Taldurinsky Glacier, Mount Iiktu

In this route, tourists have a great opportunity to visit the very southeast of the Altai Mountains, almost near the borders of Mongolia and see the harsh and unique beauty of the wild alpine tundra. Climb one of the largest glaciers of the Altai - Taldurinsky (ice thickness 175 meters, length 8.5 km), and admire the top of the South Chui Ridge, Mount Iiktu (3,942 m).

Central Altai - the highest part of the Altai Mountains - consists of two mountain ranges: northern and southern. The southern chain of the Central Altai behind the cliffs of the Argut River continues the South Chui Ridge, stretching from west to east for 120 km.

The development of the Yuzhno-Chui Ridge began after 1935, when the first All-Russian Olympiad was held in Belukha. In 1936, a trade union climbing camp appeared there. After the war, the base was closed.

Due to the great distance from the Chui tract and inaccessibility, the area of the Yuzhno-Chui ridge is still one of the little studied areas of the Central Altai.

These places are also interesting because thousands of years ago caravans from China, India and Persia passed here, there was a great migration of peoples, and unknown ancient tribes left behind cave paintings, inscriptions, statues and mounds.

For archaeologists, these places still remain unexplored, and on the sites of ancient sites you can find fragments of jewelry and household utensils of those distant times. Due to the inaccessibility of these places, you can find such rare animals as the snow leopard, antelope of grain, the reed cat manula and the red wolf.

The beauty of these places and the majesty of the peaks sparkling in the sun leave travelers with indelible impressions about this route.