About Altai

    Altai Mountains is one of the most ecologically clean, and the most beautiful places in Russia. "Siberian Alps" attract with their pristine beauty, power and grandeur. Majestic snow capped peaks, crystal clear mountain lakes, picturesque basins, rapid rivers and sparkling waterfalls, endless coniferous forests and alpine meadows - generosity of Altai nature fascinates and conquers.
    The word Altai translates from Turk languages as Golden Mountains. Indeed, a rare place on Earth can compete with Altai in terms of natural wealth, amazing landscapes and pristine cleanliness. Altai is one of the cleanest regions in Russia, there are no factories or railroads here. Three sections of the Altai Mountains were listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under the name "Golden Mountains of Altai". 
    Altai is a system of mountain ranges located on the territory of several countries — Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. The Russian Altai is the most elevated part of Siberia. Altai Mountains is Siberia's both hottest and its coldest place. Taiga, steppe, mountain tundra and alpine meadows are located at different elevations and stretch over several climate zones. This explains the richness of the local flora and fauna that Altai is famous for. Almost all vegetation types of Asia, Kazakhstan and the European part of Russia are represented on the region's relatively small area. But no medicinal herbs or plants equal in their potency to those from Altai. Probably because of minerals rich soil Altai herbs demonstrate unparalleled healing powers, unlike their relatives grown elsewhere. Sea buckthorn oil from Altai shows unheard of concentration of carotenoids - 10 times above of what's considered good quality. Altai shilajit - a product of decomposed herbs - is famous for its potency, perhaps for the same reason. Altai is a home to an impressive number of the Red List plants. Many animals and plants are found only in this area and are unique in nature. 
     The sun shines here at least 300 days a year. Altai is dotted with large and small lakes, both at the sea level and at elevations. There are some volcanoes among Altai peaks, however - none active.  The highest point of the majestic mountain ranges of Southern Siberia is Mount Belukha. It is Altai's iconic place, that attracts people from all over the world. It is located on the border of Russia and Kazakhstan and belongs to the Katun range which is one of the harshest and most inaccessible places on Earth. It is equally remote from 3 oceans - Arctic, Indian and Pacific. Almost all the largest Altai's glaciers are located here, they don't melt completely even in the summer.
    Altai Mountains have an unusual and complex history of formation over billions of years. In the present state, as we can observe them, mountain ranges were formed only during the second period of the uplift of tectonic plates. Geological studies suggest that the Altai Mountains were originally formed in the Caledonian era. And their secondary change occurred in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods. Natural erosion over millions of years chipped away much of the former grandeur and modern Altai Mountains are only a small part that's left of the ancient ridges. The mountain system of Southern Siberia remains seismically active. Internal processes in the Earth's crust continue. Earthquakes of different magnitudes is a frequent occurrence. As a result, the southern ridges rise by about 1 cm per year.
    Altai attracts with its mysteries, unique climate and places where almost no human has ever set foot. The main transport artery - the Chuysky Tract is one of the 5 most beautiful roads in the world. Lake Teletskoye is the second largest (after Lake Baikal) natural reservoir with the purest fresh water. The bottom is visible at a depth of over 15 meters.