, an introductory tour of the resort is planned to make it easier for you to navigate, we will show and advise you where to walk and what to see. 

On the tour you will learn how the resort was born, the legends about it, we will tell you about the infrastructure (we will tell you the most interesting places for independent acquaintance). 

We will show you the sources where you can collect healing water (take bottles with you).

Next, we will go to the Mountain Belokurikha – a new resort under construction. 

We will climb it along the serpentine.  

At the place where the rock stood at the beginning of the "two thousandth", today it is one of the most beautiful passes in the Siberian district. 

We will overcome 12 serpentine turns and 62 turning angles. 

For the convenience and safety of drivers and passengers, four "pockets" and three observation decks are equipped with views of the serpentine.

Next, upstairs, we will get acquainted with the Art objects, the Andreevskaya Sloboda Museum (entrance is paid separately).

On this day, you will have free time for your wishes – to take a walk, go for treatments.

This day is very busy! 

This day is eventful and interesting, as the acquaintance with the Altai Mountains begins. 

We will drive about 250 km. 

Let's introduce you to the winter Kamyshlinsky waterfall. 

We will walk across the bridge to the other side of the Katun, then a little through the winter forest and we will be surprised by a beautiful, albeit frozen waterfall – a powerful stream can be seen through the ice "mirror", the noise of water and natural beauty will surprise.  

Fluffy rabbits are jumping along the adjacent territory to the waterfall, we will definitely feed them. 

In the village of Chemal, you will get acquainted with the unique island of Patmos – the temple on the island of the Katun river. 

We'll walk over the suspension bridge to him. 

After visiting the temple, you can walk and admire the valley of the Katun River, which partially freezes in winter and its turquoise water is visible.  

We will have lunch on the route at a cafe where they cook perfectly (not included in the price). 

Weather permitting, we will be happy to visit the Blue Lakes and it will be a bonus for you.

The fact is that access to these lakes is not always possible, only on very frosty days.

But if you get to this beautiful place, you can swim in this magical Katun water. 

These lakes do not freeze and it is believed that if you plunge into the water, you can gain energy and health.

On Lake Svetloy, not far from the resort of Belokurikha, there is a state nature reserve complex "Lebediny".

It was created in order to preserve the only wintering of whooper swans in Altai. 

Did you know that there are only two sanctuaries in Russia where swans winter?

Yes, and we are proud to note that one is located here in Altai, and the second in the Anadyrsky district of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the water in the lake is clean and bright, does not freeze due to the abundance of keys, therefore the name is Bright. 

The water temperature does not drop to +5-6 C.

Every year in December, a snow–white flock arrives at the swan reserve and stays for the winter on the ice-free lake, hence the second name of the lake - Swan Lake.

The first swans appeared in these places in 1967 – then there were only 15 birds, now there are about 650 swans and every year there are more and more of them. 

In March, swans fly to the polar regions for nesting, and as soon as the northern lakes are finally covered with ice, they return to the lake with young offspring. 

In order to get a better look at these birds, platforms are made and they are allowed to feed food (it is specially sold in front of the entrance).

On this day, after breakfast (at 9:00), we are going on a very interesting journey. 

We will drive along the Chui highway, which is among the TOP 10 most beautiful roads in the world. 

You will simply be delighted with the changing landscapes: mountains, rivers, passes, taiga, steppes (here you need to keep the camera in your hands). 

The Chuisky Tract is the oldest route from Siberia to Asia. 

According to some historians, the Chui Tract runs along the northern branch of the Great Silk Road. 

In Russian sources, information about the tract can be traced back to the second half of the XVIII century. 

Nowadays, starting from Novosibirsk, it ends at the border with Mongolia, stretches for a distance of 968 kilometers. 

We will drive about 400 km. 

In 2014, National Geographic magazine included the Chui Tract in the list of the ten most beautiful highways in the world.

We will pass two mountain passes of Seminsky and Chike-Tamansky. 

We will go out on these beautiful passes, stop at local markets and cafes for a snack (not included in the price). 

The amazing nature will delight every guest and will give pleasure this way to the tourist complex. 

We will observe the confluence of mountain rivers from the observation deck, which is considered a sacred place among the Altaians.  

We reach our comfortable hotel and relax.

This day will bring brightness! 

It is the brightness, because we will go to the colored mountains called Mars. 

We have breakfast and are on our way. 

Continuing our journey along the amazing Chuisky tract, we will be surprised by the squirrels of the North Chuisky ridge. 

It's very beautiful! 

Then another surprise – the Martian Mountains are a wonderful place for photographers, for lovers of geology and for lovers of beauty. 

These hills are extraordinarily beautiful, as if someone painted them with different colors. 

This is a unique place in the village of Kyzyl-Chin, which translates from Turkic as "red gorge". 

Each layer was formed during a certain period. 

The color of the breed depends on the time. 

As scientists say, the red-brown layers were formed more than 300 million years ago, that is, there was once a warm salty sea in Altai! 

The guide will tell you interesting facts and legends. 

You will see all the local attractions of the Chui tract and take unforgettable pictures. 

On the way, we will stop at Geyser Lake – a pulsating lake, which is a unique reservoir and has no analogues in Russia.

The water in the lake does not freeze all year round, but it is not intended for swimming in summer either. 

There are no descents to the water, and the bottom is covered with clay silt and algae. 

The water temperature in the Geyser Lake does not rise above +10 degrees even in the hottest weather.

The lake attracts photo lovers, and great shots are obtained.

When we admire, we can look at different drawings (they say the lake predicts if you correctly read what it drew).

After breakfast, we will get acquainted with the Red Gate – the rocks rise into the sky for tens of meters, and the road seems to cut through them with a narrow ribbon.. 

These mountain gates always attract visitors to Altai.

We take pictures and go back through the passes on the way back.

To diversify the way back, we will stop at scenic places.

We usually arrive in Gorno-Altaysk by 18:00.

If you have a reservation at a hotel in the city, then we will take you to the right hotel, if you extend your stay at the Belokurikha resort, then the minibus after Gorno-Altaysk will continue its journey to the Belokurikha resort.