Airport: RGK (Gorno-Altaysk)
Start day and time: 04.07.2021, 08:00
End day and time: 09.07.2021, 17:00
10 July 2021: Departure from Gorno-Altaysk airport to Moscows
COST: 850 Euros per person. Participants who paid for the excursion in 2020 do not need to pay any additional costs. The cost includes: payment for rent of transport, accommodation in hotels (including 3 meals a day), payment of a guide, expenses related to the preparation of the route, payment of organizational services of a travel company, state tax 13%.
Transportation notes
Flights: Flights: from Moscow (Vnukovo and Domodedovo) to Gorno-Altaysk; 4 hours 20 minutes; two companies for direct flight: Aeroflot and S7. Price of return S7 ticket Moscow - Gorno-Altaysk - Moscow for July, 2021 is 26 000 roubles.
Specific instructions
Since the main part of the excursion route passes through remote and sparsely populated areas of Altai, the living conditions in different hotels and tourist centers will vary. We have the opportunity to reserve 2 and 3-bed rooms with standard facilities. The food for the excursion participants will be traditional, but the needs of vegetarians will be taken into account.
The climate of the territory is very diverse. Northern foot-hills are characterized by a moderately warm, humid climate with insignificant differences in day and night temperatures. Average temperatures during the day are +22-25oC, at night - +18-20oC. Short rains are possible. However, participants of the excursion should have waterproof clothing and shoes. The Central and South-Eastern Altai is characterized by a continental and ultra-continental arid climate. Average daily temperatures are +25o- +35oC. Significant precipitation is not expected. Participants should have hats to protect from the sun. When visiting the highlands, moderately low temperatures (+14o - +18oC) are possible. Therefore, it is advisable to have moderately warm clothes.
The Altai is one of the most important biodiversity centers in Northern Eurasia. The wide range of altitudes, climate humidity and continentality result in many zonal vegetation types. We will see the remarkable landscapes of the Katun river valley, Kuraiskaya and Kosh-Agachskaya intermountain basins and the surrounding high mountain ridges.
The main idea of the excursion is to demonstrate the diversity of vegetation in Northern and Central Asia along a geographic transect from the humid lowlands of the Northern Altai to the arid high mountains of the South-Eastern Altai near the border with Mongolia. The length of the path in one direction is about 400 km. Participants of the excursion will be able to see a high diversity of plant communities of four altitude vegetation zones: steppe, forest-steppe, forest, and alpine. Most vegetation types are characterized by high values of species-richness, many plant species are endemics of the Altai and mountains of Southern Siberia. Altai flora contains about 4000 plant species.
More details will be sent to excursion participants directly
Contact person: Nikolai Ermakov [brunnera@mail.ru]
Excursion itinerary
 Climate diagram for Gorno-Altaysk station  Excursion map  The Katun river valley. July 4  Hemiboreal birch-pine (Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris) herb-rich forest in the Northern Altai. July 4  Hemiboreal tall-forb pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest in the Katun river valley. July 4  Euro-Siberian meadow-steppe of the Festuco-Brometea on the higher terraces of the Katun river valley. July 4  North Asian dark-coniferous boreal forest (Picea obovata, Pinus sibirica) in the Seminskiy ridge (Northern Altai). July 4  Ground layer of dark-coniferous forest with predominance of Lycopodium annotinum, Oxalis acetosella, Linnaea borealis, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Hylocomium splendens. July 5  Subalpine landscape in the Seminskiy ridge (Northern Altai). July 5  Subalpine tall-forb meadow with Stemmacantha carthamoides (Northern Altai). July 5  Aquilegia gladulosa - characteristic specie of subalpine and alpine meadows. July 5  European Siberian herb-rich meadow-steppe of the Festuco-Brometea in the Central Altai (Ursul river basin). July 5  Moderately xeric steppe with predominance Hedysarum gmelinii in the Central Altai. July 5  Combination of xeric Central Asian steppes and larch-spruce (Larix sibirica, Picea obovata) forests on the Kuraiskaya intermountain basin (South-Eastern Altai). July 5  Central Asian petrophytic steppes and scree communities on steep slopes of the Chuya river canyon. July 6  Allium mogolicum, Vicia costata, Artemisia santolinifolia and other Central Asian xeric petrophytic plants in scree habitats of the South-Eastern Alta. July 6  Steppe, forest and high-mountain landscapes of beautiful Kuraiskaya intermountain basin (altitudes 1600 - 4100 m). July 6  Dry screes with Artemisia rutifolia, A. obtusiloba, Vicia costata, Atraphaxis pungens. July 6 | July 04, 2021, Sunday. The start of the excursion. All participants will be met at Gorno-Altaysk Airport and then delivered by bus to the village Chemal, where they will be accommodated (75 km from Gorno-Altaysk Airport). The scientific excursion will begin after the accommodation of participants, after lunch at 1p.m. The end of the excursion is 7 p.m. The area is located in the forest-steppe belt of the Northern Altai at altitudes of 300 - 800 m. The climate is warm, temperate-continental. We will visit the Katun river valley (the largest river in the Altai). The landscape is a beautiful wide mountain canyon with a complex of high terraces and the surrounding mountain ranges. The zonal natural Stipa pennata, S. capillata and herb-rich meadow-steppes of the Euro-Siberian type (class Festuco-Brometea) represented by the special order Stipetalia sibiricae prevail on high terraces and in the lower parts of the slopes. These are well-preserved areas with a high diversity of steppe communities with a species richness of 60-90 species per 100 m2. The main dominants and characteristic species are Stipa pennata, S. capillata, Festula valesiaca, Achnatherum sibiricum, Carex pediformis, C. humilis, Iris ruthenica, Hemerocalis minor, Polygala sibirica, Filipendula vulgaris, Seseli libanotis, Fragaria viridis, Campanula sibirica, Galium verum, Iris ruthenica. The mountain slopes are covered with various petrophytic steppes with the participation of Spiraea trilobata, Galium paniculatum, Orostachys spinosa, Eritrichium pectinatum, Chamaerodos erecta, Patrinia rupestris, Saussurea salicifolia, Dracocephalum perigrinum, Gypsophylla paniculata, Allium vodopjanovae, A. rubens, A. clathratum, Seseli buchtormense. Some of these species are endemic of the Altai and Southern Siberia. Screes and cracks in rocks and are populated by obligate petrophytic plants - Asplenium septentrionalis, Cheilantheum argentea, Dendranthema sinuanum, Artemisia gmelinii, Berberis sibirica. North Asian birch-pine (Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris) and birch-larch (Betula pendula, Larix sibirica) hemiboreal forests (class Brachypodio pinnati-Betuletea pendulae) predominate in foothills of the Northern Altai. They occur in the northern part of the Katun River valley on the terraces and slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges. These are natural forests with very high values of species richness varying from 60 to 110 species per 100 m2. Plant species of different geographical groups occurs there together. European-Siberian species Calamagrostis arundinacea, Brachypodium pinnatun, Gallium boreale are found together with a large number of North Asian species - Carex macroura, Lilium pilosiusculum, Heracleum dissectum, Aquilegia sibirica, Trollius asiaticus. Moderately dry pine (Pinus sylvestris) and larch (Larix sibirica) forests being the components of the mountain forest-steppe are found in southern part of the excursion area. Xerophytic steppe species - Carex pediformis, Koeleria cristata, Campanula glomerata, Galium verum, Thalictrum foetidum play a significant role in these forests. We will be able to see also various communities of mesophytic meadows of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class. The excursion ends at 6 p.m. |
| July 05, 2021, Monday Breakfast - 8 a.m. We leave the hotel at 9 a.m. and move towards South-Eastern Altai with stops for excursions. The total duration of the route is 350 km. Excursion 1. Visiting the boreal forests of the Seminsky mountain ridge. We will be able to see primary coniferous forests, representing a characteristic type of boreal vegetation in Southern Siberia. These communities predominate in the forest belt of the Seminsky ridge at altitudes of 1000 - 1500 m. North Asian tree species Pinus sibirica, Larix sibirica, Picea obovata form the tree layer. Shrub species Lonicera altaica, Spiraea chamaedryfolia, S. media predominate in second layer. The ground layer is represented by typical boreal dwarf-shrubs - Linnaea borealis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, V. myrtillus, Pyrola incarnata, Orthilia secunda, O. obtusata, herbs - Goodyera repens, Phegopteris connectilis, Calamagrostis obtusata, Cerastum pauciflorum and mosses - Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, D. majus, Polytrichum commune, P. strictum, Ptilium crista-castrensis. Spruce (Picea obovata) valley forests and swampy boreal forests will be visited as well. Visiting the belt of subalpine meadows and Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica) woodlands of the Seminsky mountain ridge. Subalpine meadows of the Mulgedio-Aconitetea class are located on the top of the Seminsky Pass at altitudes of 1600-1700 m. They include a large number of tall-forb species - Stemmacantha carthamoides, Doronicum altaicum, Veratrum lobelianum, Rumex alpestris, Valeriana altaica, Lathyrus gmelinii, Euphorbia pilosa, Anthriscus sylvestris, Myosotis krylovii, Ranunculus grandifolius, Paeonia anomala, Crepis sibirica, Lilium pilosiusculum, Delphinium elatum, Geranium albiflorum, Bupleurum longifolium, Heracleum dissectum, Saussurea latifolia, Pedicularis incarnata, Lamium album, Senecio nemorensis, Polemonium coeruleum, Aconitum volubile, Crepis lyrata, Cirsium heterophyllum as well as alpine species Dracocephalum grandiflorum, Gentiana grandiflora, Schulzia crinita, Luzula sibirica, Aconitum pascoi, Hieracium korshinskyi, Rhodiola rosea, Aquilegia glandulosa, Primula pallasii, Viola biflora. Subalpine Pinus sibirica woodlands occur at the upper boundary of forests belt in Northern and Central Altai. The above mentioned subalpine tall-forb species, as well as boreal species Atragene sibirica, Aconitum krylovii, Rubus saxatilis, Aegopodium alpestre, Cruciata krylovii, Ptarmica impatiens, Trisetum sibiricum, Lathyrus frolovii, Viola uniflora prevail in their floristic composition. Excursion 2. Visiting the petrophytic steppes of the Chuya river valley representing the deep canyon with an altitudes range of 700 - 2000 m. This area is already characterized by a dry ultra-continental climate. Zonal Central Asian steppes occur in the bottom of the valley and on the south oriented mountain slopes fragmentary. They are represented by Cleistogenetea squarrosae communities dominated by Caragana pygmaea, Stipa krylovii, Poa botryoides, Artemisia frigida, Carex korzhininsky, C. duriuscula, Heteropappus altaicus. The steep slopes of the canyon are subjected to active erosion. Therefore abundant rock outcrops and screes are populated by petrophytic variants of the Central Asian steppes with the predominance of Artemisia obtusiloba, Vicia costata, Stellaria dichotoma, Convolvulus ammanii, Chamaerhodos altaica, Ziziphora clinopodioides. The special type of Central Asian scree communities of the Artemisio santolinifoliae-Berberidetea sibiricae with Atraphaxis pungens, Berberis sibirica, Grossularia acicularis, Artemisia gmelinii, A. santolinifolia is widespread on the southern mountain slopes. Small areas of spruce (Picea obovata) forests occur in the form of narrow strips along the Chuya riverbed. The excursion ends at 7 p.m. Accommodation at the hotel in Chibit village. | |
| July 06, 2021, Tuesday Breakfast - 8 a.m. The excursion starts at 9 a.m. Excursion 1. Visiting the steppe vegetation of the Kuraiskaya intermountain basin, petrophytic steppes and forests of the Chuya river valley. The Kuraiskaya intermountain basin (one of the most beautiful places in the Altai) is located at the altitude of 1600 m and it is surrounded by high mountain ridges (North Chuiskiy, Kuraiskiy) with altitudes up to 4100. Vegetation is very diverse and contains various zonal and petrophytic steppes of the Central Asian type, as well as boreal and hemiboreal coniferous (Larix sibirica, Picea obovata, Pinus sibirica) forests, alpine communities and snow-white mountain peaks. The bottom of the basin is occupied by zonal steppes of the Cleistogenetea squarrosae dominated by Caragana pygmaea, Spiraea hypericifolia, Stipa krylovii, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Poa botryoides, Helictotrichon altaicum, Artemisia frigida, Allium senescens, Leibnitzia anandria, Achnatherum sibiricum, Kitagawia baicalensis, Potentilla bifurca, P. acaulis. Petrophytic steppes with the participation of Stipa orientalis, Agropyron cristatum, Goniolimon speciosum, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Youngia tenuifolia, Silene graminifolia, Eritrichium subrupestre, Allium vodopjanovae occur on the southern mountain slopes. Species-rich meadow-steppes with Cotoneaster melanocarpus, C. uniflorus, Carex pediformis, C. supina, C. humilis, Aster alpinus, Thalictrum foetidum, Leontopodium leontopodioides, Dracocephalum peregrinum, Thermopsis lanceolata, Silene multiflora, Aconitum anthoroideum, Patrinia intermedia and their petrophytic variants with Orostachys spinosa, Alyssum obovatum, Gypsophila paniculata are found on the shaded hillsides. Northern slopes of the mountain ranges are covered by xeric light-coniferous hemiboreal forests of the Rhytidio-Laricetea sibiricae which are replaced by boreal forests (class Vaccinio-Piceetea) at higher altitudes. Excursion 2. Visiting the desert-steppe vegetation of the Kosh-Agachskaya intermountain basin located in the most arid and ultra-continental climatic sector of the Altai at altitudes of about 2000 m. It is surrounded by mountain ranges up to 4000 m. The bottom of the basin is occupied by typical Mongolian desert-steppes of the class Stipetea glarioso-gobicae with a predominance of Central Asian xerophytes Stipa glareosa, Allium mongolicum, Oxytropis aciphylla, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Convolvulus ammanii, Kochia prostrata, Ephedra monosperma, Heteropappus altaicus, Goniolimon speciosum. The depressions in the relief are occupied by the shrubby (Caragana bungei) steppes. On the eroded southern mountain slopes, the petrophytic shrubby communities dominated by Artemisia rutifolia, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Lonicera microphylla with participation of Echinops humilis, Leymus paboanus, Euphorbia tchuiensis, E. humifusa, Allium mongolicum, Vicia costata and cryophytic cushion-form plants - Oxytropis tragacanthoides and Silene turgida are found. Saline habitats are occupied by Achnatherum splendens communities. The excursion ends at 7 p.m. Return to the hotel. | |
| July 07, 2021, Wednesday Breakfast 8 a.m. The excursion starts at 9 a.m. Excursion 1. Visiting the high mountain Ulaganskoye plateau located at altitudes of 1800 - 2100 m. Shrubby (Betula rotundifolia) tundra of the class Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea and subalpine larch (Larix sibirica) woodlands predominate on the flat elevations. In these communities, along with the main dominant Betula rotundifolia, an important role of other alpine shrubs, dwarf-shrubs and herbs is observed (Salix glauca, S. krylovii, Juniperus pseudosabina, J. sibirica, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum, Arctous alpina, Festuca sphagnicola, F. kryloviana, Poa attenuata, Helictotrichon hookeri, Anthoxanthum alpinum, Carex ensifolia, C. aterrima, C. sabinensis, C. ledebouriana, Viola altaica, Luzula spicata, L. sibirica, Hierochloe alpina, Bistorta major, Minuartia biflora, Hedysarum austrosibiricum, Tephroseris turczaninovii, Aster alpinus, Sagina saginoides, Seseli condensatum, Swertia obtusa). Well-developed moss-lichen layer consists of Cladonia uncialis, C. macroceras, C. amaurocraea, C. arbuscula, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune, P. juniperinum, P. strictum. The elevated well-drained parts of slopes are occupied by dry alpine meadows of the class Carici-Kobresietea belardii with predominance of Dryas oxyodonta, Lloydia serotina, Patrinia sibirica, Silene chamarensis, Minuartia biflora, Bupleurum triradiatum, Bistorta vivipara, Pedicularis oederi, Potentilla nivea, Rhytidium rugosum, Polytrichum juniperinum, P. piliferum, Thamnolia vermicularis, Cetraria islandica, C. ericetorum, Cladonia pocillum, C. pyxidata, C. stricta, Flavocetraria cucullata, F. nivalis. Wetter areas are occupied by alpine meadows of the Caricetea curvulae with participation of Festuca kryloviana, Hedysarum austrosibiricum, Tephroseris turczaninovii, Helictotrichon hookeri, Anthoxanthum alpinum, Aster alpinus, Gentiana grandiflora, Dracocephalum grandiflorum, Luzula sibirica, Anemonastrum narcissiflorum, Gentiana algida, Bistorta vivipara, Pedicularis oederi. Wet depressions are occupied by swamps with plant species of the genera Eriophorum, Carex, Sphagnum. Excursion 2. Visiting the boreal forests vegetation belt in Central Altai. We will be able to see typical climax forest communities of the Siberian mountain taiga. Boreal forests occur on poorly developed seasonally frozen soils at altitudes of 1400-1800 m. Larch (Larix sibirica) and Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica) are the main dominants of the tree layer. Shrub layer includes Lonicera altaica, Juniperus sibirica, Ribes nigrum. The herb-dwarf-shrub layer is floristically poor and uniform. It is consists of Vaccinium uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum, Pyrola rotundifolia, P. incarnata, Orthilia obtusata, Moneses uniflora, Goodyera repens, Calamagrostis obtusata, C. krylovii, Cerastium pauciflorum. Widespread mosses Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Ptilium crista-castrensis form a well-developed ground layer. Petrophytic variants of boreal forests are characterized by predominance of Rhododendron dauricum and Bergenia crassifolia. We will be able to see also the whole spectrum of forest communities in the transition to the alpine zone. The excursion ends at 6 p.m. Return to the hotel. | |
| July 08, 2021, Thursday Breakfast 8 a.m. The excursion starts at 9 a.m. Return to Gorno-Altaysk. 350 km with excursion. Visiting the steppe vegetation of the Ursul river basin (Central Altai). Steppes form the lower belt of mountain vegetation in Central Altai at altitudes of 500-800 m. Moderately dry meadow-steppes of the Euro-Siberian and Central Asian geographical types - Festuco-Brometea and Cleistogenetea squarrosae - are found in this region. They occupy wide gentle mountain slopes facing the Ursul river valley. The main dominants are Stipa krylovii, S. capillata, Achnatherum sibiricum, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Agropyron cristatum, Koeleria cristata, Potentilla acaulis, Hedysarum gmelinii, Allium rubens, Artemisia frigida. The south oriented slopes of mountains are occupied by various petrophytic steppes, which include many endemic Altaian and South Siberian species Dendranthema sinuatum, Galium paniculatum, Sedum hybridum, Silene turgida, Androsace septentrionalis, Orostachys spinosa, Alyssum obovatum, Eritrichium subrupestre, Elytrigia geniculata, Potentilla sericea, Thalictrum petaloideum, Carex korshinskyi, Chamaerhodos erecta, Artemisia santolinifolia, Iris ruthenica, Cotoneaster melanocarpus, Silene multiflora, Aconitum anthoroideum, Patrinia intermedia, Androsace maxima, Poa urssulensis, Thermopsis lanceolata, Stelleropsis altaica.The shaded parts of the mountain slopes are occupied by shrubby steppes dominated by Spiraea trilobata, S. media, Rhododendron dauricum, Caragana pygmaea, C. arborescens with participation of Centaurea sibirica, Hedysarum gmelinii, Gypsophila paniculata, Echinops ruthenicus, Echinops ruthenicus, Allium vodopjanovae, Allium rubens, Allium clathratum, Seseli buchtormense. Northern mountain slopes are occupied by moderately humid hemiboreal larch (Larix sibirica) grass forests. The excursion ends at 7 p.m. Accommodation at the hotel in Gorno-Altaysk. | |
| July 09, 2021, Friday Breakfast 8 a.m. The excursion starts at 9 a.m. Whole day excursion to the ultra-humid foothills of the North-Eastern Altai. Visiting the relic subnemoral small-leaved - dark-coniferous mixed forests of the class Asaro-Abietetea and tall-forb communities of the Mulgedio-Aconitetea. The Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae have a disjunctive distribution range occupying the foothills of the Altai-Sayan mountain system characterised by locally ultra-humid, weakly continental climate at altitudes of 300-800 m. The link of the Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae forests to the ultra-humid climate explains the main ecological and floristic features of this plant communities: a relatively moderate temperature of the coldest month (January mean: -16oC) and large amount of winter precipitation (275 mm), resulting in the formation of a snow cover of up to 1.5 m that prevents freezing of the soil and protects herbs from damaging impacts of frost. The environments are favorable for species of the European broad-leaved forests (Actaea spicata, Asarum europaeum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis benekenii, Carex sylvatica, Daphne mezereum, Drymochloa sylvatica, Dryopteris filix-mas, Galium odoratum, Lonicera xylosteum, Polystichum braunii, Sanicula europaea, Schenodorus giganteus). These species have disjunctive relic ranges in the Southern Siberia. At the same time the climatic peculiarities support the occurrence of Euro-Siberian and North Asian tall forbs characteristic of subalpine forests. This tall-forb group includes Aconitum lycoctonum, Angelica sylvestris, Bupleurum longifolium, Brunnera sibirica, Parasenecio hastatus, Calamagrostis purpurea subsp. langsdorffii, Cirsium heterophyllum, Delphinium elatum, Euphorbia pilosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geranium sylvaticum, Lathyrus gmelinii, Lilium martagon, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Milium effusum, Paeonia anomala, Pleurospermum uralense, Senecio nemorensis, Veratrum lobelianum and Saussurea latifolia. The Mulgedio-Aconitetea tall-forb meadows are characterized by a well-developed herb layer (cover of 85-100 %, height of 80-140 cm (up to 250 cm), species - richness of 25-60 for 100 m2) which is subdivided into several sublayers. The floristic peculiarity is determined by tall-forb species widespread in Europe and West Siberia (Veratrum lobelianum, Rumex alpestris, Delphinium elatum, Viola biflora, Milium effusum, Athyrium distentifolium, Aconitum septentrionale, Bistorta major, Geranium sylvaticum). Besides, there are numerous pairs of close vicarious European and Siberian subalpine and subalpine-forest species: Lathyrus levigatus - L. gmelinii; Lilium martagon - L. pilosiusculum; Solidago virgaurea - S. dahurica; Anemonoides nemorosa - A. altaica; Primula veris - P. pallasii; Erythronium dens-canis - E. sibiricum; Pleurospermum austriacum - P. uralense; Doronicum austriacum - D. altaicum; Bupleurum longifolium - B. aureum; Heracleum sphondylium - H. dissectum; Aconitum napellus - A. baicalense; Stellaria nemorum - S. bungeana. There are European-Siberian species, which are not typical subalpine plants, but they are widespread in European and Siberian tall-forb communities: Thalictrum minus, Anthriscus sylvestris, Polemonium caeruleum, Cacalia hastata. The alliance Cacalio hastatae-Aconition septentrionalis includes tall-forb meadows (sometimes with sparse trees - Abies sibirica, Pinus sibirica, Populus tremula, Betula pendula) of the humid and ultrahumid foot-hills of the Altai. They are closely related to the subnemoral small leaved-dark coniferous mixed forests by natural successions. In the moderately warm ultrahumid meso-climate, the tall-forbs compete successively with the main trees of the Asaro-Abietetea forests (Abies sibirica, Populus tremula, Betula pendula) which have a relatively short period of life (of 70-90 years). These meadows occupy the places where old tree layers were destroyed. Their dense tall-forb layers hinder the development of new generations of trees. The Cacalio hastatae-Aconition septentrionalis meadows are able to exist for a long time before they are replaced by primary forests. As a result, the belt of subnemoral forests in the North Altai represents the combination of the tall-forb meadows and small-leaved coniferous forests. Physiognomically this communities combination is typical of the subalpine landscapes but it is located at the lower altitudes. The excursion ends at 6 p.m. Return to the hotel in Gorno-Altaisk. End of the excursion. | |
| July 10, 2021, Saturday Departure from Gorno-Altaysk airport to Moscow. |
 Typical Central Asian dry steppe with predominance of Stipa krylovii, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Artemisia frigida in the bottom of the Kuraiskaya intermountain basin (South Eastern Altai). July 6 |
 Central Asian desert-steppe of the class Stipetea glarioso-gobicae predominating in the arid Kosh-Agachskaya intermountain basin located at altitudes of about 2000 m. July 6 |
 Stipa glareosa - main dominant of Central Asian Stipetea glarioso-gobicae desert-steppes. July 6 |
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 Scorzonera inkonnikovii - xeric species of desert-steppes. July 7 |
 Iris potaninii - endemic of Mongolian Altai occurring in petrophytic dry steppes. July 8 |
 Larch-pine (Larix sibirica, Pinus sibirica) boreal forests predominating in the high-mountain Ulaganskoye plateau (South Eastern Altai). July 8 |
 Modern glaciers on the Severo-Tchuiskiy mountain ridge at altitudes of 2500-3000 m. July 8 |
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