Altai

See more Mountains. See best of West Siberian in Russia.

A beautiful, remote region of Russia, the Altai Mountains are known for glacial scenery, local traditions and the prized, elusive Snow Leopard.

There are more than 1,300 glaciers in the region, more than 100 on Mt. Belukha, Siberia’s highest point and a very spiritual one at that. Experienced climbers may start salivating at the sight of this beautiful, 4,506m peak, but don’t get too excited unless you have ice climbing as well as rock climbing experience.

Remoter than remote, it takes around 12 hours to drive in on ever deteriorating roads, after which you may need to take a helicopter or hovercraft to your final destination where you will probably have to camp, but it’s the peace and natural scenery that you should come here for. Ride locally bred horses (the riding culture here approaches levels of importance seen mostly in the Mongolian steppe.), hike and climb.

3 / 5 Review by member karinabratslov

‘Altai Mountains: The navel of the world’

"This is the umbilical cord”, said Erkyemen, pointing to a curved line of stones laid out on the arid slope. He walked on until we came to a pile ... Read more »

4 / 5 Review by press.

‘August 2008 Solar Eclipse’

The Altai region is a perfect location from which to view the 2008 total solar eclipse in August. Remote as it is there will be little distraction from the ... Read more »

3 / 5 Review by member karinabratslov

‘Golden Mountains of Altai’

'The Altai mountains in southern Siberia form the major mountain range in the western Siberia biogeographic region and provide the source of its greatest ... Read more »

4 / 5 Review by press.

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