Wildlife Activities Places Getting to and around Tours
The Altai Mountains can justly claim the most beautiful scenery in the whole of Siberia. The region has never known serious agriculture, logging or industry. The trees collapse on to the thick moss only when they die of age. Above the tree line, the forest creeps up in the form of Siberian birch, half a meter high. The meadows, never subjected to grazing or scything, explode in spring with a carpet of flowers that extends for miles. And the countless lakes, framed by snowy peaks, will dazzle you with their exquisite beauty.
The wildlife is very diverse, ranging from large mammals (bear, lynx, wolverine, Siberian stag, even reindeer and snow leopard above the tree line) to small birds (over 230 species) and fish (20 species; umber, loach, white fish among them). Then there are camel and yak, which add a nice Mongolian touch to the picture of Russian Altai. Another, and very pleasing, detail is the total absence of mosquitoes, which make summer life so miserable in other parts of Siberia.
Cedar is very common in the rich mountain forests, as well as pine, birch, spruce, fir and larch. Berries and mushrooms are abundant in season.
