Altai (Republic) - Altai (Republik)

The Altai Republic (Республика Алтай) is located in the south of the Russian Federal District Siberia. It is bounded by the to the north Altai region and the oblast Kemerovo, to the east are the republics Khakassia and Tuva. In the south it borders on the Mongolia and to the chinese province Xinjiang, in the west Kazakhstan.

The local time is UTC 7 hours.

Regions

places

• 51.9685.961 Gorno-Altaysk is the capital of the republic and the only city on its territory. Together with the neighboring village of Mayma, it is the gateway to the Altai Mountains and a transit point where you do not have to stay particularly long, but can only visit the National Museum and spend the night comfortably.

• 51.41111111111186.0052 Chemal is one of the most important tourist centers as a starting point for mountain tours, trekking and rafting on the Katun

• 50.31111111111187.5991666666673 Aktash between the approximately 4200 m high Northern Chuja chain (Severotschuiski chrebet) in the south and the almost 3500 m high, northeast running Kurai chain (Kuraiski chrebet)

• 50.927584.7611111111114 Ust-Kan lies between the over 2000 m high ridges Korgon and Baschtschelak on the edge of an extensive steppe plateau

• 

  Gorno-Altaysk

• 

  Chemal

• 

  Aktash

• 

  Ust-Kan

Other goals

• Chui tract Чуйский тракт - the main thoroughfare of the republic. It starts in Novosibirsk, but its most picturesque section extends over the last 400 km before the Mongolian border, where the road first overcomes the high Seminskiy pass, then the picturesque Tschiketaman pass, descends to Katuni and runs with it between the mountains. There are many interesting things to see on this section without leaving the road: gorges, waterfalls, the scenic confluence of Katun and Chui, and the famous petroglyphs in the Kalbak Tash tract. Beyond Aktash the road leads into the strict Chui steppe and reaches the border to Mongolia.

The Altaisky nature reserve, together with the Katun nature reserve and the nature reserve on the Ukok plateau, were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the name "Golden Mountains of the Altai".

• 51.951687.97051 Altai nature reserve
• 49.4285.862 Katun Nature Reserve
• 49.307787.59473 Ukok plateau
• 51.90416666666785.8536111111114 Aya lake
• 51.82166666666785.8116666666675 Manzherok lake

background

The Altai Republic, located in southern Siberia between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, is known for its untouched nature and deserted wilderness. From large, fish-rich lakes to huge coniferous forests to snow-capped peaks, there is everything the adventurer's heart desires. The region is one of the economically weakest regional authorities in Russia, mainly because of the very weak infrastructure and lack of heavy industry.

The titular people, the Altai, are a Turkic people. However, they are only a minority compared to the Russians.

language

The Altai indigenous language is the official language. Communication in Russian is possible in almost the entire territory of the republic, except in particularly remote villages. The locals often use the Altai language to communicate; Kazakh is much less common, especially in the area from Aktash to Kosh-Agach.

getting there

The small airport in Gorno-Altaysk is only served by a few airlines from Moscow.

A flight to is much easier Barnaul. From there there are marshrutkas to Gorno-Altaysk.

mobility

Marshrutkas will take you to most places in the republic.

Tourist Attractions

• The Botanical Garden is located in the village of Kamlak, 77 km from the capital Gorno-Altayskwhich is located on the unique natural corner of Shishkular-Katail-Chisty lug (луг-Катаил-Шишкулар луг). It belongs to the department of the Russian Academy of Sciences and is an interesting place to visit. The collected plants include 1,535 species from the Altai, Siberia, the Far East and even from North America.

activities

kitchen

nightlife

The nightlife is next to nonexistent due to the lack of big cities. The center of nightlife in the Altai Republic is the Chemal district, where various discos are operated in some tourist centers.

The area around Katun was determined by the Russian gambling reform as one of the five regions in which casinos should be allowed.^[1] A first house opened in 2014.^[2]

security

You should prepare for extreme climates, especially in winter you need suitable clothing to protect yourself against the cold. It is helpful, whenever possible, to use local sources of information to be warned of floods, forest fires, etc. There are forbidden areas that you should avoid as much as possible.

The nature is very pristine and represents a danger for the inexperienced. If you stay in the forest, you should watch out for snakes, which usually warm up in the sun on the stones. There aren't many of them around, but some could be venomous vipers. The other problem these (and other regions of the Northern Hemisphere as well) have is ticks. Your bites may be infectious, vaccinations are recommended.

One should never stray further from human settlements without the appropriate equipment and leave the path, destination and intended period of the hike or rafting tour behind with every tour.

climate

Continental with short hot summers and long cold winters.

literature

Web links

http://www.altai-republic.ru - Official website of the Altai Republic