Entry dates

17.06.2012 - 22.06.2012, 05.07.2012 - 10.07.2012, 07.08.2012 - 12.08.2012, 04.09.2012 - 09.09.2012,

Tour program

The history of Siberia is very great, it counts not only the centuries but thousands of years. The first state of Din Linnes, who lived here in VII-III centuries BC, left the remembrance about themselves in marvelous burial mounds, mystic rock paintings. Together with the most experienced experts in archeology, the head masters of national museum-preserve “Kazanovka” you will experience the secrets of archeological treasures, which were collected  by the history itself in the open air.

Route in brief:

Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights
Months: from June to September
Bus traveling: 510 km
People in group: min – 4, max – 12.
Guides on the route: 1-2
Age limit: children not younger than 12 years old
The tour doesn’t require any special physical training. 

• View booking list
• Download the program in Russian
• Download the program in German

Day 1

Khakassia. In the Valley of Kings.

Meeting in Abakan, the capital of Khakassia. Accommodation, breakfast and rest.

After lunch – visit to the national Khakas Regional Museum where ancient stone monuments (backwashes of ancient people and cults) collection is exhibited. Local people believe that some of these stones still have great spiritual power.

After that – the first visit to the place of archaeological dig – the Valley of Kings (70 km). There are more than 50 big burial mounds of tagarsk tribes kings. Then a visit to “Barsuchiy Log” where a burial mound of 4-5 centuries B.C. was found several years ago.

The main part of the excursion – a visit to Great Salbyksky Mound (V-IV century B.C.). Great Salbyksky Mound is a pyramid 30 meters high that was constructed over the grave of a noble family of Din Ling. This mound is the evidence of the tagarsk state power. There are stone plates near each of the mounds which is usual for such a big mounds. Their weight is about 20-60 tons. The legend says that this is “the road of spirits” which leads the dead souls through the mountains to the upper world. Tourists will not only see the mound but also visit the old stone quarry from which these stones were taken.

Then the tourists will visit Uglukol lake (60 km) and one more burial mound. It is named Uybatsky chaatas (burial ground of 7-8 centuries B.C.). There archaeologists have found masks made from terracotta, wooden sculptures and many other objects.

Coming back to Abakan (130 km). Accommodation in the hotel, dinner**, free time.

* Accommodation in hotel, breakfast, lunch.

**Extra pay

Day 2

A trip to the Valley of delight.

After breakfast the group goes to the yurt complex “Kug” where the group will stay for the next 5 days. It is situated 140 km far from Abakan, on the bank of the river Askiz, almost on the territory of the nature museum “Kazanovka”. This is the place where two different mountain regions Altai and Sayan meet each other.

The yurt complex is made specially for the tourists. Wooden yurts are modern copies of ancient yurts used by nomads. Accommodation is in real yurts built specially for comfortable rest of tourists. Every yurt is for two persons. There are also dining room, lavatories, and showers on the territory of the complex. Yurt complex “Kug” is named after the valley in which it is located. Khahass word “kug” means “joy, delight”.

Lunch and free time. After dinner the performance of Khakassian ensemble will let you feel as if you are a part of this country**. 

 *Accommodation in yurt complex “Kug”. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

**Extra pay.

Day 3

Ancient customs and mysteries.

A journey for the whole day. There is a wonderful place – Khurtuyakh-hall (A Valley of Saint Old Woman) situated 5 km far from yurt complex. For more than four thousand years this valley was used by local people for their customs and rituals. This is a place to plunge into mysteries of disappeared people.

This excursion combines a trekking part and a bus part. The surrounding landscape includes rocks and taiga, which will bring you real delight.

Lunch (lunch-box) in the open air among rocks and taiga. 

Return to the yurt complex, dinner, evening near the bonfire.

  *Accommodation in the yurt complex “Kug”. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4

The inheritance of different cultures.

This is a day of a walking excursion to a steppe valley Chity-Khys (Seven Sisters), which is also called the Valley of Ancestors where all the steppe is covered with burial mounds. It will leave an unforgettable impression. During this excursion you will visit the archeological excavations (mounds of XII-X centuries B.C.). You will have a chance to see rock paintings made in different techniques according to Buddhist or shamanism beliefs.

Lunch is organized in the open air (lunch-boxes). In the end of excursion you will visit burial mounds of Siberian Scythians and a Mountain Temple. Before dinner you will also visit Akh-Tas (White Stone) – locals believe this monument has healing power.

Return to the yurt complex “Kug”, dinner, free time.

 *Accommodation in yurt complex “Kug”. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5

Ancient steles and paintings.

After breakfast the group will have a bus excursion for the whole day (100 km). The first place to visit is “Khurtuyakh tas” stele (Holy Old Woman) – a monument which always has been respected by local people. You can see its head, face and a stomach of a pregnant woman. According to an old legend, pregnant woman turned to stone when she saw her son and her husband being murdered. That's why a mask of horror petrified on her face. Khakas people believe that the stele has a live heart inside. Khakasian women bring gifts here if they wish to have a baby or to be healthy enough to have one.

Then tourists are going to Poltakovskiy Stellarium. The museum “Poltakovo” has the biggest collection of rock paintings under open sky in Siberia (more than 1000 petroglyphs). Here you will see 6 thousand years of “illustrated” history of Khakasia.

After the excursion the group will have lunch (lunch-boxes) at the bank of the river Yes. Our next point of destination is village Safronovo with its unique priest burial mound (VI-V centuries B.C.). There are more than 740 rock paintings (I-V centuries AC) that gave this place a reputation of illustrated encyclopedia of early khakassian shamanism.

You will get acquainted with burial mounds of Scythian aristocracy (IV-III centuries B.C.) not far from the village Kyzlas. This excursion will go through an unusual nature landscape – mountain steppe.

Return to the yurt complex, dinner, free time.

 *Accommodation in the yurt complex “Kug”, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6

Farewell to Khakasia.

The last day in the Valley of delight is devoted to excursion to the nearest mountain.

Not very far from the yurts across the river Askiz you will see Aar-Tag mountain (the Respected Mountain). Here you will have possibility to get acquainted with mountain spirits legends and observe medieval paintings (XIII-XV centuries). While climbing the mountain (attitude elevation 906 meters) you can gather herbs and learn about their use for health. From the top of the mountain you will see a picturesque view on Sayan mountains and Kuznetsky Alatau.

Then you will take part in a custom of farewell with Khakassia – you will tie ribbons on branches of the trees and bushes. In Khakas language this custom is called “chaloma”.

The tourists will return to Abakan (140 km) in the second half of the day. Accommodation in a hotel** After dinner you will be given certificates. Transfer to the airport/ railway station

 * Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

**Extra pay.

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• Tour details can be inquired from the manager of the company: Olga, info@sayanring.com; ICQ: 633-060-400
• or from the representatives of "Sayan Ring" in your country: Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Canada, the Netherlands.
• Special offer:
• In case of full payment of the tour till 01 January 2012 - discount 15% !
• In case of full payment of the tour till 01 February 2012 - discount 12% !
• In case of full payment of the tour till 01 March 2012 - discount 10% !
• In case of full payment of the tour till 01 My 2012 - discount 8% !

Price includes:

Transport service (bus), Russian guide’s service, English or German interpreter’s service, twin accommodation along the itinerary, meals (including mineral water, juices, coffee, tea), group transfers, excursions, porter services, tickets to the museums and parks, visa support, accident insurance.

Price does not include: tickets to Abakan, folklore programs, alcohol drinks, extra services at the places of accommodation, banya. Extra supplement for Single accommodation - 135 Euro