Experience the real Siberian winter, with its deep puffy snow, bright sunshine and light biting frost…Walk through the snow-covered taiga, see the impressive rocks, go horse-riding towards the scenic lakes. Enjoy a special feeling when you are staying far away from the world in a remote Siberian village, in an old house or taiga hut heated by the old stove, listening to the stories of the locals…
Plunge into the atmosphere of the first pioneers who came to settle here and discover the most beautiful corners of Krasnoyarsk land in winter.
Day 1
Arrive in Krasnoyarsk by an overnight plane from Moscow or by train along the Transiberian railway. Transfer to the hotel**, check-in and rest. Meeting with a guide at 12:45, lunch. After lunch, go for a city tour including a visit to Krasnoyarsk museum of regional studies, one of the richest in Siberia. During the city tour, we will show the most interesting views in the city: the beautiful scenery of the Yenisei river and a vista of Krasnoyarsk city from the Karaulnaya hill, where Pyatnitsa Paraskeva chapel is located (a symbol of the city, the famous chapel from the 10-roubles note). You will see the old streets of Krasnoyarsk, you will learn the origin of their names and find out how the city grew and developed. Return to the hotel. Dinner (at your own choice and expense). Night in the hotel ** (DBL).
Day 2
After breakfast, check out. The luggage can be left at the reception. Today we will visit Krasnoyarsk Stolby (“pillars”) nature reserve. Stolby is a outstanding natural collection of rocks. Time, rain and wind weathered the rocks and shaped them into odd gigantic sculptures. The stones, some of which are 120 meters high, embrace you into their ambience of Eternity.We will walk 5 km up the small paved track to the small wooden cottage on territory of the nature reserve, where hot tea infused on the local herbs is already waiting for us. The knowledgeable local “stolbist” (a local pillar climber) will guide us around the central group of Stolby and will show us the most scenic rocks (3 km). After the picnic in the wooden cottage, you can enjoy further walks in the fairy snow-dusted forest, majestic silhouettes of Stolby, and stories of our old and experienced guide...
Dinner and night in the stolbist’s cottage (on the 2-storied curtained off berths for 1-2 persons). Optional (for extra fee on the spot): banya (Russian steam sauna).
Day distance: walking 8 km (or more upon your preference)
Day 3
After breakfast, we will set off for a walk towards the Wild Stolby (7 km) that are visited by a very few people. The pure air saturated with pine-tree aroma, puffy snow on the firs’ paws, and silence… After lunch (lunchbox), we are returning towards Krasnoyarsk (5 km walk).The car will deliver us to the hotel to pick up the luggage. Dinner in a cafe (at your own choice and expense). Transfer to railway station and departure by overnight train to Dubinino at 20:00.
Day distance: walking 12 km
Day 4
Upon arrival in Dubinino, you will be met by the local guide who is passionate about the horses.
Tranfer to Sartachul village (35 km), where a hearty breakfast and our horses are waiting for us. Safety briefing, training in horse-riding and departure by horses along the Ionkin valley up to the mountain pass. On the top of the Nichkuryup mountain range we will make the first stop for rest and hot tea. Through the scenic birch-tree forest, we proceed to Prostokishino lake and further to a tiny but very scenic taiga lake Kozyaochnoe. Lunch next to the lake.
After lunch, we will head to the valley Rakitka and further to the beautiful Sarbogol lake. Through Chuleika valley, in the winter taiga we return to the village (15 km). It is high time for real good banya (Russian steam sauna) and discussions around the fire. Dinner cooked by our guides.
Night in the wooden cottage (in sleeping-bags) or in the ger (for 5-6 persons, in sleeping bags).
Day distance: horse riding 15 km
Day 5
After breakfast, we continue our riding trip. Today we set off by horses for the Nichkuryup river. After lunch at the fishermen point, we will walk up the cliff Hyh-Pyh-Hyr, where there was an ancient fortress in the middle age. We return to the village already by the evening. Transfer to Sharypovo (dinner is packed along with us) and return to Krasnoyarsk by bus (4-5 hours) Transfer to a hotel**, check-in. Dinner (at your own choice and expense). Night at the hotel **.
Day distance: horse riding 15 km
Day 6
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport / railway station. Departure from Krasnoyarsk
