Golden Ring of Altai
July 17 - 31, 2006

These two locations were chosen for the rare and endemic flowers found here. At Ak-Tru, you will be asked to help the botanist collect flower samples for the herbarium in Gorno Altaisk. The area is known for its diversity and at peak season (June and July) we hope to identify over 30 flowers in 5 square meters! You will not walk on the glaciers, but you will often see them in the distance.

Orchis Militaris has great variations of half tones starting from almost white to deep violet.	A narrow endemic Cypripedium Macranthon is a threatened flora species of the mid Altai mountains.

After Ak-Tru, you will travel by van to the site of the planned Nature Park Ak-Cholushpa to study a lower mountain ecosystem. The valley of the Chulyshman River, a vertical canyon about 1-km deep, boasts unique geological rock and sand formations, mountain lakes and magnificent waterfalls. With local lecturers and guides you will learn about the local culture and about the ancient Scythian civilization called Pazyryk (500-600 bc). Cultural events include stops at two museums, “kurgans” and burial sites; and hearing throat singers from this region, called “kai”.

On this part of the expedition the focus will be on lower altitude vegetation, local microclimates that allow for farming in the valley, and the fish and flora endemic to Teltskoye Lake. The Lake itself, one of two rift lakes in Siberia (the other is Baikal), hosts many species of fish including taimen and kharius. On day 13, you board a motorboat for a ride up the Lake (with a stop at Korbu waterfall) and begin making your way back to Gorno Altaisk and home.