We are entering one of the most ancient and natural regions of Altay. Our path lies past the Bely Kamen (White Stone) rock massif, or, as the Altay people call it, "Almys-Tuu Boom." Directly before you, at a height of about 50 meters above the Charysh River, lies the entrance to the Ust-Kanskaya Cave.

This cave is a true time capsule. It is a vast and dry grotto, only 17 meters long and up to 12 meters high. Because the entrance faces south, it has always been dry and warm inside — ideal conditions for ancient human life.

The Ust-Ka'nskaya Cave gained world fame in 1954 when archaeologist Sergey Rudenko discovered a Paleolithic site here. This was the first such ancient human settlement found in the territory of all North Asia. Its age is estimated in the tens, and by some accounts, even hundreds of thousands of years. In the cultural layers of the cave, archaeologists found crude stone and bone tools — scrapers, incisors, and points — as well as the bones of extinct animals, including the spiral-horned antelope, which disappeared from Altay even earlier than mammoths and rhinoceroses. In fact, we are standing before the oldest human home in Siberia.

Today, a well-maintained wooden staircase of 420 steps leads to the cave entrance, with several observation decks offering a magnificent view of the Charysh River valley.

The cave, which served as a refuge for the first humans, also has a mystical subtext. The Altay name of the mountain, "Almys-Tuu Boom," translates as "Mountain of the Almyses." In local mythology, Almyses are mythical creatures, half-human and half-beast. According to folk beliefs, these mysterious beings lived exactly in this cave, and some legends claim that on the night of a full moon, the walls of the cave can part, releasing the Almyses into the world of men.

The Ust-Kanskaya Cave is a place where the history of the planet meets mythology. It is not just a natural grotto, but a specially protected cultural heritage site of federal significance and a symbol that Altay was one of the first regions inhabited by humans.

Near the center of the village of Verkh-Uymon lies an estate that has forever linked Altay with the name of the great Russian artist, philosopher, and traveler — Nicholas Roerich.

This house belonged to the Old Believer Vakhramey Semyonovich Atamanov. It was here, in this simple Siberian log house, that Roerich, his wife Helena, and their eldest son George stayed for two weeks in August 1926 during their monumental Central Asian Expedition.

At first glance, it is an ordinary peasant house of the late 19th century. Yet, its atmosphere and the picturesque surroundings of the Uymon Valley, which Roerich called a "bowl filled with treasures," became for him a profound inspiration and a vital landmark on his journey.

Today, the estate has been transformed into the Roerich Memorial Museum. The exhibition is dedicated not only to art but also to the philosophy and the route of the expedition. You will see:

• Detailed maps of the Central Asian route.
• A photo archive of the Roerich family and their expedition.
• Reproductions of paintings by Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerich, created under the influence of Altay and the myth of Belovodye.

Of particular interest is the second floor of the house, where the Roerich family lived. In his diary, Nicholas Roerich described the Katun as a welcoming river and considered the mountains surrounding the valley a place from which to begin the search for the sacred land.

For Roerich, Altay was a gateway and a possible "magnet" for Shambala. He believed that it was here that the entrance to the mysterious Belovodye — the spiritual center of the world, hidden from the eyes of the uninitiated — could be found. A visit to the museum allows for a deeper understanding of how the artist and thinker integrated Altay legends, ancient beliefs, and his own philosophy of Living Ethics (Agni Yoga) into his work.

The Roerich Museum in Verkh-Uymon is a pilgrimage site for followers of his teachings and for all who seek not only beauty but also a deep, esoteric meaning in the mountains of Altay.

Walking just a few houses away from the Roerich estate, we find ourselves before another ancient log cabin that preserves the living history of the valley. Welcome to the Museum of the History and Culture of the Uymon Valley, more commonly known as the Museum of Old Believer Culture.

This museum is the brainchild and embodiment of the enthusiasm of Raisa Pavlovna Kuchuganova, a distinguished teacher and collector of local folklore. It is housed in an authentic 170-year-old home of the Ivanov family, which is a valuable exhibit in its own right.

The museum is dedicated to the life, daily routines, and spiritual traditions of the Old Believers, who played a decisive role in the development and preservation of the Uymon Valley. Unlike other local history museums, the atmosphere here is that of a lived-in, albeit ascetic, home. The exhibits have been gathered from all over Altay and accurately recreate the life of a Russian cabin from the 18th and 19th centuries:

• Ascetic furnishings and modest furniture reflecting the principle of rejecting luxury.
• The "Red Corner" (Krasny Ugol) featuring ancient icons and handwritten books.
• Household items and tools used by the Kamenshchiki (the "stone-dwellers") to survive in harsh mountain conditions.

Special attention is paid to the culture and traditions of the Old Believers: their unique dialect, handicrafts, attitude toward nature, and hospitality. The museum focuses on the spiritual journey of people who, since the 17th century, moved further and further east to escape church reforms and persecution. Following an edict by Catherine the Great in the late 18th century, the Old Believers were granted the right to subjects' status and began actively settling the Katun valley and its tributaries. Thus, the Uymon Valley became for them the very place where they could live "according to the old faith," away from external pressure.

Over time, a convergence of cultures took place. Russian settlers adopted Altay methods of mountain travel and natural lore, while the indigenous people learned large-scale farming and the use of Russian tools. In this way, a unique world was formed in the Uymon Valley — strict and hardworking, yet resilient and self-sustaining.

While here, you will understand how vital "purity" was to the Old Believers: purity of thought, purity of the home, and purity of clothing. This was not just a rule, but a core part of their spiritual path.
A visit to this museum provides a deep understanding of the Russian cultural layer in Altay, which exists alongside the ancient Altay culture. This is not merely an exhibition, but an immersion into the world of the Uymon Kerzhaks.

If you are looking for a peaceful stroll without steep climbs or complex routes, head to the confluence of the Koksa and Katun rivers. This is one of those places you don’t need to plan a special trip for — it is located right next to Ust-Koksa and is perfect for light day trekking.

The route begins almost in the center of the village. From the pedestrian suspension bridge over the Koksa, it is only about an eight-hundred-meter walk. After crossing the bridge, you immediately find yourself in a birch grove. The trail starts here: it follows the riverbank, gently curving along the bends of the river amidst the grass and light forest. The path is simple and pleasant, with no sharp changes in altitude.

After a short while, you reach a branch of the Koksa. In dry weather, it is easy to ford — the water is shallow and transparent, with the stones on the bottom clearly visible. Further on, the trail allows you to choose your direction: you can walk closer to the bank of the Katun or stay along the Koksa. At this point, the rivers flow very close to each other, as if already sensing their approaching encounter.

The final point of the route is a sharp cape that locals call "Strelka" (The Arrow). From here, you can clearly see the two rivers meet: the turquoise, powerful Katun and the light, clear Koksa. Their waters do not mix for a long time, forming a distinct boundary — a rare and very visual natural phenomenon. The Katun here is already deep and swift, while the Koksa remains calm and clear.

The entire walk is about two kilometers one way and is perfect for an unhurried day outing. People often stop here just to sit on the bank, watch the water, and listen to the current of the rivers. It is not a place of "wow-effects," but rather a spot for quiet contact with nature — exactly the feeling people come here for.
It is important to remember simple safety measures: during the warm season, protect yourself against ticks and bring a windbreaker in case the weather changes. Otherwise, the route is accessible to almost everyone.

The confluence of the Koksa and Katun is an effortless walk that provides a sense of a day well spent. It is a place where two rivers become one, and where Altay reveals its calm, contemplative side.

Our journey concludes at the foot of the highest and most mystical mountain in Siberia — Belukha.
Its Russian name, Belukha, comes from its eternal raiment: two peaks — East and West — are perpetually covered in snow and glaciers. Standing at 4,509 meters above sea level, this twin-headed beauty is the highest point not only of the Altay Mountains but of all Siberia.

For the indigenous Altay people, the mountain is sacred, and it holds many names, each reflecting its significance:

• Kadyn-Bazhy — "The Head of the Katun River." This is one of the most common and revered names.
• Uch-Sumer — "The Three Sacred Peaks." The Altay people consider Belukha the center of the world, a sacred axis; therefore, out of deep respect, none of them dare to summit it.

Belukha occupies a unique place in both geography and spiritual life. It is situated exactly on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan, and at the junction of three great oceanic basins: the Arctic, the Pacific, and the Indian Oceans. This makes it a unique energetic hub of the planet.

According to folk beliefs, Belukha is the abode of powerful spirits, and ascending it for the uninitiated is strictly forbidden. Legend has it that the entrance to the mythical Belovodye is located here, with the mountain serving as its impregnable guardian.

The mountain is also inseparably linked to the legacy of Nicholas Roerich. The artist viewed Belukha as one of the centers from which cosmic energy is transmitted to the world. He wrote: "Where then is Belovodye, where is Shambala? If Belukha is not the entrance, then, at any rate, it is an image of it. The aspiration toward it is already a gateway."

For most travelers, trekking to the foot of the mountain is the primary goal — for instance, to Lake Akkem, which offers the most breathtaking views. The trek to Akkem is a challenging but incredibly beautiful multi-day route.

For those reaching it by vehicle, the nearest point of contact is the village of Tyungur. It is a convenient base where the air is thick with the spirit of travel, inspiring any visitor to shoulder a backpack and embark on an extraordinary path.

Look toward Belukha. Feel its power, its untouched nature, and the millennial wisdom it preserves. Kadyn-Bazhy is not just a mountain; it is the symbol of Altay, one that inspires awe and demands respect.