SDS1. GREAT SAYAN RING

Type: Discovery
Tour duration: 10 days
Season: May – September
Recommended Group Size: 2-22 PAX
Mode of Travel: car/minibus/coach, on foot

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Krasnoyarsk. Group transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in hotel 3*. Lunch at the hotel. City tour including a visit to the symbol of Krasnoyarsk - the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa chapel situated on the Karaulnaya mountain, Blagovetchensky Cathedral, The Regional Museum, Yenissei Pillars State Natural Reserve. Welcoming dinner. (LD)

Day 2. A chance to see a man made sea, to cross two nature zones and to reach the Sayan mountains. Travelling to the South through the city of Divnogorsk, crossing the river Yenisey twice. The road goes along one of the biggest dams in the world - the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric power station. After lunch in the open-air those who wish to enjoy the stunning view of the Krasnoyarsk Sea may climb the nearest hill and walk among the ancient monuments of Scythian culture of VIII-VII century BC. Accommodation in the “Zharki”** tourist complex (accommodation at the Gladenkaya sport-hotel **** located at local mountain ski centre is possible – please see supplements). Free time for walking around and visiting to the Spa-complex (extra charge). Dinner. (BLD)

Day 3. Excursion to the ethnographical museum "Shushenskoe". Visit to a local family in the old Siberian village "Tanzybey" to get acquainted with a local lifestyle. Bus drive (360 km) through the Eastern Sayan Mountains to the Tuva territory The first place to visit in Tuva is a place of archaeological dig of the famous burial mound "Arjaan II". Lunch-picnic in the mountains. Accommodation in the yurts' complex "Biy-Khem" on the riverbank of Biy-Khem (in Tuvan - Big Yenissey), 22 km from the city Kizil. Performance of the traditional throat singing - "khoomei". Overnight in real Tuvan yurts. (BLD)

Day 4. Excursion to Kizil - the capital of Tuva and the Geographical Centre of Asia. Visit to the Buddhist temple. Visit to the Shaman clinic, where the shamans will tell about their traditions, rituals and abilities. Examination of the National Museum of Tuva and the souvenir shop. On the way back – stopover for a visit to a nomad's yurt. In the evening - bewitching show: shamans' kamlaniye. Kamlanye is a magical communication between shamans and spirits, a ritual blessing for health and happiness at the fire ring. Overnight in yurts. (BLD)

Day 5. Bus drive (440 km) across Tuva from the East to the West, following the road of the ancient nomads. Stopover at the Khayrakan Mountain - one of the most sacred and respected places in Tuva. Meeting with a family of real nomads.Visiting the monument to the great warrior - a stone human statue - «Chinggis-Khaan". Arrival to the taiga camp "Snow Leopard", situated at the height of 1250 meters. Accommodation in lodges. (BLD)

Day 6. Relaxation at the camp. Walks in taiga. Free time. Real Siberian banya. Overnight in lodges. (BLD)

Day 7. Getting familiar with the taiga and mountain medicinal herbs. After lunch - farewell to "Snow Leopard" and taiga. Bus drive (240 km) to the valley Kyug (in Khakassian it means "delight"), situated in 137 km from Abakan. Accommodation in the yurt complex "Kyug". Free time for walking around and horse racing. After dinner - performance of the Khakassian national folklore group. (BLD)

Day 8. Excursion to the "Kazanovka" - The State National museum of Khakassia. This museum is situated under the open sky and includes mountains, canyons, caves, mixed forest, rare plants. Overnight in the yurt complex "Kug". (BLD)

Day 9. Bus drive (140 km) to Abakan, the capital of Khakassia. Visiting the Republic Regional Museum. Excursion to "The Valley of the Kings" with about 30 burial mounds aged from the III-IV century B.C. Lunch with a view at the Valley of the Kings. Bus drive (410 km) to Krasnoyarsk. Accommodation in hotel 3*. (BLD)

Day 10. Group transfer to airport. Departure from Krasnoyarsk. (B)

Legend: B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner)

Fixed departures – 2012:

26/05 – 04/06/2012
09/06 – 18/06/2012
20/06 – 29/06/2012
04/07 – 13/07/2012
18/07 – 27/07/2012
29/07 – 07/08/2012
09/08 – 18/08/2012
19/08 – 28/08/2012
06/09 - 15/09/2012

Costs for indvidual tourists – 2012:

1868 EUR per person for joining in a fixed group 8-22 PAX

Included:

• DBL accommodation
• full board
• all excursions with entrance fees and entertaiment programmes according to the itinerary
• transfers according to the itinerary
• local guides/interpreters

Not included:

• air flights Moscow - Krasnoyarsk - Moscow 
• insurance
• visa
• shaman's kamlanye

Supplements:

• SGL: + 33 EUR per person
• individual transfer on arrival and departure (one way) +34 EUR per person
• accommodation at the Gladenkaya sport-hotel +45 EUR per person (TWN), +64 EUR per person (SGL)