A mountain system from the Abakan ridge till the Eastern Sayan Mountains, which is included in the Altai-Sayan mountainous region 600 km long from the north to the east, 240 km width. The system is presented by parallel ranges with sharp peaks, ridges, steep slopes, the main ones are the watershed Kurtushibinsky (2415 m), Ergak-Targak-Taiga (2065 m), the main Sayan Ridge (2735 m), Dzhebashsky (2527 m), Kantegirsky (2283 m ).

To the south of the watershed line is the Alash plateau with the highest peak (Kyzyl-Taiga Mountain, 3121m). To the south the heights decrease, the relief acquires a soft outline (ridges Borus, Dzhoisky, Kulumys, Oiskiy etc.). The river network consists of the part of Yenisei and its tributaries – Abakan, Oya, Dzhebash, Dzhoi, Kantegir, Amyl and others. Waterfalls often occur here. There are 52 contemporary glaciers with the total area 2.3 sq. km, with cirques, troughs, glacial lakes, kames and other landscapes.