Sayan Ring

Today we are going to visit one of the most famous places of interest in Krasnoyarsk – the national park “Krasnoyarsk Pillars”. The Krasnoyarsk Pillars nature reserve is a truly unique site not only in Siberia but throughout the world. It got its name because of the numerous rocks – pillars located on its territory. You will see the majestic cliffs rushing into the sky and feel the force of Nature. In memory of this wonderful creation of nature you can buy inexpensive souvenirs, like pine nuts, jam and seeds. Also, you will take pleasure in feeding chipmunks and squirrels that go out on the road for a treat. They are not afraid of people and look friendly.

After the excursion we are going to visit “Beaver log”, it is located nearby. You can ride the cable car in the Bobrovy Log fun park. You will see beautiful panoramas from a bird’s eye view, visit the two observation decks connecting Pillars and Bobrovy Log, and make memorable photos. Dinner at a local restaurant will top off this unforgettable day.

After breakfast, we will start our journey to the Khakassia Republic. On the way we are planning several stopovers. First, we are going to visit the observation deck “Tsar Fish”. The site was created in the 70s of the XX century in memory of the Krasnoyarsk writer Viktor Astafiev. Tsar Fish Monument is dedicated to one of the writer’s landmark works about man and nature, their unity and confrontation. 

Next, we will cross the Yenisei River along one of the world’s greatest dams – the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station, the first on the Yenisei river and the second biggest in Russia. With the implement of this station in 1972, a new life started in Siberia.

After lunch that we will have in the capital of Khakassia – Abakan, we will proceed for the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station. This gigantic hydroelectric power plant supplies half of Siberia with energy and it is one of the most powerful in the world. In front of the hydroelectric power station, there is an observation deck where you can admire the anxious beauty of this unique engineering construction.

Today’s night we will stay at the ethnographic village-museum Shushenskoye. It has preserved the customs and traditions of the Siberian village of the late 19th century with its streets and houses; this will help you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of peasant life. In the evening we recommend you visit the Russian sauna for an additional fee.

This day we will start with the excursion to the village Shushenskoye. Nowadays Shushenskoye has received the status of a working village with a population of 20 thousand people, on the territory of which, in addition to the museum, there is a dairy plant, a distillery “Shushenskaya Marka”, a poultry farm, as well as many small farms, the production of souvenir folk products: products from wood, forged and pottery.

After lunch, we will continue our excursion with the transfer to the Republic of Tuva. On the way to Tuva, you can admire beautiful views of the mountains of the Western Sayan and Ergaki Natural Park. The reserve is rather big: 120 km from west to east and 75 km from north to south give a place for natural diversity to unfold in all its glory: various types of plants, animals, mushrooms, a landscape changing from valley to valley, bizarre forms of rocks. We will make a stopover to take memorable photos.

In the evening we will come to the Tuva Republic. Tuva is a unique region located in the very center of Asia. The obelisk, symbolizing the geographical center of the Asian part of the Eurasia continent, is called the “Center of Asia”. It is installed in Kyzyl, the capital of the republic.

We are going to live in the yurt complex “Biy-Khem” on the bank of the river of the same name. Accommodation is foreseen in real felt yurts, which were built by Tuvan craftsmen. Each yurt is for 1-2 persons. Dinner is included.

In the morning we are going to visit the capital of the mysterious Tuva – the city of Kyzyl. Kyzyl is a young city, it was founded in 1914. It was founded at the confluence of two rivers – the Big Yenisei and the Small Yenisei, forming the river Yenisei. The city has no railways and high-rise buildings. Here is the famous Tsechenling Buddhist temple located, where you can hear a sermon from a real lama and a shamanic center, where we will definitely stop by to learn the secrets of attracting happiness, wealth and health, or listen to a throat-singing master class.

Next, we will visit the National Museum of Tuva for the exhibition “Scythian gold” dedicated to the excavations of the famous mound of the Scythian leader “Arzhan-II” and the mineral spring Tos-Bulak, 9 km from the city.

After lunch, you can walk around the city on your own, look at the workshops of local artisans who make national Tuvan instruments, shaman tambourines or jewelry.

In the evening we will return to the yurt camp, have dinner and join the Tuvan tea ceremony: we will listen to stories about the methods of making national tea with milk and salt, learn about the history of tea origin in Tuva. Additionally, late in the evening, you can watch the enchanting ritual of shamans, accompanied by drawn-out sounds and tambourine strikes.

In the morning we are traveling to the west, passing yurts and walking sheep, we make a short stop at the white sacred mountain Khayyrakan, to the top of which the XIV Dalai Lama once made a pilgrimage. The mountain was named after a shamanic belief – the God of this mountain, who possessed a bear. It is located between the city of Shagonar and the village of Khayyrakan, an hour’s drive from the capital of Tuva. The mountain is striking in size, cliffs with many caves and grottoes. The altitude is 1042 m. There are many legends and stories around this mountain. Our guide will tell you about them.

We arrange a real picnic on the grass near the sacred place and drive further – to the restored and very revered Buddhist temple in Tuva Ustuu-Khuree, the center of the republic’s spirituality.

The Sayan pass is straight ahead, surrounded by fabulous cedar forests, behind which Khakassia begins. We are going to the taiga camp “Snow Leopard” and will spend the next two days in wooden cedar cottages with stove heating. After dinner – a cozy bonfire, guitar songs and Tuvan stars.

Today we are going to explore Taiga nature. After breakfast get ready for a long walk through the cedar forest to the mountain lake Marankul. Route length is 8 km one way. The trail will pass along the suspended “Bridge of Love” located above the high-altitude swift river Bolshoy On.

Lunch will be in a picturesque place by the lake. Unspoiled tranquility, untouched nature and water noise-what could be better? We will also swim, swim on rafts and go back.

On the way, you can pick up berries and cedar cones in the vicinity, and after returning to the camp, take a steam bath in a Russian bath, under brooms, a spruce smell and kvass and tea.

In the morning, after breakfast, we will leave our taiga camp and continue our journey. Today the first stop will be near Khakassia village, where we can make photos near Stella Hurtuyakh tas. This is a unique place where all women who dream of having children can come.

Next, we will transfer to Kug valley, which is located 130 km from Abakan. We are going to stay in real yurts. The complex is located in a very beautiful place on the banks of the small river Askiz and has 15 wooden octagonal yurts for one or two people. 

After lunch, you will have an Excursion to the Khakassia State Archaeological Museum-Reserve “Kazanovka”. The main attractions of the museum: petroglyphs – rock carvings, signs of the creativity of ancient people. There are more than one and a half thousand drawings on the territory of the museum.<

Today for dinner we will taste traditional Khakass cuisine. Khakass cuisine includes meat dishes, homemade dairy products; dishes with sour cream take a special place. After dinner, you can see a performance of the Khakass national folklore ensemble.

In the evening you can try the Russian sauna for an additional price.

After breakfast, we will continue our excursion around the Khakass State Museum-Reserve “Kazanovka”. Here you can see and take pictures of the real archeological excavations.

Next, we will go to Abakan. This is the capital of the Khakassia Republic. The bus city tour is included. Also, we will visit the national museum of local lore. You are going to see a unique collection of stone sculptures – echoes of ancient cults and beliefs. It is believed that many of these sculptures have not yet lost their strength.

After the excursion, we will check-in at the hotel and have dinner. Have a rest after the journey and get ready for the next excursion day.

Today we will start our excursion with a visit to the mountain range “Sunduki”. This is one of the most mysterious places in Khakassia. An array of five detached outlier mountains, up to 200 m high, combines burial grounds, rock paintings and special structures, which, according to some archaeologists, were all used by ancient people to observe the stars, the sun and the moon. The entire complex is often called the Temple of the Sun. This magical place has another unique feature – excellent acoustics. You will definitely like this place!

After lunch, we will go to the Tuimsky depression. This is the former Kiyalykh-Uzen mine, where molybdenum and copper concentrates were mined in the 1950s. You will see a stone canyon with multi-meter veins of black and green ore, at the bottom of the canyon there are sharp-angled stones the size of a car, and in the center, there is a mysterious dark lake about five hundred meters long and three hundred meters wide. In the sun, the water instantly turns emerald (green copper ore gives it its color). Imagine your brilliant photos from this place!

After the excursion day, we will return to the hotel in Abakan. There will be dinner and free time in the evening.

In the morning we are going to the Valley of the Kings. This is a unique monument, a shard of the Tagar culture, shrouded in various legends. The “road of spirits” of the Salbyk valley led the souls of the dead through the ridge of hills to the sunset to the “upper” heavenly world.

We will also see the Bolshoi Salbyk Kurgan. It is the largest archaeological site of Khakassia, which got its name from the Salbyk depression. This is a stone earthen pyramid up to 20 meters high – the burial place of one of the most powerful Dinling kings and members of his family.

Today’s lunch will be near the Bolshoi Salbyk Kurgan with a beautiful view of the Valley of the Kings. Tasty food and an unforgettable atmosphere!

After the excursion, we will return to the hotel. This evening you will have time to buy souvenirs and take photos before departure.