Holidays in March. March in Altai - son of winter, stepson of spring Altai or Sochi
Altai is an amazing mountainous country located in the south of Siberia. High mountains with snow-white peaks, the majestic tranquility of the larch taiga, turquoise lakes and fast rivers... An amazing variety of landscapes! Altai is also rich in cultural and historical monuments. The Old Believers founded a unique culture in the local villages, and Roerich’s legacy attracts many of his admirers to the mountains. The best time to visit Altai is July and August. It is during this time that most of the tours to Altai offered by our company occur. But you can go earlier - at the end of June. This will give you the opportunity to see the alpine meadows in bloom.
Getting to Altai is easy. Our company offers tours to Altai with flights from Moscow, which, by the way, are not expensive and last only 4 hours, as well as tours with flights from other Russian cities. From St. Petersburg and some other Russian cities you can fly to Altai by direct flights (Novosibirsk), but if this is not possible, you can take a train to Novosibirsk or Barnaul. Every year, at the airports of Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk, new flights from Russian cities with which there were no air connections previously appear on the schedule.
There are many types of active recreation in Altai. There are tours that involve both one type of activity (rafting, horseback riding tour, jeep tour), and combined ones, for example, horseback and water tours in Altai.
Altai is a Mecca for lovers of water tourism. Rafting in Altai is most popular on the rivers Katun, Chuya, Bashkaus, and Chulyshman. If you do not have experience in rafting on mountain rivers, it is better to start with rafting on the Katun. Altai rivers have rapids of 4-5 difficulty categories. The release of adrenaline into the blood is guaranteed!
Horseback riding tours to Altai are another popular type of recreation. There are many popular equestrian routes in Altai: to the foot of Mount Belukha, to the Shavlinsky lakes, to the Multinsky lakes and many others. Traveling on horseback, you will see the whole variety of natural landscapes of Altai: from the steppes to the tundra zone, which you will get to while climbing the passes.
Trekking in Altai is the most inexpensive type of travel in Altai. You can choose a beautiful trekking to Mount Belukha or an easy trekking to the Multinsky Lakes. On many trekking trips, our company offers to rent horses for transporting personal belongings. There are also classic mountain hikes with a backpack.
Sightseeing tours in Altai are the most expensive and comfortable type of vacation. You will be able to travel, staying in hotels, recreation centers and comfortable yurt camps. The tour will not be physically difficult and will be full of excursions.
Adventure Guide has experience in organizing corporate tours in Altai. As a rule, this includes rafting, team building, visiting caves and historical monuments. The optimal duration of a corporate tour to Altai from Moscow is 4-5 days.
Interesting are jeep tours in Altai, which allow you to visit the hard-to-reach Ukok plateau or drive off-road to the mysterious Tyva. On the way you can see ancient mounds and places where shamans performed their rituals.
Such a variety of outdoor activities as in Altai cannot be found in any other region of Russia!
Welcome to Altai!
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Altai region– the southwestern part of Siberia, a region whose natural wealth is difficult to overestimate. Tourists in the Altai Territory are presented with an amazing kaleidoscope of natural landscapes - gentle chains of mountains, rocky gorges, sloping boulders covered with a patina of moss, steppes, icy springs and majestic rivers that seem to cut forests and endless meadows in two.
In the vastness of the Altai Territory there is a resort of federal significance Belokurikha, one of the cultural centers of Siberia - the city of Barnaul, on the border of the region with the Altai Mountains, in the village of Srostki the “singer of the Russian village”, writer and director Vasily Shukshin was born, in whose honor the ball museum-reserve was founded . In the Altai Territory, one can easily be imbued with the beauty and cultural way of Siberia - numerous ethnographic complexes, apiaries, and deer farms are open to the public, where guests will not only be told about life and traditions, but will also be treated to fragrant tea made from Altai herbs.
Geography
Altai Territory is located in the southern part of Western Siberia. The region borders in the south and southeast with Kazakhstan, in the southwest with the Altai Republic, in the west and northwest with the Kemerovo region, and in the north with the Novosibirsk region. The regional center, the city of Barnaul, is separated from the capital of Russia by 3419 km.
The Altai region covers the West Siberian Plain, gradually giving way to rolling foothills, low mountains with the dome-shaped peaks of the Babyrgan and Sinyukha mountains and, finally, the northwestern slopes of the huge Altai-Sayan mountain system. The Altai plains are crossed by gullies and ravines, river beds originating in the mountains. The main water artery of the region is the Ob, and the largest body of water is Lake Kulundinskoye with many islands and bays, sandbanks.
The flora of the Altai region is very diverse. Most of the region's territory is covered by forests. The region is the only place in Russia where the unique natural phenomenon of ribbon pine forests occurs - five ribbon strips stretch parallel from Barnaul towards the Irtysh. The valley of the Ob River and the Kulunda Plain are dominated by steppes and forest-steppes, and the mountains are dominated by taiga flora. There are many rare plants and endemics found in Altai, including the Siberian linden and water chestnut.
Climate
Due to its remoteness from seas and oceans, the climate of the Altai Territory is sharply continental. Weather conditions are significantly influenced by mountain ranges that block the path of moist air from the west; in turn, the climatic features of the region determine the movement of air masses in the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Siberia and Central Asia.
Winter in the Altai Territory is cold and long. A stable snow cover forms already at the end of November and disappears only in April. The average minimum temperature in January is -17.7 °C. Severe frosts occur in the period December-January; temperatures can drop to -40, -50 °C.
Summer is sunny and hot. In July, the thermometer often rises to 33-35 °C.
The average annual precipitation in the Altai Territory is heterogeneous. In the arid western regions the rainfall is about 200-230 mm, the average annual precipitation in the east is about 600 mm.
The number of sunshine is 2150-2300 per year.
Time
The Altai region lives according to Omsk time. Time zone is UTC+6. Time is 3 hours ahead of Moscow.
Population
According to 2014 estimates, the population of the Altai Territory is 2,384,708 people.
Types of tourism
The most developed and priority tourism areas in the Altai Territory for further development are health recreation, active recreation and ski tourism.
Spa treatment. The Altai Territory is the birthplace of the Belokurikha resort, which is included in the state register of unique resorts in Russia. Here, several powerful healing factors are surprisingly combined, namely thermal nitrogen-siliceous low-radon waters, or as they are also called radon thermal baths, mineral springs for drinking treatment, climatic conditions comparable to those of the best resorts in the world. The plant diversity of the region has contributed to the use of herbal medicine as one of the main methods of resort medicine - infusions and decoctions of medicinal Altai herbs are used for drinking treatment, irrigation and microenemas. In addition, products of antler maral breeding and beekeeping are used here - pantohematogen baths, antler mini-saunas, honey massage. In the sanatorium and resort institutions of the region, treatment programs have been implemented for the nervous system, heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, respiratory organs, digestive systems, metabolic disorders, allergic diseases, and diseases of the genitourinary system.
Skiing. In the Altai Territory, nature has created ideal conditions for skiing. There are many ski resorts, complexes, individual slopes and modern ski resorts in the region. The Belokurikha complexes, equipped with chairlifts and rope tows, artificial snowmaking systems, trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, slopes for beginners and tubing trails, have earned recognition from ski lovers. The rescue service and medical post ensure the safety of tourists.
Leisure. Sanatorium and resort complexes of the Altai Territory have their own sports and health centers with swimming pools, water parks, gyms and fitness rooms. Tourist centers offer various types of active recreation, from hiking and horseback riding in the most beautiful and protected corners of Altai, rental of snowmobiles and ATVs, to paragliding and hang gliding.
Directions
- a unique climatic and balneological and ski resort in the heart of Russian Switzerland - the Altai Territory. The resort is located at an altitude of 250 m above sea level at the foot of Tserkovka Mountain. Thanks to the natural conditions, the development of the resort business began here a century ago. Health programs are based on the medicinal properties of low-radon thermal baths, mineral springs, medicinal mud of Lake Gorkoye, and Altai medicinal herbs. In Belokurikha there are modern health complexes offering both traditional spa treatment, spa services, and comfortable resort hotels focused on active recreation. In recent decades, the skiing industry has developed here - today Belokurikha boasts an infrastructure worthy of European resorts. In addition, near the resort there are interesting entertainment complexes - open-air museums, ethnographic parks, zoo nurseries and farms.
Barnaul- the capital of the Altai Territory. The city, lying on the left bank of the Ob, is one of the largest cultural centers of Siberia. Barnaul is notable for its historical center, which combines merchant buildings, sculptures and monuments, a museum and theaters. Holidays here are, first of all, educational tourism; the city is the starting point of many thematic excursions. Recently, business tourism has been developing in the capital of the Altai Territory, comfortable business hotels and hotels are appearing, offering guests a high level of service and a wide range of additional services.
Transport component
Air transport. The air gateway to the Altai Territory is Barnaul International Airport, which receives aircraft from different regions of Russia, as well as neighboring countries. The airport is located 14 km from the city. You can overcome this distance by using a transfer or taxi, as well as by public transport - regular buses and minibuses.
Railway transport. The Altai Territory has a developed railway network. There are 1,803 km of tracks running through the region. Large railway stations are Altayskaya, Barnaul, Biysk, Kulunda, Rubtsovsk, Aleyskaya. Small towns have railway stations. The West Siberian Railway passes through Barnaul. The routes connect Altai with the European part of Russia, Eastern Siberia and the countries of Central Asia.
River transport. Navigation is carried out along the rivers Ob, Biya, Katun, Chumysh, Charysh. The total length of shipping routes is more than 650 km. There is a river port and a river station in Barnaul, from where you can go on a boat trip.
Motor transport. The length of roads in the Altai Territory is more than 15,000 km. Large highways pass through the region, including federal roads P256 and A349. The Altai Territory covers a network of regular intercity routes. There are bus stations in large cities, and bus stations in small towns. The central bus station of Barnaul is connected by bus routes with Belokurikha, Biysk, cities of neighboring regions, with Astana and Bishkek.
City ground transport in the Altai Territory - buses, trolleybuses, trams and minibuses. In small towns, buses are the main mode of transport. The region is served by large and small companies offering taxi services. A car rental service has been implemented in Barnaul and several large cities of the region.
In connection with the adoption of Federal Law No. 214-FZ dated July 29, 2017 “On conducting an experiment on the development of resort infrastructure in the Republic of Crimea, Altai Territory, Krasnodar Territory and Stavropol Territory”, as well as Article No. 2 of the Law of the Altai Territory dated November 1, 2017 No. 76-ZS “On the introduction of a fee for the use of resort infrastructure in the Altai Territory”, please note that in the experiment territory a resort fee is charged from 05/01/2018 to 12/31/2022.
The resort fee will be collected directly at the reception sites (sanatoriums)
The amount of the resort fee for one day of actual stay of the payer in the accommodation facility is:
2018 – 30 rubles per day,
2019-2022 – 50 rubles per day.
The procedure for calculating, paying and transferring resort fees
- The amount of the resort fee payable is calculated as the product of the number of days the resort fee payer actually stays at the accommodation facility, excluding the day of arrival, and the corresponding amount of the resort fee. However, the amount of the resort fee payable is not included in the cost of your stay.
- The resort fee will be collected no later than upon check-out of the property.
- Repeated collection of resort fees for the same period of stay in the experiment area is not permitted.
- The resort fee is subject to credit to the budget of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation on whose territory the experiment is being conducted.
- The transfer of the resort fee to the budget of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation is carried out by the resort fee operator after the expiration of the period of actual residence of the resort fee payer in the accommodation facility.
Payers of the resort fee are individuals who have reached the age of majority and stay in accommodation facilities for more than 24 hours.
The following are exempt from paying the resort fee:
1) persons awarded the titles of Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation or who are full holders of the Order of Glory;
2) persons awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor or Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation or awarded the Order of Labor Glory of three degrees;
3) participants of the Great Patriotic War;
4) combat veterans from among the persons specified in subparagraphs 1 - 4 of paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Federal Law of January 12, 1995 N 5-FZ “On Veterans”;
5) persons awarded the badge “Resident of besieged Leningrad”;
6) persons who worked during the Great Patriotic War at air defense facilities, local air defense, in the construction of defensive structures, naval bases, airfields and other military facilities within the rear boundaries of active fronts, operational zones of active fleets, in front-line sections of railways and highways, as well as crew members of transport fleet ships interned at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in the ports of other states;
7) war invalids;
8) family members of deceased (deceased) disabled war veterans, participants in the Great Patriotic War and combat veterans, family members of persons killed in the Great Patriotic War from among the personnel of self-defense groups of facility and emergency teams of local air defense, as well as family members of deceased hospital workers and hospitals of the city of Leningrad;
9) persons exposed to radiation as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as well as as a result of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site, and persons equivalent to them;
10) disabled people of groups I and II;
11) persons accompanying disabled people of group I and disabled children in accordance with Federal Law of July 17, 1999 N 178-FZ “On State Social Assistance”;
12) low-income families, low-income citizens living alone and other categories of citizens provided for by Federal Law of July 17, 1999 N 178-FZ “On State Social Assistance”, who have an average per capita income below the subsistence level established at the place of their residence in the relevant subject Russian Federation;
13) persons who arrived in the experiment territory in order to receive specialized, including high-tech, medical care or medical rehabilitation after the provision of specialized, including high-tech, medical care in the conditions of sanatorium-resort organizations, as well as the person accompanying them if the patient is a child under 18 years of age;
14) patients with tuberculosis;
15) persons under the age of 24 years studying full-time in educational organizations located in the territory of the experiment;
16) persons permanently working in the experimental territory on the basis of an employment contract or service contract;
17) persons who have a place of residence in the experiment territory;
18) persons who have the right of ownership of residential buildings (shares in the ownership of them) and (or) residential premises (shares in the ownership of them) on the territory of the experiment;
19) athletes, coaches, sports judges, as well as other specialists in the field of physical education and sports who arrived to participate in official sports events in the experiment territory.
Holidays in the Altai Mountains in 2018 are an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the ancient mountains. The Altai mountain system is located in the southern part of Siberia and Central Asia. Mountains are classified as high and medium in height. The mountain system is located on the territory of Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia.
Altai will be of interest to tourists who want to actively relax, conquer mountain systems, improve their health, go shopping, and appreciate all the delights of local cuisine, natural and educational sites.
The legendary origin of the mountains attracts many tourists. The peculiarity of the mountain system is the combination of incompatible parts. The natural and climatic conditions here are unique.
The highest mountain in Altai and Siberia is Mount Belukha, more than 4.5 km.
For speleologists, the deepest Russian cave, Ecological, is of interest. Please note that you should not carry out the descent if you do not have the necessary experience and skills.
Of particular interest is the deep Lake Teletskoye.
What to buy in Altai as a souvenir?
Every tourist wants to bring back something to remember. The Altai region is rich in handicrafts. First of all, from natural stone and wood, birch bark, crystal, which Altai is rich in.
There are also many unique natural edible resources here - for example, pine nuts and honey.
From your trip you can bring tinctures, balms, and traditional rugs.
The healing powers of Altai: the main health resorts
Particular attention should be paid to Belokurikha. This small town is located on the territory of the valley of the same name.
The resort is rich in unique springs - warm nitrogen-radon waters are beneficial for the whole body. In the intermountain valley there are no sudden changes in pressure, the air is ionized.
The popularity of the resort has a long list of reasons: excellent climate and stable weather, beautiful surroundings, and there is always something to do here. In the summer months you can engage in active recreation, in winter you can ski or relax in a local chalet.
The resort territory is divided into two parts - resort and working. The second is an ordinary provincial town, with typical five-story buildings. The resort area has its own characteristics. This is a concentrated concentration of hotels, hotels, sanatoriums, boarding houses - all of them are offered to tourists who come for the purpose of health improvement or active recreation.
In addition to hotels, there are cozy cafes and restaurants.
For fans of educational recreation, there is the City Museum, which will help you get acquainted with the history of the resort.
In addition to recreation, you can go skiing here. Belokurikha is located near the foot of Mount Tserkovka. It is not high, the slopes will not cause difficulties for beginner mountain climbers.
The "Grace" complex helps to master skiing skills. There are training trails, children's trails, and slopes for more experienced tourists.
What do you need to know about Belokurikha?
The resort is called Russian Switzerland for its features and climate;
The climate here is mild;
Winter is not harsh, suitable for measured walks;
Unique sources of healing waters in the resort;
Various types of treatment;
High environmental friendliness;
Inexpensive accommodation.
Sights of Altai: where to go in 2018?
The territory of Altai is not only mountains and gorges, it is a significant number of archaeological and natural monuments in different villages and towns.
The Chuysky tract is a highway that stretches along the river, connecting Novosibirsk and Tashanta. Length – just under 1000 km.
Lake Teletskoye is one of the deepest in Russia; for many peoples of Altai this body of water is sacred. This site is protected by UNESCO as an example of a unique natural heritage.
Mountain Charysh is a natural area, a valley in the intermountain region. There is also a river of the same name. The area is suitable for skiing and hiking, and there are caves that may be of interest to speleologists. The caves are also of scientific interest to archaeologists and historians - the remains of mammoths were found in them, and some of them were the dwellings of ancient man.
Mountain Kolyvan is an area with low and medium ridges, offering a developed infrastructure for hiking and mountain tourism. Tourists can stay in boarding houses, recreation centers, and camping sites. Main attractions: Mount Sinyukha, lakes Mokhovoye, Beloe, Kolyvanskoye.
Natural resources of Altai: where to go in 2018?
Natural attractions are represented by unique objects, flora and fauna of the vast territory of Altai. The landscapes here are varied: alpine in the mountains, taiga, mixed forests, steppes. Corresponding fauna: snow leopard, bears, wolverines, deer, roe deer, deer and others.
Hiking, extreme, and adventure tourism are based on the characteristics of nature and climate, and routes are developed in the regions of the Altai Mountains.
Ethnographic tourist routes allow you to get acquainted with the culture and way of life of the region. To get acquainted with the traditions, it is recommended to visit the Ey-Oyin festival.
Educational tourism involves a rich excursion program: especially to the archaeological monuments and museums of the region. You can visit the Taldinsky Caves, the Botanical Garden, the Museum of Russian Dolls, and the sites of ancient people. In ancient times, there were kaganates on the territory of Altai, the Golden Horde - a powerful state of nomads. Vivid Scythian monuments are presented.
For extreme sports enthusiasts: rafting on mountain rivers, mountaineering, for fans of more traditional entertainment - fishing and hunting.
Video Holidays in Gorny Altai in 2018
Most tourists plan a trip to Altai in the summer, during the May flowering period or “golden autumn”. Many come here to celebrate the New Year. What about the off-season? How suitable for leisure and travel? What interesting things does Gorny Altai offer in March?
The first warmth, the first thawed patches, but there are still so few of them that you can’t see much difference between the landscape and the winter one. At first glance, March in Altai is difficult to distinguish from January or February, but there are still changes. The day is getting longer and warmer. It’s already comfortable to spend several hours on the street in a row, managing to see more during them than in winter. There is still a lot of snow, so all popular routes of the cold season are available to tourists. This is the best time for all winter fun and activities. Holidays in Altai in March include skiing trips, snowmobile tours, horseback riding through the snowy taiga in the rays of the gentle spring sun.
Rivers bring warmth
Winter is receding slowly, warmth is gradually rising in the mountains. The flat areas and river valleys warm up first. Along the banks of the Katun, Chuya, and Chulyshman, Spring organizes its first “days.” Here it is easiest to meet her at the beginning of the journey through Altai. It’s still early for rafting, but you can already spend your vacation days in Chemal with pleasure and benefit. There is almost no snow here at this time, and there is also no mud. It's nice to bask in the sun, take a walk, and explore the surrounding sights. For example, the famous local hydroelectric power station or the island of Patmos.
Mirrors of spring
Altai lakes are popular in March. Teletskoye, Aya, Multinskie, Geyserovo. They are available during the cold season. It’s easy to get there on your own, although organized tours are also easy to find. Some reservoirs freeze completely, others partially or remain without ice all winter. Absolutely all are no less beautiful than in summer. In contrast with rocks, mountains, green cedars with white “caps” they look even brighter.
On Teletskoye at the beginning of spring there is a chance not only to admire the snow-covered forest and mountains, but also to ride through them on horseback or snowmobiles. A new ski complex has been built nearby. Fishing on the lake is possible all year round, but March is a good time to close the winter season. The inhabitants of the reservoir are active at this time, and the rare Telets whitefish is caught only in winter, so early spring is the last chance to try fresh local “herring”.
A popular March route is a sleigh ride to the Multinsky Lakes. This option will be of interest to those who would like to spend a few days alone with winter nature, in moderate isolation from civilization. Snow-capped mountains, centuries-old trees, a house with a stove next to one of the Altai “blue pearls” - complete peace among the picturesque beauties.
And on the shore of Lake Aya you can stay in a park hotel, with amenities and comfort. The nature around is also untouched and majestic in the Altai way.
In search of icefalls
This rare beautiful word is used to describe frozen waterfalls; there are many of them in Altai in March. Amazing sight! Openwork cascades of blue ice froze whimsically among the rocks. Extreme tourists practice climbing the icefall - this is an option for active recreation. For those who are not ready to storm the icy columns yet, a photo tour to them will be suitable.
Altai or Sochi
Skiers make this choice in March. Only Krasnaya Polyana and Altai sports complexes continue the skiing season in full force with the beginning of the calendar spring.
There are many ski centers in Altai, new ones appear regularly, with modern service. March is the “velvet season” here, with mild weather and excellent snow-covered pistes. The choice of accommodation options makes it easy to combine sports leisure with excursions, hikes, entertainment, and a relaxing holiday among the Altai nature.
Time to think about your health
The body, weakened in winter, persistently asks for support. In Altai in the spring, even a couple of days will have a tonic effect. Clean mountain air is healing in itself, and if this effect is supplemented with therapeutic procedures, then the supply of energy will help cope with spring vitamin deficiency and blues. Healing antler baths, herbal teas from local herbs and berries, Altai cedar oil, and honey work wonders. It’s nice that you can buy a supply of “magic potions” and take them with you.
Let's weigh the pros and cons
The first month of spring is not considered a “high season” in Altai, but if you are going here in March, then it is worth finding out the pros and cons of such a trip. I would like to start with the positives. Here they are:
- In March there are almost no tourists in Gorny Altai. A rare chance to be face to face with any popular attraction, natural or cultural. During the off-season, you can get to know Altai better, look at it calmly, and remember it more fully. No one will bother you.
- There are no problems with choosing a place to relax. There are many options, since most tourist bases are open all year round. They offer the appropriate number of rooms - warm houses with all amenities and a bathhouse nearby. There are few guests, so there is a chance to book excellent apartments at a competitive price.
- Prices are the best of the year! There's no better time to travel on a budget. The cost of accommodation and tickets turns out to be so favorable that the savings are enough to come and relax again. For example, according to the weekend tour program. Especially if you book early.
- The weather is comfortable and milder than in winter. There are still snowstorms, but there will be many sunny, quiet days. The temperature during the day confidently crosses zero. Spring will surround you with melodies: the sounds of dripping, the crunch of settling snow, joyful bird trills, the crackling of the icy shell of rivers.
- All winter activities are still available (sleighs, skis, snowmobiles), but the weather is mild, and you get much more pleasure from walking than at -20 with wind. Frosts will definitely hit at night, so you should definitely think about a warm overnight stay.
- No insects at all! Ticks, mosquitoes, midges are still sleeping sweetly, they will not prevent you from enjoying communication with nature. Encounters with snakes are also excluded.
Are there any downsides?
A little. Possible weather surprises. Unexpectedly early melting of snow, abnormal cold or snowfall.
If you dream of relaxing with company, then you should definitely bring it with you, since in March Altai cannot boast of even a decent number of tourists.
The right time to travel is half the success. We hope that at least once you want to see the arrival of spring in Altai and come here in March.