Top 5 beauties of Altai. Car tour

Today is a day filled with magic, beauty and unforgettable impressions.

Immediately after breakfast, we go on a guided tour of the "Legends of Chemal".

We will step onto the suspension bridge, which seems to hover over the stormy Katun River, and head to the Church of St. John the Theologian, majestically towering on the mystical island of Patmos.

Next, we will walk along the Goat Path that runs between the island of Patmos and the confluence of the Katun and Chemal rivers.

A narrow path runs along the edge of a rocky cliff on Mount Beshpek, offering stunning views of the confluence of the rivers and the Katun River, which flows between rocky outcrops known as the “Sartakpai Gate".

After immersing ourselves in the natural beauty, we will get acquainted with the richness of local culture — the Altai goods fair:

• Fragrant mountain honey.
• Magical herbal preparations.
• A noble cedar nut.
• Unique handmade souvenirs.

The Chemalsky highway will lead us further along the winding Katun River to the legendary Orokto Bridge.

In this place, the river demonstrates all its power — with a small width, its depth reaches 70 meters!

It is a place where nature, history and culture merge into one, creating a unique ensemble.

Along the way, from the observation deck of the Tolgoek plateau, we will enjoy magnificent views of the wide valley of the Katun River, the rocky ledges of its left side, the terraces of the left bank and the mountains stretching into the southern and northern distances.

The Yelandinsky threshold will be a bright end to our journey.

Here, the stormy Katun, as if dancing, splits into two streams, creating mesmerizing cascades and frothy waterfalls.

This is a place where you can fully experience the power of Altai nature and its indescribable energy.

Impressions of the day: St. John the Theologian Church on Patmos Island; "Goat trail"; confluence of Chemal and Katun; Oroktoi bridge; Teldekpen threshold; Elandinsky threshold.

Difficulty of the day: walking along the "Goat trail" for about 1 km; elevation drop of 200 m; dirt road 50 km; dust.

After breakfast and packing, we set off along the main artery of Gorny Altai, the legendary road, where every kilometer offers incredible panoramic views!

The Chuisky tract is a real treasure trove, containing ancient secrets, mystical legends and amazing stories that our experts in the Altai land will tell with awe.

The Seminsky pass welcomes us at a dizzying altitude of 1,717 meters!

Here, among the centuries-old cedars and majestic mountains, you will feel like the hero of an adventure novel.

Our guides will reveal the history of the Altai people's entry into Russia, and at the colorful fair of Altai and Mongolian goods you will be able to purchase the real treasures of our region.:

• Golden honey from local apiaries.
• Medicinal herbal teas.
• A unique mummy.
• Nuts from pine cones.

The Chike Taman Pass is another gem of our route!

The panoramic platforms offer spectacular views of the eastern slopes of the Terektinsky Ridge.

Here you will touch the history of the ancient wheeled Chuya highway, along which caravans once passed.

The Katuni Valley welcomes us with its unearthly beauty!

We will make stops in the most picturesque places to capture these magical moments in memory and in photographs.

Maly Yaloman will present us with a meeting with the majestic "Katun bend" — a natural masterpiece that makes the heart stop.

The confluence of the Chuya and Katuni rivers is a sacred place where two mighty rivers meet, creating an amazing natural phenomenon: their waters flow side by side without mixing, creating an amazing contrast of colors!

In the evening, we will have a rest at the base, where we can share our impressions and immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Altai hospitality.

Impressions of the day: Seminsky pass; Chike-Taman pass; "Yalomanskaya Arc"; the place of power is the confluence of the Chuya and Katuni rivers; Katun Terraces; old Chuisky tract.

Difficulty of the day: travel time is 9-10 hours.

Breakfast and back on the road.

Today we are waiting for the most remote region of the Altai Republic with exotic landscapes similar to the neighboring territories of Mongolia.

We will stop in the Kurai steppe and enjoy the views of the glaciers of the North Chuya Range, the largest in Central Asia.

Next, we will change the transport to an off-road UAZ and plunge into the atmosphere of space travel in the valley of the Chagan-Uzun River.

The Martian landscapes of the tract give the impression that you are on another planet.

After lunch, we will admire the beauty of the Geyser Lake on the Mena River.

Underground springs erode silt and blue-white clay at the bottom and create bizarre patterns.

Return to the campsite, free time.

In the evening, an additional excursion can be organized (the tour is carried out at the request of the group and for an additional fee, subject to favorable weather).

"Aktashsky repeater" on off—road vehicles to one of the peaks of the Kurai range - Verkhnaya Mountain.

A 360° panorama of the surroundings opens from the mountain: the spacious Chuya Valley and the North Chuya Ridge rising behind it, the peaks of which are covered with snow all year round.

On the other sides are the peaks of the Kurai range.

In clear weather, you can see Belukha, the highest peak of Gorny Altai, 4506 m, beyond the North Chuisky Ridge.

Impressions of the day: Geyser Lake; Kuraiskaya and Chuiskaya steppe; Severo-Chuisky ridge; "Altai Mars".

Difficulty of the day: walking 5-7 km per day, elevation drop of 200 m; car 170 km, including moving to UAZ- loaf 30 km dirt road.

At 8:00 we vacate the rooms, have breakfast and set off along the Chuisky highway on the way back.

To make the road interesting, we planned to visit several fascinating places: the archaeological complex “Adyr-Kan”, the Ilgumen threshold on the Katun River, the Ininsky sand pillars and the Tsaplinsky Bridge.

In the evening, with a lot of emotions and a lot of memories, we return to Gorno-Altaysk.

Estimated time of arrival is 17:30-18:00.

Impressions of the day: Chuisky tract, Ilgumen threshold, Ininsky sand pillars, Tsaplinsky bridge; archaeological complex "Adyr-Kan".

Difficulty of the day: travel time 8-9 hours.