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Altai
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Altay republic facts
• Population - 201,6 thousand of people. Square – 92,6 thousand square km. • Native people - 31% are Altai people, 60,4% are Russian, 5,6% are Kazakhs, and others. • The capital is Gorno - Altaisk (about 50 thousand population). • Religion - Orthodoxy and Shamanism • Time difference with Moscow +3 hours Altay is a mountainous country at the junction of Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China. It’s one of those places in Siberia that combine warm climate and majestic mountain landscapes. This unique are is distinguished by its soft outlines of blue mountains covered with woods. The bright fur green colour of the Katun river that starts in high mountain glaciers. Crystal - pure air smells of wild herbs and cedar trees. Altay Mountains are a paradise for admirers of active rest and ecotourism. There is a big variety of landscapes - steppes, taiga, semi-deserts, alpine zones, glaciers, parts of tundra vegetable, more than 7000 lakes, mountain rivers and very beautiful waterfalls. Water resources are among the most important natural resources of Gorny Altay. Hydrographic network counts more than 20 thousand water courses stretching for more than 60 thousand km and about 7 thousand lakes with the general square of more than 700 square km. The largest rivers are the Katun and the Biya, which junction forms one of the largest Siberian rivers - the Ob River. The hugest lake is the Teletskoe lake the area of its water surface is 230,8 km and maximum depth - 325 m. There are mineral springs known in Altai Mountains considered medicinal. Native population of Mountain Altay (Altaian and Kazakh) is a bit more than 35%. Altaians - representatives Mongolian race, descendants of nomadic tributes. The biggest part of Altay people has settled way of life, but some of them still have semi nomadic way of life transferring their dwelling in accordance with season and living in yurts in summer. Settled people often keep their yurts out of doors and use them as a kitchen or summerhouse. In distant areas a horse is still he main means of conveyance. The base for agriculture is breeding sheep, goats, horses, yaks, cattle and marals, which horns are aphrodisiac. Old believers. In the middle of 17th century there was religious schism and supporters of old foundation were called Old Believers. They were cruelly pursued in the Central Russia and because of it they had to move to the mountains of Altay. They are very hard-working and industrious people that get used to work a lot since childhood. They are keepers of Russian culture, traditions and morality. Developed handicrafts are weaving, carpentry, etc. Even in nowadays communities of old believers live apart from other social groups. A famous philosopher and painter of Russia Nikolay Reriñh believed mountains of Altay were magical and dedicated many works to those places. Every one who was in that wonderful place noted its peculiar energy and magnetic force. It was not an accident that 5 nature objects of Altay - territories of Altaisky and Katunsky Nature Reserves, Teletskoe lake, mountain Belukha, plateau Ukock - are included in the list of Word Human Heritage UNESKO. It is possible to travel around Altai on foot and on ski, on horseback or on camelback, by helicopter or hand glider and paraglider, by light sporting boats on rapid mountain rivers and by comfortable motor ships on Lake Teletskoe which is also called Altyn Kyol (Golden Lake), on mountain skis upon steep slopes or by cars and bicycles across mountain passes searching for "the heart of Asia"… Climate and temperature on Altay The geographical position and complicated relief with altitude fluctuations from 350 to 4500 m, greatly affect climate formation of the Altay. Due to its considerable remoteness from the oceans, the climate of the Altay Republic is temperate continental with cold winters and hot summers. The Altay has temperate continental climate with relatively short and hot summers (June - August) and long, cold and at some places very frosty winters (November - March). The average annual temperatures are about +1°Ñ to -6,7°Ñ. January temperature range is from -9,2°Ñ to -31°Ñ, July - from +11°Ñ to +19°Ñ. The average annual precipitation level varies from 100 up to 1000 mm.
Natural Wonders of the Altay Belukha Mountain Belukha (4506m) is the highest and the most beautiful peak of Siberia. In accordance with one of Asian legend mountain Belukha is Shambala, the paradise that will come after disappearing people. In other legends Shambala is described as a condition of highest power base tension sent by preternatural phenomena and divine beauty of Belukha. That place is connected with Nikolay Reriñh and annually attracts hundreds followers of learnings of great philosopher and painter. Notwithstanding that hundreds people climb up the top of Belukha every year mountain is considered interesting and difficult for climbing and attracts mountain climbers from all Russia. Teletskoe lake The Teletskoe lake, the biggest and the most beautiful Altay lake, is situated on 434 m above sea level. Lots of descriptions of excited scientists and travelers are devoted to this "Gold Lake”. The lake with its mountain surroundings and darkneedled cedar taiga is a Great natural Pearl of Siberia. The Teletskoe lake looks like a narrow blue tape 78 km long squeezed by high mountain ridges of Êorbu and Altyntu (up to 2500 ì). Its area is not very impressive - 232 sq. km, however due to the depth (up to 325 ì) it contains huge quantity of excellent, transparent, fresh water rich in oxygen (40 billion cube). In summer visibility in water is up to 14 m, in winter up to 50m. The Teletskoe lake is of tectonic origin and fills a cavity processed by an ancient glacier. It is the sixth one in the world according the depth and is as well - known and unique as the Baikal lake, they are frequently compared. About 300 rivers and water-currents run into the Teletskoe lake. The lake gives waters only to the river Biya which at confluence with the river Katun supplies in its turn the river Ob. As the Teletskoe lake is deep and filled with mountain water it remains cold within a year. The Teletskoe Lake received the prestigious status of the Monument of the World Natural heritage of Mankind of UNESCO. Katun River Katun River is the biggest river of Mountain Altay. Possibly, its name came from Altay word “mistress, lady”. Katun takes the beginning near southern slope of mountain Belukha, from the glacier Gebler. Thanks to melting glaciers and snow in mountains water of Katun has bright turquoise color, that can’t be entangled with any other. Temperature of water rarely climbs up than +7-8C. Stone Mushrooms Stone mushrooms” - a unique geological nature sanctuary in the Karasu Canyon. These are huge freakish sculptures from a stone which from thousand years were created with water and a wind. Waterfall Uchar ("Unapproachable") The largest cascade fall of Altay having the common height of falling of 160 m. Thousands tons of water are overthrown from huge height, breaking to Chulyshman River. The waterfall was opened only 20 years ago and hadn't even existed about 150 years before on the land. Cedar Pine (Pinus sibirica) is considered one of the most valuable trees of Altay woods. In Siberia the tree is called Cedar. A lot of legends of Altay epos are connected with the tree. Besides that cedar is valued for its nuts and oil of the nuts. Wood of the tree is very beautiful and has red-gold shade. There are widespread cedar groves in area of Seminsky Pass and Teletskoe Lake. Maral - breeding farms Mountain deer, maral, lives in wooden part of Mountain Altay. They are bigger than deer but smaller than elk. It is enough difficult to see a maral, it is very cautious animal. Altaians know importance of antlers of young marals - panty, that use for making medicine (pantokrin) and because of it Altaian breeds marals specially. Altaian horses are often met in Altay. It is the most widespread kind of transport. For Altaian and Kazakhs horse is a part of culture and life. Altaian horses are undersized and hardy, accustomed to long distance. Native horses cope with moving along steep path very well. Honey Altay is best known for its honey. It is delicious and very good for health. Flowers honey is considered the best. It is very easy to by it because there are a lot of bee-gardens in foothills. In winter transparent and malleable honey will remain you about summer trip to Altay. Highlights of Altay Pazyryk burial mound Pazyryk barrows - the world famous burial places of patrimonial leaders VI-II ââ up to AD which have been found out on high-mountainous plateau Ukock. In huge embankments of stones unique archeological finds have been made - funeral the chamber with the world famous mummy of princess of Altay, numerous ornaments, the weapon, carpets, fabrics, Scythian horses in a harness, etc. Denisova Cave The Denisova Cave is unique site of primeval culture of Altay. In 1982 archaeologists from Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography explored upper secessions, where were founded many cultural sections, peculiar puff-pastry pie. The most ancient founds of Denisova Cave are about 300 thousand years. The most interesting of them are ceramics, bronze items, ivory tips, bones of cave-bear and fleecy rhinoceros. In general, there are 13 meters of cultural sections that evidenced about living here primeval people. Now there is international archeological complex. In the season of excavations many specialists from different countries come here. Petroglyphs Rock paintings of different historical periods often can be met in Altay. Among paintings of Scythian period images of animals (horse, camel, deer) are often found. Special place Scythians give to deer, because, as they thought, deer delivered their souls to the other world. Petroglyphs can be seen on all our trips. Stone sculptures (kezeres) Many tracks of numerous tribes and cultures from the oldest time are kept in Altai. Here can be seen figures of warriors - kezer, that concern 7 - 9th centuries of Turkic period. Stone sculptures of ancient Turkis are very individual and look like ancient people. Altaians sculptures never show women and represent only type of ancient warrior. As usual, it is a man with wide cheek-bones, slanting eyes, moustaches and beard. Some sculptures have ear-rings in ears and necklaces on necks. Museum of N.K.Roerich and Old Church Ceremonies museum These museums are located in Ujmonskaya steppe near Belukha mountain. The expedition of N.K.Roerich - the greatest artist, traveler, and philosopher, worked in Ujmonskaya steppe (1926) which he considered one of the most beautiful Russia nooks. Here Roerichs carried out global experiment with a wonder-working black stone. Nowadays these places are the centers of pilgrimage for hundreds of his doctrine’s followers and N.K.Roerich's museum is founded. In Verkhny Uymon there is one of the most interesting museums of Mountain Altay - the museum of Old Church Ceremonies. In 18-19 centuries Old Believes from all ends of Russia tried to escape religious persecutions and searched illusive Belovod’e - land of justice, ran to mountains where secretly lead an ascetic way of life. Useful information How to get to the Altay Republic? You may travel from Moscow to Barnaul by airplane. The flights are performed by: "Siberia" Airlines - daily from airport "Vnukovo" at 23-40. Flight No. C7-217 "Aviaexpresskcruise" Airlines - on Sunday from airport "Domodedovo" at 22-40. Flight No. E6-1567 "Pulkovo Airlines" - on Monday and Friday from airport "Sheremetjevo" at 22-50. Flight No. PL-561. Also you may get to Barnaul by airplane from St.Petersburg by "Pulkovo Airlines"' flights from airport "Pulkovo": on Monday at 12-40. Flight No. PL-513 on Wednesday at 23-55. Flight No. PL-511. The stated time is of airports of departure (Moscow time GMT +3). The flight duration is about 4 hours. Next from Barnaul to Gorno - Altaisk you may get by bus - the distance is 250 km. The trip duration is about 4 hours on asphalt motor road. Hotels, camping’s "Manzherok" tourist centre v.Manzherok, 60 km away from Gorno-Altaisk, Russian baths, solt-mine, massage, 2 - storeyed heated cottage and a camping. 25 places. “Kiwi-Lodge hotel”*** Gorno - Altaisk, v.Souzga, 30 km from Gorno-Altaisk Accommodation, meals, booking of places, rent of summer-house on the island, autoparking, bar, Russian baths, sauna, billiards, rent of business-meetings hall 3 - storeyed cottage. 17 places. "Tsarskaya Ohota" (Tsar Huntng) - tourist base The base is located near v.Barangol, 60 km away from Gorno-Altaisk. Accommodation, meals, Russian baths, sauna, rafting, sports outfit hire, cloak - room, baby - sitting, autoparking, horses for hire, helicopter excursions, transport delivery from Barnaul. One - and two - storeyed houses - towers, tents, yurtas, bungalows. 150 places. "Korona Katuni" (The Katun Crown) - tourist base Located near v.Barangol, 60 km away from Gorno-Altaisk. Accommodation, meals, rafting, excursions, Russian baths, tarzanka (air passage), dancing, shooting - range, children's room. 3 houses - towers, 14 bungalows, 9 winter houses. 44 places. "Areda-2" - tourist centre Located near v.Tchemal on the banks of the Kuba River. Accommodation, meals, sauna, gym, billiards, tennis - court. 5 de luxe - rooms: 2 - rooms, 2 - beds, 4 common rooms. "Edem" - recreational centre Centre is situated near the Lake Teletskoye, v.Artybash. Accommodation, meals, horse-riding, hiking routs, rafting, leisure-time in the mountains, fishing, skiing, excursions. "Zolotoye Ozero" (The Golden Lake) - tourist base Located on the bank of the Lake Teletskoye, v.Artybash. Accommodation, meals, horse-riding, hiking routs, Russian baths. Visa legalization: Passport - Visa Service (PVS) of the Altay Republic Ministry of Home Affairs: 95, Kommunistichesky av., apt. 2,4,6, 3rd floor, Gorno - Altaisk. Tel. (38822) 62001. Chief - Liudmila V. Kravtsova. Tel. (38822) 62012 Nadezhda N. Prudnikova. The Altai Republic Administration of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation: 13, Komsomolskaya str., Gorno-Altaisk, 659700 Chief - Eugeni I. Russakov Tel. (38822) 31053. Duty office (38822) 22160. Migrational Service of the Altai Republic: 13, Komsomolskaya str., Gorno - Altaisk, 659700. Head - Fyodor S. Pissarev Tel. (38822) 26360. Common tel. (38822) 24045. |
