Day 164 - Riding the Scenic Chuya Highway: A Journey Through Altai's Natural Beauty

Updated: Oct 1, 2023

Day 164 (14 June 2023) - Altai Republic, Russia

DAY 164 (14 JUNE 2023) – Since Natasha and I were headed in the same direction, we rode our individual motorbikes and left to our destination together. I began the 2nd part of my riding journey in Russia, riding on the famous Chuya Highway (Chuisky Tract).

This highway is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world! As the highway goes through ridges and curvy Altai mountain passes, I got to see one of the most scenic landscapes I have come across since I began my world tour!

The Chuya Highway is laid over the ranges of Altai Mountains along the rivers Katun and Chuya, over Seminsky and Chike-Taman mountain passes. It was constructed in the early 1930s by gulag inmates, and extends from Novosibirsk to Russia's border with Mongolia, thus connecting Russia with Mongolia and China.

The amazing Altai Mountains serves as the main point of convergence between Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. It is surrounded by largely untouched and protected terrains that are home to unique flora and fauna. The mountains are also the source of many surrounding lakes and rivers.