Kuraginskiy District: Lakes, Waterfalls and Rock Art

Lakes, waterfalls and ancient rock art give Kuraginskiy District in Krasnoyarsk Krai a variety of features. Islands and a mountain with a distinctive name shape the landscape around Lake Tiberkul; along the Tuba River, rock art tells a story spanning a long period of time. The waterfalls also make their own mark—from a natural monument with a total height of 328 metres to a waterfall that widens to eight metres.

Waterfalls and Natural Monuments

Kinzelyuksky Waterfall has a total height of 328 m and is described as Russia’s second-highest waterfall. A 2020 regional government decree designated the waterfall and the adjacent area in Kuraginskiy District a natural monument of regional significance. For trips to a base camp at the waterfall, the regional tourism information centre lists tours offered by travel companies by helicopter or motorised watercraft. Check current operators and arrangements before travelling.

Another waterfall in the district is Chinzhebskiy: it plunges from a height of 30 m and widens to 8 m. It is considered a unique hydrogeological site and was added to the list of protected natural sites in 1987. The figures describe different features: the total height is given for Kinzelyuksky, while for Chinzhebskiy they refer to the 30 m drop and the width of the waterfall.

Lake Tiberkul: Islands and Mountain Scenery

Lake Tiberkul is in Kuraginskiy District and has around 20 islands, including rocky and tree-covered ones. Mount Sukhaya rises above the lake; in the local language it is called Sukhya, meaning “Holy Mountain.” Fish species in the lake include pike, chub, roach, perch and whitefish. The regional tourism information centre describes it as the lake in Krasnoyarsk Krai with the largest freshwater reserves.

In warm, sunny summer weather, the water quickly warms to 23 °C. A transfer from the nearest parking area can be booked to the “Tiberkul” recreation base at the lake; check with the operator in advance to confirm whether the service is available for your trip. In the wider region, the village of Cheremshanka is 30 km from the lake. In summer, Cheremshanka can only be reached by tractor or off-road vehicle. Check local road conditions before making plans based on this route.

Shabolinskaya Petroglyphs on the Tuba

The Shabolinskaya Pisanitsa, a monument to ancient rock art, is located 35 km west of Kuragino on a steep rocky massif along the Tuba River. Around 500 image-covered surfaces are spread along the approximately 3 km-long massif. The images are located at heights ranging from 1.5 to 150 m—a considerable span across the rocky massif.

Scientists estimate that the petroglyphs date from the Stone Age through to the ethnographic and historical present of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. The earliest dates are uncertain: they are estimated to be around 6,000 to 8,000 years old, and possibly even 9,000 to 12,000 years old. The chronology therefore encompasses both very early rock art and much more recent image-making traditions.

Culture in Krasnoyarsk Krai

Another cultural highlight in Krasnoyarsk Krai is the Shushenskoye Historical and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve. It recreates a Siberian village from the Russian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The grounds contain 194 monuments of rural architecture, including peasant houses, a merchant’s room, a forge and a prison-fort. In 2011, the “Novaya Derevnya” architectural and ethnographic complex opened there, with a nature and landscape park. Museum programmes include sampling peasant dishes, getting a first look at traditional crafts, and taking part in games, customs and celebrations.

Choose a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Kuraginskiy District, it helps to first decide which experiences matter most: the islands and mountain scenery of Lake Tiberkul, the rock art along the Tuba, or an organised trip to Kinzelyuksky Waterfall. The transfer and travel options mentioned above, as well as the seasonal accessibility of Cheremshanka, are specific details you can check with the relevant operator or locally as part of your planning.

Discover more destinations: Ust'-Kaspa, Sukhobuzimskiy District, Bratsky District, Bogotolsky District, Boguchanskiy District, Kansk, Nazarovo, Partizanskiy District.

Return to the main travel overview: Krasnoyarsk Krai.