Gorno-Altaisk | Altai
◄◄◄ Kemerovo Region | Khakassia ►►►
Preview
The main and the only city in the Altai Mountains, a tourist center. City of bats.
„Gorno-Altaisk is a charismatic city in the Altai Mountains, the capital of the area and the main cultural and social center. In recent years, due to the increased popularity of traveling in Altai among the tourists from all over the world, it has become a tourist center with all the relevant attributes.“
„But at the same time, its charm is due to the fact that Gorno-Altaisk is quite different from the bustling metropolis, it is really peacefully here. And this is where the tourist realizes that as he goes further, there will be less of the civilization and more of the amazing primitive nature.“
Sights of Gorny Altai
National theatre
National Drama Theatre this is one of the main cultural attractions of the capital of the Altai Republic. Drama Theatre is located in the heart of the city. Building of the institution made in the style of the traditional dwelling of indigenous people, due to this its tetrahedral roof is possible to see from almost anywhere in the city. In building of the dramatic theater also are located the State Orchestra and the State Philharmonic. In the National Drama Theatre dramas are played in Russian and Altai languages. Besides a tetrahedral cone roofs, architecturally, special attention is attracted by the harmonious combination of two colors: white and blue. It is this combination of flowers typical for style of the nomadic tradition. This magnificent building, full of the Altai folk motifs, cannot remain indifferent to almost no one. Its architectural expressiveness seems to invite join to the high art of theatrical drama, different from others.
The history of the theater began in 1978 with a show called "lighted Golden Dawn," based on the play of the Altai famous writer P. Kuchiyak. This play became a decisive element for further creative destiny of Gorno-Altaisk Drama theatre. In the future, a good tradition to bring on the stage of the theater literary works of the Altai Territory authors was continued. 200 remarkable performances were staged on the stage. Currently, wonderful directors and actors who finished best theatrical universities of the country work here.
At all times, staging the best examples of Russian and foreign classics, as well as the Altai national drama was the main principle of Drama theater. National Drama Theater participated in the Siberian regional festival of national theaters in Kyzyl. The theater has participated in various international festivals, where he was awarded medals and prizes, and toured to the republics of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, in Khakassia, in Novosibirsk, Kurgan and Kemerovo regions, as well as the theater often goes on tour to Altay and Krasnoyarsk regions
National Museum
The National Museum is the oldest institution of Altai. His story begins in 1918 with the acquisition by Altai Zemstvo Board paleontological and mineralogical collections, research library and archive from Siberian scientists Gulyaev. One of its first organizers and directors was a researcher of traditional culture of the peoples of South Siberia A.V. Anohin (1869-1931), whose name bears museum since 1989. The number of exhibits of the main fund is more than 66 thousand units. This unique collection of paleontology, ethnography, works of fine and decorative arts, manuscripts and incunabula XVII - XX centuries, documents, photographs on the history of Altai XIX - XX centuries, samples of flora and fauna, mineral collection. The museum has four branches.
In the main museum are located the following departments: history, nature, art, mass sightseeing and foundations, scientific library with a reading room. In 2008-2012 was carried out reconstruction of building and new additional buildings, which are now fully comply with modern requirements of safety and security of museum objects and museum collections. The exposition covers the natural, historical, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of the development of the region. The chronological framework: the period from a few hundred million years ago to the present.
Theme of the mound is emphasized and developed by the solution of the main entrance, and the sacred space of the open depositary with sloping walls and the top natural light, where is placed the sarcophagus of "Altai Princess". South-west wing has a monumental classic look, thanks to the large pilasters. Stained glasses of galleries and inner courtyard are dissolved building in the environment. The originality of the volume-spatial solutions and the use of modern building materials are create a bright memorable image of "temple of culture".
Getting here
Address: 46 Choros-Gurkin street, Gorno-Altaisk, Altai
The museum is located on the main street Choros-Gurkin, a 5-minute walk from the bus station. All buses to the stops "Bus", "Spring", "Raznotorg"
Phone: (38822) 4-77-73
Mode of operation: Daily from 10.00 to 18.00, except Mondays and Tuesdays
Central square
One of the most famous places of rest of the townspeople and visitors to the city of Gorno-Altaisk it is a Central square. It is also the largest square in the city. Since on the square is installed a monument to V.I. Lenin, respectively the square is officially named after him. Located in the heart of the capital of the Altai, Square is the place of all major urban and regional events.
It hosts national holidays, days of the city, the Victory Day, Youth Day, or any holiday: the townspeople and tourists know that the Central Square will be held festivities. The most honored citizens are honored here, hosts concerts of both local artists and singers, as well as well-known and favorite artists. Citizens and guests of the capital of the Altai admire the fireworks here. During such events, usually the whole square is filled with tourists. Regularly for residents and visitors are held colorful regional fairs on the square.
Getting here
The area is located within the boundaries of the Communist Prospect, the central park of culture and recreation, and street Choros-Gurkin. Nearby is the National Museum, the territory of "Mountain Altai" hotel and "Panorama" shopping center.
Macarius Altai Church
Church Macarius of Altai it is one of the iconic sights of the city of Gorno-Altaisk. The history of the temple began in the mid-90s, when the question of its construction was for the first time raised. The authorities of the Gorno-Altaisk, headed by the City Mayor pleased to support this idea. Earlier a piece of land has been allocated under the construction of the church: on a vacant lot between the residential district and regional hospital. On the territory of wasteland overgrown with bushes and trees formerly were housed communications serving the entire city. But it was not the only difficulty that believers were faced. As it turned out, funds for the construction of the church were catastrophically lacked. All the churches at that time were built with the money raised by the community. However, the community of not yet existing Makarius Holy Church consisted only of a few people, and collect their own money for building materials was impossible. Therefore, a weekly reading of AKATHIST to St Macarius the Altai initially was in the open air in all weathers, and later in the walls of the temple under construction. In 2002, many residents of the city by own strength cleared and arranged well place for the church in help to the community.
Soon were found philanthropists, which are given a big financial support, which allowed starting construction work. The church was built very quickly and already in May 2004 the first liturgy was held in it. That same year, the first wooden dome was raised on the church. Since 2005, in the St Makarius temple is holding regular worships and exists permanent community. In September 2006, was the solemn consecration of the church in honor of St. Macarius of Altai. In summer 2007, was completed the construction of the dining room and room for phosphora, and in August of the same year, began construction works on the construction of the Sunday school and administrative building.
The Wooden Church of Macarius Altai with a refectory on the basement and hipped bell tower it is almost a replica of the church of St. Nicholas in Savvinskaya suburb near Zvenigorod.
Victory Park
In 1975, on the thirtieth anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, it was decided to replace a small complex, dedicated to the fallen in the Great Patriotic War, by the monumental memorial with a park. In place of the old complex today is located a monument to G.I. Choros-Gurkin. It was decided to place a new one on the left bank of the river Maima. The memorial complex "Victory Park", dedicated to the Mountain Altai people, perished in the Great Patriotic War, was opened in 1977. Undoubtedly, today "Victory Park" it is the largest park in the city, and a memorial dedicated to the memory of people of Mountain Altai which were killed in the Great Patriotic War is one of the major sights of the city.
Memorial of Glory it is a symbol of courage, heroism, love for the Motherland, readiness to defend it. Every year on Victory Day all citizens are going to the Glory Memorial to honor the memory of compatriots who gave their lives for their country. A unique feature of "Victory Park" Gorno-Altaisk city is the Avenue of Heroes, which stretches on the left and on the right side of the central part of the memorial. Twenty-six granite bust of the hero of the Soviet Union, who were called up for the war of Altai are placed here. Also these busts dedicated to the Hero-Cities what is less common in Russia than Alleys which are dedicated to the heroes of the people. Similar facilities exist in Moscow, Novorossiysk, Sevastopol and small Gorno-Altaisk. Unfortunately, the list of cities-heroes of the mall there is not complete: two cities that have received the proud title of the Hero City in 1985 had not been submitted on the Alley.
Victory Park in this city with the Alley of hero cities and capsules with the sacred land, which was brought back from there is a favorite place for walks and rest of the townspeople and tourists.
Old Believers church
Gorno-Altaisk arose on the site of the Teleuts tribe village, which have lived here until the beginning of the 19th century. During this period began active development of these lands by the Russian Empire. In 1824, Altai spiritual mission was sent from Biysk, whose task was the treatment of local residents into the Orthodox faith. But Orthodoxy had different forms. It should highlight the pre-reform representatives of the Orthodox, got to the Altai as a result of internal migration to the Tobol, whose ancestors were in Siberia at the end of XVI - first half XVII, "the new believers"-Nikonians who took a church reform in the second half of the XVII century, and Old Believers who rejected the innovations of Patriarch Nikon. The first Old Believers came to Altai with earlier developed northern Siberian territories after the church split in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Some of them were among others Russian settlers, have fallen under the government decrees about colonization of new lands in connection with the foundation of fortresses and factories. Other was fugitives hiding in the inaccessible gorges of the Altai Mountains from governmental duties, serfdom, conscription, and religious persecutions. It was here that they founded rural settlements. Some Old Believers were exiled into the so-called state-owned settlements. It should be noted that in the remote areas of Altai loosely-national colonization preceded to the governmental development of these lands, and here away from the Tsar, life was more free, free in nature until the late XIX century, when the persecutions of the old believers began.
Today, one of the iconic sights of the capital of Altai is a wonderful Kazanskaya old believers Church, in which is located the parish of old believers. It is located in one of the ordinary houses. In 1997 the community bought it for organization its parish. On the roof mounted dome and cross. In this Church you can pray to the icon of the Kazan icon of the mother of God which particularly venerated by Orthodox believers. Despite the fact that Kazan Church appeared in the city recently, she is the most interesting place to visit, because the parish holds the secrets of ancient form of Orthodoxy.
The Church Of The Transfiguration
The Church of the Transfiguration is located in the South-Eastern part of Gorno-Altaisk on the street Matrosova and is the first Church in the city that built in modern times, which is why the Church has a special significance for the Altai. Many churches were destroyed after the revolution, and only at the end of XX century the building and reconstruction of Orthodox churches were revived. The Church of the Transfiguration began to build in 1988, the construction took three years. Brick Church with a wooden dome and a bell tower was erected on the initiative of local believers. Before the construction of the Church city has not operating temples. Prior to 1988, local believers gathered in the mansion where nuns of Ulaninskiy Nicholas convent lived. At the same time people purchased the building with their own money, in which the prayer house was organized; worship services were conducted by nonresident priests. A very long period of negotiations between the city authorities and the community was preceded by the erection of the temple. The authorities wanted to give the community a place for the Church construction on the territory of the city, and near the school. But by 1988 they were able to reach agreement and construction of the Transfiguration Church began between two streets: named after A. Matrosov and Trudovaya on a piece of land bequeathed to the Church one of the local parishioners.
From the August 1988 divine services become held regularly, first in the house of prayer, and since October 1989 in the Church. Great consecration of the Transfiguration Church was held in August 1991. In 1994, at the temple was erected baptismal Church in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and in 2008 was built the Sunday school. In 2011, the temple has updated and improved the grounds for the 20th anniversary of the Church of the Transfiguration. Were installed new shining domes and crosses, carried out finishing works and replaced the roof.
Today the Church of the Transfiguration takes an important place in the religious and social life of Gorno-Altaisk. The Church has one of the best Sunday schools in the city. In the Church are kept following shrines: several icons of the Savior, which were donated to the Church by the parishioners, the icon of the Royal martyrs with the soil from Ganina pit and stone from the basement of the Ipatiev house, the icon of St. Innokentii of Irkutsk with a particle of relics, the icon of "Cathedral of Saints" from the mount Athos and much more.
The Ulalinskaya Camp of ancient people
People lived in the capital of the Altai in the deep ancient times. Confirmation of this fact was the archaeological finds made in 1961 by an expedition of scientists of Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, headed by world-famous academician A. P. Okladnikov. On the South-Eastern outskirts of Gorno-Altaisk, near from the old cemetery, in the thickness of the sediment left steep banks of the river Ulalushka where Okladnikov was unmistakably sent by his scientific intuition, archaeologists have discovered traces of ancient man of the lower Paleolithic epoch, presumably. Camp of the ancient humans received the name "Ulalinskaya" at the river's name. During excavations that took place over decades, archaeologists have extracted more than 600 specimens of primitive tools made of quartzite, with similar characteristics to the pebble tools found in Africa. Scientists have also identified the way how our distant predecessors made instruments of labor: stones were heated on fire and then were poured water over it and quartzite cracked as a result of temperature difference, forming a sharp working edge.
Detection of Camp became a sensation, because it is the most ancient evidence of human presence in North Asia. But how ancient it is? Here the opinions of scientists diverge. Determining the age of the Camp is complicated by the fact that different research methods produce results that differ by hundreds of thousands of years. Specialists from different fields of science are took part in the excavations: geologists and geophysicists, archaeologists and paleontologists. Initially, based on some archaeological indications the age of the Camp was defined as 200~250 thousand years (lower Paleolithic era). With the using of new methods of chronology the age of the Parking lot was pushed back centuries: from 690 thousand to 1.5 million years. Unfortunately, besides stone tools no other artifacts that would help to determine the date of the staying of ancient people in this area and to reflect his life, is not detected.
Currently Ulalinskaya Camp is a specially protected object of nature and culture. On the place of the Camp is located a Museum of prehistoric man, the exhibits of which are a reconstructed dwelling of the ancient man and his tools of labour. During the tour you can see demonstration of making fire, buy Souvenirs and also to make a souvenir photo in the clothes of ancient man, or Pithecanthropus. The Museum is open daily from 10-00 to 17-00.
Getting here
You need to reach Lake Teletskoye and village Artybash using the signs. On the street Lenin passing the bridge over the river Ulalushka. After crossing bridge, at the first crossroad you need to turn left on the street of Mayakovski, a landmark is a billboard of Ulalinskaya Camp. After 200 meters turn left from the street Mayakovsky into the street Sovetskaya, there will be a museum under the open sky "Ulalinskaya Camp" after 50 meters.
The Tight Mount ski resort (Tugaya Mountain)
Tugaya Mountain with situated on its slopes of the eponymous mountain ski resort is located near the city of Gorno-Altaisk. Here are equipped trails of varying degrees of complexity for fans of ski sport. There are steep slopes with complex relief, designed for professionals; there are trails wider and flatter, which are ideally suited to novice sportsmen. For all that, most of the skiers here have a medium and high level of training.
The length of the longest route is 1400 meters with a vertical drop of about 380 meters. Slopes partly illuminated, making it possible to use them in the evening hours. Two drag lifts are leading to the top. Special baby-lift equipped for children. Trails consistently maintained in excellent condition by a snowcat.
The necessary equipment could be rented at the rental desk. At the foot of the mountain there is a small cozy caf? with hot meals and drinks. To stay for a few days possible in a comfortable hotel situated right at the foot of Tugaya Mount or in hotels Gorno-Altaisk.
Getting here
The Tight Mount ski resort is located in the northern part of the Gorno-Altaisk.
The Artybash ski resort
The Artybash ski resort is a modern ski complex situated near the village Artybash. The route with length of 1000 meters is located on the northern slope of Mount Kokuya, in the immediate vicinity of Lake Teletskoye. The lower part of the complex is 4.5 km away from the Iogach village. The track is equipped with a rope tow and baby lift. Also the complex has a snow tubing track, lighted ice rink with an area 1200 sq.m with ice skates rental, a cafe, a bar with live entertainment, rental of downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobile rentals, dog sledding (husky), cross-country ski track along the river Iogach, souvenir shops and convenient parking.
The number of days with snow cover in this area ranges from 170 to 180, the average winter temperature is -11.5 Celsius degrees. The highest point of the mountain is 1385 meters, the lower point of the track is 535 meters, and trail slopes have a diverse incline from 5 to 35 degrees. Currently under construction are the chair lift and 6- kilometers route. For more extreme skiing there will be lifting to the bypass station of being built chairlift (1050m) and on snowmobiles from the top point of the rope tow. The descent from this point of the mountain Kokuya will be implementing by the ready track or free ride. Length of the route is 2,000 meters. The height difference at this track is 500 meters.
First of all for those who like active rest in the fresh air, complex offers a perfect weather, merry music, fabulous snowy landscapes that give the impression of an unforgettable holiday. Existing winter housing stock is about 700 places in the villages Artybash and Iogach allow comfortably accommodate for all the guests of the resort. Transportation service from Biysk and Gorno-Altaysk is provided by local minibuses. Timetable of the ski resort "Artybash" is from 9.00 to 17.00. Monday, Tuesday - days off.
Getting here
The ski resort "Artybash" is located by 6.5 km south of the village Artybash. To get there, you need to cross the bridge over the river Biya and drive past the village Iogach, along the river of the same name.
Phone: 88005003519
Web: http://artibash-teletskoe.ru/
Aya Lake
Aya Lake is a picturesque mountain lake, located in 25 km from the town of Gorno-Altaisk and 53 km from the township of Altaiskii, on the left bank of the Katun. The lake was formed about 20-25 million years ago. The maximum depth of the lake is 25 m, length is 400 m and width is about 380 m. The coastline is 1.4 km away. The slopes of the lake basin are rich in wild vegetation and covered with forests. The real highlight of the Lake Aya is a small island located almost in the center of the lake. Once upon a time here was an amazing gazebo with a beautiful and very romantic name: gazebo of Love.
With the Turkic language name of the lake "Aya" is translated as "moon", which is not surprising since the shape of the lake resembles a Crescent moon. Located in a hollow, surrounded by picturesque green mountains, the lake Aya is characterized by warm and crystal clear water. During the summer, the water in the lake warms up to 20 degrees or more. This is one of the few places in the Altai Mountains and the foothills, where you can swim. There is a legend that Moon had descended from heaven to the valley and got there Delbegen ogre, which threatened the human race. And in the place where the moon went down, was formed a huge dent in which the lake Aya was formed. It has long been used by local people for recreation.
There are large number of tourist complexes, hotels, recreation centers and cafes on the shore of the lake. In addition, the lake has a boat rental, water bikes, etc. Not far from Aya Lake is located a picturesque mountain "Devil's finger", which offers a striking view on the valley of Katun river. Mountain scenery, pine forests, mysterious caves, and a magnificent panorama of the Altai Mountains will not leave anyone indifferent.
Teletskoe Lake
Teletskoye Lake is a largest lake in Altay. The name originates from the altaic tribe of teleuts and locals call it "Altyn-Kol", which means "golden lake". An old legend says that long time ago there was a famine in Altay and one man had a huge golden ingot but he couldn't buy anything throughout entire Altay. Mad and angry, the "rich" poor man has thrown the ingot into the lake and drowned himself. Since then the lake is called Altyn-Kol, a golden lake.
Teletskoye Lake is traditionally one of the major points of interest in Altay. It is 436 meters above the sea level and surrounded by the high mountain ridges.
Teletskoye is one of 15 deepest lakes on Earth. Full with mountain water, this deep lake remains cold through the year and you hardly can swim in it. Even in hot summer days the upper part rarely gets warmer than 10C. Teletskoye Lake is often called the little brother of Baikal. Similar to Baikal, it is very deep, stretched along the mountains, its length is much greater than its width, and it has a plenty of rivers and creeks disgorging into it.
Altai
Altai it is an unforgettable by its beauty country of the majestic mountains. Altai Mountains it is a complex system of ridges, divided by vast pits and deep rivers. They are simultaneously cross the borders of several countries: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China. Their total area is about 742 thousand square km.
A bit of history: Legend says that Altai Mountains were mighty warriors before the World Flood. But after Earth has lost its hardness and was not able to keep the giants anymore, they turned to the mountains, in which their spirit still lives. For centuries, this area was the "corridor" between Central Asia, Mongolia and Siberia.
Many traces of human presence are found here: Scythian burial mounds, stone statues of the Turkic peoples, the mysterious writing and other petroglyphs. People lived in the Altai since ancient times. Initially it was a cave man, later appeared Caucasians, then (mid-I millennium BC.): Scythian tribes. A Millennium later Turkic people came in the Altai Mountains and lived there until the domination over the territory has passed to the Mongol tribes. In the 17th century they were replaced by Djungars. After the defeat in the period of Chinese troops aggression the local population began to seek protection from Russia, which at the time scale is expanding its borders.
Altai Mountains it is the highest mountain region of Siberia. For hundreds of years the harsh and beautiful Altai peaks attract travelers, scientists, hikers, climbers, painters, photographers, and pilgrims, because many local mountains are local shrines. Foreign tourists, who knows a lot about the mountains, calls the Altai Mountains a "Russian Tibet", "Siberian Alps": it is first definition that is likely comes to mind at the mention of this region. For indigenous people themselves Altai comparison with other mountains to nothing: for them Altai is the first and unique.
Local flora is rich in its diversity. Here you can see the vegetation of European Russia, Eastern Kazakhstan, and also of central and northern Asia. The main part of Altay territory is covered by forests. The peculiarity of this territory is belt pine forests. In the spring and early summer the mountain slopes and plains turn into bright carpets of various colors. Here are many medicinal plants; some grow only in the Altai. Forests and steppe are providing a variety of fauna for the Altai Mountains. About 250 species of birds and 90 species of mammals are living here. Some of them are even listed in the Red book.
More interesting facts ►►►
Transport
Gorno-Altaisk Airport
Gorno-Altaisk airport is the main air gate of Altay. After a 15-year pause in the air traffic, the airport resumed its work in 2010 and the regular flights connected Gorno-Altaysk and Novosibirsk, making it easier for the tourists from all over the world to reach Altai.
In the domestic terminal, there are waiting areas, where every traveler can relax in the comfortable chairs, watch a TV, visit a cafe, buy a newspaper, check the luggage in the storage area, charge a mobile device, go to a toilet. In the airport there are also grocery stores, souvenirs and antique shops. In the ground floor of the terminal, there are ATMs offering a wide range of banking services.
- Easy transport access
- Comfortable
- Business lounge
Bus Terminal
Buses in Siberia are a convenient way of transportation within the region or to the adjacent regions.
Bus tickets can be purchased at the bus station or in the special booking-offices. You can also buy an e-ticket on the website. To buy an intraregional ticket, there are no special requirements. If you buy a ticket to travel outside of the region, you will need to show your passport at the bus station counter; you may also be required to show it while boarding the bus.
While traveling in the winter, you will need to remember that due to the bad weather conditions the bus can be delayed or even canceled. Also, most buses don’t have a toilet, which also should be considered before going on a long journey, if you want it to be not painful but pleasant. Remember that the distances in Siberia are quite long.
- Easy transport access
City bus
Regular shuttle transportation.
Buses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid directly in the bus to the conductor and only in cash.
In Russia, it is believed that if the sum of the first three digits of the ticket number is equal to the sum of the last three digits, then you need to chew and eat the ticket, which is supposed to bring luck to you. We can only recommend that before eating the lucky ticket, you make sure that your insurance covers the risks of such undertakings.:)
Minibus (marshrutka)
Regular shuttle transportation.
Minibusses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid when entering the minibus, directly to the driver, and only in cash. The fare depends on the length of the journey; the details are always displayed in the cabin.
It is very common that the passenger closest to the driver is asked by the others to pass the money on to the driver. So, if you sit in that place, it would really help if you’re able to count quickly (and are quite familiar with the local money to pass the change back to everyone). Minibusses stop on demand, so in order not to pass your stop, you should exactly know its name and ask the driver to stop, loudly and in advance.
On the street, you can stop the minibus by raising a hand, just like a taxi, but only at the stopping sites.
Trolleybus
Regular shuttle transportation.
Trolleybuses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid directly in the trolleybus to the conductor and only in cash.
In Russia, it is believed that if the sum of the first three digits of the ticket number is equal to the sum of the last three digits, then you need to chew and eat the ticket, which is supposed to bring luck to you. We can only recommend that before eating the lucky ticket, you make sure that your insurance covers the risks of such undertakings.:)
Taxi
You can use the taxi to move around the city or region. You can order a cab by calling a special service or you may just stick your hand out and stop the taxi when you see it. We don’t recommend using any kinds of an illegal taxi (a regular car with no signs of a taxi service on it).
Don’t be surprised if a car stops, that is not marked as a taxi – anyone can give you a ride. But it is important to agree on the cost of the trip before getting into the car. Sometimes you can even get it for free.
The cost of a trip from the airport to the city center or vice versa should not exceed 1000 rubles. It is paid mostly in cash (some taxi companies also accept major credit cards, but you better check it before the ride).
Hotels
„The TripSib team recommends“
Night life
„The TripSib team recommends“
Activities
Rafting
There are plenty of hobbies which train the person’s reaction, the ability to the instant decision. One of these hobbies is called rafting. Rafting is floating through the hard water areas on rafts. The raft is an inflatable boat. It can hold up to 20 people. It is made of durable material to withstand heavy loads. Its design allows the raft to hold on the water and not to roll over.
There are three types of rowing on the raft: rowing with single-bank oars, mounted on a special frame; canoe-style rowing; mixed rowing. Rafting requires wearing protective clothing. The main features of such clothing are quick drying, good heat insulation, water resistance, elasticity, light weight.
Rafting is very popular in Siberia in the warm summer weather. Moreover, a lot of tourists practice rafting in combination with traveling. This kind of extreme sports is very popular in the mountainous area, with challenging turbulent mountain rivers. Siberian mountains are a perfect fit for this.
Offroad car trips
Off-road trips are a kind of leisure activity and sports that involves crossing the off-road on a four wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle crew consists of at least two people: a pilot and a navigator. Navigator is in charge of the navigation; he determines the route and directs the actions of the pilot at the off-road route. The pilot is driving; he should have good skills of off-road and extreme driving. The off-road trips include off-road expeditions, raids, festivals, which often take place in remote Siberian taiga.
In Novosibirsk, there are two clubs which are the most actively engaged in off-road trips. They have the necessary vehicles, which are duly tuned and upgraded, and are professionally engaged in this activity.
ATV tours
ATV is a unique vehicle, specially designed for the off-road driving. There is nothing more exciting than traveling with friends by ATV through the rugged areas of the wild, primitive Siberian nature.
Driving the ATV Riding ATV does not represent any special difficulty, even for a beginner. One or two hours spent behind its wheel are enough to feel confident. Bright emotions, thrill, and an indescribable excitement before the start of a trip are guaranteed!
Snowmobile tours
A snowmobile is a driven vehicle designed to travel on snow. No matter what the Canadians say, but the first snowmobiles drove across the expanses of Russia, on the banks of the Neva River at the beginning of the last century. This fact is recorded in the documents as the tests of "Russo-Balt". Naturally, the first snowmobile developed a speed of only 40 kilometers per hour and it looked very much different as compared to the modern snowmobiles.
Snowmobiles have long been an integral part of winter recreation in Siberia, whether snow safaris, ice fishing, or just a ride between the mountain slopes. Snowmobiling gives a lot of impressions both to the seasoned drivers, and to those who is behind the wheel for the first time. Snowmobiling is a fun and a rush of adrenaline brought up by the speed, freedom of movement, the ability to see the pristine beauty of wild Siberian land, and to look into the hidden corners of the taiga.
Today, snowmobiling tours are among the most interesting components of active recreation in Siberia. Test the new machines, explore new routes, conquer new heights - savor the taste of freedom that’s brought to you by this winter miracle of technology!
Ski trips
Participants of the ski trips and photographers that make amazing shots of winter scenery somewhere in the mountains or wild forests are not mythical characters, who love the crazy adventures. Everyone can see the beauty of winter nature and, moreover, there are special clubs for this, organizing these unforgettable tours. Winter trips are almost always about ski tourism, and you will not have to walk waist-deep in the snow and plow the snow drifts with your body. The only difficulty in the winter trip is the ability to ski. But at the same time, it does not require a lot of time to learn how to ski, a few hours or a total of one day will be enough, not only to learn how to slide but also not to fall when descending by the slope.
The landscapes, most fantastic in their beauty, when everything sparkles and shines, and the day is sunny and clear, usually happen at a temperature of -30 to -40 Celsius. But if you are dressed properly, the cold won’t scare you. And, considering the sunny weather, you can even forget about the cold at all.
However, you need to keep in mind that ski tourism is one of the most difficult sports. Low temperatures require you to make decisions quickly and accurately and to move actively along the route. Great attention is paid to the outfit: outer clothing, and especially ski because without it you will not be able to make a single step on a snow cover. But the most important thing is that ski trip is only possible if lead by a professional athlete; no other options, like instructor-guide, will be suitable here. Each route must be coordinated with EMERCOM at its start and finish, and all participants of the trip must be insured in case of emergencies.
Ski tourism is extremely good for your health. It is a true, pure and undiluted elixir of health. Active movements in winter conditions provide an excellent tonic effect because it activates the endocrine system and improves metabolic processes. In the cold, the defense mechanisms of the body start working, which increases immunity and resistance to colds and viruses. Furthermore, the cold air, as opposed to the hot one, is several times richer in negative ions, which are more biologically active. There are less dust and gas impurities - they are successfully absorbed by the snow. Add to this the healing phytoncides of conifers – and voila, your health cocktail is ready. Skiing provides an excellent exercise, develops flexibility and coordination. In just three hours of skiing, a person makes almost three thousand repetitions of abdominal exercises! Cardio develops endurance, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Your mind also unloads, exhausted by the everyday office life and multi-level tasks. You just go and admire the wonderful pictures of the sleeping winter nature. Eyes get free from the blur, and you start to notice the details - the traces of animals on the snow, the frost pattern on the branches. Depression, stress, melancholy, and a feeling of hopelessness all go away. You get a new taste for life!
Flying on an airplane or glider, skydiving
Sitting in the cockpit of a two-seater sports plane Yak-52, you can plunge into the magical world of endless sky, and at the same time be totally safe under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Master of Sports will show the sky from the inside, and the earth - from a bird's flight and you will come back an absolutely different person.
Aircraft features: double training aircraft designed to perform simple, complex and advanced aerobatics. It is equipped with two cabins, the front one for the student, and the back one for the instructor. During familiarization flight on an airplane the flight control is carried out from the front cabin. Piloting height - 1200 meters above the Siberian steppes and taiga.
Bicycle tours
Biking can be divided into two categories: amateur rides and pro biking tours. While the amateur ride is simple to just arrange with your friends in search of adventure, the professional bike tour is a serious route under the guidance of experienced instructors. Biking tours are the paid trips, i.e. trips, where you can buy a ticket to join. The bike tour routes are repeatedly explored and inspected by the guides of travel agencies, hotels are booked, first aid kit contains the necessary medications, and all the necessary wrenches are in the repair kit. Often there is also a support vehicle. You will only need to spin the pedals, see the sights and socialize with new people. In a word – have fun.
The 2 or 3 days long trips often gather up to 30 people. If you join such bicycle trip, you will meet the people you will love to talk to and to plough the wild Siberian nature together.
Horseback riding and equestrian tours
Equestrian tours will make you forget all the hassle of city life. Plunge in the days of nomadic tribes, feel at one with nature – travelers can experience it all in the equestrian tours. After all, horseback riding lets you feel like you fly above the ground without taking off from it. The Altai horses will become your faithful companions in this exciting journey. These amazing, noble animals, impressively sturdy and rugged, are the best means of transportation in the mountain-taiga paths of Altai midlands.
Escape from the color monitors into the ‘unreal world’ of nature! The equestrian tourism routes, offered by Siberian horse riding clubs, are designed for people with different backgrounds and are perfectly suited to fit both beginners and experienced horse-riders. The equestrian tour is always led by an instructor guide assisted by a groom. The tour routes run through different climatic zones: along the way you can meet the mighty cedar trees, dwarf birch, colorful flower meadows, wild forest, hills and steppes. There are routes of medium and high complexity for experienced riders. Before the trip, participants are instructed on riding a horse. During the tour, the guides will let you into the secrets of communication with the horse, as well as the stories and legends of the places which you will ride through. Equestrian tourism is a great chance to make new friends or share some interesting stories with your companions. All the way through the tour, the food is cooked at the campfire, and the accommodation is in tents.
Equestrian tourism in Siberia is waiting for you! Have a nice trip!
Skiing & snowboarding
Someone is waiting for a summer to go to the sea, someone would rather take a trip in the desert, but there are people who are looking forward to the winter, preferring to rest at ski resorts. For the true fans of this type of relax, for those who love snowboarding and skiing, Siberia is one solid skiing area where you can enjoy your ski or a snowboard almost anywhere. In Siberia, there are trails of various difficulty levels, surrounded by beautiful nature and unique landscapes. The infrastructure is presented with excellent ski bases and resorts, whose recreation conditions and level of service are not inferior to many well-known European resorts.
Beginners, professional skiers and snowboarders, heli-ski fans, freestylers, back country skiers, freeriders – everyone will find perfect facilities in Siberia. They meet the highest international standards not only for snowboard and ski, but also for half-pipe, big cross-country, cross-board, slalom, biathlon. Siberian nature is striking for its beauty, it helps forget about the stress and problems, feel a surge of strength and get loaded with life energy, which is carried in a real winter recreation.
Hunting
Siberia has always been famous for its hunting and fishing. It has everything you may need – thick taiga with bears, wild boars, deers, fur-bearing animals, and various birds; rivers full of all kinds of fish. Hunting enthusiasts can experience all the excitement and bring out the best properties of a trapper when hunting wild boar or elk, when at any moment they can get one on one with the beast. By the way elk, one of the largest animals found in the hunting grounds in Siberia, has an average of about 250 kg, although there are considerably larger specimens. Wild boar’s body may have a length of 2 meters, the height at withers of 1.5 meters, and body weight of 270 kg. One of the most popular kinds of hunting is fowling – shooting duck, woodcock, goose, partridge and other birds.
There are various ways of hunting, but of course, every hunter has his own way that brings him more luck. You will have the opportunity to learn a lot about hunting in Siberia, as well as personally plunge into the primeval impassable Siberian taiga.
Cities of Siberia host many exhibitions, forums and other sites where hunting, fishing and sports tourism professionals can meet. These are: The International Tourism Fair "Yenisei", exhibition "World of Sports. Hunting. Fishing”, All-Russian Fair "National Hunting and Fishing", "Tourism. Sport. Recreation" and "Hunting. Fishing".
Winter fishing
What can be peculiar about winter fishing in Siberia? You don’t have to be an expert to say – the climate, of course. Siberia is primarily associated with heavy frosts and huge snowdrifts. Depending on the region, the winter temperature in Siberia can drop below fifty degrees centigrade. But that is not a trouble for real fishermen because a huge variety of all kinds of fish are splashing in the lakes and rivers of Siberia. That is why neither frost nor serious distances nor the almost complete absence of roads in the forest are not hindrances for the avid fishing fan. Taiga hunting cabins, bass, pike, rudd, Siberian pelmeni – these are just some of the features of Siberian fishing, which attract anglers from all over the world.
The winter fishing has a lot of advantages as compared to the summer one. The first is a complete absence of mosquitoes and gnats. Because in summer it really hassles even the local fishermen, not to mention those who come from other places to go fishing in this wonderful region. The second advantage of the Siberian winter fishing is the accessibility of many spots because everything is frozen. So, the areas that in summer can only be reached by helicopter, in winter can be driven to by a snowmobile. And, which is equally important, you can drive almost straight forward. In winter, you will need much less gear (unlike the summer), which simplifies the transportation.
Picking berries and mushrooms
Although most people associate Siberia with permanent frost, the experienced mushroom and berry pickers know that the local forests are rich with mushrooms and berries. Nature of Siberia, unlike that of any other region, is generous with gifts. It makes mushroom and berry picking in Russia an exciting adventure for individuals and groups, which also can be combined with a picnic or a simple recreation in the fresh air.
For those who are going into Siberian taiga searching for the forest berries for the first time, an advice of the locals will be extremely useful – always stay close to the banks of the bodies of water. Near every stream, several kinds of berries can always be found. In the meantime, if you move along the bank, it’s almost impossible to get lost. The mixed forests are the richest in berries, and the coniferous forests are the poorest.
Of course, in every case, the tourist must be confident that the trophy is quite edible, digestive and can bring him pleasure. Mushroom picking requires specific knowledge and skills. After all, the book descriptions alone will not teach you to distinguish edible mushroom from inedible; you need some practice under the guidance of an experienced mushroom picker, otherwise you run a serious risk of heavy poisoning. In order to avoid such a risk, each group of tourists should always include someone who has an extensive experience in mushroom and berry picking.
Russian bath
The story of the bath is very interesting, because the tradition of bath sweating has ancient roots and is still popular. In Russia, bath has always been highly respected and esteemed. There’s an idea that the Russian bath is the most ancient one. References to it can be found in the works of Slavic oral lore, as they were pagans, and attached great importance to the forces of fire and water. Many peoples of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region had their steam houses. In our days, for example, you can find hunters’ houses in the forests which are built according to the steam houses principle.
It is worth noting that the Russian baths have always impressed foreign visitors. They never could understand why someone would pour kvass or ice water on himself, why people would beat each other with brooms, why someone would sponge himself down with snow. The invitation to the bath sweating was always like a voluntary torture to all visitors. However, after going to the real Russian bathhouse the guests felt fine; and the impressions were so strong that the rumors about the miraculous effect of the procedure quickly spread throughout the world.
Today, everyone knows Russian baths. They are popular in our country and abroad. And their beneficial properties and health-improving effects are recognized by the whole world. In fact, many health-improving properties largely depend on the correct broom steaming, so stop hesitating – it is time to go straight to the bath. See you there :)