Everyone who grew up in Russia dreams of going to see Altai. This is already an axiom. So why does traveling remain a dream for many people? Each preparation point causes difficulties: how to make a route through Altai? Where should I go? What should I watch first? How many things should I take with me? Is it possible to see everything in one trip and is it worth going to the other side of the country if you don’t have time to cover everything at once?
It is almost impossible to find answers to all the questions, but we do not give up! We have already described in detail how to organize a trip to Altai, which cities to start traveling from and what to take with you on the road. Now we will share a list of places for which it is worth going to the edge of the world and spending your entire vacation.
The article was written in 2020 and updated in June 2025.
Content
- Seminsky pass
- Devil’s Finger Mountain
- Chike Taman Pass
- Lake Teletskoye
- The Multin Lakes
- Katu-Yaryk Pass
- Confluence of Chuya and Katun
- Belukha Mountain
Altai sights on the map
Seminsky Pass
You need to go to the Seminsky pass for the views from the observation deck — to see how beautifully the sun illuminates the mountains at dawn, how a light breeze stirs the tree caps and nature wakes up from sleep. Time stops here — there are no more plans, reports, or the hustle and bustle of city life. You will admire the wild nature of Altai, inhale the aromas of medicinal herbs and meditate by the lake nearby.
The most important thing is that all this will be accessible without much separation from civilization.
You need to go to the Seminsky pass for the views from the observation deck. Photo: Sergey Sivkov/Shutterstock.com
Seminsky is the highest pass of the Chuisky tract, but at the same time the easiest to climb. It’s easy to go to see it: the road is completely paved, there is an observation deck, camp sites, parking, shopping malls and the Seminsky training camp at the top.
How to get there
The Seminsky Pass is located on 583 km of the Chuisky tract, 238 km from Biysk. The nearest settlement is the village of Shebalino. The ascent to the pass is straight and gentle, only nine kilometers, without sharp climbs and serpentines, so the only inconvenience is the ears. What you need to start a trip around Altai.
What to see in the surroundings
The lower reaches and the top of Sarlyk Mountain — the highest point of the Seminsky range; monument dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the voluntary entry of Gorny Altai into Russia; Seminsky and Tuyuk lakes.
Sarlyk Mountain. Photo: Vitaliy Kaplin/Shutterstock.com
Which month to choose for the trip
The period from May to September is the best time to see Altai’s main attractions.
In May, blooming meadows, soft sun, fresh greenery and flowing rivers await you in Altai. The only thing that spoils the picture is rain and thunderstorms, which may be more frequent than we would like. Average temperature: +17° C, in the mountains +5° C.
It’s already better in June: the sun is still soft, the grass is green and the crowds of tourists have not yet had time to fill all the roads. Average temperature: +20° C, in the mountains +10° C.
In July, the weather will clear up to +30 ° C, you can swim in small lakes and earn a good tan. But be prepared for the fact that along with the temperature, prices will soar.
The first half of August is similar to July, but it’s getting cooler every day, and the number of tourists is decreasing.
September is too beautiful, but it’s already cool for your impulses to explore Altai — it’s also suitable for hiking, but the nights are too cold to live in a tent.
Damn Finger Mountain
On the way from Biysk to the Seminsky Pass, make a short stop and climb the Devil’s Finger. It won’t take long to climb, but the view will be amazing — it’s not for nothing that it’s included in almost all the “What to see in Altai” lists.
Not the only one, but special
There are many such magical fingers all over the world — a giant rocky ledge on a mountain, pointing to the sky. But ours also has a marigold, so they love to look at it in Altai.
According to legend, this is the finger of a villain named Cherto. He came to these lands to capture them, but one of the brave Altai warriors was able to fight back. Cherto was trampled into the ground, and only his petrified finger remained on the surface. According to another version, the Moon itself rebuffed the enemy — it descended to Earth and drove our enemy so deep that only a finger and a nail remained.
The devil’s finger is really an amazing place — esotericists believe that the rock contains a great power that can cure infertility and energize. Don’t be lazy to go upstairs and see what kind of view opens from the observation deck: the valley of the Katun River and the whole Altai in the palm of your hand.
Damn finger Mountain. Photo: Rusbeatz/Shutterstock.com
How to get there
From Biysk through the village of Souzga about 114 km. The landmark will be a telephone tower installed near the mountain.
The Chike-Taman Pass
is another pass on our list (what else can we expect from the collection “Where to go and what to see in Altai”?). Chike Taman is a famous place — in the 20th century, many researchers wrote about the treachery of the pass, about the steep ascent, sharp turns and other difficulties of the Chuisky tract. Now, a new, good highway has been laid here, and the former, zigzagging, almost overgrown trail adds flavor to the already gorgeous view of the Terektinsky Ridge, which opens from the observation deck.
The trail adds color to the already gorgeous view of the Terektinsky mountain range Photo: Andrey Gotovets/Shutterstock.com
Size doesn’t matter!
The Chike-Taman pass is 400 m lower than the Seminsky Pass, but it is still perceived by travelers as more difficult and higher. The reason for this is the steep climb and the serpentine descent.
How to get there
The pass is located on 685 km of the Chuisky tract, 320 km from Biysk and 75 km from the Seminsky pass. The ascent, as well as the descent, is four km.
What to see in the surroundings
Monument to the builders of the Chuisky tract, Kur-Ketchu tract, geyser lake.
Lake Teletskoye
Teletskoye Lake is famous for its cold water at any time of the year, gigantic size, many species of fish and amazing landscapes. You can come here to one of the campsites or as a savage, you can fish, go on excursions to the nearest mountains, admire the cascades of waterfalls or even meditate — choose an activity you like, just don’t forget to take warm clothes!
Lake Teletskoye is famous for its cold water at any time of the year, gigantic size, many species of fish and amazing landscapes. Photo: 1968/Shutterstock.com
How to get to Altai
From Moscow to Gorno-Altaysk. Almost all domestic airlines have direct flights to Gorno-Altaysk, and if you buy tickets in advance, you can snatch tickets quite profitably even for direct flights, and even more so with transfers. The flight duration is from four to five hours. The price in June 2025 starts from 31,000 rubles round trip.
From Moscow to Biysk. An option for romantics and lovers of sleeping with the sound of wheels: it takes almost three days by train to Biysk, but when has this stopped us? When you look at ticket prices and calculate how much you will save compared to the plane, do not forget to add expenses for food on the road. The one-way fare in June 2025 starts from 19,000 rubles.
From Saint Petersburg to Gorno-Altaysk. The only direct flight is from Nordwind Airlines. Round—trip tickets start from 52,000 rubles.
Via Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaysk. This option is perfect.for tourists starting their journey not from Moscow, flights fly to Novosibirsk from almost any city in Russia (and they also fly for cheap!), and then you can get by plane or bus to Gorno-Altaysk. Round—trip ticket from Novosibirsk – from 11,943 rubles.
Despite the fact that Lake Teletskoye is one of the most popular places in Altai, many travelers are forced to avoid it if they choose attractions only along the Chuisky tract.
Many travelers are forced to bypass the lake if they choose attractions only along the Chuisky tract. Photo: PavelChigir/Shutterstock.com
Those who get to Lake Teletskoye do not regret the time spent on the road. Even the mushroom—grown hotels and campsites on the coast do not disturb the special atmosphere of this place – it is easy to let go of worries, forget about sorrows, and learn to recharge with energy from nature.
Locals consider the lake to be holy, esotericists believe in its magical power, tourists come from all over the world to Altai just to see Lake Teletskoye and experience its magic for themselves. Do you want to see what this place will do to you?
Most of the lake is included in the Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve, so don’t forget to get a pass to visit it — it’s easy to get it in the village of Artybash or the village of Yaylu.
To visit the lake, do not forget to issue a pass — it is easy to get it in the village of Artybash or the village of Yaylu. Photo: Alexey Oblov/Shutterstock.com
How to get there
The most convenient way to get to Lake Teletskoye is from Gorno-Altaysk — it’s 269 km to the village of Artybash nearest to the lake (you can get a pass here) and almost six hours on the road.
What to see in the surroundings
Korbu and Chodor waterfalls, Karagai Bay, Charyshman Valley, zoo and ethnopark in Artybash village, Tilan-Tuu and Kokuya mountains (the latter can be reached by lift).
Korbu Waterfall. Photo: Olinchuk/Shutterstock.com
The Multin Lakes
So we got to the most popular place among tourists in the classic lists of “What to see in Altai” — the Multin Lakes. There are five of them in total: Lower, Middle, Upper, Transverse and Strong (very logical, yes). Most often, tourists include the first three in the route. At the same time, the most popular is the Lower Multinskoye Lake. It is the largest, easier to get to, there are camp sites nearby and everything you need for a comfortable stay by the water.
So we got to the most popular place among tourists in the classic lists of “What to see in Altai” — the Multin Lakes. Photo: Igor Boltivets/Shutterstock.com
How to get there
From Biysk to the Multin lakes 535 km through the Seminsky pass.
Take care of the documents
Don’t forget to take your passport — there is a Kazakh border near the lakes, they can check the documents. Citizens of the Russian Federation only need a passport, but guests of the country will also have to get a pass. It is issued upon request at the office of the Federal Security Service of Gorno-Altaysk.
What to see in the surroundings
Everything! The most beautiful thing awaits you between the Lower and Middle Lakes — it is there that the water cascade “Malinskie Shumy” is located. Then the road leads to the Upper Lake. It is located on the territory of the Katunsky Nature Reserve, so you will need to go through the cordon, coordinate the route with the rangers and pay a small fee.
Cascade “Multi-Pin noise”. Photo: Ermolaeva Olga 84/Shutterstock.com
Katu-Yaryk Pass
Are you ready for the most impressive serpentine in your life? The pass is only thirty years old — until 1989 there was only a steep horse trail, but now a dirt road has been laid. Climbing it is wildly scary, but all this will be forgotten as soon as you can look at what opens from above — the winding path of the road, colorful mountains, stormy mountain streams, waterfalls and the tops of centuries-old trees. It takes your breath away!
Katu-Yaryk in numbers
- The height from the foot is 892 m;
- Average slope — 18% (10°);
- The steepness of the slope — 70% (35°);
- Length — 3.9 km;
- The number of turns is 9.
How to get there
By ferry across Lake Teletskoye (the cost of crossing one car starts from 10,000 rubles). The second option is from the village of Aktash, which is located 100 km from Katu-Yaryk.
Katu-Yaryk pass. Photo: Alexey Oblov/Shutterstock.com
The confluence of Chuya and Katun
There’s always a story with mergers — you think you’ve seen something like this before and it won’t surprise you, and then you pick up your jaw from the floor. In the case of Chuya and Katun, the landscape around them adds an additional flavor.
Legends of Altai — Chui Oozi
The second name of the merger is Camel’s Neck, and there is a legend on this topic. Once upon a time, on an island where rivers meet, locals tried to escape from the Chinese. The nights in Altai are cold, so one of the Altaians came up with the idea to hide inside… a camel. He did it this way: he cut the camel’s throat, pulled out the insides and climbed inside (if they make a movie, he’s guaranteed an Oscar – Leo DiCaprio will have to move over!). In the morning, the hero got out and saw that a giant hail had destroyed everything and everyone around, and he was the only one who miraculously escaped death.
The confluence of Chuya and Katun. Photo: Dmitry Melnikov/Shutterstock.com
How to get there
Look for the confluence at 712 km of the Chuisky tract, 11 km after the village of Inya.
Belukha Mountain
We left the three-domed sacred mountain of Altai for dessert. Climbing it will not be easy, but the challenges will pay off with a vengeance — on the way to the top (height — 4506 m) you will encounter blue lakes with crystal clear water, unique plants – dense coniferous forests, birches, tundra lichens, berry bushes and flowers listed in the Red Book grow at the foot.
Belukha Mountain. Photo: Pavel Mikheyev/Shutterstock.com
The best season for climbing the mountain is summer, but even in July, be prepared to get caught in a snowfall. The climb will be hard and exhausting, and if you are unlucky with the weather, it will take a long time. Yes, it is better to go on such a trip with an experienced instructor or a group.
Apart from the road to the lower part of the mountain and the time for acclimatization, the ascent takes about two days. On the first stage, they pass the Arbuz glacier, Delaunay Pass and the Mensah Glacier, and on the second day they storm the peak.
How to get there
A Beluga whale hike usually starts near the village of Tyungur, and if you drive from Gorno-Altaysk without stopping, you’ll get there in about nine hours.
What to see in the surroundings
Yarlu Valley, Akkem Lake, Tequila waterfall, Tavda cave.
Lake Akkem. Photo: Roza Ibragimova/Shutterstock.com
The formula for a successful trip to Altai: book a hotel on the Island + plan cool trips from Tripster.
What to see in Altai? Cascades of rivers, mountain peaks, crazy passes. What to do in Altai? Wake up at sunrise, wash your face with cold water from the stream, admire the views from the car window, conquer the mountains, breathe deeply, listen to the legends of the eternal lands that locals love to tell in the evenings.
Going on a trip to Altai is easier than it seems — in Biysk, Barnaul and Gorno-Altaisk you can rent a car (with or without a driver), the roads to the main tourist sites are paved, camp sites, hotels have been built, and camping grounds are equipped. This world is waiting for you!
Cover photo: PavelChigir/Shutterstock.com
