Altai is not just fabulously beautiful forests, mountains, rivers with waterfalls and meadows with medicinal plants. This is the territory where the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden is located with a unique collection of medicinal herbs, trees, flowers and bushes. It also introduces the latest environmental management technologies based on the ethno-traditions of the Altai people. Thousands of tourists visit the garden every year to touch the soul with wildlife.
Where is the botanical garden
Some tourists note that getting to the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden is not at all difficult - the location next to the main highway on the Chuisky Trakt makes it as easy as possible to get to the reserve. So, its territory is located in the tract Chisty Lug (in front of the village of Kamlak, Shebalinsky district), on the 503rd kilometer of the tract. If you move in a southerly direction, then the garden can be found 77 kilometers from Gorno-Altaisk. In addition, on the way to it there is a road sign showingarrow to the bridge across the river Sema. This pointer indicates that after 800 meters there will be a pine forest with a wide terrace of the river, on which the botanical garden is located. Also to the left of the road you can see a colorful poster with detailed information about this research area.
It is worth noting that the location of the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden near the village of Kamlak is also due to the fact that it is on this territory that the natural monument of republican significance Katail-Shishkular-Chisty Meadow is located. The Katun, Sosnovaya and Sema rivers form a kind of natural boundary with conditions for the formation of biogeocenoses. The area of the garden is 60 hectares.
History of the garden
The famous Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden was founded by enthusiasts in 1994 with the aim of preserving and studying the diversity of the flora of the republic, as well as for the further introduction and laying of expositions of endangered, endemic and rare plant species. In 2009, over 1,500 plants of various species, varieties and forms were counted in his collection. Employees of the branch annually go on expeditions, during which they carefully explore the far corners of the republic, after which they bring new specimens and plant them in the park, trying to get seed material. Seminars, student practices and conferences are held on the basis of the garden. Joint expeditions are also organized with representatives of Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, China and America.
What can be seen while visiting the garden
Tourists MiningThe Altai Botanical Garden of the Republic of Altai offers to get acquainted with hundreds of plants of different species, which can often be found only in this territory. At the demonstration sites, it is allowed to consider Rhodiola rosea, ziziphora fragrant, creeping thyme, woolly panzeria, rock spurge, Caspian kopek, Krylov's brachantenum and other species composition.
The park is divided into small original natural zones, representing a complex of plants from Siberia, North America and the Far East. There is also an exhibition with medicinal herbs. Only the taiga and alpine forest-steppe zones have up to a thousand cultivated and wild plants.
Garden displays:
- North America;
- rock garden;
- steppe;
- ornamental garden;
- Far East;
- Europe;
- collection of conifers;
- spicy-aromatic vegetable garden.
The entire Gorno-Altai Territory, p. Kamlak, the botanical garden and other territories of the republic are a picturesque area. However, they are also distinguished by a special culture, so tourists are invited to look at the dwellings of the Altaians, try their national dishes, see the beauty of the meadows of the At-Aiyl tract and protected forests listed in the Green Book of Western Siberia. It is also allowed to spend holidays in this protected area - you can settle in wooden houses located right in the middle of the garden, or in tents in protected areas. In addition, pre-rented conferencehall, here it is possible to hold seminars, forums, round tables and conferences.
After the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden has been examined, visitors are offered to try drinks in the phytobar, purchase medicines made from medicinal herbs, seeds and planting material. It is worth noting that rafting on the Katun is organized for fans of extreme sports.
Botanical Garden opening hours
In the spring-summer period, the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden is open to visitors from 09:00 to 20:00 without lunch and days off. In addition, a volunteer program is being implemented on its basis, according to the terms of which groups of volunteers aged 23 and over are formed. All volunteers are provided with free accommodation and meals. Every day, except for weekends, they must weed for 6 hours of exposure and collect medicinal herbs. The registration fee is 1200 rubles. Groups are formed as applications are received:
- June 19-28;
- July 10-19;
- July 31-August 9.
It is also possible to come by agreement, outside of groups.
Garden tours, tourist reviews
The garden has long been very popular among tourists and annually it is visited by more than 2 thousand people. Visitors can walk around its territory on their own or accompanied by an experienced guide. Everyone who has visited the botanical garden at least once notes thathad an unforgettable experience and intend to visit again.
