Altai for a long time is considered the place of power. But it is not necessary to continue even for a long time and understand to understand that this is not at all mystical. Here in full power in front of travelers offers all the greatness of nature, and in all its diversity - lakes, forests, mountains, reserves .... And in front of all this beauty, everyday buses simply ceases to matter. Believe me - even if you arrive at Altai very short, then your thoughts will be completely changed.
Unfortunately (or maybe conversely fortunately) all the most beautiful and picturesque places on the Altai Mountain Altai are located very far from each other, so you can travel here only by car. Well, in some places, such as for example, Karakol lakes and at all without an organized excursion can not be hit. Some of these places (waterfalls, caves) are suitable for short-term visit, but on others (healing lakes with hotels and recreation bases) should be lined at least for a few days. Well, accordingly, all visits are better spent in the summer, because in the winter it is very cold here and everything freezes.
The only city in the region is its capital - Gorno-Altaisk. There are no special attractions here, in winter he is attended by the fans of the skiing, and the summer tourists are extremes, adoring rafting on mountain rivers. In principle, in the future the authorities suggest to turn this city into a major ski resort.
Chemal is a big village with a well-developed infrastructure. There are a lot of different entertainment - both for families with children, and for extremals, and for eco-tourists. There are still hundreds of various recreation bases and sanatoriums. The famous Katun River flows through everything, the famous River Katun, and here she has a completely calm and quiet in the contrast to other places.
The route to the beautiful Shavlin lakes will require sufficient endurance travelers, although not difficult in essence, but it is very long. Usually go here in an organized group with a guide. Lakes in principle two - upper and lower. The water in them is bright turquoise, the lakes themselves are pure and completely not touched by civilization. They are in the protected area.
To the waterfall on the Chulcha River, probably not every tourist will be able to walk, there is a rather complicated path. This place was discovered quite by chance in 1981 by ordinary tourists and they called him then "wisher" (impregnable). It is believed that the waterfall was formed relatively recently - at the beginning of the twentieth century as a result of the displacement of rocks.
To the Kamyshny waterfall height in twelve meters is easy to reach even with children. They are essentially two cascades, near the wooden bridge. It is very convenient to watch millions of splashes. You can go a little further along the mouth of the river Kamyshla and look at the water mill of still pre-war construction.
But another waterfall - Che-Chkysch is completely man-made and it was equipped purely for tourist entertainment. To get to him, you must first go through the gorge, and there they take a fee for the entrance. The height of the waterfall is only three and a half meters, so on warm days there is quite safe. Pay attention to the cliffs towering nearby - on them you will see the preserved fragments of petroglyphs with images of people and animals.
Blue or Geyser Lake has already been about two and a half thousand years. He has a very unusual surface - here the color of water periodically changes with brightly turquoise to the blue. It is the sources located at a depth, constantly throwing up a mixture of blue clay with sand, so the color and patterns change in the lake.
Teletskoye Lake is an incredibly picturesque place, which has not yet had time to occupy tourists. It is best to stay on holidays in some estate in the village of Iogach or Artybash. Be sure to rent a boat and ride on the lake - get a lot of positive impressions.
Karakol lakes are only seven pieces, but the path to them is very difficult. You will be brightened by car or car to the foot of the mountain, well, and then you will have to walk up approximately two hours and the lake will be opened on the way one after another. All lakes are completely different both in size and in color and even around the surrounding landscape. In the process of such an excursion, you will definitely get the impression that you at all visited in different parts of the world.
In the Tavdin or Taldy caves, get into principle very easily and pass them as well, so it is quite possible to take the children there. Once, according to legends there lived very ancient people and you will hear a lot of legends associated with those times. Caves are equipped with comfortable wooden walkways and transitions.
Of course, it is impossible to forget about the Mount of Belukha, since her top is the highest point of Siberia. This mountain is truly symbolizing the greatness of the human soul, since here "the desire for the highest" becomes literal. Visiting this mountain involves a multi-day hike, because along the way tourists visit the Tekelushka River, Kucheral Lake, Tegek Waterfall, Pass Karatyurlek, the Akkem Glacier and the Valley of the Earl. Such a complex campaign will be of course a difficult test, but the mass of new impressions is provided to you.