Around the world in the Altai Mountains

This tour of the Altai is designed for those who are very limited in time, but want to get the most out of their stay in the Altai.

Route: Chui tract, tourist base Tsarskaya hunting, suspension bridge across Katun, trail to the waterfall, Kamyshlinsky waterfall, lunch in a cafe, gorge Chech-kysh (waterfall, observation deck), Chemal (souvenirs, Chemal hydroelectric power station, goat trail, Patmos island).

Kamyshlin Falls

This tour of Altai begins with the movement along the Chui tract. Kamyshlin waterfall is the first goal of our route. The way to the waterfall from the Chui tract passes through a suspension bridge at the tourist base "Tsarskaya Okhota", then, on the left side of Katun along a well-kept hiking trail lying in the forest. Breathing air, saturated with phytoncides, and for 2.5 km (one way) absorb the beauty of the Altai mountains.

The trail comes close to the water flow. Kamyshlinsky waterfall is formed by the river Kamyshla, has a height of about 12 meters. This is one of the most accessible waterfalls of the Altai Mountains. It is very beautiful not only in the warm seasons, but also in the winter, when the stream turns into a bizarre ice column, inside which you can see how the water flows.

At the height of the waterfall, observation platforms are arranged, on which a convenient wooden staircase leads. We take pictures, we absorb the power of the water element. On the way back you can also walk along the trail, and you can add a drop of extreme and taste dishes called "Motorafting".

The price of a trip on a motor vehicle is 500 rubles. The cost of the tour is not included. Payable locally.

Small inflatable 6 local boats with powerful engines will take you in 7 minutes from the Kamyshlin Falls to the Chui tract, almost the place where we left the excursion bus.

The next stop is the gorge Chech-kysh (Valley of mountain spirits), where a hiking trail leads along the mountain river. It is hidden in the mountains, and not everyone can see it.

Today it is one of the most remarkable climbing grounds of Altai, where climbing competitions are held. There is a small but pretty waterfall in the gorge, its transparent and clean jets move away from the rock at a sufficiently large distance, which allows you to go inside and stand between the rock and the stream of water falling from above, which makes an unforgettable impression.

There is an ancient belief that one who passes behind the stream of the waterfall will gain wealth and health, because the jets of the waterfall have ancient magical power. Rising up the riverbed, on the rocky steep wall of the left bank of the stream you can find ancient rock paintings of animals and hunting scenes.

The Chech-Kysh Gorge (Valley of Mountain Spirits) also has an important historical component: in ancient times, during the period of internecine strife and wars with various foreign invaders, it served more than once as a hiding place for local Altai tribes. If you go down the path from the waterfall, then on the right side above the slope you can see a small cave, accessible to inspection, but to get into it you need a certain dexterity.

The upper path leading along the gorge passes by rocks that have an unusual appearance: as if the stone was melted to liquid rock and frozen in this form - its entire surface is covered with small craters. Then the trail runs up the slope and we get to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the valley of the Katun River and the surrounding mountains.

From here you get amazingly beautiful photos at any time of the year, but especially impressive made in the fall, when the Katun flowing below is cleaned, acquiring its amazing turquoise color, and the colorful foliage of trees and shrubs merges into a bizarre pattern.

Next is a visit to the Chemal hydroelectric power plant. The power plant is located a few hundred meters from the confluence of the Chemal River into the Katun River. The power of the station was small – only about 500 kW (2 generators with a capacity of 230 kW and 270 kW). Chemal HPP was built in 1935 by the forces of prisoners of Sibulon-a - Siberian administration of special purpose camps.

Up to seven hundred prisoners worked at the construction site. It is now an open-air museum. During the tourist season, excursions are held in the power plant building. Due to the large attendance of this object by tourists, in the vicinity of the HPP there are many trading tents with souvenirs and food products, cafes, various attractions.

On the goat path we go to the island of Patmos, where a copy of the ancient temple of John the Theologian is recreated from wood. The history of the temple on the island of Patmos began in 1849. The temple was then abolished, then transferred, and in 1920 it was completely destroyed. Only in 2000 the temple was rebuilt. Now the island of Patmos is a female hermitage of the Barnaul Znamensky Monastery. The temple on the island is active. Anyone can go there by a suspension bridge, under which Katun carries its waters 10-15 meters.

This is where our journey ends.

We take tourists from hotels and tourist centers located in the area of Lake Aya, in the Special Economic Zone "Turquoise Katun", Manzherok, etc.

The tour includes several locations between which we travel by bus. We walk through the locations themselves. On the route, a stop is planned for lunch in a cafe.

Food is not included in the cost of the tour. Throughout the tour, the group is accompanied by a highly qualified guide.