Ongudaysky District: Rivers, Pass and Petroglyphs

In Ongudaysky District, striking river landscapes meet archaeological sites and a pass with a clearly defined route. At the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers near Chuy-Oozy, a striking contrast in water color can be seen: the Katun is turquoise, while the Chuya is milky and cloudy. This difference can be observed from a designated viewpoint. The viewpoint is 500 meters from the road. The confluence is located at approximately kilometer 713 of the Chuysky Trakt. The appearance of the water colors can vary depending on the season.

Rivers, rapids and a festival

The Ilgumensky Rapids are on the Katun, near the mouth of the Bolshoy Ilgumen River. They are also the first stretch of rapids on the Katun downstream from the mouth of the Chuya. The stretch is about 300 meters long and is classified as Category IV under the Russian system. Rafts, catamarans and kayaks can navigate the rapids. They can also be visited by car. Thus, navigating the rapids and visiting them by car appeal to different interests.

The “Kubok Katuni – Ak Talai Margaan” festival is traditionally held at the Ilgumensky Rapids in late August or early September. If you are planning your trip specifically around the festival, check the dates for the year you wish to attend.

Chike-Taman Pass

Chike-Taman Pass lies between the villages of Khabarovka and Kupchegen and forms the watershed between the Bolshoy Ilgumen and Maly Ilgumen rivers. It is 11 kilometers long: 4 kilometers are uphill and 7 kilometers downhill. Its elevation is 1,295 meters above sea level. There is a designated viewpoint at the summit. On February 16, 1996, the pass was officially designated a natural monument of republican significance.

Burial mounds and petroglyphs

The Shibin burial mounds are in the Ursul Valley and comprise two groups. One is on the northern edge of the village of Shiba, and the other is on the northern edge of the village of Talda. These location details make clear that the two groups are separate and associated with different villages.

The Bichiktu-Boom petroglyph complex, also known as Karakolskaya pisanitsa, is on Mount Bichiktu-Bom on the left bank of the Karakol River in Uch-Enmek Nature Park. The complex is an ancient sanctuary with several hundred images. Most date from the early first millennium AD, as well as from later Old Turkic and medieval periods. This site therefore brings together several historical periods in one collection of images.

Another archaeological site in Ongudaysky District is Kalbak-Tash. Its petroglyphs include anthropomorphic, solar and zoomorphic depictions. The motifs include deer, horses and cows. Together with the Shibin burial mounds and Bichiktu-Boom, Kalbak-Tash shows that the district’s archaeological sites take different forms: burial mound groups on the edges of two villages, as well as rock art with a variety of motifs.

Discover more destinations: Smolensky District, Egoryevsky District, Zonalny District, Romanovsky District, Talmenka District, Shebalinsky District, Ust-Kansky District, Chemalsky District.

See the main travel overview: Altai Region.