| |
|
Siberia is a vast area lying to the east of the Urals shrouded in myth and mystery. While to the foreigner it conjures visions of salt mines, snow and freezing temperatures, the reality could not be further from the myth. While it is cold in winter with temperatures plummeting to absurd levels, the remaining seasons transform this area into one of the most beautiful one could imagine. Late spring - early summer brings a profusion of wild flowers which literally carpet every valley while the temperatures climb into the 20s and 30s.
The lush grass provides food for a variety of deer while bear and wolves inhabit the remoter regions. Autumn turns the trees to amber and the undergrowth to red which is spectacularly beautiful.
|
Although there are many regions to choose from, one of our favourites is the Irkutsk region, one of the largest and most interesting in the whole of Russia.
A country in itself, three quarters is covered by taiga (forest) while in the south the Sayan mountains rise to 3,000m. Besides Russians, the Irkutsk region is populated by many indigenous groups such as the Buryats, Evenks and Yakuts. The dignity and hospitality of the local people, the remarkably clean air, the emptiness of the valleys and its mysterious spaciousness attract people from all over the world. It is a fascinating voyage of discovery.
|
The Trans-Siberian railway
While regular flights on a variety of different airlines are available to Irkutsk, perhaps one of the most romantic notions remains a journey on the Trans-Siberian express. The three day journey from Moscow to Irkutsk can, if required, be broken at several different cities en-route before arrival (Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk). After a few days exploring the area, there is an option either to continue east or alternatively taking the more interesting route south through Mongolia and on to Beijing. Again any amount of stops can be made during the journey.
The sample itinerary is as follows:
Day 1
Arrive Moscow, overnight
Day 2
Full day ss in Moscow, late train to Irkutsk
Days 3-5
On the train
Day 6
Morning arrival in Irkutsk, full day ss
Day 7
day trip to Lake Baikal, overnight in Irkutsk
Day 8
depart Irkutsk (plane/train) further to Mongolia and China
Irkutsk
Irkutsk was founded in 1661 when the Russian military cossack troops established a fortress on the right bank of the Angara River. From late 17th century, it was a political, economical and cultural center of Siberia. The city's Russian classical architecture dates from the period of the 1880s when the city boomed after gold was discovered in the area. Most of the brick mansions and grand public buildings varying in architectural styles were constructed in the late 19th - early 20th century. The beautiful Russian Orthodox churches and a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building) are located in downtown. You will see many small one- and two-stored wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century. Tourists visit either the Irkutsk Museum of Regional Studies or the Decembrists' House.
Lake Baikal
At 1,637m deep Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake and is estimated to hold 17% of the world's fresh water. Larger than Belgium and with crystal clear water that allows visibility down 40m, the lake has developed its own eco system represented by over 2000 recorded animal and plant species of which 70-80% are found nowhere else.
The day trip in Baikal looks the following. The tourists start in the morning. The highway from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal goes through picturesque taiga-forest up and down high hills and in about 1 hour you come to a viewpoint facing the Shaman Rock, at the source of the Angara River. The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk. This old-style Siberian village is famous for its trade history. From the 18th century its ferry took merchants across the lake to Mongolia and China and the Far East. The Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) provides information about the origin and wild life of the lake. A video film gives you the opportunity to see the deepest point of the lake's bottom (1.637 m) from the submarine board. Lake Baikal is frozen over from late January to early May, the thickness of ice near Listvyanka can be 70-80 cm.
The part of the lake near the source of the Angara River is the only natural water place in Siberia which never freezes over.
In the village, a variety of hot- or cold-smoked and salted omul and grayling fish is on sale. A great snack on the shore is omul, a delicacy of Lake Baikal, which has been just smoked for you. Several private cafes and restaurants offer traditional Siberian or European meals for you. You can taste pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhki (with cabbage, or meat, or berries), sandwiches with caviar to feel the spirit of Siberia.
On your way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka, at your request, a car can take you to the Museum of Wooden Architecture (47 km from Irkutsk and 23 km from Listvyanka). This museum in the open air has a large collection of original wooden houses equipped with the old-style furniture and domestic utensils. They were brought from several local villages. The museum shows the style of life in the 16th to 19th century Russian villages and Buryat and Evenk gers. You can observe the interiors of a Russian fort and the 15th century watchtower, a Siberian izba (house) and a chapel, a Shaman yourt and other interesting things.
EXTENSION TRIPS FROM IRKUTSK:
1. OLD RAIL ROAD - 1 day trip
In the morning tourists take a local train to the southern Lake Baikal. It takes about 2.5 hours to arrive at the station "Black Valley", wherefrom tourists walk for one hour down the deep valley to the shore of Lake Baikal. They spend half a day at the beach, visit several nearest tunnels and have lunch near the Lake. In the afternoon they take the ORR local train which has only two passenger carriages and one or two cargo wagons. The train goes very slowly, about 25-30 km/hour and makes long stops. It runs along the Baikal shore, 5-20 meters from the Lake and through the tunnels. You can open the doors while the train is moving and take photos of Lake Baikal, ORR tunnels, bridges and railway stations. In the evening, the train comes to Port Baikal. Overnight at homestay.
Next day tourists have full day excursion in Listvyanka, visit the Museum of lake Baikal and a Russian Orthodox church made of wood and the viewpoint over the outlet of Angara. Then they take afternoon public bus or boat (in summer only) to come back to Irkutsk. In Irkutsk by private car they come to homestays/hotels.
In this case the clients spend the night in Lisvyanka either in the local hotels or homestay. Next day they visit Limnological museum and Baikal region and in the evening return to Irkutsk.
2. HIKING or KAYAKING TOUR ALONG LAKE BAIKAL SHORE
Day 1:
Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to hotel/homestay. 3 hours guided walking city tour of Irkutsk, one museum.
Day 2:
Transfer by private car to B.Goloustnoe, 135 km from Irkutsk. Hiking or kayaking tour starts from
B.Goloustnoe and goes along the shore to Cape Kadilny, 20 km from B.Goloustnoe. Overnight in tents.
Day 3:
Excursion to the cave wherein aboriginal people of the Iron Age once lived. Then hiking along the shore to
village Bolshie Koty (17 km). Gold used to be extracted from there about 40 years ago
Day 4:
Hiking or hydrofoil to settlement Listvyanka (25 km) situated on Lake Baikal shore at the outlet of the
Angara river. Transfer to Irkutsk by public transport.
Day 5:
Transfer to station/airport, departure from Irkutsk.
3. JEEP TOUR ALONG WESTERN SHORE OF LAKE BAIKAL and to OLKHON ISLAND 7 days/6 nights
Tourists visit the most interesting and beautiful areas of Lake Baikal and make walking tours along the shore and into the taiga-forest. The best time is from mid June through mid September.
Olkhon island:
Olkhon Island (77 km in length) is the largest island of Baikal's western shore. The most beautiful landscapes of the region are found there. The island was formed during millions of years of tectonic development, resulting in the hollowing of this channel and the block of stone forming Olkhon Island. Lake Baikal's deepest point (1.637 m) is located near the island. The island is separated from the mainland by the straits Small Sea and Olkhon Gate. From Cape Kobylya Golova (Horse's Head), the south-western half of the island is steppe. The eastern side of the island has extensive forest cover with small stands of pine trees. Olkhon Island has several archaeological sites, beginning with the remains of Iron Age forts built by the mysterious Kurykans, the ancient Chinese people who lived here between A.D.500 and 1000. All the remains of them are their forts and stone-slab grave markets.
Artifacts from ancient fishermen and hunters have also been found along the bays of southwestern coast.
4. BOAT VOYAGE and WALKING TOUR AT LAKE BAIKAL 7 days/8 nights
A rented boat of "Yaroslavets" type (24 m length, 4 m width) has one quite spacious passenger cabin with 4 berths, a dining cabin which can also serve as a sleeping room for 2-3 persons. Tourists stay overnight either on board or on the shore in tents. Though this boat has 4-5 sleeping beds for tourists, it can be rented for up to 12 tourists; in this case, 4-5 tourists stay overnight on board, others stay overnights in tents on Baikal's shore. The boat's speed is about 20 km/hour. This program is flexible, landings are arranged with respect to weather conditions. In case of rain or wind, you can navigate to the nearest calm bays.
5. TRIP TO BURYATIA
On their way farther to Mongolia or China, the clients may take an overnight train to Ulan-Ude, capital of Buryatia and spend a day or so there. At the eastern end of Lake Baikal is Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, where it is possible to see examples of 18th century wooden dwellings as well as 19th century mansions. Of special interest is the vast open-air Ethnographical museum, situated 10 km from the city. It is a fascinating area with much improved accommodation and we would be happy to discuss a range of possible itineraries.
REPUBLIC OF TUVA
For a more cultural insight into the peoples of Russia, then it is worth travelling south to the small republic of Tuva with its capital Kyzyl. The country's area of 170.5 sq m could accommodate several European countries. Kyzyl is famous for the fact that the geometrical center of Asian continent, defined by scientists, lies here, the place is marked with a special column. While the landscape echoes Irkutsk with taiga forest, mountains and steppe, it is really the people which provide the interest. Religion survived the onslaught of communism and Buddhism is practiced by much of the population while many monasteries and temples have survived intact. More interesting still is Shamanism, a form of pagan earth worship dating back to the stone age and the old-Believers, those whose families have never accepted the reforms of the Orthodox church in 1653. Visitors come here mainly to listen to khoomei - unique throat singing of Tuvinians resembling an eagle scream, wind sound, ringing echo of canyons.
Day 1
Arrive Moscow, overnight
Day 2
Full day ss in Moscow, evening train to Krasnoyarsk.
Days 3-4
On the train
Day 5
Arrive Krasnoyarsk. Flight to Kyzyl (2 hours).
Day 6
Full day in Kyzyl, includes: visit the place of the center of Asia, visit of the buddist temple, 1 hours throat-singing concert, local national museum, meeting with shaman near the holy spring, visit the local workshops to see the works if art made from the unique "living stone" agalmatolite by local stone-catters.
Days 7-8
Visit to remote places of old-believers. 4 hour jeep drive takes the guests to a fantastic place - smalls settlement on the bank of the Enisey river. The clients stay in wooden logs that are quite clean and convenient, treated to delicious food, visit the village of old-believers, situated nearby.
Day 9
Return to Kyzyl, overnight
Day 10
Departure to the airport to catch the flight to Irkutsk and continue the trip farther to the east along Trans-Siberian railway road.
|
Top |
|
info@travelrussia.net