Three distinct themes come together in Kuraginsky District: Lake Tiberkul, striking waterfalls, and the Shabolinskaya petroglyphs on the Tuba River. This variety can help you choose the focus of your trip. At the lake, islands, a mountain with a distinctive name, and seasonal water temperatures shape the landscape. For the rock art, the scale of the rock face and the long span of time represented by the images take center stage. The waterfalls, in turn, differ considerably in height. First decide which destination matters most to you, and check the arrangements for getting there separately.
Waterfalls: different scales
Kinzelyuksky Waterfall has a total height of 328 meters and is located in Kuraginsky District in Krasnoyarsk Krai. The regional tourism website describes it as Russia’s second-highest waterfall. A 2020 decree by the regional government designated the waterfall and the adjoining area as a natural monument of regional significance. Tour operators offer helicopters or motorized watercraft for trips to a base camp at the waterfall. Check the current operators and arrangements before your trip.
Chinzhebskiy Waterfall is quite different in scale: it plunges from a height of 30 meters and widens to 8 meters. It is considered unique as a hydrogeological feature; in 1987 it was included among the protected natural sites. Comparing it with Kinzelyuksky Waterfall shows two markedly different scales, but does not imply that they are connected by a single route.
Shabolinskaya petroglyphs: rock art across a vast area
The Shabolinskaya petroglyphs are located 35 kilometers west of Kuragino, on a steep rock face beside the Tuba River. The rock face stretches for three kilometers and contains about 500 image panels. The images are found at heights ranging from 1.5 to 150 meters. This range alone shows how widely the rock art is spread across the cliff face.
According to scientific estimates, the earliest images date to the Stone Age: they are about 6,000 to 8,000 years old, and possibly even 9,000 to 12,000 years old. The time span extends to the ethnographic and historical present of the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Those particularly interested in cultural history will therefore find a different focus here than at the waterfalls or the lake.
Lake Tiberkul and its surroundings
Lake Tiberkul is located in Kuraginsky District. It has about 20 islands, including rocky and wooded ones. Fish species in the lake include pike, chub, roach, perch, and whitefish. Mount Sukhaya rises above the lake; in the local language it is called Sukhya, a name meaning “Holy Mountain.” The regional tourism information center describes Tiberkul as the lake in Krasnoyarsk Krai with the largest freshwater reserves.
The water temperature depends on a specific weather condition: in warm, sunny summer weather, the water quickly warms to 23 °C. A transfer from the nearest parking lot can be arranged to the “Tiberkul” recreation base by the lake. Confirm the transfer with the operator before you arrive. The village of Cheremshanka is 30 kilometers from Lake Tiberkul. In summer, Cheremshanka can only be reached by tractor or off-road vehicle. Check local road conditions before driving to Cheremshanka.
Plan your focus and accommodation
The lake, rock art, and waterfalls offer different reasons to include Kuraginsky District in your travel plans. When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide on your preferred focus and then check the arrangements for getting to your chosen destinations.
Discover more destinations: Ust'-Kaspa, Minusinsky District, Nazarovo, Yemelyanovsky District, Bogotolsky District, Bolshemurtinsky District, Bratsky District, Shushensky District.
Return to the main travel overview: Krasnoyarsk Krai.
