About the book: 2017 / Why does Altai fascinate people so much? Why does everyone who has been there always strive to return there? Why do many peoples of the world consider Altai their ancestral home? Vladimir Ryzhkov, who set out on foot and traveled all over Altai on horseback, answers these questions in his new book. The main attractions of Altai, famous roads and hidden paths, passes and ridges, rivers and lakes, culture and history, adventures and daily life of taiga inhabitants - this fundamental book presents the widest panorama of life, history and nature of Altai. The book is a portrait of amazing Altai, written with love and with all the details. A mountainous country in the very center of the world, from whose nature and people radiance emanates.