The Ukok plateau is situated on the southern outskirts of the Altai Republic, at an altitude of about 2500 meters above the sea level. This is the most remoted and isolated part of the Altai mountains, which is located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, at almost equal distance from each of the four oceans of the world. The Ukok plateau is hilly, from the south islimited by the snow-capped ridges of Tavan Bogd and Southern Altai, 3500-4400 meters high. These ridges are a state border of Russia with Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. In the north the plateau ends abruptly towards the valley of the river Dzhazator, and beyond the river rise the peaks of the South-Chuya range (3000-4000 m).

The towering mass Tavan Bogd is a mesmerizing sight. It is the most powerful mountain glaciated range in Siberia, exceeding the Belukha in many times. Here are the largest glaciers of the Altai. The range has five main peaks. The main of them is Khüiten Peak (Nairmadal 4374м) - the second highest one in the Altai. The Tavan Bogd is translated as "Five sacred mountains" – according to a legend, the name was given by Genghis Khan, impressed by the grandeur of the icy peaks, sparkling in the sun. The Tavan Bogd is a sacred place for the Mongolian and Chinese Buddhists.

This area is considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the Altai. Some of the peaks offer an overview of 30-50 km around: waves of stone sea, frozen under blue and white ice caps, steep slopes, gorges, eternal snow and glaciers. It is the part of the highest level of the Altai Republic.

The climate of the Ukok is severe. Winter lasts 8-9 months and spring begins in June. However, to get to the plateau by car is possible only at the end of June, when the snow melts from the surrounding Ukok passes. Summer daytime temperatures on the plateau are +15...+25 C, continental climate causes a big difference between day and night temperatures. The nights are usually cold, around +5...+7 C.

In addition, the Ukok plateau is considered to be the most mysterious region of the Altai, covered with legends. In ancient times, the Ukok was chosen by the Scythian tribes, who left numerous archaeological monuments, rock carvings, stone sculptures, burial mounds. In one of these mounds in 1993 Novosibirsk archaeologists found a well-preserved mummy of a noble Scythian women (the Altai Princess ), presumably a shaman, and many other interesting findings. Due to the short summer, the Pazyryk burial mounds acted as a natural refrigerator, and they still keep not only a unique wood and felt items, but even food, which was left here 25 centuries ago by the Scythians in the burial mound. The results of the work of archaeologists has been recognized as the epoch-making discovery of the twentieth century. Findings from the Ukok plateau were exhibited in the best museums of the world.

Studied the DNA of mummies the researchers came to the conclusion that the most immediate family of people who lived on the Ukok plateau in that period are modern Selkups. Also discovered genetic proximity to the Kazakhs and Uighurs. However, representatives of the Altai people do not agree with that conclusions, who consider to be direct descendants of the tribes that inhabited the Ukok in ancient times. The Ukok plateau is still considered to be their sacred place.

Today there are disputes between indigenous people and scientists about whether to continue excavations on the Ukok plateau or not: local people are afraid of the desecration of national shrines, scientists fear global warming that caused the melting of subsurface ice, over the centuries, preserving burial mounds.

Together with the Katun Nature Reserve, Altai Nature Reserve, Lake Teletskoye and Belukha Mountain, the Ukok plateau listed as UNESCO world heritage site under the name "Golden mountains of the Altai" (since 1998). In the southern part of the plateau is the Ukok Quiet Zone Natural Park (created in 2005). The natural Park Ukok has three functional areas:

- the reserved zone with an area of 26800 hectares, within which is prohibited any economic and recreational use of the territory. Within this zone, scientific research activities are permitted that do not contradict the legislation;

- area with restricted regime of use of the area is 39200 hectares, may be strictly controlled and limited visited and limited farm management. Prohibited is activities causing the change of historically developed natural landscape, decrease or destruction of ecological, aesthetic and recreational qualities of the Park;

- recreational area 186904 hectares, within which it is allowed to conduct the regulated sightseeing, tourism and economic activities.

There are a little tourist routes due to the restricted access to the plateau. To visit the Ukok Plateau you need to arrange a special permission. Tourists are invited to visit the plateau during jeep, horseback and hiking tours (including Aktru valley, Lake Teletskoye, waterfall Uchar, etc.).

From all sides the Ukok plateau is surrounded by inaccessible rocky mountains, so to get on the plateau is not easy. Only the rugged passes connect the Ukok with the outside world. The plateau belongs to those few territories of the Southern Altai, which have been changed since ancient times in a less degree, and saved its landscape structure from the glacial epoch.