Pearl of the Southern Altai
Lake Markakol is located in the intermountain basin between the Kurchum and Azutau ridges at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. It is surrounded by taiga forests, coastal meadows and swamps. The natural scientific significance lies in the fact that the lake has become a refuge for several endemic and Red Book subspecies of fish. The coastal landscapes of the lake are extremely unique, some very valuable medicinal plants grow there, such as Rhodiola rosea (golden root), Rhaponticum carthamoides (maral root). Since 1976, the flora and fauna of Markakol has been protected by the Markakol Nature Reserve.
