Golden Mountains of Altai, Russia

No less interesting natural object are the Golden Altai Mountains - a nature reserve, which includes three particularly attractive sites of the Altai Mountains. The natural site includes the Altai Reserve itself, the Katunsky Reserve, as well as the Ukok Plateau. The total area of the territory, which is under the protection of UNESCO, is 16178 square kilometers. On the territory of the protected area there are many known geographical objects, including Teletskoye Lake and Belukha Mountain.

The main feature of the nature reserve is a remarkable variety of landscapes. There is a zone of steppe and forest-steppe here, as well as areas of incredibly beautiful mixed forests. In the reserve there are many rare animals, it is here that researchers come to study the peculiarities of the habitat of the Irbis and the Altai argali. Some species of animals, which can still be found today in the Altai mountains, are disappearing. Among them the above-mentioned snow leopard and also the Siberian mountain goat.

Climbing to the Belukha mountain is increadibly popular among adherents of active tourism. It is the highest mountain in Russia, its two peaks are directed upward by more than 4000 meters. The main threat to the protected area are poachers. Recently a project for the construction of a new gas pipeline, which must pass through protected areas, has seriously been alarmed by environmentalists. The Golden Altai Mountains will impress all nature lovers without exception, as only here you can visit millennial glaciers, dense forests, and fabulously beautiful meadows. Next - Volcanoes of Kamchatka