Arrival and Start Along the Chuya Highway
The route starts from Gorno-Altaysk airport — actually from the village of Maima. The first kilometers along the highway are a gentle introduction to Gorny Altai: the road winds along the Katun River, gradually gaining elevation.
Manzherok Rapids and Lake
Just 20 km from the airport. A stop on the bridge over the Katun — your first chance to appreciate the scale and color of this river. Lake Manzherok is nearby, great for a shoreline walk.
A bit further is the 'Turquoise Katun' resort complex: an artificial lake with recreation infrastructure. You can stop for your first taste of the local atmosphere or simply take a photo from the road — the turquoise water against the cliffs is impressive even from the highway.
Road to the Kurai Steppe. Heart of the Highway
The longest stretch of the route — and the most spectacular. The Chuya Highway reveals its full power here: switchbacks, mountain passes, river confluences, and landscapes that change every half hour.
Confluence of Chuya and Katun (Chuy-Oozy)
One of the most powerful and sacred viewpoints in the Altai, about 250 km from Chemal. The murky white Chuya flows into the turquoise Katun — the contrast is stunning. You'll want to linger here.
Aktash Relay Station
An unusual industrial structure on a mountaintop — an abandoned radio relay station. The road is dirt, the climb requires 4WD only. The excursion takes about 4 hours, but the views from the summit are worth every minute.
Mars Valley (Kyzyl-Chin)
Colorful clay mountains — red, yellow, ochre — look like another planet. Located near Aktash. In May–June, high water may require a local transfer. From July to September, it's passable even for a sedan.
Kurai Steppe
A grand intermontane basin with panoramic views of the North Chuya Range. Stop at the viewpoints — the Sarlyk Glacier is visible on the horizon. Especially impressive at dawn.
Geyser Lake (Blue Lake)
A small thermal lake with an amazing turquoise bottom — the clay constantly 'breathes', creating whimsical patterns. Located near Aktash, a short walk from the road.
Katu-Yaryk Pass and Uchar Waterfall
The most adventurous stage of the route. From Aktash, the road turns onto the Ulagan Highway — a scenic route through the Red Gates (a narrow passage between reddish-tinted cliffs) and past Ulagan Lake. About 100 km to where the familiar road ends.
Katu-Yaryk Pass
This isn't a classic pass but a dizzying switchback — a steep descent into the Chulyshman Valley. The view from above is one of the most photographed in the Altai: a green ribbon of river winding between sheer canyon walls hundreds of meters below. Even if you don't plan to descend — the viewpoint alone is a must.
Uchar Waterfall (Big Chulcha)
The largest cascading waterfall in the Altai. To reach it, you need to descend the pass, drive ~30 km through the valley, then hike about 8 km one way. The round trip takes a full day, but the experience rivals a separate journey.
Stone Mushrooms (Akkurum)
Amazingly shaped rock formations in the Chulyshman Valley. Getting there involves a river crossing and a trail climb. Worth it: dozens of stone 'mushrooms' several meters tall against mountain slopes.
Road to Teletskoye Lake
From the Chulyshman Valley, the road leads to the southern shore of Teletskoye — one of the largest and deepest lakes in Siberia. Along the way — villages of Balykcha and Kok-Pash with views of mountain slopes descending straight into the water.
In summer, a car ferry runs from the southern shore (Cape Kyrsai) to the northern shore (Artybash village). Check the schedule locally — it changes with the weather. The ferry saves you dozens of hours compared to the alternative dirt road (~150 km of the most difficult terrain).
Korbu Waterfall
The jewel of Teletskoye Lake, located on the eastern shore — Altai Nature Reserve territory. Accessible only by water: in Artybash, take a boat excursion or arrange with local boatmen. There's an admission fee, but the waterfall is worth it.
Teletskoye Lake and Return
The final stretch — returning to Gorno-Altaysk via the Teletsky Highway through Turochak village. This is already a paved road, about 160 km of calm driving through taiga. Along the way, you can visit Ak-Köl Geyser Lake — another thermal lake with blue clay.
The circle is complete. You've returned to the starting point, but as a completely different person — with hundreds of photos, dozens of stories, and an entirely new understanding of what the Altai can be.
