Pearls of nature

Ongudaisky Region

The central disposition of the Region and the abundance of archeological, historical and ethnographic monuments predetermines intensive tourism development on this territory. Here are numerous stone statues, burial mounds, settlement sites, rock drawings. The Seminsky Pass is of the greatest popularity - it is the highest point of the Tchuisky Highway (1984 m above sea-level). In old Altaian language the pass was called Dial-Menku ("Eternal Mountain"). A memorable obelisk erected in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the voluntary joining of Gorny Altai to the Russian Empire, is situated on the highest point of the pass.

Training bases "Seminsky Pass" and "Dinamo" are the places for Altai sportsmen to train, it is a sport center of the Russian Olympic reserve. Various routs are offered here - hiking, horse-riding, skiing, automobile routs.

The so-called "Karakolskaya Gallery" is of special interest - there are rock drawings, burial mounds and stone stellas. On the territory of Ongudaisky Region there are archeological monuments of Inya, the White Bom - a monument in honor of Red Army soldiers, - Kalbak-Tash Terrain - a place with the unique rock drawings, the Shavlinskoye Lake.

The climate of the Region is sharp continental. Average annual temperature is -1,1ŚC, in January -22,1ŚC, in July +16,2ŚC. Maximum absolute temperature in January is - 54ŚC. Average annual precipitation amount equals 379 mm.

The distance between the center of Ongudaisky Region - the village of Ongudai - and the city of Gorno-Altaisk constitutes 194 km. Petrol stations - in v. Ongudai, in v. Inya. Every-day bus-communication with the town of Gorno-Altaisk.

There are 4 tourist centers on the territory of Ongudaisky Region. Three of them are training ones, the rest one is a recreational center.

Training tourist centers "Seminsky Pass" and "Dinamo" are situated at 132nd km of the Tchuisky Highway. The capacity of the center is 55 people in winter and up to 70 tourists in summer - in houses and at the hotel.

There is a departmental hotel of the Administration, there is also a hotel in the village of Inya.

The center may offer its visitors the services of highly qualified guides-instructors, who may teach you how to make phyto-tea, balsams, perfume and cosmetic preparations. Sportsmen are trained there. There is also an ethno-ecological rout "Echo of the Mountains".

A handicraft articles shop "Torko Chachak" is situated in v. Ongudai. Here one may buy felt articles, traditional Altaian fur-hats, carpets (syrmaks), goat-skin blankets (tyurkkhans).