The name "Altai" (or "Altay") comes from Mongolian "Altan", which means "golden". Altai mountains are truly one of nature's most amazing gems, amazing by its variety and beauty. Altai is a land where myths and legends incarnated in reality. It is one of those rare corners of the earth where nature decided to show everything it was capable of.

The most popular trekking tour to Altay is unique in its nature as it reveals the most sacred, interesting and authentic parts of Altay; The route takes place in Ust-Koksa region with destination of Mt. Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia with other landmarks such as the Ak-Kem Lake, Kucherla valley, Karatyurek pass (3060m), Upper Uymon village and Roerich museum. According to eminent philosopher and artist of the 20th century, Nicholas Roerich, the Altay Mountains are the gateway to the land of Shambhala.

Ancient Sanskrit texts were Altai is known as the center of the Eurasian continent, equidistant from all four oceans. The philosophy contained in Altai worldview rains impediments (plants, stones, stars and plants) to be living beings acquired the same functional bodies as humans Accordingly Mount Uch Enmek traditionally called "navel" of the earth (World Navel). Earth is considered to receive energy and of knowledge, through this navel in the same way a fetus subsist in the mothers belly.

Here is a Sibersk legend Belukha: According to legend, the goddess Umai and her husband Altaiding Aezi, ruler of Altai, lived in the far north. One day the giant fish Ker-Dupa moved the tail and turned the earth upside down. The climate of Siberia used to be hot, but when Ker-Dupa made that the world was going the other way, it was very cold. Altaiding Aezi traveled to heaven to ask the High Burkhans (Bai Ulgen), the highest spiritual beings in their time, for help. While he was traveling from a Burkhan to the other in search Ulgen, the highest of all, and the only one who would be able to return to the earth as it was, it became colder and colder in Altai. Umai, trying to prevent their children from being frozen, turned them into rocks and cliffs. She did it with two of her sons and four of her daughters. Then she took Thurs the 2nd daughters of his hands and went with them south in search of warmer climates. When they arrived, Umai turned all of them in the mountains too - a three-top mountain. The highest peak is Umai's head, and the two little ones are her daughters. This mountain is called Belukha, which means, The White One. There are other names are Ak-Sumer - White Summer.