Siberian Vacation Tourist Route

Siberian Vacation Tourist Route 

The Rostourism has launched the first national travel route Siberian Vacation, crossing the three territories of Yenisey Siberia: Tuva, the Krasnoyarsk region and Khakassia.   

 

The length of the route is 1244 kilometers. It starts in Abakan, crosses the Krasnoyarsk region, Tuva and Khakassia and ends in Kyzyl. The tour includes two landmark tourist attractions of the Krasnoyarsk region: the nature park Ergaki and historical and ethnographic museum-reserve Shushenskoye.

The tour lasts for 8 days and costs 65 000 roubles.  This sum includes transfer from the start point of the route to the final one, accommodation, meals and excursion programs. Rest in Siberia is an escape from civilization, multiplied by extreme impssions. You’ll run away from the captivity of metropolis and multitasking: you’ll get to the impassable Krasnoyarsk taiga and spacious Tuva steppe, climb to the peaks and lakes, go rafting along the Yenisey, fish in the taiga river, see marble mountains and relic cedar forests.   A rich cultural and entertainment program will psent you the diversity of the local people’s cultures, amazingly beautiful nature of the region, and will plunge you to the history of Siberia’s development from the period of Scythians till psent days.   Shepherd sites, throat singing and Buddhism artefacts are waiting for you.

We haven’t forgotten about the gaining popularity industrial tourism: we’ve included the engineering marvel, her Majesty the Sayan-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant into the route.

The multiactive Siberian journey is designed for eight days. We recommend you to take trekking footwear, sports outfit, a raincoat, a backpack, sunscreen, a cap, swimming accessories, insect (mosquitos, midges, ticks) repellents. Khakassia is well-known for its quick changes of temperature, so we advise you to take clothes either for hot days, or for frosty nights with you.

Accomodation. We recommend you the Asia business hotel in Abakan, the country-side hotel of the Gladen’kaya eco-resort in the tract of Babik, the Ergaki recreation camp in the Krasnoyarsk region, the Azimut hotel in Kyzyl.  

Car rent. The route starts in Abakan. You can use your own car or a rented one for the trip. You can rent a car in Grand Auto, Rentis, RioCar and other companies. The cost starts from 1 900 ₽ a day.

 

Day 1: meeting the culture of ancient Khakassia

A real ethnographical expedition in Khakassia – the stairs of 965 steps to the foot of the ridge, the largest megalithic mound, the monument of Tatar culture, national colors and gastronomic discoveries.  

Abakan

Get acquainted with the city’s history and ancient culture of the Khakas. You will see the “business cards” of the capital of Khakassia: Preobrazhenskiy Park, memorial complex on mount Samokhval, the confluence of the Abakan and Yenisey rivers. You can drive around the city yourself or buy an excursion from the local tour operators.

The Khakassia National Museum

The best place for plunging into the unique local culture: the museum psents the monuments of fine arts of Khakassia from neolith to the late Middle Ages.

The collection of stone sculptures of the Okunev archeological culture, carved from granite and sandstone, impsses.  You will also see the copies of the rock paintings  and the examples of the ancient Turk runic writing.

The mounds of Salbyk steppe

The place, where Salbykskiy mound is situated, is called the Tsars Valley by archeologists.  According to the legend, the “road of spirits” goes through the valley: the souls of the dead went through the row of the hills to the heaven world. E valley there are other not less gorgeous tombs of the leaders of the phistoric realms of the Middle Yenisey – over 50 big mounds in total.  But the most large-scaled of them is Bolshoy Salbykskiy, erected in the 4th – 5th centuries B.C. Along its perimeter there are 23 massive stones: the height of some of them reaches six meters, and the weight is over 50 tons.

The Oglakhty mountain massif

In the territory of Khakassia there is an amazing place – the rock cliffs of Oglakhty, which are которые буквально усыпаны with ancient paintings – petroglyphs. Comfortable stairs, comprising of 965 steps, lead to the top. From the very first steps you will move to the epoch of phistorical realms: here the images of the Scythians times, sketches of the Middle Ages, Bronze century and the epoch of the Great resettlement of the peoples have been pserved. You can make a stop on the way, have a rest on the benches, look at the Krasnoyarsk water reservoir and serene steppes, moving beyond the horizon, from the bird’s flight height.

We recommend you to take a lunchbox with you, because after the excursion you will have an opportunity to have a bite in the tea yurt.  

 

Day 2: discovery of industrial Siberia

You will be able to walk along the ridge of the Sayan-Shushenskaya hydro-power plant and see the seven-speed bypass channel, enjoy the blue rocks of the Sayans and taste national cuisine.

The Sayan-Shushenskaya HPP

The building of the largest and most powerful Russian hydro-electric power plant is unique – it is “mounted” in the mountains from the both sides. The highest damp in Russia, which blocks the full-flowing Yenisey, is situated here. To evaluate the scale and splendor of the HEPP is best of all from the special observing ground. You can also get to the “heart” of the Sayan-Shushenskaya HPP with an excursion: to visit the machine room, to see the working turbine wheel and spillway, as well as to get to the ridge of the damp.

Working hours: Mon - Fri 08:00–17:00
Price: visiting the observing ground is free, excursions — from 900 ₽ for adults, from 450 ₽ for children
Address: the Republic of Khakassia, Cheremushki village (120 km from Abakan through Sayanogorsk)

How to get there: 37 km by car from Sayanogorsk to the village of Cheremushki along the Yenisey river. By public transport — go to Sayanogorsk, then to the village of Cheremushki by buses 2, 2А to the station 2-nd terrace.
Alpine-Skiing Complex Cheremukhoviy Log

In five-minutes car trip from the observing ground of the Sayan-Shushenskaya HPP there is one of the most beautiful Alpine-skiing complexes of Khakassia. All year round a modern funicular works here, you can use it and go up to the observing ground and see the green taiga, blue Sayan rocks and the beautiful Yenisey,   

Working hours: every day, 12:00–21:00
Price: from 12:00 to 17:00 — from 350 ₽ on week days and from 650 ₽ on days-off; from 17:00 to 21:00 — 450 ₽ on week days and 750 ₽ on days-off.
Address: the Republic of Khakassia, Sayanogorsk, Cheremushki village, 27
А
How to get there: by car — 4,7 km from the pvious location to the
Cheremukhoviy Log  complex; by buses 2, 2А to Tsentralnaya bus station.

National dinner on the Yenisey bank

Nor far, on the bank of the Yenisey there is a restaurant Medvezhiy Ugol  on the territory of the recreation camp Izerbelskiy Klyuch. It’s pleasant to have a rest in the open terrace, tasting Siberian meals – Sayan trout grilled on the coals, pies with taiga berries jam and pserves of fern. And later you can start a real adventure: rafting on the Yenisey’s waters. 

The Gladenkaya Eco-Resort

Here you can ride a bicycle down the hill with the wind, have a trip around reserved territories  riding a horse or a quad bike, take a steam bath — to relax your body and soul. The hotel of this eco-resort is built in the shape of a trefoil, a meditative view of the forest can be seen the rooms.

 

Day 3: the Yenisey fjords

We are going to the very heart of the Sayan mountains, see the mountain lake in the middle of taiga and pick up healing herbs.

Shushenskoye Village

This is an ancient Siberian village where the life seems to be frozen in time. Here you can visit houses built in 19th century, learn the pottery, weaving or spinning. It indeed worth visiting the museum-reserve: to admire unusual exhibitions, to get to the atmosphere of ancient times and enjoy Siberian dishes.

Address: Krasnoyarsk region, Shushenskoye village, Novaya st., 1
Price: tickets - from 150 ₽, thematic excursions from 200 ₽ for a person.
How to get there: by car along the
М-54 road or book a transfer from a tour operator.

Taiga Market Tanzybey

The second important stop of our today’s route is the so called “tanzybey pyatachok”. At the taiga market one can buy souvenirs: taiga herbs, healing creams made of coniferous trees, different sorts of honey, items made of fur and bones. Address: Krasnoyarsk region, Tanzybey village
How to get there:  168 km by car from the Gladenkaya ski resort through the village of Sheshenskoye, Zheblakhty, Yernakovskoye, Grigor’yevka

The Ergaki Nature Park

The nature park is famous for its picturesque landscapes, ancient 500-years cedars and rocks of amazing shapes. The visitors centre Ergaki is situated on the  614 km of the federal road Р-257. Here you can join one of the tourist groups, which are going along the eco path to the rock Hanging Stone or you can register your own group.

Working hours: 9:00–18:00
Price: walking excursion to the Hanging Stone  — from 600 ₽ for a person, within a group of eight persons as a minimum.
Address: Krasnoyarsk region, Yermakovskiy district, 614 km of the federal road
Р-257 (М-54 Yenisey) (Krasnoyarsk-Kyzyl)
How to get there: by car 55 km from the village of Tanzybey along the road
Р-257

Oyskoye Lake

During a picturesque walking to the lake you will be able to plunge to the atmosphere of full serenity. The lake resembles a deep bowl which is full with crystal pure water up to the top. It gives the beginning to the same-name river – the right flow of the Yenisey – the brook, draining as a waterfall along the mountain stones, rushes down to the valley.

Address: Krasnoyarsk region, Yermakovskiy district, 614 km of the federal road Р-257 (М-54 Yenisey) (Krasnoyarsk-Kyzyl).
How to get there: by car 55 km from the village of Tanzybey along the
Р-257 road.

 


Day 4: Natural Artefacts

Let’s devote a day to the active rest in the mountains: we will see the master of taiga – the mountain chain Sleeping Sayan, we will try to throw down the Hanging Stone.

The Ergaki Nature Park

We will devote this day to the beauties of the reserve: we’ll walk along the picturesque eco-paths, admire the age-long forests and monolith rocks of unusual shapes.

The Raduzhnoye lake

One of the most picturesque and accessible lakes of the Ergaki Nature Park is situated at the height of  1 453 m under the Hanging Stone. Here you can have a rest after a long lasting climbing and stay in the gazebos overlooking at the Sleeping Sayan – the chain of rocks which reminds a sleeping giant.  The lake is not very deep (seven metres maximum), the water is well warmed in summer, many people swim in it. Address: Krasnoyarsk region, the Ergaki nature park
How to get there: the lake is situated on the ecological route leading to the rock Hanging Stone.

Coordinates: 52.836111, 93.344989

The Hanging Stone

The boulder frozen under the abyss in the Ergaki Park, weighs almost 600 tons. Many people make photos as if they are “throwing” the stone into the abyss. There is a legend, that if one throws the Hanging Stone into the Raduzhnoye Lake, the splashes will fly to the Sleeping Sayan and wake him up.

Address: Krasnoyarsk region, the Ergaki Nature Park
How to get there: Hanging Stone is the final point of the same-name ecological route in the Ergaki Nature Park.
Coordinates: 52.834799, 93.353447

 

Day 5: Tsars’ Valley and treasures of ancient époques 

Let’s recharge our batteries with the energy of Siberia in the surrounding of dense coniferous forests. We’ll see the sunrise in the Krasnoyarsk region, and admire the sunset in Tyva.

Shivilig

Halfway from the Ergaki Reserve to Kyzyl there is the tract of Shivilig — a wonderful place to make a stop and admire the views of the Tsars’ Valley, hidden in the surrounding mountains of the Turano-Uyuk basin. Here you can make excellent panoramic photos.

Buddhism church Tsechenling

The central abode of Buddhism in Tyva. On the ground floor there is the office of the repsentatives of Dalai Lama XIV. To see the prayer hall, go up the marble stairs to the first floor.  In the church the lessons of Tibet language and yoga are held. Here you can buy souvenirs with Buddhism symbolic.

The Tyva National Museum

This is a treasury with almost a hundred years history. In the museum you will see the collection of ancient shamans’ attributes, the original item of the Tyva  primer, gold and jewelry from the mound Arzhaan, ethnographical musical instruments and many others.

The Khoomei Throat Singing Centre

In Kyzyl one can listen to the throat singing – khoomei. The professional singers can expss the noise of wind as well as the purl of water with their voices. We’ll get acquainted with the tradition of this unique singing in the Centre of Tyva traditional culture and crafts development. There are hand made souvenirs on sale there.

 

Day 6: Buddha’s Footprint in the Durgen canyon and Chaban campsite

We will visit sacred locations and plunge to the nomads’ lifestyle of nomads who have reserved their ancient authentic culture.

The saint place Burgan-Izi

This cult place is also called the Footprint of Buddha. According to the legend here Dalai Lama saw the shining light from the Techer’s footprint. At the foot of the mountain with the saint footprint there is the Buddhism stupa Dyuchen Lhabab, what is translated as “the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni from heaven”.

The Durgen Canyon

One of the most beautiful places of mountain ridge Tannu-Ola. You will see massive rocks sinking in the forests, a mountain river and a picturesque waterfall. There are also ancient Mongolian mounds made of smooth river stones saved in the canyon.

The Chaban campsite

You will meet the bringers of Tyva culture and the elders of the clan, having visited one of the Chaban campsites of the republic. Here you can see how the nomads of Tyva organize their yurts, you can have a photo shooting wearing national costumes, ride a horse and learn to make byshtak – Tyva cheese.

 

Day 7: immersion in the nomads’ culture

Let’s discover terra incognita — the Republic of Tyva with its Buddhism holy places, yurts and throat singing

The Statue of Buddha Shayamuni

The highest statue of Buddha in Russia — 16 meters high — is situated in Kyzyl, at the place confluence of the Yenisey’s flows.

The place was chosen not occasionally: the confluence of rivers has been considered the sacred place since ancient times.  
The best view of the statue is revealed from the main observing ground of the city – the Centre of Asia complex.

The Centre of Asia Sculpture Complex

The Centre of Asia is one of the Tyva’s symbols. On the territory of the republic there is really the geographical centre of Asia surrounded by 12 figures of the Buddhism horoscope. The sculpture is situated on the Yenisey bank. The arzylans – mythical animals resembling lions – are depicted on it. They are holding the globe, surmounted by a spire.

National cuisine

There are a lot of places in Kyzyl where you can taste authentic dishes of nomadic peoples: tyrkan in cups, khan sausages,  talgan flatbreads, khuuzhur pies.
Popular restaurants: Tsarskaya Okhota — Kyzyl, Krasnykh  Partizan st., 18B; yurt restaurant Chedi-Khaan — Kyzyl, Kalinin st, 10B

Aldyn-Bulak

This is a tourist and ethnographical complex made in the style of an original Tyva settlement. On its territory there are yurts and chums where you can stay. In the mountains there is a statue of Buddha and Shambala’s Gates  — going to then  up the stairs, make a wish and start counting the steps: if there will 99 of them – you wish will come true.

 

Day 8: see you again, Siberia

It was a real week trip: three regions, five museums, nine observing grounds, fishing, rafting and mini hiking tour. You can go home from Kyzyl or prolong your rest in one of the places you’ve liked and remembered.

 


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