Russian photographer captures peaks, valleys and rivers of Altai.
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Alexandr Leshenok
The Altai Mountains form the tallest mountain range in southern Siberia and are separated by deep river valleys and vast intermountain hollows. The Altai stretches into Central Asia and crosses four state borders: Russian, Mongolian, Chinese and Kazakh.
Alexandr Leshenok
The mountainous areas of the Altai (3,134 kilometers from Moscow) are, together with Lake Baikal, Siberia’s most popular tourist areas.
Alexandr Leshenok
The Altai Mountains, considered by some the “Green Pharmacy” of the earth and the “lungs” of the planet, is one of the cleanest and most unpolluted regions in Russia.
Alexandr Leshenok
As a result of its remote location, Altai’s nature has been well preserved.
Alexandr Leshenok
Nature reserves comprise 20 percent of the Altai Republic territory, and 126 natural monuments are also located in the area.
Alexandr Leshenok
Mountain lakes here remain crystal clear, while forests, dotted valleys and mountain slopes make the air truly salubrious.
Alexandr Leshenok
Thanks to the careful protection of nature in Altai, rare medicinal plants still grow in the area.
Alexandr Leshenok
The lakes, woods and deserts of the Altai Republic make a spectacular destination for travellers.
Alexandr Leshenok
Here, on the borders of Mongolia and Kazakhstan are the relics of old shamanic religions and prehistoric rock-carvings above meadows full of flowers.
Alexandr Leshenok
There are also opportunities for rafting, hiking, mountain climbing and sleeping in traditional yurts.
Alexandr Leshenok
The Altai Republic lacks a railroad. Therefore, to get to the Altai Mountains, you must first travel to, for example,
Barnaul,
Novosibirsk, or
Biysk, and use cars or vans.
