jorgesanchez's travel recommendations

The Golden Mountains of Altai are UNESCO Patrimony of Humankind. They are located bordering Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. In these mountains is allegedly hidden the Russian version of Shangri-la: Belovodie. First you travel to Novosibirsk. Second you take a train until the town of Barnaul. Third you catch an "elektrichki", or short distance train to Byisk and then a bus to Gorno Altaisk, the capital of Altai, one of the 21 autonomous Russian republics. Finally you fly by helicopter to the Sayan/Altai Mountains, stopping in the Teletskoye Osera (lake) to watch the Belukha Peak (4506 meters). Now it will take you a whole week to get back to Gorno Altaisk rafting down the Katun River. The Katun joins the great River Obi in Byisk, and together with the River Irtish form the longest rivers system of Asia. That trip in the Altai Republic will thrill you, specially the nature and the edelweiss flowers all over around you. If you are lucky you will meet the snow leopard...!

Address: Gorno-Altaysk, Katun River Gorno-Altaysk Altay Russia Phone: + no available E-mail: noavailable@yahoo.com Price: exclusive