There are many amazing and beautiful places in Altai, the Dzhumalinsky Keys are no exception. These are the thermal springs on the Ukok Plateau, which are nestled in the picturesque valley of the Dzhumala River at an altitude of 2,400 m above sea level, and add to the list of UNESCO protected natural sites.
The second name is "Warm Keys". The water in the springs does not change the temperature all year round, and it contains a radioactive element called "radon". Dzhumalinsky springs are attracted from the side of tourist recreation or as a health improvement. Before the trip, it is recommended to consult with your doctor, there are medical contraindications.
The places of the Ukok Plateau are amazing, tourists come here not only from Russia, but from all over Europe. For some visitors, this is a good way to change the environment and get closer to virgin nature, for others - to solve long-standing health problems. There is an exciting activity for every tourist.
When to go to rest?
All year round, the water in thermal springs is maintained at around 18-20 degrees. Dzhumalinsky keys do not freeze even at minus 50 degrees. You can come to the Teply Klyuch village at any time of the year, but it is better to go on a trip from May to November, when the weather is favorable in Gorny Altai.
In the rainy season, there are difficulties on the roads, but in the summer the weather is dry and warm, you can easily get to all local attractions. From June to August it is especially hot, while in September warm weather sets in, and visitors can enjoy the picturesque landscapes and local beauties.
Fans of active and even extreme recreation will like to relax in Gorny Altai in winter. However, during this period, some of the sights remain inaccessible due to the short daylight hours, bad weather. In winter, a lot of snow falls on the Teply Klyuch pass, and frosty weather sets in. Each tourist decides for himself what he expects from the upcoming vacation, and, based on his own wishes, determines the best time for a trip.
How to get there by car?
At 560 km from the Dzhumalinsky keys there is an extensive transport hub - the city of Gorno-Altaysk. Airport them. N. Roerich daily receives tourists from all over Russia and not only, flights are carried out regularly.
Direct buses from Gorno-Altaysk to the destination do not run, but from the city bus station you can get to the Dzhumalinskie keys through the village of Aktash with a transfer. The journey will take more than 12 hours.
You can also use a private transfer (local service). Tourists are comfortably transported to the thermal springs in private cars. This pleasure will cost 15,000 rubles.
If you decide to travel by car, you will have to go from the village of Kosh-Agach along a dirt road to the village of Belyashi. On reaching the village, there is a fork Jazatok - Kalgut. The driver's task is to turn left. Further, the recommended vehicle speed is no more than 60-80 km / h. By car, you have to move in the direction of the Ukok plateau off-road, the distance is 30 km. Soon the very thermal springs appear in sight. If you go by car from the village of Kosh-Agach, you will have to spend about 4 hours on the way. The total travel distance is 100 km.
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Nuances of visiting
A trip to the thermal springs of Gorny Altai cannot be impromptu. Since the Jumalinsky Keys are a UNESCO protected site, it is necessary to obtain a pass in advance for arrival and movement on the Ukok Plateau. It is advisable to provide the required document in advance, since the decision is made within 1 month. You don't have to go anywhere, you can deal with bureaucracy online. The decision comes by e-mail, but it is better to clarify by phone.
An application for a pass must be sent to the department of the Border Administration of Gorno-Altaysk. Opening hours and the procedure for processing the document are indicated on the official website. If necessary, all questions can be asked and clarified by calling 8 (38822) 4-82-48 during the working hours of the organization.
A ready-made pass can be obtained in Gorno-Altaysk or upon arrival at the Dzhumalinskie keys at the checkpoint of the military private villages of Kosh-Agach or Aktash. To do this, provide an identity card at the checkpoint. If this is an adult tourist, then a passport; and the child is an identity card. In the absence of the relevant document, entry to the Dzhumalinskiye Keys is prohibited for tourists.
Trip prices
If you are interested in a trip to Dzhumalinskiye Klyuchi in Gorny Altai, it is important to determine the prices, determine the upcoming expenses and the vacation budget. A visit to the thermal springs of the Altai Territory provides for a budget vacation with Spartan conditions.
The main financial costs are the air flight to Gorno-Altaysk, the further road to the Dzhumaly springs. The cost of a one-way plane ticket, depending on the month of rest and the carrier's rating, starts from 6,500 rubles per person. If you order a transfer to the thermal springs, the price of such a trip is 15,000 rubles.
This is where the tangible financial costs end. There are two options for living in other cities - in a tent and rented houses of old buildings with a minimum level of comfort, lack of amenities. Setting up a tent costs 100 rubles for tourists, while visitors will have to pay 200 rubles for a bed in a rented apartment. You can sleep in bunk beds or in a sleeping bag. Furniture - beds, table, stove. Therefore, a mandatory purchase is a bundle of firewood at a price of 250 rubles. Taking a bath from thermal springs - 200 rubles per session.
More often, tourists arrive at the Dzhumalinsky Keys for 10 days. This is the period when you can undergo a full course of treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases. For visitors, this is a unique chance to heal the digestive tract, nervous and cardiovascular systems, strengthen bones with healing water with radon. For a 10-day period, you will have to spend about 2,000 rubles per person for housing, and the same amount for health baths. Plus food and heating of the room with wood. In total, the cost of the trip is 12,000-13,000 rubles with a flight per tourist.
- Video review of an independent trip to Gorny Altai by car:
Where to stay?
A warm key in Altai hospitably welcomes guests from all over Russia and beyond. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for local residents. You can stop at a rented accommodation or set up a tent yourself (also not free) at the camp site. In the first case, we are talking about wooden structures with bunk beds and a wood-burning stove. Nothing superfluous, but always warm and cozy.
Several dozen wooden log cabins have been built near the Radon springs in Altai, and tourists can stay here for several days or weeks. Visitors are especially attracted by the proximity of the Dzhumalinsky springs and healing water. You can also spend your vacation in nearby villages where housing is rented, and the mountain air and picturesque landscapes charge you with positive energy.
What to do and what to see from the sights
In addition to thermal springs, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, explore local attractions and the amazing history of these places. The Kalgutinsky mine is considered a historical value and natural monument. This unique object is located 7 km from the camp site, attracts with rock paintings and hieroglyphs of a thousand years ago.
The Teply Klyuch pass at an altitude of 2,900 m above sea level does not go unnoticed. At the very top there is a mountain lake with the purest water. Further, it is recommended to move towards the picturesque Ukok plateau. Here you cannot shout and talk loudly, kindle fires, litter and use foul language. Local residents rightfully call these places the Holy Land.
In addition to the thermal springs on the Jumalinsky Springs, there is an open-air swimming pool with always warm water. Separately, there is a small spring with cold water, which is effective in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. A trickle with drinking water is also provided. It is allowed to take baths for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise you can harm your health.
There are no architectural structures on the territory, only natural monuments and picturesque places. Before the trip, it is important to find out not only how to get to the Dzhumalinsky keys, but also to draw up an excursion program in advance. You will not find spectacular sights in the vicinity, but fresh air, clear water of hands, picturesque landscapes and hospitality of local residents are guaranteed. If you are resting in Altai, you can hide from the bustle of the city.
Useful information
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Ecological situation
Radiation in Altai is off scale in some areas. Rare thermal springs contain a radioactive element called radon. Thanks to this component, water can heal a person from a number of diseases, but the main thing is moderation. A long stay on the Dzhumalinsky keys can harm your health, a comprehensive list of contraindications is provided.
The water of the thermal springs of the Ukok Plateau contains almost the entire periodic table, therefore the places are unique in their kind. Every year, thousands of tourists come to Altai who are ready to live in Spartan conditions, just to take health baths and solve long-standing health problems.
This unique natural site deserves special attention from the side of tourism and health improvement. The Dzhumalinsky Keys are an inexhaustible source of health and energy, a unique place on the map of Russia.
