Over the past few years, Altai has become the star of Russian travel lists and one of the most popular glamping destinations. Tourists come here not only to see blue lakes, wild taiga, endless steppes and karst caves, but also to find difficult places. Everyone adds something of themselves to this concept, but Altai has always been surrounded by an atmosphere of mysticism and mystery. It is no coincidence that the famous artist and thinker Nicholas Roerich called Belovodye here (in Old Believer legends this is the name of the holy country, paradise on earth).
“…While passing through the Altai hills not long ago, we were shown secret, remote paths and paths known only to a select few, leading to the Holy places called Belovodye.” – Roerich told about his journey.
For some travelers, the place of power becomes the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, for others it is Lake Teletskoye, for others it is Mount Belukha. Everyone chooses their own place, and it looks like we found it in Altai. Grand Chalet Altai resort is located on the banks of the Katun River, the “hostess” of the Siberian region, surrounded by a coniferous forest. Here you can feel the peace and enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of nature. But these are not all the pieces of the puzzle that make up our place of power.
Lightness in the body, relaxation, a “clear” head – we often experience these sensations after successful meditation, massage or going to the bathhouse. The bathhouse has long become not just a washing process, but also a symbol of cleansing – not only of the body, but also of the mind. It is no coincidence that the traditional Russian bath is especially revered in Altai, surrounded by pine and cedar trees. Grand Chalet Altay facility is home to the largest Turkish bath and spa complex in Altay, “Sedir ve Steam”. Here you can rent a VIP steam room, a separate wood-fired Russian bath, or stay in the common area of the complex. The latter includes five different steam rooms, a 20-meter indoor swimming pool, treatment and massage rooms, and a private restaurant where you can enter in your bathrobe without leaving the thermal bath area. By the way, one of the main features of the complex is that the bathhouse here is heated in the morning, so you can start relaxation rituals whenever you want. And every two hours, bath attendants invite guests of the common area of the complex to take fresh steam.
The private kitchen, for which chef Evgeniy Maslovsky is in charge, is another enigma that forms our powerhouse. The resort’s gastronomy is represented by three restaurants and a pool bar open during the summer season. But perhaps the main place of culinary attraction is the Sosny restaurant, located in the main building of the hotel. An appetizer consisting of Maral (Altay venison), pike cutlets with soft mashed potatoes and, for dessert, a lingonberry pie created by the chef based on childhood memories – just like my grandmother’s. Dishes are prepared using environmentally friendly products – farm vegetables, cheese and gifts from the surrounding nature (you can even try fern appetizers in the restaurant). Therefore, as with many things, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the food here.
One of the main advantages of the complex is its location. It is ideal without exaggeration.
With car:
— 30 minutes from Gorno-Altaysk airport.
— 60 minutes to the Blue Lakes, one of the main attractions of Altai. According to a legend, Khan Altay gave his daughter Katun blue eyes so that she could see the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. But because of the bright summer sun, the “eyes” look at the earth only in autumn and winter. Therefore, you can see the Blue Lakes from the end of August to the beginning of April.
— 40 minutes to the Kamysh Trail (“shaman” in Altai) to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall, a place of power.
– 20 minutes to Chuysky Road, the only road in Russia that is on the list of the 10 most beautiful roads in the world according to National Geographic.
— 10 minutes to the honey hive, where they will show you the bees and tell you all about their difficult work.
On foot:
– 15 minutes to Tavdinsky caves, a large cave complex of karst origin.
— 20 minutes to the Nicholas Roerich monument.
The resort is located between the Katunya River and the Seminsky Mountain Range, which helps maintain the region’s special microclimate. The main characters of the hotel infrastructure are Altai cedar and mountain pine (their names appear in the names of the establishments in the complex). Therefore, the creators of the resort treat them and the entire nature of Altai with respect. It is possible to see this even in the details. As you wander around the area, you will notice that some of the chalets are surrounded by perennial coniferous trees whose trunks have neat openings made into them. Such a harmonious coexistence of nature and man allows us to preserve the landscape of the place. All chalets are surrounded by bushes, grass, rowan trees and pine trees. And from each of them you can see (and even hear) the boiling Katun. Since the resort is located on the first line, walking along the 500-meter riverbank becomes a regular part of the day when staying here. Meanwhile, in the spring of 2023, the Travel Time Awards jury selected Grand Chalet Altay as the discovery of the year in Russia. This is another plus to the list of reasons to come here.
Source: People Talk
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
