At the end of November, when all nature plunges into a deep winter sleep, the amazing life of Lake Svetloye, popularly known as the swan lake, begins. Every year beautiful white birds come to Altai. Among the snowdrifts and ice floes, against the background of trees covered with thick frost, snow-white swans gracefully move. On frosty sunny days, in the haze of floating water, they look like a magical mirage. Anyone who has ever seen such a sight will keep it in his heart for a long time.

Swans, like people, are looking for places where they can live in tranquility and peace. Once, among the many reservoirs of Russia, they chose the non-freezing lakes of Altai and since then they come every year. People and birds have been living side by side for several decades. There is a belief: where birds live and winter, there is a kind people who will always have love and happiness.

The reserve is located on the Predaltaiskaya plain among meadow steppes and ancient Katun terraces. This is a territory of almost complete treelessness, only sometimes there are islets of trees, where white birches lead round dances around willows, bird cherry and currants.

The lakes are also available for tourists, children with their parents, schoolchildren, students come here. Childhood and adolescence is the best time to get acquainted with nature, to form a respectful attitude towards it. And for adults, white swans are evidence of eternal love and fidelity, a symbol of rebirth and the beginning of a new life.

Organization of excursions to the Swan Sanctuary

Phones in Barnaul: (3852) 538191 - Regional state budgetary institution "Altaypriroda".

Every year in the Altai Territory they holdholiday "Altai wintering"dedicated to the arrival of swans and opening the winter tourist season in the region.

On the days of the holiday, excursion tours for residents and guests of the region are organized to Swan Lake.

Photo: Andrey Lukovsky