Lakes of Altai

The Severo-Chouiski crest is one of Altai's largest mountains. Its most important peak is the Maashey-Bach summit (4177 m). This mountainous region is rightly considered as one of the most beautiful and fascinating in Altai. There you can see amazingly beautiful moutain lakes, powerful waterfalls, rivers with extraordinarily pure water, glaciers and snowy summits. 

Altai is not only a land of mountain, but also a land of lakes. Nature gave to this region very generously, so much that it is considered as the land of blue lakes. There are more than 20,000 of those lakes in the region. Some may think that all lakes are the same, but visiting Altai and its many lakes will make anyone realise that each of them has its own world, its own colors and poetry. With this tour you will hike up to lake Maashey and Karabaraskye's five lakes located in the middle of a preserved nature. You will cruise on Altai's greatest lake: Lake Teletskoye, or Golden Lake, you will also get to visit an authentic village on its bank called Yaylu.

Visiting one of the Maral Stag reserves will be a real eye-opener. Created at the end of the nineteenth century so as to increase the Red Stag population, these fenced parks allow the animals to feed and reproduce safely and aaway from predators. From the end of May to the beginning of July, the reserves' wardens cover the parks to take the males back to the farms and cut their young horns which blood is precious as it is recognized for its medicinal qualities. You will get to visit these farms, buy their products and with some luck see some of these majestic animals.

Amonb other places you will travel through the Chulyshman Valley, Altai's wildest region. The river's water feeds 70% of Lake Teletskoye. You will hike along the Chuya River, one of Katun River's largest tributary. 

Discovering the "Stone Mushrooms", picturesque waterfalls, tumulus from the Scyths' era and just hiking in the untouched nature will make your trip unforgettable.