Discover the treasures of Siberia on a unique expedition to Tuva, a land of mystique and breathtaking nature, far from the modern world. You will explore the vibrant capital, Kyzyl, savor authentic nomadic cuisine, and then venture deep into the majestic taiga. The culmination of the journey is an exclusive encounter with the secluded communities of Old Believers, the guardians of a bygone era.
This journey is a deep dive into the true soul of Siberia, where ancient cultures and pristine nature exist in harmony. You will begin by uncovering the modern heart of an ancient land in Kyzyl, tasting its rich culinary heritage and witnessing the enduring nomadic way of life.
The adventure then leads you from the open steppes into the profound silence of the boundless taiga. Here, you will not only witness its breathtaking beauty from a bird’s-eye view but also step into living history. You will visit remote settlements and be warmly welcomed into the homes of the Old Believers — descendants of the first Siberian pioneers. This is a rare chance to immerse yourself in their timeless world, experience their unwavering traditions firsthand, and understand the spirit of resilience that has thrived in the heart of the wilderness for centuries.
Your journey begins with an arrival in the capital of the Republic of Tuva — the city of Kyzyl. We will meet you at the airport or bus station and accommodate you at the comfortable Chalama Hotel 3*.
Then, a rich excursion awaits us in the very center of Asia. We will visit the main symbol of Kyzyl — the «Geographical Center of Asia» obelisk, feel the tranquility at the Tuvden Shedrubling Buddhist monastery, and make our most cherished wishes by turning the local shrine — the «Wishing Drum».
We will immerse ourselves in the world of living crafts, where local artisans will reveal the secrets of creating authentic Tuvan instruments, shamanic drums, and elegant jewelry. History will come alive at the National Museum of Tuva before the legendary «Scythian Gold» exhibition — treasures of the ancient nomadic empire.
An authentic dinner will conclude the day, where traditional Tuvan dishes will be specially prepared for us — the perfect start to immersing ourselves in the culture of this amazing region.
Route length: 10 km by car.
The true spirit of Siberia reveals itself where paved roads end. Today, we leave the city behind and venture into a breathtaking mountain region of coniferous forests, emerald meadows, and pastures, where the journey itself — through the pristine landscape — is the first unforgettable impression.
Our destination lies to the south: the remote Erzhey village. We will arrive for lunch at the Erzhey tourist camp, nestled on the bank of the powerful Kaa-Khem River (Little Yenisei) in the foothills of the majestic Sayan Mountains. This serene location in the subtaiga zone, just 2 kilometers from the villages of Erzhey and Sizim, is our gateway to the world of Siberian Old Believers. Accommodation will be in authentic, cozy wooden houses, offering a true immersion into the simple, hearty rhythm of taiga life.
After settling in, we will explore the surrounding wilderness. Our path will lead us on a walk through the camp's vicinity and then up a consecrated mountain (approx. 1000 m above sea level). The rewarding climb culminates in a spectacular panoramic view of the endless taiga and the secluded settlements dotting the valley below — a moment of pure connection with the vastness of Siberia.
Route length: 150 km by bus.
Today is dedicated to a profound, exclusive encounter with living history. You will embark on an excursion to the secluded village of Uzhep, the home of the Old Believers. (Please note: photography and video recording are strictly prohibited to respect the privacy and traditions of the community)
The Old Believers settled in these lands of Tuva in the late 18th century, pioneers in the development of Siberia. Their descendants continue to live in intentional seclusion, preserving a unique way of life. Today, you will be welcomed as rare guests into the home of one of these families. The journey itself is an adventure: the village is nestled on a picturesque riverbank, accessible only by boat, making this a full-day expedition into the heart of the wilderness.
This meeting is an extraordinary immersion into a different world of values, faith, and tradition — a true journey through time. You will experience their way of life, rituals, and heartfelt hospitality firsthand, sharing a traditional homemade lunch with the family. In the evening, you will return to the camp by boat for dinner, with the rest of the time free to reflect on this unforgettable experience.
Today offers a deeper connection with the Old-Believers. You will continue your unique acquaintance with the Old Believers' community, making another visit to a local family. This is a special opportunity for an open dialogue where you can ask questions about their history, daily life, and deep-rooted traditions, gaining a more personal understanding of their world.
After this warm and insightful meeting, you will change the setting for a walk through the taiga surroundings.
The day will culminate in a quintessential Siberian ritual: a visit to a traditional banya (hot sauna). This is more than just bathing; it's a cherished ceremony of purification and relaxation. Experiencing the banya in the heart of the taiga, followed by a refreshing plunge into the cool river air, is the perfect way to soothe the body and spirit after days of rich exploration.
After breakfast and heartfelt farewells to our hosts in the taiga, you depart for the capital, Kyzyl. Upon arrival and check-in at the hotel, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. You can relax, take a final stroll through the city, or visit local souvenir shops.
This evening presents a final opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture of Tuva. For those who wish, we can arrange optional experiences to complete your journey (for an extra charge).
Route length: 150 km by bus.
Today is the end of the tour. You need to check out before 12:00
After the check out, transfer to the airport or bus station of Kyzyl awaits you.
Accommodation can be changed.
You will be accommodated in a twin/double room with amenities (wardrobe with mirror, air conditioning, refrigerator, work place, TV with mirror, wall lamps, bed linen, combined bathrooms, hair dryer, set of three towels, hygiene kit).
On the territory there are cafe, terrace, hookah bar, bathhouse and sauna (for an additional fee).
You will be accommodated in wooden houses with 2-3 beds. Toilet and washbasins on site. Banya (visit included in the price of accommodation). Three meals a day in the café are included.
Passive relaxation and sightseeing — cruises for example. No physical activities. Good for older people.
Traveling by minivans, minibuses, cars UAZ, jeeps according to group’s size. During the tour there are several stops, rest, walks. It is forbidden to smoke in buses, stops in some places, preserves.
The guides will be English, German or French speaking. On some trips you will be accompanied by experienced instructors.
During the tour you will be offered three meals a day: in camps, restaurant, picnics (lunch box), cooked on the fire. On the way short picnics or packed lunches will be organized. Mineral water, local drinks, coffee, tea are included in tours' pricing. Alcohol beverages are not included in price. We also consider the tourists' preferences, those who follow special diets or are vegetarians. For this you need to inform us in advance about your wishes. In case the meal preferences were not specified one will be provided with standard menu. Any alterings in meal during the tour are possible only for additional fee.
The national Tuvan cuisine will be an integral part of the program.
Speaking about Tuvan people, they also can’t do without meat and diary products. In fact, they eat mostly meat and all other food is just an addition to it. Various dishes made of meat and flour are quite popular with local people, these are soup with meat and noodles (uzken bydaa), meat dumplings prepared on steam (boozy) and traditional ones (manchy), round fried meat pie (khuzhuury), minced meat with pastry (tyrtykan) and many others. Moreover, you can find on the table of Tuvinian people vodka made of milk (araga), which is made of sour milk, boorzaki – pieces of pastry fried in boiled oil, cakes, which are eaten not with prepared food, but as “individual dish” and soktaan dolgan – ground barley. Also, Tuvinian people like blood pudding, green tea with milk (it is drunk with butter or salt). The importance of dairy products as well as meat product is very high for these people. They developed different ways of cooking products made of milk such as – cheese (bashtyk), butter (sarzhag), cream (oreme), koumiss (khymys), kefir (tarak), sour clotted milk (khoitpak), dried cottage cheese – of hard and crumbly consistence (kurut and aarzhy respectively).
On the most part of the tour the cellular network coverage is available. Mobile phones operated by local operators (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2) are working alright in Kyzyl, time to time outside Kyzyl.
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Into the World of Tuva's Old Believers 6 days
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