Frequently asked questions «Active excursion  tour “Sayan Expanses”

Question: How can I book a tour?

Answer: In order to book a tour one needs to use our on-line system pressing the button “Book this tour” or to inquire to the office of the tourist agency "Sayan Ring", located on 41 Uritskogo st 660049, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, tel. +7(391) 245-46-46. One can contact us either by e-mail info@sayanring.com or our representatives in other countries. When reserving a tour, 30 % payment upfront is required. The rest 70 % of the payment should be covered in not less than 45 days before the beginning of the tour. In case one makes the reservation in 45 days before the tour one needs to cover 100% of the tour price when making the final confirmation.

Question: Are the air and train tickets included in the tour price?

Answer: No, the travel expanses are not included in the tour price, but we can help in buying air and train tickets. The average cost of the train Krasnoyarsk-Abakan:  economy class (6-berth) – from 35 euro/person, compartment (4 berth) – from 60 euro/person, 120 euro/person for twin use.

Question: How to get to Krasnoyarsk?

Answer: Krasnoyarsk is one of the main transport hubs inSiberia. It is passed through by Trans-Siberian railway, posses several airports both of local and international level, river port, well-developed road vehicle infrastructure.

Information about railways ofKrasnoyarskcan be inquired at www.poezda.net, www.rzd.ru and also via phone 007 (391) 259-41-49.

Krasnoyarsk airport “Emelyanovo” accepts boards from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Norilsk, Barnaul, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok and other cities from the following air companies: “Aeroflot” www.aeroflot.ru, «Vladivostok Avia» www.vladavia.ru,  «Sibir» www.s7.ru, «Utair» www.utair.ru, «Transaero» www.transaero.ru, «Taimyr» taimyravia.ru  and others. Information about flights toKrasnoyarskairport “Emelyanovo” (KJA) can be queried at 007 (391) 2666-999, 2666-955.

Question: What other services does one need to pay for during the tour?

Answer: Principal services like food, accommodation, drinks, excursions, transportation on the route, work of guides and instructors, insurance are included in the package tour. Alcohol drinks are not included. The set of extra services may vary according to the program (souvenirs, some extra excursions, banya and fitosauna, folklore shows etc). Air and train tickets have to be paid extra.

Question: How do I pay for the package tour?

Answer: One can pay noncash via bank to our account. One should cover 100% payment before the beginning of the tour. Unfortunately we don’t accept credit cards.

Question: Are there any discounts?

Answer: There is a discount for children under 12 - 30%. If you book the tour in advance you can use special offerings, terms of which are published on the web-site of the company. There are special discounts for corporate customers.

Question: What time is best to take a tour roundSiberia?

Answer: Each season has its advantages; therefore the choice depends only on what month seems to be the best in your opinion.

• July is the hottest month, but sometimes there might rain for a week. The weather is stable and it's warm in the day time and at night. At the end of the month the steppe starts getting dry.
• The first half of August is warm, but later it starts getting colder. Nights get colder. At the end of the month there is a change of colors in nature surroundings: leaves get red and yellow. At this time of the year there is a great many of mushrooms and berries.

Question: Is there a lot of ticks and mosquitoes, and what are the ways of protection from these insects?

Answer: In Tuva and Khakasia there are not many mosquitoes, but there can be a lot of mosquitoes because of continuous rains, which is a rare phenomenon for Tuva and Khakasia. In alpine region, where the center "Snow Leopard" is located, there are almost no midges and mosquitoes. There are ticks in Tuva, where the territory is treated by the pest control, and also in Khakasia (the taiga area), where we do not make stops. The area round "Snow Leopard" has no ticks due to the alpine location. In natural park “Ergaki” ticks are a rare phenomenon, but last time their number is growing. In high mountains ticks are practically not found. Anyway each tourist is given the individual means of protection, also we recommend tourists to make sure their arms and legs are covered in twilight because mosquitoes are enlivened in the evening time. Tick-borne encephalitis insurance costs extra 17 Euro

Question: Can a person catch a disease being bitten by any insect?

Answer: Mosquitoes and flies are not dangerous, a certain type of ticks- encephalitis - can be dangerous, but we provide a tourist with the insurance. We recommend also get vaccinated against ticks.

Question: Is smoking allowed during taking a tour?

Answer: Yes, it is allowed but we ask tourists to refrain from smoking in the bus, during bus excursions and at public catering places not to cause discomfort to other tour participants.

Question: How big is the group of "Sayan Expanses" tour participants?

Answer: Usually there are small groups with 6-8 participants; the maximum groups’ size is 18 people, the minimum is 6 people.

Question: Can children participate in the tour "Sayan Expanses"?

Answer: Children aged under 10 can't take part in the tour.

Question: How long do we travel by bus each day in the tour "Sayan Expanses"?

Answer: Each day we cover the distance of approximately 400-450 km. Every 1,5-2 hours we make stops, that's why the journey does not seem very tiresome. There are days included into the program when tourists stay at holiday centers and do not travel by bus.

Question: How long do we hike each day in the tour "Sayan Expanses"?

Answer: An average walking trip is about 12-18 km a day. We often make stops, that's why the journey does not seem very tiresome. The program offers some active walking trips that take turn to less active days, when we walk only a bit or stay at holiday centers.

Question: Can one recharge camera batteries during the journey?

Answer: Yes, sure. You can do it at any place we stop during the journey "Sayan Expanses" in tourist centers and hotels. In camping at the Svetloye lake there is no electricity, so we recommend recharging all batteries of mobile phones and camera in advance and taking some additional batteries with you.

Question: What souvenirs can I buy inSiberia?

Answer: In Krasnoyarsk you can buy the paintings of local artists, souvenirs made of stones, bones, ceramics, things of birch bark made by local craftsmen, also you can buy semi precious stones and antiques. Besides that, you can take Siberian vodka, herbal and berry liqueurs, jewelry, handicraft (embroidery, hats and headscarves). In Shushenskoye village there is a wonderful store in a local museum of XIX-XX centuries, where you can purchase postcards, books, things made of ceramics, wood, and glass beads, kitchenware made by regional craftsmen and children as well. As you continue the journey you will be able to buy real cedar nuts, cedar oil, herbs. In Tuva there is a wide choice of souvenirs, presented at the numerous stores in Kyzyl - items made of 'soapstone' aghalmatolit, Tuvan chess, national dresses, gowns, hats, souvenirs made of wood, metal, amulets, also CD's and tapes with the performers of guttural singing. In the tourist center "Snow Leopard" you can gather herbs yourself (cowberry tree, wild rose, feverfew, coltsfoot), widely used in everyday life of local inhabitants, also you can gather different berries (cowberry, huckleberry, honeysuckle, great bilberry), mushrooms (boletus, orange-cap boletus, brown mushroom, variety of edible mushroom, saffron milk-cap, chanterelle), and of course, cedar cones, Siberians' favorite delicacies. Khakassiya is rich with ceramic and wooden items, embroidery, various amulets, national instruments, you can buy there CD's and tapes of national folk singers.

Question: Can one pay for the services during the journey with a credit card? If yes, than which ones?

Answer: Credit cards Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Union can be used in many big stores inKrasnoyarsk. It won't be a problem to find a ATM working 24 hours a day, so you can draw some money from your credit card at any time. As for the other places of the route you can pay cash for the services.

Question: What is necessary to take when going on the tour "Sayan Expanses"?

Answer: The clothing should be comfortable, first of all. Please take what you usually put on for hiking and holidays. In case of chilly weather, especially in the evenings, make sure you take a warm sweater, socks, wind resistant jacket and 2 footwear pairs: a pair of sport shoes and a pair of water resistant shoes. A light colored shirt with long sleeves and light pants (trousers), which can protect your legs from thorny grass in the steppes of Tuva.

Sunglasses, and sun cream (the sun activity is high in Tuva and Khakasia).

Swimsuit (you may need it in 'banya', Russian sauna).

A hat or a baseball hat to avoid sunstroke.

A knitted jacket and warm sweater.

Light wind resistant jacket, in August – warm jacket.

Shorts, T-shirts, easy clothing and footwear.

For the walking trip to lake Svetloye you need:

 Rucksack (not a bag), 2 raincoats, comfortable water resistant shoes, additional shoes for dry path, flip-flops  in camping, personal care items, swimsuit, T-shirt, trousers, sweater, wind resistant jacket, a hat to avoid sunstroke, torch with 2 battery packs. You have to take all valuable things with you. All things in a rucksack should be packed in waterproof bags. You can also take an air mantras to make your bed in the camp softer. All unnecessary luggage you may leave at a tourist center before starting hiking. All things should also be packed in waterproof bags.

You also should take a contract confirming tour purchase, medical insurance card, tick-born encephalitis  insurance certificate (if you have one), individual medicines.

Question: What footwear should I take?

Answer: During the tour you will need first of all comfortable shoes for hiking and easy summer shoes. For walking trips tracking trips are useful. It is recommended to stretch shoes by wearing them during some holidays or sport exercises. It is good to rub them with fat or some special cream, so they become pervious. If there is not any special solution, put your shoes into soapy water and so they become waterproof for 2-3 days. You will also need an additional pair of shoes, e.g, trainers to let your feet have a rest from boots. Don’t use high-heeled shoes, sandals or slippers. At night you should put your shoes under the camp (don’t put dirty shoes into the camp). If shoes get wet, change the shoes and wash the first ones with warm water or milk. In the evening dry out the shoes putting them far away from heat sources.

Question: What is the weather like inKrasnoyarsk, Tuva and Khakasiya?

Answer: There is no great difference in temperatures between May and June, the weather is warm, the average temperature is +20+22 C. In June - July the temperature inKrasnoyarsk, Tuva and Khakasia reaches +25+30C. The weather is mostly dry, with occasional rains. It is warm at the end of August and the beginning of September +15+20 C, sometimes it rains. During the first half of September the temperature can drop to +10 +12C.

Question: What kind of transport does your company provide your tourists with?

Answer: Comfortable buses and minivans (for small groups) with air conditioner service in all the programs of the company. In every bus there is a bar, fridge, audio and video system. During the tour there are several stops, rest, walks and picnics. Every tourist can seat near the window and enjoy the picturesque view. It is forbidden to smoke in buses, stops in some places, preserves. Driving during the night is also forbidden because of the seasonal pasture.

Question: How qualified are your tourist guides who accompany us in the tour?

Answer: We have highly qualified guides working in our company, due to this fact the tours of the company "Sayan Ring" have become so interesting and fascinating. They say, without a guide any journey, even a short one is nothing more than going some distance, but with a guide it is already traveling. On the walking sections of the trip you are accompanied by experienced guides, who help will you to overcome some difficult track sections and tell you many amazing stories. You will be accompanied also by trekking guides. Along the tour we provide you a guide speaking Russian and English, other languages – extra fee. In case a foreign sub-group is over 4 people with the same language guide-interpreter is provided free of charge. If the number of foreign tourists who speak a language is less than 4 people, guide services are paid separately. This information can be requested from the company's managers.

Question: What kind of food do you offer?

Answer: In any tour you will be offered two or three meals a day, be it a hotel, a nomad's tent, even on picnics you will be served hot meals or lunch boxes. At camping you will get three hot meals a day cooked by a cook on the fire. During walking trips you have lunch boxes. Mineral water, local drinks, coffee, tea, and juice are included in tours' pricing. The national Russian, Tuvinian, and Khakasian cuisine will be an essential part of the program. We also consider the tourists' preferences, those who follow special diets or are vegetarians. Alcohol drinks are not included in the price.

Question: What sights will we see?

Answer: During the journey tourists stop at the following places:

• The nature reserve "Stolby" is one of the most attractive and marvelous places inKrasnoyarsk. This work of nature is a group of exotic rock pillars situated in the taiga on the spurs of theEastern Sayan Mountains. The territory of the reserve is about47 000 hectares. The shape of each rock is so unique, that almost all rocks have their own names - Grandfather, First Pole, Pillars, Takmak, Slonic, Pervenets, Predplechye, Lion's Gate, Kapella, Manskaya Baba, Grify, Krepost etc. The tourist-excursion area of Stolby is almost 1,5 thousand hectares. With the help of an experienced guide - rock climbers you will have a walk on a tourist zone, and those who seek for adventures can try to climb up the rock.
• The town ofAbakan, an administrative and cultural center of the republic, established in 1913 with the population of over 165,500 people. The town is relatively new, thus its architecture is modern.
• The town Shushenskoye is located in the south ofKrasnoyarskregion,500 kmaway fromKrasnoyarskin a fertile Minusinsk Hollow. The town was established by the settlers coming fromMoscowtoKrasnoyarskin XVIII century. Historically the village was built at the place where a small river Shush used to flow into Yenisej. The main place for sightseeing in the whole are round the village is the state history ethnographic museum-reserve "Shushenskoye". You will chance to see the excursion-performance in the museum.
• Village Tanzybey. 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.
• Ergaki mountain range, lies in the central part ofWestern Sayan mountains. It stretches from the west to the east for about80 km, its greatest width is 70km. Ergaki is one of the most picturesque mountainous taiga regions inSiberia. In Ancient Turk language this word means "fingers". Actually many of the rocks remind the shape of vertically spread apart fingers. It is truly a fantastic unique spot inSayan mountains. None of its valleys looks alike, numerous lakes - each beautiful in its own way, each mountain top has its unique image. A picnic on the lake. 
• A mountain Brothers (or Parabola) consists of two peaks of different size and height, that are connected by a kind of bridge. But that bridge has gradual right forms like a real parabola. The rocks surface is smooth and polished, that also led some researchers thinking about the artificial processing (if not the origin) of this remarkable rock. From the “younger brother”, in a beautiful valley there is home amazing lake in the shape of almost regular rectangle with rounded edges. It is called theLakeofMountain Spirits. According to an ancient legend, the spirits enchanted two brothers, having left them there to protect the fabulous treasures. Near the lake there is another miracle of nature - high waterfall about20 meters.
• The rocky ridge named "Sleeping Sayan”. Silhouette of man lying on his back, face and flowing long hair, hands folded on his chest, legs and feet. 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.
• Pass Artists can be considered as a pilgrim place of all creative people and art connoisseurs. It is completely unique. From this pass one can see the view of the central part of Ergaki and thevalleyofLeft Taigishriver. You can also see in full view the peaks Ptitsa, Zvezdniy, Dragon’s tooth, Conus, Zerkalny. In the center, far below, two sharp peaks are clearly visible – that is Brothers.
• The "Hanging Stone" is considered as the most interesting and attractive sight of Ergaki. It is located on a sloping cliff touching it only a small part of its surface. The stone (obviously, the weight of several tens of tons) creates the impression of instability, it seemed to lose the unstable] equilibrium and slip into the abyss. It is known that up to 1970s "Hanging Stone" was also "a swinging stone", which one could let to sway only with an effort of a hand. Later, during repeating attempts to push the stone down, gaps in the joint points with the rock were filled with small rubbles and the stone ceased to sway. To the "Hanging Stone" a few pathes lead, and anyone who came to Ergaki feels it their duty to see this wonderful, amazing, already famous natural monument with their own eyes. At the bottom of the abyss, into which the "Hanging Stone" always seeks to fall down, there is the most beautifullakeRaduzhnoye- one of the gems of Ergaki.
• The peak Ptitsa, the extreme top of one of the central ranges, perhaps one of the most spectacular peaks. The outlines of the mountain resemble the shape of a giant bird, which looking sternly around and spreading its wings, hides their nestlings under the wings. Next to Ptitsa, situating in the same range there is the peak Zvezdniy, which height is2,265 meters. Its narrow sharp crest resembles a stem of a huge sea liner, cutting through boundless ocean surface of the taiga.
• Another famous rock of Ergaki is the Dragon’s Tooth. It really looks like a fang sticking out from the jaws of a giant beast of prey. One side of the pointed top is a "negative" wall of about1000 metersheight - a dangerous challenge for climbers who come here to try a fall with the local rocks.
• The city ofKyzyl, the capital of the republic Tuva. It is situated in the eastern part of Tuvinian Hollow, at the merging place of two rivers Bolshoi Yenisei (Biy Khem) and Maliy Yenisei (Ka Khem), forming Verhniy Yenisej (Ulug Khem),4668 kmto the east ofMoscow. It has a pier, railway station, and an airport. The city was founded in 1914 under the name Belotsarsk. In 1926 it was given another name Kyzyl (it means "red"). Main sights: a shaman clinic, the buddhist temple, monument the Centre of Asia, the nationalmuseumofTuva. Visiting of main sights.
• The national museumof Tuvarepublic is one of the most significant museums in Ost Siberia. 9600 km² space, 4 floors including the ground floor, where there are technical services, restoration hall, storehouse. 8 exhibition halls, a chamber and conference hall. To the year of museum opening (7 February 2008) 5 halls are decorated. The third floor shows 11000 pieces of collection "Arzhan II", named “Scythian tsar graves”. For the first time public can see exhibits of secret museum funds, e.x. painting collection from theRussianMuseum.
• There are 5 departments in the museum now: nature, history, pre-revolutionary Tuva, People's Republic of Tuva, soviet Tuva and funds. The pearl of the museum's collection is of course objects from the burial mound Arjaan  II. The excavations of this burial mound were carried out in 2000-2003 by the specialists of the Hermitage and the German archaeological institute. These archaeological findings (more than20 kgof golden objects) became a real sensation in archaeological world. The museum's collection includes unique exhibits such as the original of the first tuvinian ABC book, meteorite fragment, a collection of ancient shamans' belongings, a Buddhist collection, golden and bronze plates, jewellery and a collection of tuvinian stonecutters.
• Shaman clinic is  a  small building which attracts your attention by two yurts and a sacred stone place ovaa which are situated in front of it. The clinic is named “Tos Deer”- "The central religious shaman organization of Tuva republic". Tos Deer is translated as “Nine heavens”. Shamans heal their patients by means of throat singing and natural energy. They also use herbs and trees. They also combine different healing tactics: massage, aromatherapy, herbal healing, iridology, inner human rhythms correction. Everybody who wants can visit any of these shamans to know his future, health and to pass a ritual of purification. Now there are 4 shaman clinics working in Tuva republic. And everybody who undergoes the treatment in traditional clinics is allowed to invite a shaman to one’s ward!
• The buddhist temple was consecrated in October 1999 and immediately became one of the symbols Kyzyl. It was built in record time, in 20 months. It was worked out by architect Fan Chen Ir. On the 17^th of February the president of Tuva laid the first stone of the temple and in October 1999 it was consecrated by Bogdo-Gegen IX, who is after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the third big name in the Buddhist world.. There is a residence of Dalai-Lama XIV representatives on the first floor. A beautiful marble stair leads to the second floor where a pray hall, an altar, pictures of Buddha and Dalai-Lama XIV are situated. The temple harmoniously combines orient architecture traditions and modern construction technologies. Here, for the first time in the republic tiling and figured ceramic road tiles were used as a roofing material.  In a short time the temple became very popular.
• The centre of Asia monument which is situated in the central part of Kyzyl on the bank of the river Yenisei, was built in 1964 to 20-year anniversary of voluntary annexation Tuva People's Republic to theUSSR. The authors are sculptor V.F.Demin, architects W.I.Bazhin and V.P.Vetchinov.  The present day monument has a predecessor - in 1890ies an English traveler saw a stone pillar which symbolized the centre ofAsiain Saldam. Saldam is situated25 kmfar from the place where Kaa-Khem joins Biy-Khem. Later this pillar was moved to Kyzyl, but unfortunately we cannot see it today as it was washed away by flood. In 1964 the present monument "The centre ofAsia" was built. In 1984 the monument was reconstructed according to the project of Kuular architect. It was lifted to the podium and decorated by granite. Also a square, an embankment and observation area were organized.
• Lake Dus-Khol (Svatikovo). The lake attracts the attention because of the "zone of the desert" in miniature, where one can lie on hot sand.Lakeis known as therapeutic. Each tourist could tell that healing properties of the lake is higher than ones of the Dead Sea in Israel or Lake Tuz in Khakassia. Mineralization of water in Dus-Hole is very high, up to280 g/ liter.Rapa(the so-called lake water heavily saturated with salt) is similar to glycerin. It is full of millions of tiny red crustaceans. It is shrimps, the inhabitants of salt lakes and seas. The composition of rapa is magnesium-sodium, with a high content of bromine. With the help of rapa and mud some diseases of the joints, digestive apparatus, of peripheral and central nervous system, also skin and gynecological diseases can be cured. Diving in the lake is difficult - the water is so dense that pushes the body back. The deeper you come, the warmer the water and mud in the bottom layer are. At the bottom temperature reaches 41 ° C. The temperature difference of rapa on the surface and the bottom reaches 16 ° C.
• The mountain Khairykan, one of the most honored saint places in Tuva. In 1992 it was chosen as the most energetically powerful spots and it was sanctified by Dalai Lama XIV. At least once a year shamans come to this place in order to get the energy, strengthen and purify the spirit.
• Ustuu-Khuree temple. The temple was a real masterpiece of Tuvan architecture having no analogies neither on theterritoryofTuvaRepublic, nor on the territory of formerSoviet Union. In 1930 the temple complex was closed and in 1937 it was destroyed by communists. And only in 1999 authorities decided to begin restoration of the unique complex. This idea was widely suppoted by musicians who established annual musical festival of faith and live music “Ustuu-Khuree”. The main purpose of the festival is attracting attention to the temple complex and collecting money for restoration work and buddhist monk training.
• LakeMarankulis a mountain lake located at an altitude of1600 metersabove sea level. At the lake in fir taiga there is a tourist complex “Marankul”. Rich flora: rhododendron, Maral and golden root, Kuril tea, edelweiss; and unique fauna: ibex, snow leopard, argali sheep.
• The pendant “BridgeofLove”. The pendant bridge goes through a mountainous river Bolshoy On. The river runs among the centuries-old cedar taiga rapidly overcoming all rapids and shallows. The local tradition is that a spouse or lover should carry his mistress in his arms over thebridgeofLoveover the waters of a mountain river.
• Stella Hurtuiah tas, a stone, which is still being worshiped, Khakasian women bring gifts to the stone if they want to have a child. In 2003, at request of the local inhabitants, stella was transported from the regional study museum back to the place it used to be over 30 years ago.

Question: What kind of accommodation do you offer?

Answer: The most comfortable places of accommodation are chosen for the tourist. In Tuva and Khakassia special yurt-complexes are built.

Krasnoyarsk

There are many hotels in the city (from economy class to comfortable **** hotels), where our guests can be housed in and have rest. Comfortable rooms and cafes are waiting or you. You  can get information about hotels at out website “Hotels”:

During the tour “Sayan Expanses” the accommodation inKrasnoyarskis not included

We advise you to chooseKrasnoyarskand Oktyabrskaya hotels 3*, Ogni Yeniseya and Tourist 2*.

Lake Svetloye. The camping “Zvezdniy”

The summer camping is situated on the area of natural park “Ergaki”, on the coast of lake Svetloye, at the height of1510 metersabove sea level. There are camps for 2 or 4 people. During the stay you get all equipment: mats and sleeping bags. On the coast a banya is built. There is no electricity in the camping, so we recommend recharging all batteries of mobile phones and camera in advance and taking some additional batteries with you. All tourists will get three times hot meals a day cooked by a cook on the fire. During hiking tourists get lunch boxes.

Tuva

Yurt-complex “Biy-Khem”

Yurt-complex is a yurt camp near Kyzyl specially designed for tourists’ accommodation. Yurts for two people made of felt are very comfortable and cozy are furnished with wooden beds, little wardrobe and cupboard. Shower with hot water and bio-closet facilities are situated in the big detached yurt. Canteen and bar are also situated in another yurt. Excursions, horse riding, Biy-Khem river rafting, national cuisine cooking and other services are available for additional fee. 

 “Snow leopard” camp

Camp is situated in taiga forest in highland district of Khakassia. Accommodation in houses of economy class being furnished with bed, wardrobe and table. Closet facilities are beyond a house.

Houses of higher class are equipped with furniture, fire-place and WC within house.

In the main house there is a hall services of  cafe, karaoke, bar are provided. On the territory there are parking place and a sports ground. Excursion programs and spa-therapy are included in the tour price.