Altai Mountains
The vast string of mountains sprawling across southern Siberia, from Kazakhstan to the west and into Mongolia and China in the east and south, is sometimes known as the Golden Altais. Many parts of the Siberian Altais have been recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites including the areas around Lake Teletskoye, Mount Belukha, and the Ukok plateau.
The diverse terrain is home to a huge range of beautiful and fascinating flora and fauna. From the craggy, snowy peaks and plummeting gorges, to the glittering glacier lakes like glinting turquoise gems set into the foothills, to rich green meadows, thickets and taigas and sprawling steppes, it’s as if nature is showing off. A visit to this vast and beautiful untouched land is to truly get away from it all. The only inhabitants are the nomadic, yurt-dwelling tribes that navigate the terrain as they have done for centuries. The key to a fulfilling discovery of this unique destination is full immersion in nature, living and breathing in the gorgeous scenery like those who call it home.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Camping
One of the best ways to experience the Altais properly is to spend your days exploring its beautiful scenery and your night sleeping under the stars. With just a tent between you and the starry sky, it’s like living like a local.
Rafting
One of the most popular activities in this land of lakes and rivers is rafting. Take the scenic and varied waters of the Biya River from Lake Teletskoye or raft down the Katun, through lonely alpine villages dotted in the hills.
Skiing
Thanks to their glaciers and cold climate in winter, the Altais are a popular snow sport destination with a number of modern, well equipped pistes. Snezhny kom, Mount Veselaya and Gora Gorynya are popular.
Speleo
The labyrinthine caves within this seemingly endless mountain range make for great cave expeditions. Wriggle deep into Altayskaya and explore the deep dark depths as the peaks tower up above.
Trekking
An absolute must for walkers and hikers of all standards, the paths and climbs of the Altais offer something for everyone. Whether it’s the sparkling walk to the Aktru glacier or the three-day hike to the top of sacred Mount Belukha, the scenery won’t disappoint.
Siberia & Russian Far East Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
Trans-Siberian Railway
Baikal Region
Altai Region
Tuva & Khakasia Republics
Northern Siberia
Russian Far East
Multi-Country Specialists
Siberia & Russian Far East Goes Well With
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Into the Altai Mountains: An Epic Siberian Road Trip
- Author
- Jay Tindall
After exploring the charming Siberian cities of Tomsk and Novosibirsk for a day apiece, I prepared to plunge deep into the Altai mountains, a majestic range that runs along the borders of Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan.
Cutting the Cord: Finding Peace in the Mongolian Altai
- Author
- Jay Tindall
Flying over vast, rolling steppe for three and a half hours without seeing anything so much as a village, let alone a city, is a powerful reminder that Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on the planet.
5 Intrepid Guy Trips Through Asia
- Author
- Travelogues
Fishing in Papua New Guinea, mountaineering in Tajikistan, chugging vodka in Siberia – these trips get the blood pumping in the continent’s most exciting destinations.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A Couple from California
Our guide in Uzbekistan seemed to know everyone wherever we went which made us feel like locals.
A Couple from San Francisco
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There was an authenticity to the type of experience set up for us that made every city we visited special and gave us countless moments we will never forget.
