Entry dates

Tour program

Siberia is still an unknown land, terra incognita. You will be able to reveal its mysteries choosing the tour “Sayan expanses”. The journey includes three territories of Siberia: Krasnoyarsk region, Tuva and Khakasia. Every territory has its own peculiarities, history, culture and unique nature. The tourists will visit the state nature reserve “Stolby”, West Sayan mountains and the famous park Ergaki. They will get acquainted with amazing Tuva Republic, with its fantastic landscapes and salty lakes similar to the waters of the Dead Sea.

Route in brief:

Duration: 10 days/ 9 nights

Months: from June to August

Bus traveling: 1600 km

Trekking distance - 67 km
People in a group: min - 8, max – 18
Age limit: children not younger than 10 years old
The tour doesn’t require any special physical training.

• View booking-list
• Program in German
• Program in Russian

Day 1

Meeting Siberia

Your acquaintance with Siberia begins in Krasnoyarsk.

The tourists are met at the railway station at 09:00  local time, the luggage should be delivered to the cloak-room. Transfer, accommodation in hotel, breakfast only according to tourists wish**.

The first place of the program is the nature reserve Stolby. You will come to the guard place with an experienced guide and after that walk approximately 5 km up to the hill. While walking guide will tell you the story of the reserve, in 2010 it celebrated its 70 anniversary.

Then the group will walk around the nature reserve (about 3 km). The bravest can try to climb one of the rocks. During the excursion you will hear a lot of interesting legends and stories. Almost every rock is unique and has its own name – Grandfather, the First rock, Feathers, Takmak, Elephant, Lion’s gate, Manskaya Baba, Vultures, Fortress and many others.

The tourist territory of the nature reserve occupies the territory of 1500 hectares.

After that everybody can have rest in a forest hut. The lunch is a lunch-box.

After that you will go down to the guard place where you will be met by the bus and then you will go to a sightseeing excursion.

You will visit the most interesting places of the city. One of them is Karaulnaya mountain where the chapel is situated. Some time ago it was called Kum-Tigei hill. The Cossacks who founded the city built a watch tower there in the beginning of the 17^th century. The stone chapel appeared in 1865. In the 21^st century a cannon was installed near the chapel which shoots every midday. One can enjoy a fascinating view of the city, Yenissei river and the nature reserve “Stolby”.

Dinner in a café (on your own**)

Arriving to the railway station. Boarding the train Krasnoyarsk-Abakan №124 (tickets **).

*Accommodation in the train; lunch.

** Extra charge

Day 2

Between two cultures

At 06.30 the guests are met in Abakan – the capital city of Khakassia republic. Earlier it was known as Ust-Abakanskoe village. In the beginning of the 20^th century the village got the status of the city and the new name Abakan. After the breakfast in a café the group will have a short excursion around the city.

Then the tourists go to Shushenskoe village. This small village is widely known for its ethnographic museum. The excursion to the ethnographical museum "Shushenskoe" will bring you to the real Siberian village of ХIX-XX centuries**. The history of the museum is inextricably linked with the name of Vladimir Lenin, who lived in Shushenskoye in exile 1897-1900. This corner of antiquity is situated on a bank of the river Shush, near its confluence with the Yenisei. There are numerous monuments of architecture on the 7 hectares: farmhouses, commercial shop, jail, tavern, about 200 wooden buildings. A lot of people go here attracted by ancient Siberian traditions, which are fully preserved in this place. A visit to a real tavern will bring everybody another surprise, you can see handicrafts and go to the shop of a merchant. Here you will be served a cup of tea and traditional dishes in real Siberian izba. The famous festival of ethnic music called "The Sayan ring" is held near the village annually.

After that the way to Ergaki national park.

During this day the group will also get acquainted with another Siberian village. The name of the place is Tanzybei. The group will visit a local family; taste home cooked cookies and beverages, fruit and vegetables from the garden. Here you can see chickens and rabbits, have a natural milk, see the Siberian garden. Lunch at the farmhouse will surprise you with its variety of dishes.

On the way to mountains West Sayan you will see the mountain Sleeping Sayan. Silhouette of man lying on his back, face and flowing long hair, hands folded on his chest, legs and feet. A warrior Sleeping Sayan amazes, wakes the imagination and inspiration ... He is covered by numerous legends, and for many hundreds of years it remains the most majestic, mysterious and enigmatic spectacle in Ergaki.

The territory of the natural park “Ergaki” is a traditional tourist center in the south of the region and the most visited part of the West Sayan mountains. The highest peaks of “Ergaki” are Aradansky (2466 m) and Zvezdniy (2265 m).

The pilgrim place of all creative people is the pass of Artists. From this pass one can see the view of the central part of Ergaki and the valley of Left Taigish river. You can also see the peaks Ptiza, Zvezdniy, Dragon’s tooth, Conus, Zerkalny and Brothers. There are two beautiful lakes situated not far from them – the Lake of Mountain spirits and the Lake of Artists.

The natural park “Ergaki” is for sure a pearl of Siberia. The lovers of pristine wild nature should definitely visit this amazing corner of the world.

Arriving to the start point (621 km, tourist complex “Tushkanchik”), changing dress, the luggage will be delivered to the cloak-room, the hiking along a path in mountainous taiga, 8 km to the lake Svetloye. Its shape resembles a church dome, due to such a form the lake was named, Svetloye means Saint. Arriving to the camping, accommodation in camps for 2 or 4 people, dinner. Night fire.

 *Accommodation in the camping, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

** Extra fee for Russian cossacs folklore performance in the museum

Day 3

Climbing the mount Ptitsa (Bird)

Waking up at 9:00, morning swimming, morning exercise, breakfast and preparing for a walk to a Bird’s shoulder. Rom the camping it is possible to see the whole way to the peak. Tourists will go along a path climbing a mount to the height of 1700 meters above the sea level, the forest is left back. We can see mountains, lakes and taiga, it is amazing! The path is becoming narrower and tourists reach the pass Ptitsa, from this place it is really seen a big bird, an eagle that is touching land with its pads and putting its wings together. Lunch box on the way.

During the trip you will see lake of Mountain Spirits, rocks “Two Brothers” and the bridge between them “Parabola”. Some rocks looking like a turtle, camel, deserted castles. The trip will take about 4-5 hours, 10 km.

After returning to camping rest and satisfying dinner. Preparing for night banya and swimming in the lake. The day finishes with songs and stories, games and competitions on the night fire.

 *Accommodation in the campring, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4

Meeting with the Dinosaur

A new morning, new day and new impressions. After breakfast the group goes to a new trip to the highest point of the region. It is the mount Dinosaur (12 km, 7-8 hours). The path runs along the lake Svetloye, we climb up the hill and down to the lake Zolotarnoye or Malakhitovoye. The lake is big, located outside the forest. Packed lunch on the way. The next attraction is a cliff Dragon’s Tooth, it will surprise with its concave rock walls. It hosts the championships among climbers of Russian and world level.

Dinner over the campfire. Evening communication, exchange of experiences, looking through pictures taken during day trip, it makes the rest warm and friendly.

*Accommodation in the campring, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5.

Sayan mountains and Tuva republic

After breakfast the group says goodbye to the camping, peaks Ptitsa and Zvezdny and promise to return back some day. The back way on foot (8 km, 2-3 hours). The bus meets the group, tourists get their luggage, change clothes and continue the program. Lunch by the way. 

There is a watching place on the border of Krasnoyarsk region and Tuva from where you can see the fascinating republic. Many are amazed by the fact that when they cross the border the surrounding landscape changes dramatically. It seems that you have entered another planet and time. The major part of Tuva doesn’t have any civilization. Endless steppes stretch for hundreds of kilometers interrupted only by rocks.

The group makes a stop 22 km from the city Kizil, on the bank of the Biy-Khem river (in Tuvan – Big Yenisey), in the yurts’ complex*. Accommodation in the real thick felt yurts built by tuvians specially for the tourists.

After dinner – the performance with the traditional throat singing – “khoomei” **. The throat singing is a fantastical capability of the Tuva people (and some other Siberian nationalities) to emit simultaneously two or three sounds of different tone and to sustain the same sound for 25-30 seconds without taking a breath. If you close your eyes it is hard to believe that the sounds are emitted by a person and not by a musical instrument.

Who of us has not dreamed of the open spaces of the sky? At the end of the day you can enjoy Tuvinian starry sky in all its glory with the help of a telescope installed in the yurt complex. You can see many constellations, an experienced guide will help you in this, even if you have not been strong in astronomy. From time to time the soul of each urban resident asks for something special, for what we have never enough time in everyday. And then we look at the stars.

 * Accommodation is in the yurts’ complex “Biy-Khem”. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

** Extra charge

Day 6

The Center of Asia

The day begins with a visit to the capital of Tuva – Kyzyl. You will visit several interesting places there. The first and the main pride of the city is the Center of Asia monument. It is made in the shape of a globe. Tuva and Kyzyl are specially marked on it. The monument stands on the bank of Yenisei, on the place of the geographical center.

After that the group will visit the Republican museum of Tuva. Its collection includes interesting archaeological findings beginning from the Bronze age. They can tell a lot about the culture of ancient tuvinian tribes.

After lunch the tourists will go shopping to the souvenir shops and walking around the city.

Then we go to the lake Dus-Khol (Svatikovo). On the way we stop near a mineral spring Tos-Bulag. Lake is known as therapeutic. Swimming and mud bathing. Each tourist could tell that healing properties of the lake is higher than ones of the Dead Sea in Israel or the Lake Tuz in Khakassia. Mineralization of water in Dus-Hole is very high, up to 280 g / liter. With the help of mud some diseases of the joints, digestive apparatus, of peripheral and central nervous system, also skin and gynecological diseases can be cured.

Dinner will give everybody a chance to taste national tuvinian cuisine. Late in the evening the tourists will see a mysterious performance – the ritual of shamans’ kamlanie **. It is a unique show during which a shaman communicates with spirits. Nobody will stay indifferent after this ritual.

 *Accommodation in a yurt complex “Biy-Khem”, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

** Extra charge

Day 7

Following the path of nomads

During this day the group will follow the path of the nomads in order to cross Tuva from the east to the west and to reach Khakasia. The group will cross the mountain pass. They will meet places of strong energetic concentration. There will be a short stop near Khajyrakan mountain. In 1992 this mountain was chosen as an energetically powerful place and was consecrated by Dalai-Lama XIV. Local shamans come here once a year to renew their energy, to strengthen and to cleanse their spirit. Everybody who visits this place can feel its power.

Picnic on the grass (lunch-boxes).

Khakassia Republic starts on the Sayan pass, on the height of 2206 meters. The next day will be spent in powerful taiga, in the tourist center “Snow leopard”. The center stands on the bank of a clean mountain river Stoktysh. You can walk on colorful carpet of moss here, enjoy mountain air and traditional dishes of taiga cuisine.

 *Accommodation in the tourist center “Snow leopard”, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8

Taiga happiness

Taiga rest is a perfect possibility to get rid of noise and city fuss. A touch to pristine nature can return inner harmony. After breakfast the tourists will go a mountain lake “Marankul” which is situated 1520 meters high above the sea level. The water temperature in the lake is usually 12-18 degrees. The way to the lake goes through the cedar taiga. The group will have lunch on the lake.

Then you will walk to the camp situated on the lake shore where you can swim and go rafting. Then the group will return to the tourist center.

In the evening you will have a chance to visit Russian banya with fresh brooms and then to jump in the freezing water of a mountain river.

After dinner the group will gather around the campfire. The night sky with millions of stars and coniferous forest scent can give you the feeling of unity with nature.

* Accommodation in the tourist center “Snow leopard”, breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9

Locking the ring

In the morning the tourists can make cosmetic procedures**, do a healing massage** or spend some time in phyto sauna**. You can also do a honey wrapping**.

After lunch the tourists will leave “Snow leopard” and go down to the plateau. During their way they will stop near Khurtuyah tas stele. It is a special stone, worshiped by the women of Khakassia who wish to have a baby. In 2003 the stele was returned to its historical place from the Regional museum.

The final destination of our journey is Abakan city.

Dinner, Khakassian folklore performance**

The main program is over. Boarding the train 124 to Krasnoyarsk to 067 to Moscow (tickets **). Moreover, you can stay overnight in Abakan** and in the morning fly to Moscow**.

**Accommodation in the train, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

** Extra charge

Day 10

Departure

Meeting the tourists at the railway station. Those who continue their trip will be served breakfast** and then transferred to the airport**.

**Extra charge

Discount: 30% for children under 12 years old.

• Tour price can be inquired from the manager of the company: Contacts: Olga, info@sayanring.com; ICQ: 633-060-400
• or from the representatives of "Sayan Ring" in your country: Germany, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Canada, the Netherlands.
• Special offer:

In case of full payment of the tour till 01 March 2012 г - discount 10% !

In case of full payment of the tour till 01 May 2012 г - discount 8% !

Transport service (minibus, minivan), twin or triple accommodation in the camp, twin accommodation in economy class “Snow Leopard” (without WC), yurt complex (without WC), meals (including mineral water, juices, coffee, tea, local drinks), excursions, porter services, tickets to the museums and parks, Russian or English guide service, visa support, accident insurance

tickets to Krasnoyarsk, train tickets Krasnoyarsk-Abakan-Krasnoyarsk, extra service, alcohol drinks, folk programs, transfers, accommodation at the 1.day, tick-borne encephalitis insurance (20 Euro)

*Extra pay for a single room during the whole tour-160 euro.
**Extra fee for twin accommodation in a superior house of “Snow Leopard” (with WC) for 2 nights – from 30 Euro/person

Train tickets Krasnoyarsk-Abakan one way 60 Euro/person in a compartment 2 class for 4 pax, 120 Euro/person in a compartment 2 class but for 2 pax

In case of a foreign group of more than 4 people with the same language guide and translator for free. If the number of foreign tourists who speak a language is less than 4 people, interpreter service is for extra charge. This information can be requested from the company's managers