_1570624412.jpg "Mansi legends")
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Experiences you'll have
You will spend a week in a heart of the Northern Ural Mountains far away from civilization, living in expeditionary conditions among the wild taiga. You will enjoy the purity of Russian Northern nature and drive a snowmobile to the mountains across the snow-covered forests and frozen rivers.
Here you will discover one of the Seven wonders of Russia — the Manpupuner Plateau, located on the territory of the Pechoro-Ilychski Reserve. These are giant stone pillars reaching a height of 42 m and shrouded with ancient Mansi legends. The age of this unique natural monument is more than 200 million years.
This tour is for tourists who have already participated in snowmobile expeditions. You will drive a snowmobile on the mountain and rough terrain, in the conditions of sudden temperature changes and far away from civilization. At the end of the route you will reach one of the 7 wonders of Russia — the mysterious Manpupuner rocks, which are more ancient than the Roman Coliseum or Stonehenge
During the expedition you will also get acquainted with the culture of the Russian Northern peoples:
You can add an extra day to the program and visit another mysterious place in the Northern Ural Mountains — the Dyatlov pass
"Day one, we were looking at the maps before getting on the snowmobiles and there was just nothing near you for hundreds of kilometres. It was just the most incredible thing” — Keith McDonnell. Our tourists from Ireland reached Manpupuner in February, 2018. Read about their impressions in our travel blog.
Itinerary
The journey begins in Ekaterinburg, where you should travel to on your own. We are ready to help with the purchase of tickets, if necessary, leave a comment on the application.
We recommend you to provide an additional reserve day when buying return tickets taking into account a bad weather, an equipment failure and other force majeure situations.
Day 1 Arrival to Vizhay village
You will be met at the airport of Ekaterinburg, and then will move to Vizhay village (about 10-11 hours).
Upon arrival to the tourist base "Vizhay", you will check in and go to the bathhouse if desired (extra charge). After dinner you will prepare for the expedition: get acquainted with the team, discuss the route and pick up the equipment.
The length of the route is about 600 km by car.
Day 2 The beginning of the expedition
After breakfast you will have a briefing about the safe driving of a snowmobile as well as some training concerning the riding over rough terrain.
Then you will pack your things and go by snowmobiles to Ushma village. It was the first open prison in the USSR and the history of this settlement did not know any prisoner's escape. Now it is a home to several families of indigenous peoples of the Russian North — Mansi.
Along the way you will cross the rivers Vizhay, Toshemka, Usminka and Lozva. Further the route will pass through the deep taiga to the tourist base "Eles-Tour", located on the bank of lake Ushminskoye. Here a hot dinner and a Russian banya (extra charge) are waiting for you.
The length of the route is 60 km by snowmobiles.
Day 3 The sacred lake and the ancient Mansi trails
Today you will get up early, have breakfast and set off through the snowy taiga to the North, to the place where the Mansi family of Sambindalovy lives. Their yurt is built in the wilderness of the Northern Ural region, near the sacred lake Turvat (Alping-Ui).
On the way you will have to cross the frozen rivers Auspia and Lozva as well as swamps that are not passable in summer. You will move strictly to the North along the Main Ural Ridge, riding a snowmobile along forest roads and hunting trails. You will stop for lunch at the Ilyich's base. It is an uninhabited hunting house located on the bank of the Lozva river.
After lunch you will continue travelling to the Manya river and will get to the road, which used to be called Sibiryakovsky's tract in honor of the famous Northern industrialist, who built the road in the late XIX century for the transportation of cheap Siberian bread from Western Siberia to the Pechora region.
This road stretches to the Ilych river along the Yugra pass through the mountain range which was one of the ancient Mansi trade routes through the Ural mountains. In the evening you will get to the base of geologists, have dinner and rest. If desired, you can go to the bathhouse (extra charge).
The length of the route is 130 km by snowmobiles.
Day 4 The Manpupuner plateau
Today you will reach the Manpupuner plateau and climb the top of the mountain to see the famous stone pillars. You will leave the base early in the morning, taking only lunch boxes and thermoses with tea with you. You will be moving to the west direction, upstream of the Manya river.
Usually the trail to the mountains is laid and not covered with snow, so that snowmobiling route is not difficult. However, in case of heavy snowfall you have to break the trail. You will ride a snowmobile to the Rangers' house of the Pechoro-Ilychski Reserve, and then climb the top of the plateau along the hiking trail (800 m).
You will spend about 2 hours at the top of the plateau Manpupuner. Here you will learn about the history of "Seven Strong Men Rock Formations", take photos of the mysterious stone pillars and observe the picturesque panoramas opening from the top of the plateau.
Then you will drive a snowmobile through the Main Ural ridge and further along the Manija river back to the base. In case of deviation from the schedule, as well as according to the desire of the all members of the expedition, you can stop for a overnight in the mountain shelter, located 11 km away from the plateau.
The length of the route is 100 km by snowmobiles.
Day 5 Returning to Eles-Tour base
In the morning you will have breakfast, then pack your things in the sledge and go by snowmobiles to the tourist base "Eles-Tour". The route goes back to lake Turvat along the Main Ural ridge to the southern direction. En route you will stop for lunch at the Ilyich's base.
Next you will continue moving along the frozen Lozva river, which begins in the lake on the slope of Otorten Mount. Upon arrival to the base you will have a festive dinner and can share your impressions about the journey. If you want, you can visit the bathhouse (extra charge).
If desired you can stay at the base for one more day and have a snowmobile tour to the mysterious Dyatlov pass.
The length of the route is about 200 km by snowmobiles.
Day 6 Finishing the expedition
After breakfast you will pack your things and go by snowmobiles to Vizhay village — the end point of the expedition. Upon arrival to the place you will give back the equipment and take a joint photo for memory.
After lunch you will go to Ivdel by car. You will arrive to the town after 9 pm, stay in the hotel and have dinner (extra charge).
The length of the route is about 60 km by snowmobiles, 120 km by car.
Day 7 Departure to Moscow
After breakfast, you will be taken to Ekaterinburg to depart home.
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
The first night of the expedition you will spend in a warm guest house on "Vizhay" tourist base. It is located in the most remote village of Sverdlovsk region. You will stay in cozy houses. There is a dining room and a Russian banya at the base.
On the second and fifth days you will stay at "Eles-Tour" tourist base, which is located on the bank of lake Umshinskoye in a very remote area of the Northern Ural mountains. You will be accommodated in separate chopped Mansi traditional huts with a Russian stove (toilets are outdoors). Also there is a banya and an dining room at the base.
The third and the fourth nights you will spend at the base of geologists. It's the base of gold miners located on the Manija river's bank. You will live in wooden houses of simple comfort heated by the stove. Here you can also visit a Russian banya. The last night before departure you will spend in the hotel in Ivdel (the room of economy class).
Common questions
During the expedition you will be accompanied by qualified specialists: team leader (experienced guide and mechanic) and a professional chef. Optionally you can book the service of a local guide, a representative of Mansi peoples, who will tell about the ancient tales and legends, shows hidden Mansi hiding trails and shrines.
The tour price includes three meals a day, except for the dinner at day 6 and breakfast at day 7. Additional menu by the chef is available upon request of the group at an additional cost.
You will drive utilitarian and tourist snowmobiles Yamaha Viking III / IV, Polaris Wide Track. For an additional fee you can choose more maneuverable and high speed snowmobiles BRP SKI-DOO Tundra, BRP SKI-DOO Scandic, Arctic Cat.
Each member of the expedition is provided with all necessary equipment and gear: helmets, generators, satellite phones, navigators, radios, chainsaws, tents, sleeping bags, sledges and other necessary equipment, including a field kitchen with utensils and kitchenware.
Thuraya satellite phones are available for the expedition participants. Communication is carried out using their own SIM cards.
To participate in the expedition you should be in a good physical shape and be able to drive a snowmobile, to overcome difficulties and work in a team, as well as to be stress-resistant and have no medical contraindications for physical activity.
You have to overcome up to 500 kilometers of snowy icy desert in conditions of severe frosts with an average temperature of -19° to -23°C and the duration of daylight only 5-6 hours. You will try extreme snowmobiling on rough and mountainous terrain.
The Northern Ural region is the harsh Northern region of Russia. The expedition route takes place in a mountainous area, so the participants should be prepared for the contrast of day and night temperatures. Depending on the month, daytime temperatures usually stay within-10-20°C, while at night in the mountains the temperature can drop up to -40°C. Heavy snowfalls and snow drifts are also possible.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
accommodation as per program
three meals a day (except for a dinner at day 6 and a breakfast at day 7)
rental of a snowmobile (double-rider, possible with a total weight up to 125-130 kg)
rental of sledges and group equipment (tents, chainsaw, satellite phones, generator, radios, etc.), fuel
transportation of snowmobiles, food, fuel and other ammunition to the starting point and back
health insurance
guide's service
The Pechoro-Ilychski Reserve entrance fees
single-rider snowmobile rental fee (+530 EURO per person)
transfers from Ekaterinburg to Vizhay village and from Ivdel to Ekaterinburg (+365 EURO for a group up to 4 people)
bathhouse (2 hours) at "Vizhay" tourist base: +50 EURO, at "Eles-Tour" base: +60 EURO (for a group of up to 6 people)
an optional day for visiting the Dyatlov pass with overnight on "Eles-Tour" tourist base:+165 EURO (2 riders on snowmobile), +280 EURO (1 rider on snowmobile)
additional menu from the chef (optional)
an interpreter's service (+500 EURO in case you are the only foreign tourist in the group)
accommodation as per program
three meals a day (except for a dinner at day 6 and a breakfast at day 7)
rental of a snowmobile (double-rider, possible with a total weight up to 125-130 kg)
rental of sledges and group equipment (tents, chainsaw, satellite phones, generator, radios, etc.), fuel
transportation of snowmobiles, food, fuel and other ammunition to the starting point and back
health insurance
guide's service
The Pechoro-Ilychski Reserve entrance fees
single-rider snowmobile rental fee (+530 EURO per person)
transfers from Ekaterinburg to Vizhay village and from Ivdel to Ekaterinburg (+365 EURO for a group up to 4 people)
bathhouse (2 hours) at "Vizhay" tourist base: +50 EURO, at "Eles-Tour" base: +60 EURO (for a group of up to 6 people)
an optional day for visiting the Dyatlov pass with overnight on "Eles-Tour" tourist base:+165 EURO (2 riders on snowmobile), +280 EURO (1 rider on snowmobile)
additional menu from the chef (optional)
an interpreter's service (+500 EURO in case you are the only foreign tourist in the group)
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