On the land of the snow leopard. Diving in Altai

We are setting off along the Chui Highway, which connects Russia with Mongolia.

By the way, according to National Geographic magazine, the Chui tract has entered the top ten most beautiful roads in the world!

Along the way, we will definitely stop at the most interesting and picturesque places — the Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes, the bridge in Ina, the confluence of Chuya and Katuni.

After the merger, we will leave the Chui tract and continue along the Katun River to the village of Inegen, where we will stay in guest houses.

By car: 290 km.

Today we continue to move towards the main area of our route, and on the way we will visit many interesting places and, of course, take great photos.

You will get acquainted with petroglyphs in the Kalbak-Tash tract and see how the Geyser Lake paints its pictures.

In the late afternoon, we will enter the high-altitude Kurai steppe and, if we are lucky with the weather, we will see the magnificent peaks of the North Chui ridge.

The mountains here reach 4000 meters and above, and their peaks are covered with eternal snow.

We will stay in guest houses in the center of the Kurai steppe for 2 nights.

By car: 126 km.

Today we will devote a day to exploring the Kurai steppe, a unique place where four thousand people literally "grow" out of the steppe.

We will cross the entire steppe, see many mounds and burials.

In addition, we will get acquainted with an interesting geological phenomenon — the giant ripples of the current.

Our main goal today is Lake Dzhangyzkol.

Here we will take beautiful photos of the lake with majestic peaks that are reflected in the surface of the lake.

We will drive to Lake Karakol and you will be able to see how the view of the North Chui ridge is changing, new peaks with glaciers that are not visible from the Kurai steppe are opening up.

By car: 60 km of mountain road.

Today we will get up early to go to Kyzyl-Chin (Mars-1), while there are few tourists there. 

The outcrops of red, yellow, burgundy, white and brown clays make this place truly fantastic. 

We will climb to the top of the hills, and go down a narrow small canyon. 

After that, we will move to Mars-2, which resembles the Rainbow Mountains in Peru, then look at the lunar landscapes and then go to the village of Beltir, destroyed by the earthquake of 2003. 

In the evening, we will stay in guest houses in a cozy forest clearing.

After breakfast, we will go hiking to the Kuektanar lakes. 

The Kuektanar lakes are a whole system of lakes flowing into each other, forming rivers and waterfalls.

The trail to the first lake passes through a very beautiful deciduous cedar forest. 

The first and second lakes are located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, then the trees disappear, the char zone begins. 

The trail to the lakes goes up all the time, but the surrounding landscapes do not allow you to think about fatigue. 

In the evening we will return to the guest houses and relax in the Russian bath.

After breakfast, we pack our bags and move to the Kamtytugem valley in the depths of the Kurai range.

The name Kamtytugem translates as "Gorge with shamanic larches".

These special trees with a forked trunk and a thick cap of greenery are considered sacred, the abode of spirits.

In addition, the valley is very beautiful.

And unique finds were made there, which are now kept in museums — a decorated quiver and arrows with iron tips, dishes made from tree roots and remnants of silk ribbons.

The Kamtytugem Valley is the habitat of the snow leopard, which is confirmed by numerous photographs on camera traps and scratches on some trees.

On the way, we will stop at the kumys farm.

You will be able to observe the very difficult process of milking mares and try the national drink of the nomads – koumiss, made from mare's milk.

By car: 100 km.

In the morning we go hiking up the Kamtytugem River.

We will go up to a high-altitude lake and a very pretty waterfall.

People very rarely visit these places, so we are waiting for a meeting with the real pristine nature!

Today we will check the camera traps installed on the trails of the snow leopard and, if we are lucky, we will be the first to see new photos of this magnificent beast.

Today we will cross the entire Chui steppe, heading to the visit center of Sailugem National Park in Chagan-Burgazy.

On the way, we will stop at the Telengit Museum in Kokorya village.

Very interesting archaeological finds and other exhibits on the history and culture of the area, including from the Kamtytugem valley, are stored here.

On the way, we will also stop at ancient archaeological sites.

By car: 80 km.

We will spend this day on the territory of Sailugem Park.

First, we will drive deep into the park in a high-speed car, and then we will walk about 5 km.

Sailugem Park is a habitat for many rare species of animals, many of which we will see with our own eyes — ground squirrels, marmots, foxes, argali, eagles and vultures soar in the sky.

Our walking tour will take place in the 5-kilometer zone of the border with Mongolia.

To do this, we will prepare the passes in advance.

By car: 50-60 km of mountain road.

I'm sorry, but it's time to go home.

The consolation will be that the way back passes through very beautiful places.

In Kosh-Agach, we will stop at the local market, where you can buy souvenirs and woolen products from Mongolia.

On the way, we will visit the Tarkhatinsky megalithic complex – a unique place in which huge stones form an almost regular circle with a diameter of 60 m.

Petroglyphs can be found on some of them.

Some scientists believe that there was once an ancient observatory here.

By car: 190 km.

Today we will continue our journey along the Chui highway to Gorno-Altaysk.

In the evening, a farewell dinner.

By car: 330 km.

After breakfast, we will take you to the airport.

See you again in Altai!