Archaeological-natural complex is known for its rock paintings (petroglyphs). The literal translation of the name is "a flat, extended, hanging stone, rock" (another option is "rock-spoon").

Kalbak-Tash is located in the Altai mountains, in Onguday district, on the river Chuya, 10 km far from the confluence of the Chuya and Katun river. It’s about 18 km from the village Yinya, 12 km from the village Iodro, on 723 km of Chuysky tract. At the sign "723 km" on the left side, it is necessary to count the four transmission towers and between the fourth and fifth you need to go 20 m deep, toward the rocks, and then the rise begins. A landmark is a small house and pavilion on the hill.

The complex of petroglyphs is located on the rocks of green-brown slates near the road. Totally, there are more than 500 compositions from more than 5000 paintings. The petroglyphs depict people and various animals (deer, horses, cows), shown everyday life and mythology of ancient people. Pictures are shattered with stone or metal tools in the dotty technique. Petroglyphs belong to different historical periods, from the Neolithic to the Old Turkic epoch, their age 3000-8000 years.

Petroglyphs in Kalbak Tash complex can be divided into several periods:

• The Neolithic period (6-4 thousand years BC.) - large figures of animals, such as deer, goats, camels.

• Eneolithic-Bronze Age (3-1 thousand years BC.) - the largest group of pictures - male and female figures, chariots and carts drawn by pack-oxen, cattle drivers and warriors, fantastic predators and pets.

• Scythian epoch (8-3 centuries BC.) - petroglyphs with scenes of deer hunting, as well as many animals - goats, wolves, dogs, feline predators.

• Old Turkic era (7-10 century AD.) - hunting scenes, interesting pictures of wild bulls and bears, Turkic runic inscriptions.

Kalbak-Tash objects:

1. Sanctuary of ancestor mother

2. Sanctuary Umai-Ene

3. Sanctuary Kudai Ulgen

4. Foothills with ancient Chuya runes

5. Terrace "Koguldeya trail"

6. Sunrise composition

7. Celestial chariot

8. Rock paintings of Altyn Monus, Alkyshchi

Kalbak-Tash was a sacred place for the people who have been living here at different times. Solar symbols let us to understand that this place has been used as an observatory and as a kind of temple.

Kalbak-Tash was discovered and partly described in 1912 by artists Dmitry  Kuznetsov and Grigory Gurkin. Serious scientific description of petroglyphs began only in the 80-ies of the 20th century. The studies were conducted by Elena Okladnikova and Vladimir Kubarev, who described and copied most of the petroglyphs.

Visiting Kalbak-Tash is possible as an independent sightseeing (entrance ticket about 130 rub/person), also as part of tour groups. Opening hours: from 08:00 to 21:00.

You can visit Kalbak-Tash during the tour Golden Ring of Altai

See also Karakol valley