Siberia -  Sayan Mountains

Tyva and Khakassia

Time: 23.8. - 4.9.2010.         Duration: 13 days and 12 nights.

Price: 2 690 e

• accommodation: hotel Safari Club in Krasnojarsk 3 nights,  hotel Zharki in Sajanogorsk 1 night,  Big-Khem camping in Kyzil (Tyva), yurths 2 nights,  Snow Leopard -camping in Khakassia, cottages, 2 nights,  Akhtas -camping in Khakassia, yurths 2 nights, night train (4p/cabin) Helsinki - Moscow - Helsinki,
• full board between Krasnojarsk-Krasnojarsk, 
• guided tour in Krasnojarsk; Paraskeva chapel in the mountain of Karauljan, historical and ethocraphical museum, home museum of the artist Surikov,
• Dvinogorsk water power station, old monuments of Scythians by Jenisei river,
• Shusenkoje village, Siberian folk tradition, Tanzebei village hosted by a local photographer, local art, the grave of Arjaan the 2nd, 
• Kyzil, traditional throut singing, Buddism and Shamanism in Kyzil, historical museum with Scythian treasures, 
• Hairikan mountain, the holy place named by  Dalai Lama, mountain route accross Tyva to the west, 
• Khakassian mountains, medical herbs e.g.   
• Kyik valley in Khakassia, Kazanovka archaeologian national park, 3000 5000 years old petroclyfs,  
• Kings Valley, Abakan town, archaeological museum,   
• flights  Moscow - Krasnojarsk - Moscow,   
• train Helsinki - Moscow - Helsinki,
• tour leader from Finland, local specialists, 

Hotels

Hotel Safari Club  locates in Krasnojarsk, by Jenisei -river, around 10 minutes from the center. There are 34 rooms in the hotel with all fascilities, restaurant and bar.   www.sayanring.ru/eng/hotel/view/46/index

Hotel Zharki in Sajanogorsk locates in Gladenskaja winter sport center having spa fascilities as well. Accommodation is in the separate building with all fascilities in rooms. There is a restaurant and bar in the area.  www.sayanring.ru/base/view/135/index

Yurths in Kyzil, Camp Aii (Big Khem) camping and camping in Khakassia and Akhtas  they are camping accommodation where toilets and shower are in the separate building as well as restaurant. There are 2 beds, a table, chairs, electric light and electric heating in yurths.  www.sayanring.ru/rus/hotel/view/56/index, www.sayanring.ru/rus/hotel/view/113/index

Snow Leopard camping  locates high in the mountains and a cottage village where are several buildings in the area. Cottahges are simple with one room and bio toilet. There are washing rooms separately in different building as well as traditional sauna. There is a good restaurant in the area.  www.sayanring.ru/rus/base/view/138/index

Itinerary

Monday 23.8.2010                                                                                                  At 18.00 meeting the tour leader at Helsinki railway station. At 18.25 depart by Tolstoi train to Moscow. Money exchange in the train between Kouvola-Vainikkala. There is a restaurant car in the train.

Friday 27.8.2010
Breakfast. Drive to Shushenskoje , where guided tour in the State Ethnographical Museum-reserve "Shushenskoe". Folk music performance. The tour continues to Tanzibei village, where meeting a local photographer and his family having lunch with them. Later our tour goes along to the mountains and if the weather is clear, it is possible to see "Sleeping Sayan", a beautiful mountain range. In the evening after arriving to Tyva, there is a stop at the sight area with a wonderful view over Tyvian scenery. Before getting to Kizyl there is a visit the burial mound of the King Arjaan II.
Late in the evening check in at Big Khem camp, 22 km from the city Kizyl by the river of Big Jenisey. Accommodation in yurths. Dinner with the performance of the traditional throat singing - "khoomei". 

Saturday 28.8.2010
Breakfast. City tour in Kizyl including tours in Geographical Centre of Asia, Buddhist temple and the center of shamans. After lunch in the afternoon a tour in the national Museum of Tyva, the souvenir shop and the atelier of national dresses. Later visiting a local Tyvian family in the nomadian yurt. Dinner and evening entertainment  by a camp fire with the show of a shaman. 

Sunday 29.8.1009
Breakfast. Today there is a drive accross Tyva region from the east to the west following the road of ancient nomads having a stop at Khayrakan mountain. Picnic lunch on the grass under the Seven Sisters, the old larch trees growing from one root. In the afternoon visit the monument of the great warrior - a stone human statue. People call it "Chinggis-Khan". Arrive at Khakassia, at a height of 2206 metres, highest point on the road. Here the mountains are surrounded with the fabulous pine taiga. Check in at Snow Leopard camp in cottages. Dinner.

Monday 30.8.2010
Breakfast. After breakfast a walk along the mountains to the most beautiful mountain lake situated at the height of 1520 metres. If the weather allows possible to take a refressing swim in the water of 12-14 degrees. Afrerwards a herbal tea with cowberry jam with picnic lunch at the fire place. In the afternoon possible to take own herb baths or massage. Dinner.

Tuesday 31.8.2010
Breakfast. Free morning. After lunch we leave Snow Leopard camp and drive to Akhtas-camp for overnight. Visit the Khakassian village, Hurtuyah tas, the stone monument where local women bring gifts wishing to have a baby. In the evening arrive at Abakan where check  in at yurths. Dinner and a performance of the national folklore group.

Wednesday 1..2010
Breakfast. In the morning tour in Open Air Museum called Kasanovka. After lunch an archaeological tour in Akhtas, which is famous of the ancient stone mounds. Dinner in the camp.

Thursday 2.9.2010
Breakfast. City tour in Abakan, the capital of Khakassia. Tour in Regional museum and afterwards drive to the valley of Kings, where the stone mounds from the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C. Lunch and return back to Karsnojarsk, where check in at Oktjabrsk hotel. Dinner.

Friday 3.9.2010
Breakfast. Transfer to Krasnojarsk airport. At 11.50 flight to Moscow arriving at 12.50. Train to Leningradskaya railway station. Free time. At 22.50 Tolstoi -train to Helsinki.

Saturday 4.9.2010                                                                                                 At 12.00 arrvie to Helsinki.