1200 km in 8 days: a tourist route in Siberia – a trip you will certainly not forget

Over the past couple of years, domestic tourism has started to grow with a vengeance. “And what is in the east of the country? you ask. And we will respond. Itinerary “Siberian Holidays”.

Having been among the first tourists, I am ready to share my impressions. Go?

After traveling thousands of miles, not only do you land in the future (+4 hours Moscow time), but you also seem to find yourself in another country. People here are slower and calmer, or something like that. “It’s worth learning”, I say to myself, but no, no, I’m still surprised, for example, by the slowness of the staff.

The route starts in Abakan. In the local museum you will learn about the history of the region and the main excavations of archaeologists of these places, then you can see the ancient monuments with your own eyes. One of the most famous is the Salbyk burial mound. Once a 30-meter pyramid, which served as the burial place of the local ruler, today it is slopes and hills, on which are scattered stone idols, ritual sites and cave paintings.

Siberians call these lands a place of power, and once you’re there, you involuntarily agree – you’re so enveloped in this atmosphere of mystery and magic. No wonder shamans perform rituals here, and tourists, as one, make wishes by tossing coins or tying ribbons on stone pillars and statues.

And fascinated by the Siberian expanses, you no longer pay attention to such trifles as, for example, a village toilet on the territory – these two perfectly erected wooden cabins in the middle of the steppe. And what is authentic.

We go further – straight into the mountains. We leave the highway in the off-road, but the stupid question in our eyes immediately finds an answer – we enter the territory of the Khakassia reserve, and asphalt is not allowed in the protected area. Upon arrival, they offer to witness the local beauties from a bird’s eye view.

To access the observation deck, you have to climb 965 steps, but believe me, it is totally worth it.

Once upon a time there was a young Vladimir Lenin exiled in the village of Shushenskoye. Here he got married and took the first confident steps in his career. Today, all tourists have the opportunity to visit the house where he lived. But the village is not only famous for this. In Shushenskoye, a street from the end of the 19th century has been recreated: here you can learn crafts, listen to folk songs and immerse yourself in the life of that time. If one walk is not enough, then you can stay in these places for several days – in a real hut, built according to all the canons of the penultimate century.

In July, Shushenskoye is especially crowded due to the international ethno festival “The World of Siberia”, which attracts people from different regions of our country and neighboring countries. Walking through the yurts, you can taste the most unusual dishes, listen to folk music, play traditional games, get acquainted with the life of the indigenous peoples, in which they still live, and, if you have luck, talk to shamans and even get a talisman in the form of a red thread or a middle name.

From the penultimate century we return to our century and immediately get acquainted with the engineering genius – the HPP Sayano-Shushenskaya. One of the most powerful hydroelectric power stations in Russia invites everyone to a visit. You can only access a specially protected object by appointment and after passing the security check. Having received a permit, you find yourself in another world: at the entrance above you are buzzing wires with a voltage of thousands of volts, inside – snow-white structures that make similar sounds to birdsong, and on the crest of the dam – views that will take your breath away.

Add to that lunches on the banks of the Yenisei, boat trips, leisurely walks along the coast and in the forest, where you may overeat strawberries along the way. And, for example, in the hotel “Gladenkaya” you will find a breakfast with a view of the alpine meadows and horses.

The “Ergaki” natural park surprises from the first minutes. First of all, the complete lack of communication (only Tele2 owners are lucky). There is also no Wi-Fi, and at first you perceive this as a cruel joke, but the next day you are thanking the universe for the information detox.

And for new experiences, of course! Ergaki Nature Park is famous for its eco-trail. Tourists are advised to walk 6 km to the local attraction – the Hanging Stone (and the same back). Up to – about 400 meters. But do not rush to roll your eyes: old people and children overcome this path. And all because the path is equipped for tourists – wooden paths, stairs with railings, benches on the edges for rest.

It’s immediately obvious: the eco-trail is made with love. Our guide Konstantin, on the stone path, picks up a candy wrapper for careless tourists, enthusiastically talks about wild animals in nearby forests, unhesitatingly spells out the names of extravagant flowers and plants, shares legends about these places .

The most beautiful concerns the sleeping Sayan. If you look at the mountain range, you can see the silhouette of a man lying on his back. Here is his head, nose and mouth, his arms crossed over his chest, and the legs are located a little further. Miracles, and nothing more.

So, the legend says that many years ago a peasant lived in these places, who took care of the forest, protected wild animals from all kinds of poachers. And when he died, the gods of the forest could not find a worthy replacement for him and decided to make him a god, perpetuating him in stone. According to the legend, if people misbehave in these places, the sleeping Saiyan will wake up, push the hanging stone down the mountain, and drive people out of these places.

The Republic of Tyva is a place where time has stood still. In the correct meaning of the term. It’s not called the land of living traditions for nothing – they are alive and well here. National costumes are worn at work, and for every day, the food is also at the maximum, even the native language is not forgotten here. And everywhere this, which has already become, it seems, a signature, a relaxed and relaxed atmosphere. Having succumbed to this mood, you are no longer bothered by appliances forgotten by the waiter or the poorly closed bathroom door. Such small things compared to what you get in these parts.

In Tuva you will find Scythian gold, the center of Asia, a place of power where the Yenisei, the tallest Buddha statue in Russia, begins, a city of stone, traditional throat singing (goosebumps !) and views-views-views.

The Siberian holiday route can also be called a food route – you will try so many new things these days! Bird cherry cake, fern, taiga salad (my favourite, order from Ergaki!), Sbiten, cloudberry, quail, venison, lamb, milk and salt tea, muksun, whitefish and much more.

The cost of Siberian pleasure is 65,000 rubles. This includes excursion services, transfers between regions, accommodation, meals, insurance and meeting at the airport (the flight itself is not included in the tour). There are no charter flights, but it should be noted that the tour will be improved in the future.

8 days have flown away like an instant, but have imprinted in my memory a whole little life, emotions that you savor for a very long time. Holidays in Siberia are not always about comfort, but certainly about beauty, energy and something very dear that opens new facets in you, and you return home a different person. Filled, with an open heart, appreciating the small pleasures.

Photo: Daria Gulyaykina