Many interesting sights can be seen in the vicinity of Lake Teletskoye, whose name in the southern Altai language sounds like Altyn Kol, translated as “Golden Lake”. It is located in the northeast of the Altai Mountains, in a place famous for the beauty of rich forests, mountain peaks, clear rivers and majestic waterfalls. The natural splendor of the reservoir is breathtaking; it is not surprising that it is so popular among tourists. Comfortable recreation centers and excursion routes covering the most interesting places have been prepared for guests here.
Reviews about holidays on Lake Teletskoye. Advantages and disadvantages
Lake Teletskoye, or Altyn-Kol, is one of the most picturesque places in Russia. It is included in the UNESCO list of protected natural sites. The lake is located in the northeast of the Altai Mountains, has a length of 77.8 km and an average depth of 174 m.
According to tourists, in summer you can have a good rest on Lake Teletskoye in hotels, guest houses, country estates and chalets. Many come here with tents, but this is the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve, so parking is allowed only in certain places.
Almost all tourist accommodation is located at the northwestern tip of the lake - in the villages of Artybash and Yogach, at the source of the Biya River. Lovers of nature, fishing, cycling and horseback riding enjoy holidays here.
The banks of the reservoir are steep and rocky, so the sights can only be seen from the water. Excursions around the lake cost 1000-3000 rubles. Vacationers are taken by boat to Kamga Bay, Korbu Waterfall and to the southern tip - to the mouth of the Chulyshman River.
Attention! For a holiday on Lake Teletskoye you need to pay a resort fee - 50 rubles per day per person. Local residents, disabled people of groups I and II, and low-income families are exempt from payment.
The advantages of a holiday on Lake Teletskoye in the summer of 2021, according to reviews:
- Beautiful nature.
- Fresh air.
- Good fishing.
Minuses:
- Long transfer. The trip from Gorno-Altaisk to Artybash by bus takes 3.2 hours.
- High housing prices.
- Tourist infrastructure is poorly developed.
- There are no entertainment centers.
- Due to the surrounding mountains, the climate in Artybash and Yogach is more severe than in Yaylyu and Bel. It is cooler here and it rains more often.
- The lake is cold. At the height of summer, the temperature in the north does not exceed +10°С, and in the south +16…+17°С.
Elena Karnaukhova: “We love visiting Altai. Beautiful nature, clean mountain air - you can’t imagine a better vacation.”
milenny: “We rested at the Golden Lake base in summer wooden houses. It was quite cool there in mid-June.”
Sever191: “The lake and the mountains around make a strong impression. It seems that you can look at these beauties endlessly.”
Horse tourism is well developed in Altai. Photo: franztakespics / unsplash.com.
Lake Teletskoye: impressive waterfalls
Waterfalls are the property of Lake Teletskoye. They add exoticism to its surroundings and attract the attention of a large number of tourists.
Kishte Waterfall
- Coordinates on the map: 51.733799, 87.673256.
Kishte Waterfall is one of the largest waterfalls of Lake Teletskoye, its height reaches 12.5 m. It is located on the river of the same name, not far from the picturesque Cape Ayran. Landing at the waterfall is prohibited; it can only be admired while on a boat in the middle of the lake. From this angle, a stunning view opens not only of the lush cascades of the waterfall, but also of the rocky shores and majestic ridges of Cape Ayran.
The sound of seething streams can be heard from afar, which is why the waterfall was named “Kishte”, which translated into Russian means “calling”. A powerful stream falls into a bay with inaccessible rocky shores. On sunny days, its water surface takes on an unusual turquoise hue. In the crevices of the rocks of this unique attraction, bergenia grows and the bright inflorescences of the Ledebur rhododendron are colorful.
Estuba Falls
- Coordinates: 51.742537, 87.441960.
The journey to this natural wonder begins by crossing the lake. Having reached the shore, tourists hear the welcoming ringing of the bell - the sea bell, which is how guests are greeted here.
Wooden floorings lead to the waterfall's abode, smoothly turning into walkways rising above a small but stormy river. Estyuba glides along the slope of the gorge in a powerful stream. On a fine day, several rainbows can be seen above it, appearing thanks to clouds of small drops.
The ideal time to visit this waterfall is late spring, when it is replenished with meltwater and the flow becomes even stronger.
Safronov Estate
This nice wooden holiday home with a terrace is located in Iogac. The owners keep the accommodation clean. There are mosquito nets on the windows. You can relax on the terrace and use the barbecue facilities. The kitchen, bathroom and toilet are shared. There are different houses that accommodate from 2 to 10 people.
Price. A house with a bedroom for two costs from 2,500 rubles per day.
Kirill : “The site is located on a hill, so the balcony offers stunning views of the mountains, the village and Lake Teletskoye.”
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Cottage on the territory of the Estate (Photo: booking.com / Safronov Estate)
Cordons of Lake Teletskoye
Cordons are forest guard posts whose purpose is to monitor the conservation of flora and fauna, as well as protect reserves from harm to the ecosystem. Near the cordons there are often buildings and lands that have not only economic, but also tourist interest.
Cordon Bele
- Coordinates: 51.420804, 87.795901.
Cordon Bele is located on the picturesque terrace of the right bank of Lake Teletskoye. From here you can see a beautiful view of Mount Altyn, the Chulyshman river valley and Cape Artal. Up the hill is the small village of Bele, in whose honor the cordon got its name.
The residents of the settlement are employees of the reserve and the weather station. The terrace is built up with unsightly wooden houses, next to which you can see mills and wells. A little further away, an orchard blooms, producing rich harvests.
In addition to the beautiful views, the following buildings are of interest to tourists:
- A small recreation area equipped with a bench and a canopy. What gives it originality are two parallel columns made of stones, logs and animal bones. Between them there is a rectangle of birch bark, on which an ancient message seems to be written.
- The stone statue “Kezer-Tash” (“Stone Warrior”), standing near the shore in the middle of an overgrown field. This monument has been preserved since ancient times and is of historical and ethnographic value.
Cordon Chelush
- Coordinates: 51.496172, 87.750473.
Cordon Chelyush stands in the place where the Chelyush and Bascon rivers merge with Lake Teletskoye. A pair of log cabins are located in a vast clearing called “Letnik”. Ancient Altai nomads stopped here to rest.
The clearing is surrounded on all sides by forest, where deer, roe deer and bears live in large numbers. The ecological and educational route of the Altai Nature Reserve passes by this settlement.
"Altyn-Kol"
In the village of Artybash, on the shore of Lake Teletskoye, there is a modern resort hotel. The rooms have large beds, an electric kettle and toiletries. Continental breakfast costs 250 rubles. Play table tennis and take a walk in the beautiful surroundings.
Price. A double room costs from 2700 rubles per night.
Lyudmila : “The rooms smell of wood. From the balcony there is a view of the lake. The food in the on-site canteen was very tasty.”
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The territory of the Altyn-Kol hotel (Photo: booking.com / Altyn-Kol)
Recreation center Eden
The Edem recreation center is located near Lake Teletskoye. The infrastructure of the complex allows you to relax there with children of any age. Several multi-storey wooden complexes are offered for living. There are standard and economy rooms. In the summer, the price for them rises to 1,500 rubles, in winter it drops to 1,000 per person. Each room can accommodate 2-4 people at the same time. There are summer houses for 500 ₽ per person.
Meals are provided by a local cafe from 9:00 to 20:00. If you would like to eat at another time, please contact the administration of the recreation center to make a request. The complex costs 1200. When ordering on the website, there is a 20% discount. The menu includes the best dishes of Altai cuisine - chegen, kurut, kan, kocho, kaymak, tok-chok.
The complex has a Russian bathhouse with an outdoor pool - 1500 ₽/hour. The company would be interested in a floating barrel sauna at a similar price. For evening gatherings, the base offers covered gazebos with barbecues and accessories for cooking meat. Sports activities include table tennis and billiards. A great place to spend time for children is the zoo. Entrance - 300 ₽.
The recreation center "Edem" offers guests excursions around Lake Teletskoye and the surrounding area. Cost from 1500.
"Manor in the mountains"
A convenient recreation center is located in Artybash on Lake Teletskoye. The two-story wooden houses are surrounded by coniferous forest, so it’s easy to breathe here. The rooms are small - 18 sq. m. But each has toilets with showers. Tourists cook in a shared kitchen. Rent a bike and explore the shores of the lake!
Price. Double apartments with a balcony cost from 1,800 rubles per day.
Evgeniya : “The grounds are well-groomed, the rooms are clean and tidy, there are a lot of dishes in the kitchen, enough for all the guests.”
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Territory of the Estate (Photo: booking.com / Estate in the mountains)
Rivers and bays on and near the lake
The banks of the rivers flowing from Lake Teletskoye and flowing into it are famous for their picturesque corners that have preserved the virginity of wild nature.
Chulyshman River
- Coordinates: 51.343991, 87.748437.
Chulyshman is the largest tributary of the lake mouth, originating in the high-mountain lake Dzhulukul. At the end of the 19th century, the fertile banks of this river were an oasis of Siberian gardening and winemaking, and currently they attract lovers of extreme tourism. Rough currents and steep rapids have made Chulyshman a popular place for kayaking.
The river is no less in demand among fishermen. The abundance of fish in local waters is amazing. Grayling, Altai osman, whitefish, burbot and uskuch live here. But this place is absolutely not suitable for swimming. Having a mountain origin, Chulyshman remains cold even in the summer. Plus, due to the accumulation of vegetation, the water is quite cloudy and has a greenish tint.
Third River
- Coordinates: 51.789302, 87.319696.
The third river flows into a gorge near the village of Artybash. An eco-trail runs along its shore. It is partly unpaved, covered with grass and tree roots, partly lined with gravel. Between the trees you can see information stands with educational information about the local fauna and flora.
There are special gazebos for relaxation. In their appearance, they resemble log cabins and do not in any way disturb the natural composition of the natural landscape.
In the upper reaches of the river there is a group of small waterfalls. 5-meter cascades flow down massive boulders that fell into the river from the top of the cliff thousands of years ago. In some places, streams form so-called “baths”, which look like miniature lakes decorated with thickets of greenery.
Stone Bay
- Coordinates: 51.775572, 87.323491.
Stone Bay is a small bay separated from the lake by piles of stone blocks. It can only be reached by boat.
If tourists decide to walk along the shore, they will have to overcome massive boulders and sharp stones, because there are no paths or roads here. Nevertheless, this is one of the most beautiful places in Lake Teletskoye. The bay is surrounded by wooded hills and even among the gray blocks there are trees. In some places the water is cloudy, while in others it is so clear that the rocky bottom is visible.
Despite the inaccessibility and lack of amenities, the bay is very popular among tourists who appreciate the beauty of untouched nature.
"Actra Tract"
One of the most beautiful recreation centers for relaxing on Lake Teletskoye in the summer of 2021 is located in the eastern part of the village of Artybash. The rooms have a private bathroom, TV, refrigerator, kettle, hairdryer and large wardrobe. The picturesque coast of Altyn-Kol is visible directly from the windows.
Price. A double room with breakfast costs from 6,800 rubles per night.
Evgeniya : “The rooms were pleased with the high ceiling and almost floor-length windows overlooking the lake. There is a feeling of great space and air. I advise you to go to the wood-fired bathhouse, which is located on the hotel premises.”
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Buildings on the territory of the recreation center (Photo: booking.com / Aktra tract)
Wildlife corners
Wherever a traveler exploring Lake Teletskoe goes, around every turn he will find natural monuments, each of which is endowed with some feature that makes it unique and memorable.
Island of love
- Coordinates: 51.745227, 87.514836.
The picturesque island rising from the lake is surrounded by the greenery of a pine forest. It received its romantic name for the reason that its shape resembles a heart (this is noticeable from a bird's eye view).
According to another version, the name is associated with a narrow strait, which can only be passed by a small two-seater boat, which is usually used by couples in love.
You can visit the Island of Love during a sightseeing tour of Lake Teletskoye. Tourists are allowed to land on the shore of the attraction and stroll through the picturesque surroundings.
Valley of the Chulyshman River
- Coordinates: 51.321994, 87.721206.
Fans of hiking and rock climbing should visit the valley of the Chulyshman River. The river passes through a plain surrounded by high hills. The most difficult and dangerous place is the Katu-Yaryk pass, reaching an altitude of 800 meters.
The path, broken at sharp angles, leading from the foot to the top, is noticeable from afar. From the peak of the hill there is a breathtaking view of the valley, mountains and endless expanses of enchanting and mesmerizing Altai forests.
Mount Tilan-Tuu
- Coordinates: 51.803049, 87.285697.
It is located on the territory of the village of Artybash. Its name translates as “Snake Mountain”. There are two versions of why the mountain was christened this way:
- The name is associated with an ancient Altai custom, according to which a young man, before the wedding, must carry his bride to the top of the mountain in his arms to prove his strength. If the young man turned out to be too weak, the girl turned into a snake and slipped away.
- The name of the mountain was given by the owner of one of the local tourist centers, who tells tourists a story that a giant snake supposedly lives on the top.
Be that as it may, there are no snakes on Tilan-Tuu, and it is completely safe for tourists to visit.
Tilan-Tuu does not differ in height - only 741 m, so you can climb it on foot. Well-trodden paths and sandy roads lead to the top. It is worth considering that the climb is quite steep; you need to take care in advance about comfortable shoes and a supply of water.
At the end of the trip, tourists will find an observation deck with a panoramic view of Lake Teletskoye, the villages of Artybash and Iogach, as well as the source of the Biya River.
Vanishing Source
- Coordinates on the map: 51.695205, 87.297174.
The source is located in the valley of the Samysh River. It consists of two bowls lined with stones, which are filled with ice water from an underground spring. The source was nicknamed “disappearing” or “pulsating” because water appears in it for ten minutes every half hour, after which it goes underground.
Spring water is crystal clear, and some believe it has healing properties. Bathing and washing are allowed only in the lower bowl, while the upper one is considered holy.
Leontopodium Teletskoye
The guest house in Jogač has a stylish design. Tourists like comfortable accommodation, a spacious terrace and an originally decorated hall. The rooms have a private bathroom with shower and heating. This is a great option for relaxing on Lake Teletskoye in summer and winter!
Price. A double room with breakfast costs from 5,000 rubles per night.
Ksenia : “The kitchen is bomb! Entertainment - boat, ATVs, cable car, sauna. Everything is on the level."
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Guest house on the territory of the base (Photo: booking.com / Leontopodium Teletskoye)
Guest house on the territory of the base (Photo: booking.com / Leontopodium Teletskoye)
HotelO&K
Nice holiday houses on Lake Teletskoye are located in the center of the village of Artybash, not far from the water. Each has a wide bed, flat-screen TV and a bathroom. Cycling and horse riding are popular in the vicinity of the camp site.
Price. A house for four costs from 7,000 rubles per day. For 300 rubles, guests are offered a hearty breakfast.
Olesya : “The houses are really cozy. Everything has been thought out to the smallest detail: there is even a shoe dryer.”
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Guest house on site (Photo: booking.com / O&K)
Climate and nature of the Altai Territory
The climate on the lake is continental, temperatures vary greatly in the north and south. In the southern part there is frequent precipitation. In the north, the weather is always cool but dry, up to +5 degrees. The latitudinal part of the lake is covered with ice in winter, but the water is quite clear with visibility of the reservoir depth up to 6 m.
In the off-season, in spring and autumn, there are frequent winds on the lake, sometimes so strong that in the surf areas navigation fails and it is difficult for people from boats to land on shore. Lake Teletskoye is 78 km long, with a picturesque border of the Shapshalsky and Abakansky ridges.
Popular places for recreation: the Iolo and Korbu ridges. The climate regime on the southern shore of the lake is simply unique. The weather is changeable up to 4 times a day.
The Chulyshman reservoir is considered the largest tributary of the Teletskoye; there are more than 300 small rivers and lakes around it. The mountains and slopes are beautiful and attractive. The Korbu waterfall is very beautiful, nature, untouched by humanity, is imaginative. Many legends are associated with these places.
Visitors can visit other picturesque places: Big Shaltan, Choodor, Ayu-Kerpes, Forty Sins, Big Chili waterfalls.
Altai is a mountainous area, and the flora is simply huge. The mountains on the slopes from the south of the lake are covered with larch forests; the east is simply replete with pine, birch and cedar forests. In the west, near the shore, there is a dark coniferous taiga with fir, cedar, and larch growing.
Right in the taiga there is a nature reserve inhabited by wolves, lynxes, wolverines, bears, weasels, and rare sables. Closer to the water there are minks and otters. The Altai badger can be found everywhere.
The right bank of Lake Teletskoye is known for the Yailyu Nature Reserve, surrounded by high rocky mountains. You can only get to it by lake; there is no land road. The reserve's workers live right in these amazing places.
"Manor in the Forest"
The guest house is located in the southern part of Iogach, 1 km from the lake shore. The neat buildings are surrounded by the Altai taiga. Garden furniture is made from good quality logs. The housing is paneled with wood. The rooms have a kitchenette, microwave and shower.
Price. A double room costs from 1200 rubles per night. A great option for an inexpensive holiday on Lake Teletskoye!
Margarita : “There’s a forest behind the fence, it’s quiet. Beautiful sunsets are visible from the veranda. There is a gazebo and an inflatable pool on the territory.”
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Guest house (Photo: booking.com / Manor in the forest)
Review of good beaches for swimming on the lake
In addition to excursion and ecological tourism, another type of recreation is popular on Lake Teletskoye - beach. Swimming in one of the most beautiful lakes in Altai is a great pleasure.
South coast
The southern coast is famous for its wide sandy coastline. Here you can find everything your heart desires: hot golden sand, where you can lie down and sunbathe, clean clear water and amazingly beautiful views of the hilly surroundings. The beach line is long, so even during the peak tourist season it will not be difficult to find a secluded corner.
Cape Kyrsai
- Coordinates: 51.364819, 87.759073.
Cape Kyrsai is located where the Chulyshman River flows into Lake Teletskoye. Its shores are deserted, there are no forests or lush vegetation, only occasionally low bushes and thickets of dry grass are found. Narrow sandy beaches stretch along the water's edge.
Chulyshman is a cold mountain river, but when mixed with the warm waters of the lake, it warms up and becomes suitable for swimming. A visit to the beaches of Cape Kyrsai is not only an opportunity to splash around, but also to admire the impressive views of the blue river and rocky cliffs.
