Siberian taiga… The green paws of fir-trees are bending to the earth with the snow, the tiny chains of the squirrels’ footprints link one cedar to another, the air is fresh and filled with the pine aroma. You make a step away from the path – and you are down to the waist in the snowdrift! But no worries - hot tea infused on the local herbs and birch-tree whisking in banya will keep you healthy. In the evenings, you are back in the cosy wooden hut, and the warm fire is crackling in the stove, and so smoothly flows the warm discussion with your Siberian hosts…
After experiencing Siberia in winter, your perception of life will be changed – you will feel more intensely, see sharper, and live at the fullest.
Day 1
Arrive in Krasnoyarsk by an overnight plane from Moscow or by train along the Transiberian railway. Group transfer from the airport to the hotel (individual transfer or transfer from the railway station for extra fee). Check-in at Takmak spa-hotel and rest after the flight. Lunch at your own choice and expense.We will start our first day in Siberia with a trip to the downhill skiing center & fun park Bobrovy Log. From the top of the mountain (you will go there with your guide), there is an excellent view over the scenic landscape of Stolby nature reserve. In free time, you will be able to find a snow activity of your choice: downhill skiing, snowboarding, skating or thrilling speed attractions (for extra charge on the spot).
Return to the hotel in time for dinner. Dinner and night in the hotel (DBL).
Day 2
After breakfast, we will go to Krasnoyarsk Stolby (“Pillars”) nature reserve. Stolby is a outstanding natural collection of rocks, which were weathered by time, wind and rains into odd gigantic sculptures. All stones, some of which are 100 meters high, were named after the imagination of the locals and the rocks resemblance – Ded (“Grandfather”), Pillars, Takmak, Slonik (‘’Little Elephant’’), Pervenets (“First one”), Lvinye Vorota (Lion’s Gate), Kapella, Manskaya Baba, Griphons, Krepost (‘’Fortress’’).First we will walk 5 km up the small paved track to the territory of the nature reserve, and then the knowledgeable local “stolbist” (a local pillar climber, staff of the nature reserve) will guide us around the central group of Stolby showing the most scenic rocks (3 km). Those who seek for adventures can try climbing the rocks with his assistance.
Going down through the fairy snow-dusted forest, past the majestic silhouettes of Stolby, we will reach a cosy wooden hut, where we will have a hearty lunch with hot tea infused on the local herbs, in the company of our Stolby guide who has a lot of local stories in store. 5 km walk – and we are back to the car heading for the city. After dinner in the hotel, we check-out and go on the evening city tour of Krasnoyarsk. We will show the most interesting views in the city: the beautiful scenery of the Yenisei river from Mira square 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 discover the old streets of Krasnoyarsk and learn the origin of their names, find out how the city grew and developed.
Transfer to the railway station, departure by comfortable overnight train to Abakan at 21.00. Night on train.
Day distance: walking 12 km
Day 3
Breakfast on train. Arrive in Minusinsk, a provincial Siberian town. Today we will visit Martyanov’s Museum of Local Studies, with an interesting exhibition on the archaeology and exploration of Siberia. During the city tour, you will see Saviour’s Cathedral, local market, character-full old merchants’ houses, and will walk around the city centre.
After lunch, we will set off for "Snow Leopard" - a cosy taiga lodge located in the midst of cedar and pine taiga forest, on the bank of a clear mountain river Stoktysh, surrounded by the spectacular West Sayan mountains. Accommodation in the wooden houses heated by the traditional Russian stove. Breathe in the fresh pine air and enjoy the new sensation of finding yourself in the true Siberian taiga, away from any civilization. Rest and dinner.
Enjoy a good Siberian banya – with birch-tree whisks, hot steam, and dipping into the icy waters of Stoktysh or diving into a snowdrift.
Tonight (and every evening in Snezhny Bars), you can take part in the gathering of all the guests in the dining hall in front of the fireplace, to discuss and sing the traditional Russian nature & travel songs to the guitar. Night in the wooden huts (biotoilet inside).
Day 4 After breakfast, we will go for a stroll through the beautiful snow-dusted taiga to the hunter’s hut (1 km). Our local guide will be an experienced Siberian spending the most of his time in taiga. During this walk, he will tell you a lot of interesting things about the local wildlife and medicinal plants, about the life of the hunters..
After lunch in the lodge, you will have free time – and there are plenty of things you can do: you can walk in taiga on own, or you can go horse-riding or skiing (equipment is available for extra charge on the spot), or just have fun sledging down the hill.
Dinner and night in the wooden huts.
Day distance: walking 2 km, optional activities – horse riding and skiing
Day 5
After breakfast, we will walk to the river Bolshoy On (2 km) or further. We will stop at the Bridge of love, a small pendant bridge over mountain river. After lunch, we will explore a nearby cave, which is 900 meters long, with underground rivers, tunnels and halls. Today, we will also go to the nearby natural salty area, the site preferred by the local wildlife (1 km). Here you will find the footprints of numerous wildlife (squirrels, deer, sables, wood-gooses, partridges, sometimes deer and bears), and the local guide will explain the habits of the animals.
In late afternoon, some of you can choose to try out a special experience of phytosauna – herbal steam sauna made on the exclusive recipe of the local herbal-curer.
In the evening, take in the endlessness of the deep blue skies with miriads of stars...
Dinner and night in the wooden huts.
Day distance: walking 4 km, optional activities – horse riding and skiing
Day 6
After breakfast, bid farewell to the hospitable "Snow Leopard" and leave by mini-bus. We will stop at the Sayan mountain pass (2206m) located at the border of Tuva and Khakassia, to admire a wonderful view over the evergreen sea of Siberian taiga and vast snow-white expanses of meadows. We continue to Abakan, with a stop at a Khakasian village to see the monument (stone stela) Khurtuyakh tas, the site venerated by Khakassians, where the native women pray to be given a child and bring offerings. Lunch on the way (lunchbox).
We will conclude our stay in Khakassia with a sightseeing city tour of Abakan, the capital of Khakassia. Dinner in the restaurant and departure either by flight from Abakan to Moscow, or by night train from Abakan to Krasnoyarsk (train 124).
Day 7
Group transfer from the railway station to the airport, and departure home by the morning flight (flight departure not earlier than at 08.30)
