District center Chemal: Photos

Chemal is a regional center and a large village in the Altai Republic. One of the most visited places in Altai. The village of Chemal is located 60 km south of Gorno-Altaisk, on the banks of the Katun River. The village is surrounded by a valley of the same name, formed by the surrounding spurs of the Iolgo ridge and the Seminsky ridge. In the vicinity of the village there are such fairly famous mountain peaks as Camel (930 m) and Krestovaya (1335 m).

The village of Chemal was founded not so long ago, in 1842. In 1949, a missionary camp appeared here, which probably had a significant impact on the further development of the village.

But already at the end of the 19th century, the village of Chemal became famous as a resort. And in 1930, the status of the resort was officially established. Then a government sanatorium appears here. First of all, to supply electricity to this sanatorium, a hydroelectric power station was built in 1931-1935. The Chemal hydroelectric power station is now one of the most famous local attractions, although it is no longer operational.

Teldegpen threshold

The Teldegpen rapids stretch across the Altai 38 km from the village.
The spurs of the Kuminsky Pass cross along the mouth of the Katun River. Tourists admire the seething streams from the suspension bridge. Once upon a time, a tectonic fault formed here and filled with water; it represents a long split of limestone plumbs. Experts classify the rapids as category III of difficulty. Accidents have occurred here many times. In the summer season, the power of the rapids increases. A camp site has been organized for guests here. There is a picturesque park nearby. Rafting professionals divide the Teldegpen rapids into 2 levels of difficulty and come here from all over Russia. Anyone can apply and get an unforgettable experience.

Castles of Mountain Spirits

Another popular place visited by all tourists in Chemal is an amazing creation of nature, popularly called the Castles of Mountain Spirits. The sight seen is truly mesmerizing: on a flat plateau there are vertical jagged rocks, reminiscent of castle towers from afar.

These rocks have long inspired mystical horror in the local population. They said that spirits lived in them, making sounds that could kill a person. And these legends were confirmed by cases when dead travelers were found near the rocks without signs of violent death, who decided to stop here for the night.

Scientists have found that the rocks are located in such a way that the wind creates sounds of a certain frequency in them, and they kill people with their vibration. Part of the rocks were blown up, the sounds disappeared, but interest and fear of the natural miracle remained. Therefore, tourists are constantly brought here.

Nature

Around Chemal there are light pine forests with an abundance of berry bushes, Altai herbs, and thickets of bracken. The air in such a forest is saturated with essential oils, evaporation of pine resins, phytoncides, turpentine, and ionized with ozone, and tourists often say that such air can be taken in handfuls and drunk like the purest Altai water.

38 species of rare plants grow here, including evasive and steppe peony, Altai rhubarb, feather feather grass, Lady's slipper, tiger iris, Asian swimmer, Siberian kandyk. Thanks to the unique microclimate, magnificent gardens grow in Chemal. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, almonds and apricots are grown here.

In the taiga forests of the Chemal region there are many bears, hares and foxes, squirrels and lynxes, sables and chipmunks, ermines and wolves, and moose and musk deer are found. The taiga sings in different bird voices, nutcrackers and jays, tits and crossbills chirp, wood grouse and hazel grouse fuss in the undergrowth, woodpeckers knock, owls hoot. There is no excessive swampiness in the dry mountain forests, so there are no mosquitoes in Chemal, which greatly pleases guests of the area.

Patmos

The first place for all visiting believers to go in Chemal is to the island of Patmos. This island became famous thanks to the temple built here. A wooden bridge leads to it, which sways menacingly and vibrates terribly. The church itself is full of frescoes, mosaics and curious icons. The first church was built here in 1849, and a new building that has survived to this day opened in 1875. A stone with the handwritten signature of Parfen, who once consecrated this area, has been preserved, with the words that the island was consecrated on August 9, 1855. At this time, the church houses a women's monastery, accessible to everyone.

Temple of St. John the Evangelist

If you make a list of the best attractions in Chemal, created by human hands, then the Church of St. John the Evangelist will take first place in it.

The name of the island has its own interesting story. When the temple still stood on the banks of the Katun River, the monks chose this piece of land as a place for solitary prayers. The island, unnamed at that time, rose majestically almost in the middle of the river. This was the reason that in 1855 Bishop Parthenius consecrated it and named after him Patmos in the Mediterranean Sea, where the revelation of the Lord was given to John the Theologian. In his vision, the prophet saw not only the apocalypse, but also two islands floating above the water with temples on them. That is why the temple was later moved to the illuminated island from the bank of the Katun.

During Soviet times, the temple was destroyed, but today it stands revived again, and a convent was built on the banks of the Katun, which is connected to the island by a suspension bridge. If anyone is interested in the question of what to see in Chemal, then it is worth walking across the shaky bridge for the sake of two icons. One of them miraculously restored itself, and the other began to flow myrrh after illuminating the renewed temple. There is evidence that they are miraculous.

Karakol Lakes

How to get there: The lakes are located on the western slope of the Iolgo ridge, near the foot of Mount Bagatash. From Chemal to Ozery 40 km. There is no road along which you can get directly to the lakes. The Shishiga minibus (departs daily from the Chemala bus station at 1A Pchelkina St.) can take you closest to the lakes, dropping you off on the side of the road. Typically, disembarkation takes place near the beginning of the forest route. You will see a large gate with an inscription that tells a brief history of the lakes. Follow the signs along the wide dirt road. At the very beginning (at the gate) you will be offered to rent a horse, the cost of which is 600 rubles for 1 hour. At the end of the 3 km long route there is another stable where you can leave your rented horse. We recommend booking a tour at the kiosk at the Chemal bus station. The price depends on the number of attractions in the program. An excursion to the lakes costs 580 rubles per person. You will be taken there on a comfortable bus with a guide.

Karakol lakes differ from other bodies of water in their temperature - it is low even in the sultry summer heat. The depth is small, no more than 10m. There are five lakes in total, they are located among the rocks. Perhaps this is why the water in them is always cold.

How to get to Chemal

You can get to Chemal either by personal or rented car, or by buses departing from Gorno-Altaisk, Biysk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk. These cities (with the exception of Biysk) have air connections with cities in the European part of Russia. The road passing along the Chuisky and Chemalsky tracts is distinguished not only by its good quality of surface, but also by beautiful views outside the window.

How to get to Chemal from Gorno-Altaisk

The distance between the village of Chemal and Gorno-Altaiskoye when traveling by car along the Chuisky (P256) and Chemalsky tracts is 98 km, travel time is 1-1.5 hours. The price for car rental in the city starts from 3000₽ per day.

When traveling by bus from Gorno-Altaisk, you should take into account that routes coming from Biysk, Barnaul, and Iskitim make stops in the city. Travel time is about 2 hours. The ticket price varies from 289₽ to 375₽ depending on the carrier and departure time. Buses to Chemal depart from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, with an interval of 2-4 hours.

How to get to Chemal from Biysk

The route from Biysk to Chemal runs along the P256 highway and further along the Chemal highway, the distance is 180 km, travel time is 2-2.5 hours. You can get there by buses going to Chemal both from Biysk itself and on flights from Barnaul, Iskitim, Kemerovo. Travel time is 3.5-5 hours, ticket price is from 570 rubles to 690 rubles.

The first bus passing to Chemal from Barnaul makes a stop in Biysk at 04:41. The last bus from Biysk leaves at 18:10.

How to get to Chemal from Barnaul

The length of the road route from Barnaul to Chemal along the Right Bank, Chuysky and Chemalsky tracts is 340 km, travel time is 4.5 hours. 5 trips depart daily from the bus station in Barnaul: 02:25; 07:44; 13:45; 14:40; 15:00; travel time: 6-7 hours. Ticket prices range from 900₽ to 1000₽. Also at the bus station at 14:46 the bus heading to Chemal from Kemerovo makes a stop.

How to get to Chemal from Novosibirsk

The distance from Novosibirsk to Chemal is 530 km, the estimated travel time by car is 7-7.5 hours. By bus from Novosibirsk you can make this journey in 10 hours, departure from the bus station: 07:40; 21:40; from the train station: 11:15. Ticket price 1700-2000₽

Day 2 - What to see in Manzherok and the surrounding area

After breakfast at the hotel, we went for a walk around the main tourist area of Altai to see what it was like. Very nice place, there is even an artificial lake.

It was possible to walk further, but again, in order to save time, we went by car to the Tavdinsky caves.

This cave is through. There are no amazing stalactites inside, but what I saw really impressed me. Perhaps because we were able to see the cave on our own early in the morning before the opening without crowds of tourists.

Coming out of the cave and climbing to the top, we were finally able to see Katun from above.

Nearby is the Taldinskaya karst arch. This is one of those places that you must see in Altai.

Down opposite the cave there is a small forest. If you follow the path, you can go to the bank of the Katun, which is what we did. Here on the observation deck there is a monument to Roerich.

From here we drove by car to Manzherok to the cable car to Mount Malaya Sinyukha. Awesome view, but terribly slow cableway. The one way journey takes half an hour.

There is also something to see at the top. There are many places in the Altai Mountains where you can see Altai ails and models of other traditional structures, the peak is one of such places.

Having descended, we decided to stop by Lake Manzherokskoe. Despite the fact that it was mid-September, people were swimming. Having enjoyed all this calm beauty, we moved on.

We made a short stop at the Arzhan-Suu spring.

Further the road lay through the village of Ust-Muny.

Behind the village there is a river station. From here you can go rafting or swim to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall.

The weather was not too hot and we did not ride along the Katun. We decided that we were quite capable of seeing the waterfall on our own in Altai. In one go we looked at the Tsar’s Hunt camp site; the design here is at a high level.

The trail leads through a small ethno-park and goes into the forest.

Kamyshlinsky waterfall is larger and more powerful compared to what we saw on the first day of our trip.

Here in the cafe we had a tasty and inexpensive lunch of Altai pilaf.

Our busy day was slowly coming to an end, and we headed towards the hotel. On the way we made a small detour by car and crossed 2 bridges at once to Ust-Sema. Here the Chuya highway turns right, and we went left towards Chemal.

Our hotel was located near the bridge to Askat. Having quickly settled in, we went to see this village. There are simply stunning views on the bridge over the Katun, don’t drive past.

There is a Buddhist temple in Askat. The temple looks like someone's dacha with a couple of ropes hung with colored flags. After the Buddhist temples of Thailand, this is not the place to see in Altai.

Having stocked up on food in the neighboring village of Uznezya, we spent the rest of the evening on the banks of the Katun. The descent to the shore was right from our hotel.

Natural landmark of the Altai and Chemal mountains: blue lakes of Askat

Blue Lakes of Askat
This interesting attraction of Altai and Chemal can be seen only in the cold season - from September to April. This is due to the melting of snow and ice in the Altai mountains at the end of winter and summer - then they fill with water and become one of the branches of the Katun River. By the end of summer, the water level drops, remaining only in depressions in the form of picturesque lakes. At different times of the year and depending on the water level in the river, there are two or three of them. Spring waters do not allow them to become completely shallow. The water that feeds the lakes flows from one lake to another and goes into the main channel of the river.

The water in the lakes has a very beautiful rich turquoise hue, and its surface reflects the sky, the surrounding mountain landscape and coniferous trees growing on the banks. Under different lighting conditions, the water changes its color and in order to discover the true beauty of these lakes, sometimes you have to look deep into the lake from different angles and heights. Thanks to the replenishment of spring water, there is no ice on them all winter: only at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius is the surface barely twitching with ice.

Blue lakes of Askata

The maximum depth of the lakes is 8 meters. The shore of one of them is high and steep, in the form of a large stone boulder. The depth of the water underneath is two meters. In this place, brave tourists even dare to dive.

On Fridays and weekends the bathhouse is heated here; it is open from 11 am and all daylight hours. This is a kind of attraction: take a steam bath in a hot bath and immediately plunge into the cold and crystal clear spring water of the lakes. For this purpose, a wooden bridge was built to the water.

You can get to the blue lakes on foot from the village of Askat or by car. There is no paved road to the lakes, so it is better to choose an all-terrain vehicle. And for hiking, wear comfortable shoes: sneakers or rubber boots in wet weather.

Day 3 - What to see in Chemal

The rise was early. This was the last day of our trip and in the end we were left with a few of the most interesting sights that we wanted to see in Altai. We stayed at the Turquoise Hotel for the night. Before leaving the hotel, we decided to once again go ashore where we spent the evening. In the rays of the morning sun, this place, painted with autumn colors, turned out to be amazingly beautiful.

We didn't stay at the hotel. Let's go see Chemal and its attractions. At the entrance to Chemal we made a short stop near the pedestrian bridge over the Katun.

And this is the village of Chemal itself. There's nothing to see there.

The main attractions of Chemal are located outside the village. First of all, we went to see the island of Patmos. The road leads through a pine forest, a magnificent place. Among the trees there is the Church of St. Macarius of Altai.

Patmos Island is one of the main places that I wanted to see in Altai.

To visit the Church of St. John the Evangelist on the island, you need to cross a wobbly suspension bridge. To see the image of the Virgin Mary carved into the rock, you need to stop on the bridge. We peered for a long time.

From here, a goat trail leads along the mountainside above the Katun, which you can follow on your own to see the Chemal hydroelectric power station. In theory, there should be gorgeous views from there, but we went to the hydroelectric power station by car. The fact is that by noon we had to set out in the opposite direction, and walking back through the mountain to the car meant wasting time. Ideally, if time allows, it is better to first go to the Chemal hydroelectric station, and from there go on your own to see the island of Patmos.

The confluence of the Chemal River and the Katun.

Chemal was the extreme point of our route through the Altai Mountains, but not the last attraction that we were able to see in Altai. On the way back, we stopped for a short time near the rocks in the middle of the Katun. Because of their shape, these rocks are called the Dragon's Spine. The Altaians have their own name - the arrows of Sartakpai. By the way, if you cross the bridge here, you can visit another complex with an artificial lake. The Rublyovka RK is located there, but we no longer had enough time.

The last attraction that we were able to see in Altai was the Paleopark.

The Natural History Museum has assembled a very worthy collection. There are a lot of stones, bones, reproductions of skeletons of prehistoric animals, attributes of Papuan life and other exhibits.

Hydrology

The main watercourse of the region is the Chemal River, at the convenient mouth of which the district center is located. The river begins in a small mountain lake reservoir on the slope of the Tamanel peak (2254 m) in the Kumin Belkov ridge. Near the village of the same name, the Kuba River joins the Chemal, and 7 km away the waters of the Chemal join the Katun.

Other tributaries of the Chemal are the rivers Erlogol, Uozhan, Berulu, Kushkula, Sharkoy, Kush, Kologosh. The unique necklace of the Karakol lakes in the upper reaches of the Karakol river, the Cheposh lakes, and the Blue lakes in Askat are widely known in Altai. On Katun, it is popular among water tourists to overcome the two Teldekpensky, Askatsky, Elikmanarsky, and Elandinsky quite serious and extreme rapids.

Suspension bridge to Patmos island

The Pavlov family bought the island in the middle of the 20th century. In the 90s of the same century, V. Pavlov, together with the architect, built a bridge, after which the photographer died. The bridge has one-way traffic. When crossing from it, a landscape of rocky mountains, raging rivers and coniferous forests opens up. You cannot cross the bridge for free. During the summer season, there is a queue of guests. Near the bridge is the grave of V. Pavlov. At the entrance to the attraction there is a sign with a weight limit of up to 8 people. In the next decade, they plan to replace the bridge with a more stable structure.

Altai in winter: where to go

The climate in mountainous areas is predominantly continental, and the weather is changeable. Clear, fine days give way to blizzards and winds, and after snowfalls the bright sun appears again. The coldest month is January. The harshest winters are in the Chui steppe and on the Ukok plateau. In the Chemal region and on the shores of Lake Teletskoye, a mild microclimate has been formed, which makes vacation comfortable and enjoyable even for travelers with children.

Manzherok

Guests will find skiing and tubing slopes and lifts. There is a park hotel of the same name located nearby. An equipment rental point is open. There is an observation deck where there is a cozy cafe. It is interesting to visit the “Legends of the Altai Mountains” complex and the shaman’s yurt, which are also open in winter.

Lake Aya

These places are good for holidays with children: with the arrival of cold weather, ice towns, slides are built here, there is an ice skating rink, and there are small trails for cross-country and alpine skiing. Mount Veselaya has a ski lift and a baby lift, and designated areas for tubing. In the surrounding area there are camp sites and hotels designed for year-round recreation.

Turquoise Katun

There is a modern ski complex here, there are slopes for skiing on cheesecakes. The artificial lake becomes a magnificent ice skating rink in winter. Tourists can enjoy fun and active leisure activities for every taste - from horseback riding and skiing to excursions and evening discos.

Lake Teletskoye

Guests of local camps and boarding houses will be greeted by a full range of winter fun:

alpine skiing, cheesecake skiing, sleigh rides, dog sledding;
trips on snowmobiles and ATVs;
horseback riding;
excursions;
fishing;
a magnificent natural skating rink;
children's snow towns.

It is on Teletskoye that the longest ski slopes in Altai are located (from 1.6 to 3.5 km). Winters here are quite mild, the weather and fresh air are conducive to long walks and outdoor activities. There will be no problems with finding accommodation: many bases welcome guests all year round. You can find both cheap options and superior rooms. Those who come from neighboring cities to spend a weekend surrounded by pristine nature also stop here.

Chemalsky district

A large number of sunny days, the absence of sharp winds, and healing air permeated with the aromas of pine needles turn your vacation into a real winter fairy tale. There is relatively little snow here, which encourages hiking in the picturesque surroundings. Travelers visit the Chemal hydroelectric power station, the legendary island of Patmos, and come for a blast on skis at the Seminsky Pass.

At the Tursib boarding house, guests, even in cold weather, can always have fun in the indoor water park. Connoisseurs of active leisure will also enjoy the Via Ferrata extreme track and clay pigeon shooting grounds at the Aitau sporting hotel. With children it is worth going to the petting zoo located between Chemal and Ust-Sema. The museum complex "Desyatiruchka" organizes exciting excursions, educational programs and master classes for guests of all ages.

There are many picturesque corners of the Altai Mountains in winter, where traveling by car on your own is much more interesting than as part of an organized excursion. The trip will allow you to feel unity with pristine nature, feel the magical atmosphere of the mountains and enjoy the hospitality and cordiality of the indigenous people.

Things to do

Only at first glance, a holiday on Chemal (Altai Mountains) may seem monotonous. In fact, leisure activities for tourists are very well organized here. But the first thing you need to do is walk: along rivers, in the mountains, around the village. There are a lot of beautiful places here, there are so many views of the Katun that you could take a whole photo album. You need to walk and breathe. After this, you can visit the main attractions: the state district power station and the monastery on the island of Patmos. And after that you can indulge in other entertainments, of which there are many. These include horseback riding in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, a water park, and many prize-winning attractions: crossbow shooting, Kalashnikov assault rifle shooting, and darts.

For more advanced shooting enthusiasts, there is the Aitau shooting club in Chemal with professional stands. There is also an extreme amusement park next to the state district power plant. Here you can bungee jump with or without immersion in water, you can fly over the river on a rope, and just walking along a rope bridge is already an adventure. For lovers of secular entertainment, the village even has a nightclub where discos are held. Local residents also offer visits to their farms to feed the animals and look at the apiary; children really like all this. So there are a lot of activities at this mountain resort.

Story

The settlement of Chemal appeared in the 19th century. In the Altai language this word means “anthill”. At first, no more than 30 families lived here. By the end of the 19th century, the settlement became famous for its healing climate, thanks to which a resort was opened here.

The sights of Chemal in the Altai Mountains, amidst enchanting landscapes and ancient finds, began to attract masses of people. Even in tsarist times, noble families flocked here.

Then, already in the post-revolutionary period, the intelligentsia and the highest-ranking leadership of the Soviet Union rested here. To this day, in Chemal, a sunny small town, there are renowned tourist centers for any budget. It is always visited by all travelers who reach the Altai Territory. The nearest large city is Barnaul, from which you can get to Chemal in a few hours by bus. And the road from Gorno-Altaisk takes no more than 2 hours.

Climate and weather in Chemal

Chemal, as already noted, gained its popularity not only for the beauty of the surrounding nature, but also thanks to the surprisingly mild microclimate that developed in the valley. The average annual temperature in Chemal at the level of Kazan and Veliky Novgorod is +4.4 °C. In all nearby cities this figure is lower, for example, in neighboring Gorno-Altaisk +2.8 °C.

In addition, it is very often sunny here. According to statistics, the number of cloudy days per year does not exceed 42. And the third factor influencing the microclimate is low wind speed. Winds occur mainly only in December and January.

So in the Chemal Valley, calm and sunny weather prevails with significantly higher temperatures than in the surrounding settlements of Southern Siberia.

The average January temperature here is -10.9 °C, July – +18.9 °C. Spring sets in in March, and by April there is no snow left. Winter begins in November, when permanent snow cover sets in. The amount of precipitation during the year is 525 mm, the most precipitation falls in July - 105 mm.

Chemalskaya HPP

At the moment, the Chemal hydroelectric station is no longer functioning for its intended purpose. It serves as a museum for tourists. On the territory of the Chemal Reservoir you can visit:

Cafe
Souvenir shops
Aquapark
Games like “hit 10 balls”, shooting gallery
Sources of “living” and “dead” water. “Dead” water is oversaturated with iron ions and is unsuitable for drinking, but you can bathe in it and perform wiping. It helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles and acne. “Living” water is suitable for drinking and is considered healthy. Water can be collected in a container directly at the source and used for its intended purpose or as a souvenir.
Mountain extreme abseiling across the Chemal River
Attraction "Adrenaline"
Jumping into water from a hydroelectric dam
Rope park
cable car
Tents where you can take pictures in the clothes of a primitive man, as well as with primitive tools

There is a mystical story about the Chemal hydroelectric power station. Before the station was launched in 1935, one of the prisoners was assigned the task of painting a portrait of leader I.V. Stalin, who was supposed to come to the opening event. The prisoner artist painted the portrait with high quality and on time. However, he somehow angered the prison warden, for which he was severely beaten. In a fit of anger, the artist spat on the portrait of the leader, for which he was punished by extending his prison term. Stalin never came to the opening ceremony, but the portrait was hung in the engine room. The news of the leader's death in 1953 did not immediately reach the workers. At first there were rumors, which were confirmed by the fact that the ghost of the leader was seen several times in the corridors of the hydroelectric power station. Every evening the smell of tobacco from a pipe could be heard in the station, although the workers never smoked on the territory of the hydroelectric power station; it was prohibited. The ghost's invasion worried the workers until a flood occurred that drowned the hydroelectric power station. The portrait turned out to be ruined. Since then, the ghost stopped disturbing the workers and left, never appearing again.

Legends of Chemal

As often happens, legends are born in place of real facts. This is what happened with the story of a great man’s love for a woman. A.V. Anokhin was a famous person in Altai, the local population composed songs about him and named mountains and lakes after him. His love for a girl named Agnia became the basis of the legend.

When Anokhin's beloved fell ill with consumption, he, knowing the healing properties of the Chemal air, brought her to this region. They rode a lot, walked in the surrounding forests, and everything was fine until an accident occurred. During one of the walks, the girl fell into the water and drowned.

Her body was found on the shore near an unnamed rock. The most surprising thing was that the previously unremarkable steep hill suddenly became wet, as if from tears. So people began to call her from then on, Crying Mountain, in honor of the deceased girl.

As the legend says, Anokhin buried his beloved in Chemal - the place where the two of them had such a good time together. He placed a beautiful monument with angels on her grave, and locals say that the man vowed never to marry anyone and kept his promise.

Unfortunately, in Soviet times, the monument and grave were destroyed, and in the people’s memory of this story, only Lamentation Mountain remained, which lovers visit to ask the dead girl for help in love.

History of Chemal

Each settlement has its own biography, which indicates how it was created, how it developed, and even how it disappeared from the face of the Earth, if this happened. The history of the village of Chemal, whose sights are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, began at the end of the 18th century with runaway peasants who were looking for a better life.

Now it is unknown how well they lived, but they certainly chose a unique place to build their houses. When missionaries and their families settled here in 1849, the village began a new life. The unique properties of its air became widely known, and by the end of the 19th century, celebrities, scientists and the creative intelligentsia began to visit this distant land. At one time, P.N. lived here. Krylov, V.Ya. Shishkov, G.N. Potanin and other famous people.

Thanks to the missionaries, temples and churches were erected here, some of which have been restored and operate today. The Church of St. John the Evangelist, for example, was built in 1850, but then moved from the village to the island of Patmos in 1915, and in 2001 it was completely restored.

The first sanatorium for tuberculosis patients was built in 1905 with the money of Bishop Macarius and with his blessing. In the 30s of the 20th century, the sanatorium became a government one, and M. Kalinin’s wife, Ekaterina, was appointed its director. By this time, a bathhouse, bakery and workshops were already operating in the village.

Today, in order to get to a sanatorium or one of Chemal’s tourist centers, you should make reservations in advance, this place has become so popular.

General characteristics of the village of Chemal

Chemal is a large regional rural center in the Altai Republic, at the same time it is the administrative center of a municipal district and a rural settlement.
A large Altai village was founded by peasants from the Biysk district who arrived here in 1842. The village is located 185 km from the nearest railway station Biysk and 100 km south of Gorno-Altaisk at the mouth of the Chemal, which flows into the Katun. The village is known in the country as a unique mountain climatic health resort and at the same time the center of one of the large tourism development zones in the Altai Mountains. There is a tuberculosis sanatorium built in the 30s by the trade union of Soviet teachers, many tourist complexes, eco-resorts, tourist centers, guest estates, campsites and tourist sites.

From Ust-Sema to Kuyus

In the village of Ust-Sema, the 90-kilometer Chemalsky tract branches off to the east from the Chuisky tract. Here, as well as along the P256 road, there are also significant sights of the Altai Mountains.

The village of Cheposh and ancient settlements

Here are the Cheposh baths, formed by analogy with the Katun baths. During high water, the river widens its channel, flowing through large depressions in the stones. When the water recedes, lakes remain, which are used for swimming in the summer. In the village there is a museum complex of Russian culture with a huge collection of ritual dolls. Pottery workshops are also held. In the northeast of the settlement center you can see ancient settlements and medieval fortifications. The Cheposh karst cave-arch is used as a popular photographic object.

Village Cheposh

The village of Askat and Mount Sugun-tu

The settlement has the status of “village of craftsmen and artists.” Here you can visit the ethno-gallery and purchase a unique painting or handmade product made of metal, clay, stone, fabric. A very interesting place is the museum-estate of the Golovan family, which contains paintings by an entire dynasty of original artists and a huge collection of ornamental plants. In the vicinity of the village there are the Silver Spring, the Askat blue lakes, the Iradash rapids, the Menzhelik, Obzornaya and Sogono-tuu (Lukovka) mountains, from the observation platforms of which an amazing view of the riverbed and the Katun valley opens.

Mount Seligur

At the 20th kilometer of the Chemalsky tract there is the village of Uznezya. The settlement is located on the right bank of the Katun at the southwestern foot of Mount Seligur, which is part of the Iolgo ridge. The peculiarity of the peak is its unusual shape in the form of a high truncated pyramid. From the observation deck you can clearly see Mount Ity-Kaya, the Kylay Mane and the overhanging point of the ridge - Adygan (1858 m).

Elikmanar village and Karakol lakes

The settlement is the starting point of the route to the Karakol Lakes. These high-mountain reservoirs are of glacial-tectonic origin, located on the steps of a giant cirque staircase on the western slope of the Iolgo ridge and are distinguished by unusually beautiful landscapes. The length of the route is about 30 km. Nearby, in the upper reaches of Kuyum, there is the Tutkushinskaya cave, up to 200 m deep. The total length of the wells and passages is over 1200 meters. In Elekmonar itself you can visit the Paleopark Natural History Museum with the largest collection of paleontological exhibits in Altai.

The village of Chemal and the island of Patmos

The administrative center of the district of the same name is a popular tourist center of the republic. Here are significant tourist centers and attractions marked on the map of Gorny Altai:

house-museum of Zaisan A.K. Bardina;
the Temple of the Apostle John the Theologian on the rock-island of Patmos (connected to the shore by a suspension bridge);
an image of the Virgin and Child carved into the rock;
Chemalskaya HPP – hydroelectric power station-museum;
confluence of the Chemala and Katun rivers (Sartakpaya Gate);
Mount Krestovaya and Camel.

Further along the route there is a huge boulder, sandwiched suspended between the rocks (Bogatyrsky stone, Baatyr-Tash) and the Chech-Kysh tract with a waterfall and an observation deck (715 meters), offering a wonderful view of the Katun and mountain ranges.

Patmos Island

Tytkesken and Edzhigansky rapids on the Katun

A unique archaeological site on the 64th kilometer of the Chemal tract. There are up to eight cultural layers. The complex consists of mounds and mound necropolises, ancient settlements, cave sites, workshops and inclined mine workings (adits). The most popular tourist destination is Nizhnetytkesken Cave-I, in which the burial of an ancient shaman (5-4 thousand years BC) was found.

At a distance of 15 km from Tytkesken there is the Teldekpen rock gorge, fascinating with its aesthetics, which compresses the Katun with steep rocky banks. The depth of the riverbed here reaches a huge 75-80 meters.

Kuyus and Beltertuyuk waterfall

This administrative center with a harsh climate is often called the “village on the rocks.” In the vicinity of the settlement there is the Kuyussky grotto, the Buzurgash gorge, a large number of archaeological monuments, mounds, fences, and rock paintings. 9 km from the entrance to the village there is the Beltertuyuk waterfall, which consists of upper and lower steep streams 29 and 11 meters high, respectively. Immediately behind the waterfall is the Sankovo Pole valley.

Despite the difficult terrain of the region, the sights of the Altai Mountains are accessible to everyone. The main thing here is to choose an interesting program of visits and the optimal travel route.

Geographical position

The village of Chemal is located in the northwestern part of the Altai Mountains. Mountain Altai is the heart of Asia. The semi-deserts of Mongolia, the Siberian taiga and the Kazakh steppes converge here. And this is a land of beautiful nature. The village, as if on purpose, contains everything a traveler needs: a clean river, beautiful mountains, taiga. It lies on the right bank of the Katun, at the confluence of the Chemal River. At the same time, there is an excellent road leading to the settlement, and there are many places for comfortable accommodation. From the capital of the Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk, to Chemal is about 100 km along the highway, 61 km in a straight line. The terrain of the area is mountainous. But since the settlement stretches along the river bank, there are no large differences in elevation. Chemal lies in a valley and is surrounded by mountains of medium height, some of which are accessible for hiking.

Day 1 - What to see in Altai near Lake Aya

Let's start the story about our independent trip by car to Altai from the border between the Altai Territory and the Altai Mountain Republic. Here on the Chuysky tract there is a developed site, a parking lot, a stele and several monuments.

Here we were able to look at the Katun River for the first time.

Having passed through Maima and passing the turn to Gorno-Altaisk, I almost drove past the first place that I planned to see in Altai. Having specified the beginning of the trail through the forest, along a stream covered with moss, we went to the Cheremshansky waterfall.

The waterfall itself is not big, but picturesque. Plus, it’s easy enough to watch for yourself.

From the waterfall we went back a little by car to see what the special economic zone “Altai Valley” looks like. The zone looked very sad and we did not linger here.

Having crossed the bridge to the other side of the river, our next stop was the “Crown of Altai” tourist center.

The camp site is notable for the fact that it is located on two islands in the middle of Katun. There really is something to see here. Altai has very beautiful nature.

On the second island there is a crucifix. There we first went down to the Katun. While walking along the shore, I managed to scoop up a sneaker full of sand! You have to watch your step.

From here we made a small detour by car and climbed the mountain. There are stairs there; you could climb it yourself, but we wanted to see as many places as possible in Altai, so we didn’t waste time and got there by car. Located at the top.

The park is just a park, nothing special. This lake in Altai has been improved, but also did not make any special impressions. You can only look at the snake island with a gazebo.

After having lunch at the lake with food we had saved from home, we moved on. I had a great desire to see the Devil’s Finger rock in Altai. This place is in the gorge of the Katun River from where gorgeous views should open. However, having reached the beginning of the trail-road, it became clear that it would not be possible to drive a car independently.

After consulting for 5 minutes, we came to the conclusion that we simply did not have time to visit this attraction. We decided to go further along our route and, if possible, look for another place where we can look at Altai from above. Further our route led to the village of Ustyuba.

Here, at a short distance from the village, there is a labyrinth park. You can't go up the mountain by car, you had to walk it yourself. I must admit that the labyrinths were interesting only to me, I had just never seen such locations before. Therefore, this attraction is very much for everyone and is certainly not on the list of those that should be seen in Altai first of all.

Towards evening we reached the special economic zone “Turquoise Katun”. Before heading to the hotel, we decided to look at the Valley of Grottoes in Altai while it was still light. The valley has about 3 dozen grottoes, arches and small caves, but you can spend a whole day exploring it. I only managed to see 2 grottoes in an hour.

We drove a little more, unsuccessfully trying to find a view from above of Katun, and went to the hotel. We had booked the Malina Hotel where we spent the first night. To find the best price, we use the hotellook hotel search engine. Although we sometimes book with agoda, they guarantee the best prices.

However, first we went to the dining room for dinner. It should be noted that it is quite a long way to get to the dining room on your own. The territory of the Turquoise Katun zone is quite extensive.

We spent the rest of the evening on the river bank and on the hotel grounds.

What to see along the way

If you have to travel from Novosibirsk or Barnaul (Altai Territory) to Chemal, then you should not miss the opportunity to see the sights along the road. It is not for nothing that the Chuysky tract is called one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The views along it are so breathtaking and you want to stop every minute. But the main thing to see is:

Chuya Tract Museum. Here you can find out how this difficult road was built and get acquainted with ancient maps and models.
The village of Srostki. This is the birthplace of the writer and film director V. Shukshin, there is his museum and monument. Also in Srostki, everyone buys the famous, very tasty pies.
The village of Maima is the longest in Russia. Here you can look at the local temple, and also try very tasty local cheeses.
In addition to historical attractions, there are a lot of beautiful places along the road: Arzhan-Su waterfall, the Katun River, Lake Manzherok, Tavda Caves.

Attractions Chemal

Chemalskaya HPP

The Chemal reservoir has been a tourist attraction since the accident in 2011. On its territory there are many cafes, a water park, a cable car, a rope park, and you can also buy many interesting souvenirs here. In the summer, you can enjoy an excursion along a mountain river or take a bungee ride.

Kamyshlinsky waterfall

This two-cascade waterfall is located on the Katun River, its height is 12 meters. You can get to this beautiful waterfall via a suspension bridge, and then walk along a special path. The most favorite place among tourists is a small ledge under a rock, and if you wish, you can swim under the streams of a waterfall; this causes great delight among travelers. There is a legend among local residents that this waterfall makes wishes come true if you just touch its water and make a wish.

Castles of Mountain Spirits

These are unusual rocks that resemble castles in their relief. Local residents say that this place is terrible. In 1960, a group of scientists disappeared here, subsequently their bodies were found and they decided to blow up these rocks, and after the explosion, a pile of stones was left, which now resembles castles. Nothing can be taken away from this territory; supposedly there is a belief that this can greatly anger the local spirits.

Karakol Lakes

These unusual lakes have a low temperature even in extreme heat; their depth reaches up to ten meters. There are five lakes in total and they are located among the rocks. Lovers and connoisseurs of beauty should definitely visit this unusual place.

Temple on the island of Patmos (Church of St. John the Evangelist)

This is an extraordinarily beautiful and interesting place. To get to the temple, you need to cross the suspension bridge, which is constantly swaying, across the Katun River. A very interesting attraction, charged with special energy. The temple is decorated with ancient icons, frescoes and mosaics, which adds even more mystery to it.

Chemal River

This river is located in the Chemal region of the Altai Republic. The main attraction of this river is the hydroelectric power station. The river originates from a small lake and has many tributaries. In winter, the river freezes, and when spring comes it can overflow its banks and flood the surrounding area.

Museum “Altai Center”

A very beautiful and interesting museum complex, where you can get acquainted with the traditions, life and way of life of the Altai people. There are 4 yurts here that are definitely worth a visit, because in each of them you can learn and see something new and interesting about the life of the Altai people. And, of course, the most important exhibit of this museum is the Kara-Maiman banner. The founder of this museum belonged to this old family.

Mountain Chemal, Mountain Altai: sights and photos

In Altai, in the vicinity of the village of Chemal, there are places of amazing beauty: miraculous sights that attract tourists from nearby regions and beyond.

Karakol lakes

Karakol Lakes
A chain of picturesque lakes is located 40 kilometers from the village of Chemal. They were formed here as a result of the melting of glaciers that once covered all the peaks of the Altai Mountains. There are seven lakes in total, the largest of which is located at an altitude of 1600 meters. Its crystal clear and transparent water reflects the high mountain peaks, making it seem dark and impenetrable.

Even higher into the mountains, at an altitude of 1830 meters, is the second largest of the Karakol lakes. It is almost evenly round in shape. Contains high silver content.

The remaining 5 lakes, like beads on a string, are connected by small streams. Their length varies from 300 to 800 meters. These lakes are smaller than the first two in terms of water area and the amount of water in them.

Karakol lakes

The entire chain of seven lakes is an amazing natural attraction. Along their entire length there are different climatic zones due to the large difference in altitude. At the lowest of them there is a dense taiga with tall cedars and rich fauna. The fauna here is extremely diverse, with rare animals and birds listed in the Red Book. Higher in the mountains both flora and fauna change. Here the mountain landscape is mostly alpine meadows covered with dense mountain grasses. Far in the highlands, meadows give way to the flora and fauna of the tundra.

The lakes themselves have no fauna, no fish, and virtually no plants. And the water temperature there is cold all year round.

The unusual location and unique natural and climatic conditions attract tourists from all over Russia. From here they take with them a lot of positive impressions and unique photos as souvenirs. The journey to the lakes from the village of Chemal lasts several days. To get to the top, you should allow at least 8 days. Excursions on horseback go here: other transport will not pass here.

Castles of mountain spirits

This is the name given to the bizarrely shaped rocks near the Karakol Lakes in the vicinity of Chemal (Altai Mountains). They got their name because of their unusual topography - from a distance they resemble a castle that grew up on an absolutely flat plateau at an altitude of 1900 meters. The height of the rocks in different parts varies from 20 to 30 meters. In some places you can climb higher on them: look at the picturesque landscapes in the area, feel the breath of the wind and breathe in the clean mountain air, and capture in a photo all the surrounding beauty.

This place is associated with numerous legends that shroud the entire Altai Mountains and the immediate surroundings of the village of Chemal. One of them dates back to the sixties of the last century, when the rocks here had a different shape.

At that time, there was no tourism in the Altai Mountains, and tourist routes were just being laid out. The group that moved towards the “Castles of Mountain Spirits” suddenly stopped communicating. Three days later they were found dead at the foot of the mountains, in frightening poses and with frozen horror on their faces - they were all lying around a fire, horses were grazing nearby. That same evening, sitting around the fire, the members of the second group suddenly began to feel horror and a growing sensation of pain. Looking at each other, they recognized the expressions of the people who had died here in their faces. One of the expedition members decided to step aside, then the feeling of pain and fear left him. Everyone else did the same. Scientists who arrived here a month later discovered in this place the formation of ultrasonic phenomena, which were caused by the unusual mountainous landscape of nearby rocks. In order to protect others from the same fate, the rocks were blown up. Mainly because of this, they resemble the ruins of an ancient castle.

Despite the fact that such phenomena are no longer here, the rocks still inspire awe in everyone who sees them. It is still believed that spirits live here and carefully protect theirs: nothing can be taken from this place: not a stone, not a sprout. This can anger the spirits and attract misfortune.

This attraction of Chemal is included in popular tourist routes: horseback riding and walking.

Verkh-Anosinskaya cave

A natural mountain monument formed by Cambrian limestones, located near Chemal in Altai, not far from the village of Verkh-Anos. There is still no exact uniform data on the length of the cave. Some sources talk about 35 meters, others claim that it extends to 75 meters.

In order to get to the entrance, you need to go down to the bottom of the karst sinkhole. The cave itself consists of several grottoes and has a linear shape. Of interest to tourists are the numerous stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the shape of the cave and its picturesque grottoes. Almost no one leaves here without a photo as a souvenir.

Beltertuyuk Waterfall

In the vicinity of the village of Chemal in Altai, next to the village of Kuyus, there is a picturesque mountain waterfall 29 meters high. The Beltertuyuk landmark is recognized as a natural monument of the Altai Territory.

The path to this waterfall is not easy - not every car can travel the entire section of the road. Here you have to overcome accumulations of rocks and off-road terrain. Some travelers prefer to park their car in a safe place and walk to the waterfall itself. Along the way, tourists are surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

Such a trip will be rewarded in full with the beauty of the waterfall. It is formed from the waters of the stream of the same name, which flows into the Katun River. At the mouth of the stream, due to differences in elevation in the landscape, two waterfalls are formed - 11 and 29 in height. Tourists come here mainly because of the second reason - its height and beauty are mesmerizing.

Near this waterfall there is a rock on which you can distinguish rock paintings (petroglyphs) made in a special way: they are carved with a small dot. Another example of rock art of distant ancestors can be viewed and photographed five kilometers above the waterfall. Here, in the center of the Sankovo Pole valley, mountain goats and a rider on a horse are painted. Not every car can get here due to the large number of stones. Therefore, excursions to this attraction are either carried in a GAZ-66 or driven on foot.

Dragon teeth

In the area of the village of Chemal in Altai there are rocks of unusual shape. They resemble either the tail of a dragon, or the teeth of some reptile - narrow and pointed upward. They received this name for their shape and considerable size.

This attraction of Chemal is located in the Katun River, right in the middle of a fast-flowing riverbed. On one of the rocks there is a bridge support - the only crossing for many kilometers to the other side. It leads to the Rublyovka entertainment complex, which is popular in these parts. Previously, it was a pedestrian suspension bridge, which was destroyed by the river during heavy floods. Now there is a strong automobile crossing over the rocks. Many tourists stop in the middle of the bridge to photograph this attraction.

Several legends are associated with the formation of these bizarre rocks in the Altai Republic. One of them tells about a formidable dragon who lived in these places and brought a lot of grief to people. The brave heroes once defeated him, tore him into pieces, scattering them around the surrounding area, which formed an unusual mountain landscape in different places: the tail ended up in the Katun River. By the way, not far from the Oroktoy Bridge you can find a similar attraction - a rocky mountain shaped like a dragon’s paw.

According to another legend, the hero of the Altai epic, the hero Sartakpai, cared for and protected the local people. Seeing how dangerous the path across the river was for people to overcome in boats and die in the raging waters, I decided to arrange a crossing across the Katun. To do this, he tore off the top of a rocky mountain and threw it straight into the riverbed, where it split into pieces. Thanks to this, people were able to build a safe crossing using one of the fragments as a support.

Karakol Lakes

This complex belongs to the category of those that are definitely recommended to see Chemal in the summer. They are located just a couple of tens of kilometers from Chemal. There are 7 picturesque highland lakes here. They are buried in the cedar taiga, and above the forest the trees will be replaced by alpine meadows with wild grasses. In the vicinity of the lakes there is flora and fauna of the high mountain tundra. Reservoirs are connected into a single chain through streams. The water in them is clear and cold, almost nothing grows in them and there are very few fish. The area is rich in waterfalls.

Karakol Lakes are a natural monument of the Altai Mountains. Many horse riding tours lead here, and even at the entrance to the complex everyone is always offered to rent horses. This attraction of Chemal (what to see and where to go is of interest to all tourists), which can only be visited according to a previously drawn up plan, is certainly worth overcoming all the difficulties that arise along the way. The fact is that no road leads here. You can only get here to admire the crystal surface of the cold lakes by bus.

Sanatorium Chemala

It is surprising that in the village most of the local wonders are the only ones, if not in the world, then in all of Eastern Siberia. Already, many patients of the local sanatorium have had the opportunity to improve their health and explore what attractions Chemal has prepared for them. Reviews about the treatment and conditions of detention indicate that not only the climate in the surrounding area is good, but also the atmosphere in the sanatorium is very friendly and just as healing.

Active life in the sanatorium began when Ekaterina Kalinina became its director. Initially, it was a resort to improve the health of members of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, which was also visited by many prominent figures of art and literature. Only in 1957 it was repurposed into a mountain-climatic health clinic for tuberculosis patients with varying degrees of complexity of the disease.

To get into it, you need a referral from doctors to get a voucher. Those who have already undergone treatment here note the extraordinary impact of the local air and its assistance in recovery.

Attractions in Chemalsky district

What attractions can Gorny Altai offer? The Chemal region is a region where every leaf on a tree is an object worthy of attention. Therefore, there are plenty of interesting places here. There are so many of them that it is difficult to describe everything at once. Therefore, we will focus only on a few that deserve the most attention. So, in the Chemal region there is an amazing mountain Sugun-Tuu or Lukovka (Onion). Its height reached 628 meters, but this did not stop it from becoming the main object of all excursions. According to Altai legend, Sugun-Tuu is a fragment of the huge Sogondu-Tuu, which long ago was an obstacle to the Katun River. The fragment was formed thanks to the power and strength of the hero Sartakpai. It was he who, using an arrow, broke a cliff of stone and thereby paved a straight path, like an arrow, to the reservoir to the North. With its outline, Sugun-Tu really resembles a sprouted onion.

Another attraction of the Chemal region that every tourist must visit is the Beltertuyuk waterfall. Mountain Altai, the sights of which were created by nature itself, is simply overflowing with various outstanding places to which man has nothing to do: they were created by the Almighty. And Beltertuyuk belongs to this category. The stream of the same name forms at its mouth two beautiful cascades, the length of which reaches 29 and 11 meters. Not far from the waterfall on the rock there are rock carvings carved with a small dot.

Recreation centers on Chemal

There are not just many recreation centers in the Chemal area, but a lot. Moreover, as usual for the Altai Mountains, there are a variety of plans - from camping to steep ones.

Some of them clearly show that they earn the maximum on their territory - the houses (which look very standard and unpretentious) are close together, the infrastructure is minimal, etc.

Others try to be original, to attract the client with some of their features - architecture, interiors, range of services.

It is very easy to find houses for housing in the village itself.

The cost of a holiday on Chemal varies at different bases, but in general, if not tents and not VIP, then the price for a holiday per day will be approximately this (plus or minus a small amount):

Mystic

The history of the hydroelectric power station itself is shrouded in mystical stories. One of them talks about an outrageous incident that occurred here in 1935. Then, in honor of the launch of the facility, the prisoner who worked here was given the order to create an image of I. Stalin for his arrival here. The imprisoned artist painted a beautiful portrait, meeting the deadline, but got into a fight with the prison warden over something, and he was beaten with particular cruelty. The tormented prisoner, angry over the entire situation, spat on the image of Stalin, and his prison term was extended. The leader of the people did not appear at the opening of the station, but his image was hung in the hydroelectric station office. Soon, eerie eyewitness accounts began to appear about the ghost of the leader, who began to appear in the dark corridors of the station. In the evenings, the smell of tobacco from a pipe wafted through here, despite the fact that workers, for safety reasons, never smoked in these places. The appearance of the ghost terrified the employees until the flood at the station, which destroyed the portrait of the leader. Since then, the mysterious ghost has never appeared here.

Chemal, Altai Mountains: religious sights, photos

In the vicinity of Chemal and the village itself, in addition to the curious natural and man-made attractions of the Altai Mountains, there are other equally interesting objects, although there are not many of them. Religious attractions always and everywhere attract tourists, and the Altai Mountains are no exception.

We talked above about the most famous temple for which Chemal is famous - this is St. John the Theologian Monastery. Other places, if not so popular, are no less interesting.

Church "Joy of All Who Sorrow"

The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God is located in the village of Chemal, on Sovetskaya Street. Despite the fact that it is relatively new, it is not only an interesting object for Orthodox Christians, but also an attraction for tourists, as well as hunters for photos of interesting places in Altai.

The church was illuminated in 1999. At the base of the altar is a stone illuminated by St. Macarius. The church building has interesting architecture for a Christian building. It is compact, made of red brick and topped with a wooden roof with a dome and a small turret (also wooden). Services are held here and excursions are held.

Blue Lakes

Near the Katunya River, near the village of Askat, there is a beautiful chain of clear lakes. There are 3 of them and they are very ancient. These reservoirs are open to the public only from August to April. For the rest of the time they are flooded with Katun water. In winter, their surface becomes crystal clear. Water circulates from one body of water to another, eventually flowing into the Katun. Many springs feed on them. They got their name from their amazing turquoise color. In the smallest of the lakes, you can dive near a huge stone block that goes under water to a depth of 2 meters. The greatest depth of these lakes is 8 meters.

This is a real paradise for travelers, because every weekend a frame bathhouse is heated on an island in the middle of the lakes. Here you can swim in the lakes and bask, enjoying the indescribable beauty of the sunset distances of the Altai Mountains, breathing fresh air and drinking herbal teas with aromatic field herbs. The bathhouse is connected to the lake by a small staircase. It is booked at the Katun base.

Features of the holiday

The village of Chemal is a dead-end part of the highway with a well-developed infrastructure. Then you can only go on foot or ride on special equipment, and there are very few places to stay. Why do people go to Chemal? To relax in the fresh air, walk in beautiful places, climb mountains, even if they are not high. It is not for nothing that the village is considered a balneological mountain-climatic resort; here the air itself is considered healing. Therefore, first of all, you need to walk and breathe. But tourists are offered a wide range of entertainment and excursion services. Looking at the photo of Chemal (Altai Mountains), it’s hard to believe that this is not Switzerland or Austria, but Russia, the mountains and valleys here are so beautiful. This place allows you to combine several types of tourism at once: ecological, active, educational and health-improving.

Castles of mountain spirits

How to get there: You can book a horse riding tour lasting 8 days and visit the castles. The cost is negotiated individually, the minimum price is 4,500 rubles for one adult and 6,000 rubles for one child. You can order a tour (and other excursions around the Chemal region) at the Chemal bus station, at the kiosk at the main entrance. If you decide to visit the castles of mountain spirits on your own: By taxi (1300 rubles) or bus (300 rubles) go to the bus station in the village of Chektyr. There is no further road, so you have to get to the castle on a horse - you can rent one in the village (1 hour - 400 rubles).

Castles of mountain spirits are rocks near the Karakol lakes. Their relief resembles castles, hence the name.

There is a terrible story associated with the place. Once, back in 1960, a group of scientists was sent to the location of the current castle of mountain spirits. Their goal was to study the terrain and topography of the mountain. After some time, the scientists stopped communicating. A group of specialists was sent to search for them and found the bodies of scientists near the mountains. The study discovered the presence of potentially dangerous ultrasonic waves in the area. It was decided to blow up the mountains - in their place there were only piles of stones that looked like a castle.

You cannot take anything away from the territory of this castle - not a pebble, not a flower, not a scoop of earth. Locals believe in a legend that if you take something away, the mountain spirits will see it and get angry, sending you into trouble.

Where to stay

Chemal is a resort with a long history. Sanatorium holidays and tourist services have been provided here for many years. Therefore, in the village there are hotels, bases, campsites, guest houses for every taste and budget - from very comfortable ones with their own swimming pools, like Royal Comfort and Pharaohova Dacha, to very simple ones, for example, the Berkut tourist complex or camping "Nook." Therefore, the main problem that a tourist faces is choice.

As for hotels, Chemal (Altai Mountains) offers its guests many accommodation options, which stretch along the entire Chemal tract and further beyond the village and a good road. Therefore, you need to decide why you are going. If you need civilization in the form of cafes, shops, various services, then it is better to settle in the village itself or along the highway. If you want solitude, untouched nature and silence, then it is better to drive outside the village, to less traveled places.

Another issue related to where to live is the level of comfort required. It can be very different. If you need your own shower and air conditioning in your room, a swimming pool and a high level of service, then there are very few such places here. If a roof over your head, a common simple shower and amenities in the yard are enough for you, then there are a lot of such places here; almost any residential building can accommodate you for little money. In general, all places of residence can be divided into several types: comfortable rooms, unfurnished rooms or separate summer houses, tent camps with parking for cars, guest houses and cottages for families and large companies - usually they are comfortable with a different set of additional options. There is still the opportunity to live in the private sector, that is, rent a room or an extension in a residential building.