Altai is mysterious and beautiful! In our time, Altai is the combined name of two territorial units: the Altai Republic and the Altai Territory. Taiga, steppes, mountains and semi-deserts converge here. About 20,000 rivers and streams, about 7,000 lakes, the Katun and Biya rivers meet travelers in Altai.
Travel to Altai
The unapproachable and proud Altai is beautiful at any time of the year. The uniqueness of the landscape, the presence of various natural zones, the nature almost untouched by human civilization will not leave indifferent any traveler. Everyone here will find something to their liking.
We note the main places for tourists in Altai - this is Chemal, the area of the Seminsky pass, Artybash. Admirers of a civilized holiday are better off staying in Chemal, Artabysh is suitable for lovers of water sports, and if you want to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, go to the Seminsky Pass.
How to get to Altai
By traditional methods, you can get to Altai by plane, train, bus, car. A great option is to travel to Altai by car. So you can enjoy the beauty of native nature and stop for the night or rest when you want. And yet such a journey is saving money.
It remains only to get acquainted with some travel options by car from different starting points.
To Altai from Moscow
The journey from Moscow to Altai by car will begin with a route. There are two options for the journey from Moscow. First:
- Moscow;
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Kirov
- Permian;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Tyumen;
- Omsk
- Novosibirsk
- Gorno-Altaysk.
The second option:
- Moscow;
- Vladimir
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Kazan;
- Naberezhnye Chelny;
- Ufa
- Chelyabinsk;
- Mound;
- Omsk
- Novosibirsk
- Barnaul.
You will spend about seven to ten thousand rubles on gasoline, depending on the fuel consumption on your car and the cost of fuel.
Travel from Novosibirsk
Traveling to Altai by car from Novosibirsk will take relatively little time, the distance along this route is about 450 kilometers. On the way, you will spend five to six hours, fuel costs will be one and a half to two thousand rubles.
Routes of Altai
An ideal choice for traveling from Novosibirsk would be the route that runs along the Chuysky tract. We leave on the road Novosibirsk-Biysk-Tashanta (M-52). Three passes must be overcome along this route: Seminsky, Chike-Taman, Durbet-Daba (if you go to Mongolia).
Of the large cities along the way - Biysk, the gate to the Altai mountains and the beginning of the Chuysky tract. The city was founded in 1708 by decree of Peter I.
Further along the route is the birthplace of Vasily Shukshin, the village of Srostki. Here you can visit the Shukshin Museum and Mount Picket, where Shukshin readings are held every year in the month of July.
Moving along the Chuysky tract, you will see Mount Babyrgan, if you wish, you can climb there. It takes about two hours. Next is the stella on the border with the Altai Republic. We cross the border, in front of us is the village of Maima - a suburb of Gorno-Altaysk. At the 452nd km is Rybalka village and a large number of pointers to recreation centers, campsites and other tourist sites. The Katun River in all its glory appears before you on this section of the tract. The main tourist complexes of Altai are concentrated here.
At 455 km you can see the suspension bridge over Katun, although it’s inactive. A little further - a new bridge that leads to Lake Aya and the village of the same name, as well as to the village of Altai.
Aya Lake is located in a nature park. Moving on, we find ourselves in the vicinity of the village of Manzherok. It is worth visiting the Manzherok spring, the rapids - the Manzherok Gate and Lake Manzherok. The attraction of the lake is chilim, or water chestnut listed in the Red Book.
Going on a trip to the Altai mountains by car, visit Mount Sinyuhu near Manzherok. In winter you can visit the ski resort, and in summer you will be offered ATV excursions, rafting and motor rafting.
Tavdinsky caves are another important point of the Chuysky tract. The first cave of Maiden Tears is located seventy meters from the road, then another one, from which a beautiful view of Katun. There are about thirty caves in total.
The mineral spring with silver, copper and manganese, Arzhan-Suu, you will meet at 485 km.
Kamyshlinsky waterfall on the Kamyshla river falls from a height of 12 meters. Here you can stop for a halt.
The endpoint in this route is the village of Ust-Sema. To the left, the Chuysky tract goes to the border with Mongolia, directly - the road to Chemal.
Such a route is suitable for traveling to Altai by car with children, since there are enough places along the road where you can relax and eat, the road itself is not very dangerous. It is suitable for traveling with the whole family.
To Altai from Krasnoyarsk
If you travel to Altai by car from Krasnoyarsk, you can, as with the option from Novosibirsk, get to Biysk, and then follow another route. But it is more suitable for a group of adults, as it involves hiking trails, somewhere even dangerous.
From Biysk we go to Lake Teletskoye. The first point on the way is Artybash. It is better to get to it on an asphalt road through Gorno-Altaysk. Further Kazylozek, Paspaul, Choi, Verkh-Biysk, Artybash.
It is best to park in Artybash, there are places to stay. And from there we invite you on a trip to Lake Teletskoye. Stone Bay on the northern shore of the lake is the most visited place. Further, the Oyor River and the Altai State Reserve and Mount Cheptu, which forms a cape in the lake.
Cordon Baikazan. Here the slopes of the mountain go into the lake, forming huge stone screes. We move to Cape Azhi, and then the picturesque village of Yailu.
From the village of Yailu, we move to Cape Chichelgan, then the large bay - Kamginsky. Two waterfalls, Korgu and Kamga, are on our way, and then Ayukecpes river.
The Bolshoi Chile River, the village of Bele, Cape Verkhny Kamelik, the Kyga River, the Chulyshman River are the main points of the route in the vicinity of Lake Teletskoye.
Route planning
In order to better plan a trip to Altai by car, the route must be thought out in advance. The first acquaintance with Altai is better to start by resorting to the help of professionals, namely reliable guides. So you will see the best places with a 100% guarantee, do not get lost and will not regret that you missed something important.
Traveling with children, what to bring
Choose a trip with the whole family? Traveling to Altai by car with children, to stop choose the areas of Katun and Lake Aya, Manzherok or Belokurikha. Everything here is equipped for relaxation, there are rooms, beaches, attractions and so on.
The main entertainment for children is swimming. It is not worth bathing in the rivers, they are all very cold and have strong currents, which is unsafe. The best option for the kids will be Aya and Majerokskoye lakes or pools in the recreation centers.
Together with the child, you can go on a horse ride with trained horses and experienced instructors. ATVs, rafting on the river, bungees, pedal boats and boats - all these are available to offer local entertainment services.
Going on a trip to Altai by car with children, you need to seriously approach the collection of things and other necessary items. It is advisable to get tick-borne encephalitis vaccination and insurance. In May-June, ticks are very common. An individual first-aid kit with everything you need should be in your car.
If you go in the summer - sun products, creams, etc. At this time, the sun is very active here. What will be needed more:
- water and something for a light snack on the way;
- a sleeping bag, even if you plan to stay at the hotel;
- raincoat, rubber boots, jacket and trousers are warm;
- board games, coloring books and other things to keep the child busy;
- it makes sense to take a multimedia player or tablet with cartoons and educational games (just be sure to remember the portable charger, although you can also charge the device from the cigarette lighter in the car).
Tourist complexes for families with children in Altai
A large number of complexes at your service. On the banks of the Katun River, the Eagle's Nest complex is located. There are houses for 3800 rubles per day for three people, breakfast is included. Children under five years old - free of charge, from five to twelve years old at a certain tariff, from twelve years old - the full price. The territory is equipped with a swimming pool, outdoor cafe, playground.
Three Bears is a great option for relaxing near Lake Aya. There is everything for children! Children's town, mini-zoo, game rooms, pony riding, children's pool, creative workshops, children's animation. A room for two adults and a child costs four thousand rubles a day. Is breakfast included.
The recreation center "Bay of the Jolly Roger" is located on the banks of the Katun River, near Lake Aya. Your children will be offered entertainment in the children's playroom, on a large trampoline, in the children's town. On the territory there is a huge lego, a free evening movie theater, a labyrinth, animation, exercise machines. The price of accommodation will be almost four thousand rubles per day without meals.
The tourist base "Bear Corner" three kilometers from Lake Aya. The number of rooms consists of cottages and economy class options. On the base there is a cafe-bar, an island for walking with children, a summer children's pool, a pool with a slide. Four thousand rubles a day will be taken from you for a junior suite + meals seven hundred or a thousand rubles.
"Altan" is a tourist base 800 meters from Aysky bridge. Four accommodation options:
- two-story cottages;
- two-story building;
- ten comfortable houses;
- 55 summer houses.
Payment - 3700 rubles per day with meals.
“Finnish Dacha” is the most modern complex thirty kilometers from Gorno-Altaysk (pictured below). There are three outdoor pools, a pool for babies, a children's town, animators, art studios, and courses for children. Location in the cottage suggests an option for both self-cooking and catering.
Other options
Eco-hotel "Altika", recreation center "Tursib", the complex "Own Homestead", camp site "Mountain Fairy Tale", Park Hotel Aya are also suitable if you went on a trip to Altai by car with children. Yes, and you can always drop by the attractive cottage and find out the prices of what is offered, whether there is food and so on. A journey through the Altai by car is a savage and involves an overnight stay in tents.