Day 1: Arrival in Moscow. Bus transfer to downtown. Accommodation at the three star hotel (double rooms). Leisure time (2 hrs). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Red Square and the Kremlin, visit its cathedrals. Lunch at the restaurant in the city. Boat excursion along the River Moskva. (* In case of nasty weather, we plan leisure time for sightseeing and shopping instead of boat excursion). Transfer to the airport, departure to Krasnoyarsk.
Day 3: Arrive in Krasnoyarsk. Bus transfer to the Stolby Nature Reserve. Accommodation at the hotel (double rooms), leisure time. Short hiking excursion (2-3 hrs) to see the whimsical rocks called “Stolby” (“Poles”). Lunch at the hotel. Leisure time. Talk about the Stolby Nature Reserve given by local researcher. Dinner. Sauna. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Breakfast at the hotel. Full day hiking trip to the rocky section of the nature reserve. Packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the Stolby. Arrive in Krasnoyarsk at 10.00 a.m. Short sightseeing tour of the city. Excursion to the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station. *Optional is the visit to the Surikov’s Museum. Lunch, dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Take a train to Ulan-Ude at 03.44 Moscow time (07.44 local time). Full day at the train.
(The participants who join the tour by flight to Ulan-Ude will be met at the airport by our representatives and transferred to the hotel).
Day 7: Arrive to Ulan-Ude at 05.34 Moscow time (10.34 local time). Drive to the village of Ust’Barguzin (about 6 hrs). Talk about the Zabaikal’sky National Park given by local researchers. Overnight accommodation – homestays with local families.
Day 8: Bus transfer to the territory of the Zabaikal’sky National Park. Cruise by motor boat “Yaroslavets” to the Chivyrkuisky Gulf. Visit the Ushkanii Islands, observe the biggest rookery of the Baikal seal. Hiking excursions in the Zabaikal’sky National Park. Return to Ust’-Barguzin, overnight as per Day 7.
Day 9: Leisure time, rest on the beach near Ust’-Barguzin. Bus transfer to Ulan-Ude. Excursion to the Ivolginsky Datsan (the biggest Buddhist temple). Short sightseeing tour of the city. Take an evening train to Chita.
Day 10: Arrive in Chita in the morning. Transfer to Nizhny Tsasuchei village, where the office of the Daursky Nature Reserve is located (6-7 hrs drive with stops). Lunch there, excursion to the visitor center. Drive to the Utochi field stationar (3 – 3,5 hrs).
On the way, we will pass by the Tsasuchei pine forest. Watching demoiselle and gray cranes, avocets, ruddy shelducks and other birds is possible. Further on, we will familiarize ourselves with the Kulusutaisky section of the Nature Reserve, transfer across the Teli gorge (nice panorama of hills on the northern shore of the lakes, observe dzeren antelopes (with luck), watch waterfowl and birds of prey at the lakes, familiarization with the flora of dry steppes, beach, short geological excursion).
Dinner, overnight accommodation at the cordon (field stationary base of the Nature Reserve). Swimming in the lake. Banya can be arranged.
*Overnight accommodation at the cordon will be arranged in the carriage (from the train). There are 2 four-seated and 2 two-seated sleeping compartments (for 12 clients in total). There are 6 more places (3 two-circled beds) in the separate room in the same carriage, but it is not so comfortable. Also in this carriage, there is a small hall for lectures, watching videofilms, etc. Electricity is provided by the diesel. WC and washing-stands are outside the carriage. There is a banya (3-4 people can use it at the same time). It is also possible to set tented camp around the field stationar.
Day 11: Acquaintance with the plant and animal life of the Torei lakes and shore. A group is divided into several parts. One part takes an excursion by motor boat along the Barun-Torei lake to observe colonies of cormorants, herons, various gulls and terns; watching swan goose is possible. Observe various ducks (3 species or more), grebes, etc. Observe the colony of the Relic Gull from the boat.
*One boat can take 5 people maximum (including one guide); only one boat can move across the lake at the same time (not to disturb birds). An excursion along the lake takes about 2,5-4 hrs depending on the current water level. If local conditions will allow, we will make stops on some islands.
Another group will have an excursion to the floodlands of Ul’dza river with high chances to watch whooper swans, swan goose, bean goose, spoonbill, shorebirds (3 species or more), small passerine birds (buntings, wagtails, willow warblers, etc). Watching white-naped and Japanese cranes are less likely, but possible.
On the way back, we will have a short botanical excursion on the salty steppe sections to familiarize ourselves with local rare and endemic species.
Lunch at the cordon. After lunch, the groups change (the first group takes an excursion along the lake, the second – to the Ul’dza river).
After dinner, according to the clients’ wishes, it is possible to watch birds from the shore, swim in the lake, watch video and slides about the Nature Reserve, fish.
Overnight, as per Day 10.
Day 12: Excursion (transfers by bus combined with hiking) to the steppe section of the Nature Reserve. In the Teli gorge, we will observe dzeren antelopes (with luck), view wonderful panorama of lakes, picturesque hills along the northern shore of the lake, observe waterfowl, waders and birds of prey (upland buzzard, etc.); watching bustard and hooded cranes is possible. Acquaintance with the flora of dry steppes, swimming, short geological excursion, visiting the sacred place of local people. Total duration of this excursion is 6-7 hours. Lunch en route. After excursion, we will have some leisure time to relax and explore. Overnight at the cordon, as per previous days.
Day 13: After breakfast, we drive back to Tsasuchei village (3-3,5 hrs). Lunch at the office of the Nature Reserve. Excursion on the left shore of the Onon river (about 1-1,5 hrs, acquaintance with the geological and ethnographic monuments of the Buryats). In the afternoon, transfer to Chita (5-6 hrs, without return to Tsasuchei), dinner in the city. Departure by train to Belogorsk at 15.09 Moscow time (about 21.09 local time).
Day 14: In the train. The guide gives a talk about landscapes, flora and fauna of the Russian Far East, as well as local indigenous nations.
The Russian Far East, known as the “northern jungle”, is one of the world’s most interesting natural regions. It is famous for the unique mixture of species typical to the northern taiga and southern subtropics, which reside in the same neighborhood. The region possesses the highest flora and fauna diversity in Russia, as well as a great number of endemic and rare species. It is the primary habitat for the Amur Tiger, Far Eastern Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Amur Goral, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Red-crowned, White-napped and Hooded Cranes, Scaly Merganser, etc.
Day 15: Arrive in Belogorsk early in the morning, transfer to the Muraviovka Crane Park (2,5 hrs drive by bus).
Morning excursion to the forest and meadows around the headquarters. 5 km hike. Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Amur Red-footed Falcon, Azure-winged Magpie, Gray Starling, Richard's Pipit, Skylark, Azure Tit, Black-faced Bunting, Siberian Rubythroat, Thick-billed Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Thick-billed Reed Warbler, Chinese Bush Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Chinese Bush Warbler, Narcissus Flycatcher, Long-tailed Rose Finch, Black-faced Oriole, Barn Swallow, Common Kingfisher, Hobby, Rufous Turtle Dove, Long-eared Owl. Evening jeep transfer to Ivchenkin Bugor: Red-crowned and White-napped Cranes, Oriental White Stork; beautiful scenery.
Overnight accommodation in seven double occupancy guestrooms with beds on the second floor of the house close to the marsh. Light is provided by generator and solar panels. There are showers with hot water and outdoor toilets. Depending on a group size, single bedrooms may not be available and you may prefer to stay in good tents or cottages with cots and mattresses (facilities outside). Meals three times daily - good, plentiful, home made food what has been much appreciated by previous groups.
Day 16: Morning jeep transfer to central part of the park. A 5 km hike in wet and dry meadows, island forests and bushes with variety of grasses and birds: Purple Heron, Oriental White Stork, Red-crowned Crane, Amur Red-footed Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Shoveller, Spotbill Duck, Garganey, Shrenk's Little Bittern, Water Rail, Bailon's Crake, Common Cuckoo, Pechora Pipit, Wryneck, Siberian Rubithroat, Stonechat, Lanceolated Grasshopper Warbler, Black-browed Reed Warbler, Pallas' Grasshopper Warbler, Thick-billed Reed Warbler, Radde's Bush Warbler, Yellow -breasted Bunting, Black-naped Oriole, Carrion Crow. Lunch at route.
Rest at the hotel before departure.
Day 17: Transfer to Belogorsk, take a train to Khabarovsk (at about 4.36 a.m. local time). Arrival in Khabarovsk at about 8.52 Moscow time (15.52 local time). City tour, departure in the evening by train to Vladivostok.
Day 18: Arrive in Vladivostok in the morning. Transfer to your hotel, rest. Sightseeing tour of the city, called the “Russian San Francisco”. Lunch at the restaurant. Excursion to the Museum of Nature History and Ethnography named after Arseniev (first explorer of the Russian Far East), then to submarine museum and/or oceanarium. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19: After breakfast, we board our small ship (“Yaroslavets” or similar) for the 1,5-hrs trip to Popov Island (northern section of the Far Eastern Marine Nature Reserve). When we arrive, we visit the Museum of Marine Nature and Its Protection. The museum presents the amazing diversity of marine life and the threats it is facing. After our visit of the museum, we receive a briefing in the ecological education center on the characteristics of plant and animal life of the Peter the Great Gulf.
Then we take a trip by motor boat southwards through the picturesque islands of the Peter the Great Gulf (Far Eastern Marine Nature Reserve and surroundings), with a highest chance to watch the coastal birds of the preserve. We make a short stop at some islands and watch the groups of Temmick's (Japanese) and Great cormorants, as well as the gulls. We ascend a knoll on one of the islands and enjoy the beautiful panorama of surrounding islands. Some small islands are the only breeding sites in Russia of Streaked Shearwater; some Swinhoe’s storm petrels also breed here. A marine biologist accompanying us will dive and show us different sea creatures. We can swim and sunbath, even diving is possible (rental flippers and masks is available on the Popov island).
In case of inclement weather, the group will visit the Khasan Nature Park by bus.
Overnight in cottages.
Day 20: Leisure time to explore the natural environs, swim and rest. A tour of the 4000-year-old archaeological site will be organized. Dinner and overnight stay in the cottages.
Day 21: In the early morning, we move by bus to the Kedrovaya Pad’ Nature Reserve (about 3 hrs).
Kedrovaya Pad’ is the oldest Russian Nature Reserve, established in 1925. It was conceived as a «botanical Reserve» with preserved virgin groves of Manchurian Fir and Korean pine, Ash Maple, birch-liana forest. Now it is hilly 'oasis'' of wildlife, most rich in Ussurian flora. These pristine forests grow along the narrow valley of the River Kedrovaya. The valley is squeezed between two narrow mountain ridges and attracts many forest birds, including rare species. It is the only known area in Russia which harbors breeding population of the rarest Far East Leopard.
Upon arrival we will have an excursion along the Kedrovaya River through different type of pristine forests up to the top of hill (6,5 km) from which we can see the panorama of the hills and entire sea bay. In September-early October, we can enjoy fantastic autumnal coloration of the forest. Evening with one of the Russian finest nature photographers, video presentation about the Far Eastern Leopard filmed in this reserve.
In the evening, bus transfer to Vladivostok, overnight at the hotel.
* Those participants who stay further in the Far East do not return to Vladivostok this day, but stay overnight in the Kedrovaya Pad’ Nature Reserve.
Day 22: Possibility of finishing the tour and flying from the Vladivostok airport to Moscow.
Further itinerary for those who stay:
Day 22: An excursion to the Leopard site (half of a day). We will ascend to the slope from where will see the leopard’s den. We'll have a chance to see the leopard's scratches and other marks. Upon return, we will move by bus to Vladivostok and have dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 23: Car (bus) transfer to Lazo village (245 km, 5-6 hrs). Dinner at the cafe. Excursion to the museum of nature and ecological education center of the Lazovsky Nature Reserve. Short lecture and video presentation about the Nature Reserve, famous for the highest density of the Amur Tiger, endemic goral and other interesting animals. Transfer by car to the “America” gorge (30 km). Overnight at the reserve’s cordon (wooden huts usually used by the scientists and forest guards).
The cordon consists of two huts located on a big meadow in the forest. Both huts can accomodate up to 3 persons, though one of them is more comfortable. Accommodation is tents can be organized for part of a group. Additionally, there is big kitchen inside a hut, and a summer kitchen, a resthouse, and a banya near the cordon.
Day 24: Radial hikes in the America gorge to make acquaintance with typical landscapes in the reserve. The multi-species valley forest gives way to the cedar-broad-leafed taiga and cedar taiga forest. Hollows of huge Maximowichii poplars growing in the valley are often used by Himalayan black bears as dens for the winter. Along the route you will see a variety of trees, shrubs and herbs of the Ussuri taiga. Also, tracks of many animals can often be found there, including Amur tiger, bear, ungulates. Crossing the Perekatnaya river, you will see Primorye sima (one of the local species of salmon) at the spawning grounds. The birdlife is extremely diverse. Dinner and overnight in the cordon.
*NOTE: Depending on your wish, a hiking route to the neighbour Karpad' gorge can be organized this day. We will cross a chain of low hills (3,5-5 hrs). We will make stops on the way to enjoy beautiful view of the valley from the viewing points. Lunch en route. In this case, we will have dinner and overnight in a cordon in the Karpad' valley.
The cordon is located in a picturesque meadow close to the river. It is a big wooden house with two rooms (one for two, another for up to 4 people) and a kitchen with a stove ("pechka"). Summer kitchen and resthouse are outside.
Day 25: Having thoroughly explored the “American Gorge,” the expedition will hike to the neighboring Karpad Gorge. The hike will feature crossing a chain of low hills will stops being made along the way to admire the scenery and a picnic will be organized en route. Dinner and overnight stay at the Karpad camp: a wooden house located in a meadow close to the Karpad River. Additionally, accommodation in tents will be organized.
Day 26: Benevskiye waterfalls
Car transfer to the Elamovskie springs (75 km ). 8 km- hike to the system of beautiful waterfalls. The path leading to the waterfall passes through valley forest representing a variety of tree species, and along a mountain spring with numerous rapids and water cascades. The forest type varies from broad-leafed multi-species to dark coniferous taiga. So you will meet a vast variety of plants, from common to very rare: Manchurian walnut, the Amur velvet (cork) tree, Corean cedar pine, Ayan spruce, Yew . The area represents the typical habitat of the well-known ginseng plant. There are a lot of shrubs and herbs with beautiful flowers, as well as lianas (Chisandra chinensis, wild grape, actinidia). Usually tracks of different animals (tiger, Himalayan black bear, badger, musk deer, fox) are found here. Bird life is very rich as well. Japanese blue and yellow-rumped flycatchers, yellow-throated and Siberian meadow buntings, gray wagtail, brown dipper, dollar-bird (Eastern broad-billed roller), Turdus hortulorum, pale and Siberian (ground) thrushs, oriental white?eye, oriental (Himalayan) cuckoo can be found there. The main waterfall is about 17 m in height.
In the afternoon, we will hike down the stream (8 km), car transfer to the seashore opposite Petrova Island (50 km) via one of the oldest local villages. Dinner and overnight in the Petrova cordon.
The cordon is a spacious wooden house located on a seashore. It consists of 3 rooms and a kitchen. There are also a summer kitchen, resthouse, and banya outside the cordon (field shower can be organized, too). Additionally, a tent camp can be organized.
Day 27: Petrova Island and bay
Transfer by motor boat to the Petrova island (about 800 m) for an excursion. There, you will see the only known grove of relict Yew tree (Taxus). Such a small island is home to more than 300 species of higher vascular plants alone, as well as 117 species of lichen. Actually it is a natural botanical garden, where you can see most of the plant species inhabiting the Primorye. Ussurian cormorants, spectacled guillemots and northern white-rumped swifts make their nests on the rocks of the island. Upon return to the cordon, you will have free time for watching migrating birds on the seashore, exploring the environs, swimming in the pure water of the Sea of Japan, lying on the golden sand. The wonderful coastline, rich underwater world, historical sights are all around you. A motor boat excursion along the coastline can be organized additionally to provide the best chances to watch gorals on the rocks and to enjoy the most picturesque bays. Dinner and overnight at the cordon.
Day 28: Petrova island. Return to Vladivostok
Leisure morning for the rest on a wonderful sandy beach and exploring the environs. Return to Vladivostok. Farewell dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay in 3-star hotel.
Day 29: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Moscow. Arrive in Moscow, transfer to the international airport for the flight home.
Optional is an overnight stay in Moscow in a 3 star hotel, and the next day (Day 30) transfer to the international airport, return flight home. |
