The Altai region in the Central Asian part of Russia attracts a diverse crowd. For both foreign and home-grown travellers, it is a destination off the beaten track, full of natural beauty. For others, it is a place to settle and find peace of mind. Yet ot

Jan Luites swapped the delta plain of the Netherlands for the Russian frontier six years ago. His extraordinary journey began when he met Irina on the internet. He moved to Russia, married her and opened an ostrich farm. Jan says the move transformed not just his personal life, but his health.

“I'm asthmatic. I needed many medicines, and here I don't need any, why I don't know,” he said.

Altai is no longer the isolated region it was. More than a million people flock here every summer to experience the wilderness.  Jan is one of a new breed – those who are in Altai to stay.

Whether in search of a remedy or a new life, the settlers are arriving in their hundreds. Some, like Jan, set up businesses, others look beyond the material.

The group that calls itself “Children of the Sun” are in Altai searching for utopia. The new-age believers from St. Petersburg meditate and pray to the solar rays.

“Our main task is to establish a connection with Nature, and live in accordance with its laws. There are so many places in Altai where we could do that,” the group’s leader said.

Altai is known for its spirituality.  Many religions seem to blend in the region.  The people here pray to Buddha, Christ and pagan spirits with little distinction, ancient burial grounds are sacred for all.

The natives here are on a journey of their own – back to their roots.

Arzhan is a local shaman. He wears t-shirts and khaki jeans, but dresses up to perform his rituals.
 
“Our ancestors told us the age of openness will come. It is important for us right now to keep our culture alive,” he believes.

To natives, river spirits are not to be disturbed, the mountains watch over trees and whisper advice. There's a whole array of local customs, held throughout the seasons, to please them.

The spirits don't mind newcomers, as long as they respect the rules of life written long ago.