Ethnographic tour Great Sayan Ring (10 days/9 nights, period May-September) runs along territories of Khakassia, Tuva and Krasnoyarsk region.

Booking and payment

In order to book a tour, you should contact us by e-mail info@sayanring.com. When reserving a tour, 30% pre-payment is required. The rest 70% of the payment should be covered in not less than 20 days before the beginning of the tour. In case you make the reservation in 45 days before the tour, you need to cover 100% of the tour price when making the final confirmation.

We should sign the contract. Payment is possible via bank to our account in € or $.

Download the questionnaire of the tour participant

Money

Credit cards Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Union can be used in big cities. It won't be a problem to find an ATM working 24 hours a day, so you can draw some money from your credit card at any time. You can exchange the currency in a bank upon arrival to Krasnoyarsk. As the next place you can do it will be only in Kyzyl, the capital of Tuva.

Pay attention, after Kyzyl and before Abakan you can pay only cash in Rub.

Participation

Number of participants in a group - from 8 to 12 people. All groups are international. All excursions are conducted in Russian and English/German languages. Tourists from various countries took part in our tour, such as the Netherlands, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, the USA, China, Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, Turkey, Finland, Norway etc. Our special guests were the members of the US Embassy, the ambassador of New Zealand, the consul of Switzerland, the Prince of Monaco, the president and the members of Russian Association of Tourist Agencies, and the Russian minister of tourism.

Restrictions

Participation in the tour is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, due to the intense excursion program and long journeys 400-600 km per day. But the parents reserve the right of final decision. If you think that your child is emotionally and physically ready for this trip, the tour operator will not mind.
We also don't recommend to participate in the tour people with high blood pressure, due to high altitude difference. Particularly dangerous part of the way is the Sayan pass (2214 m), an hour later the group again descends to an altitude of 1200 m.

Regions

Krasnoyarsk region is located in the eastern part of Siberia along the basin of the Yenisei river. It covers 3000 km from the South to the North, where it is washed  by Kara sea and Laptevs’ sea. The population of the region is about 3 million people.

The region is subdivided into three climate zones: arctic, subarctic and mild.

Krasnoyarsk region territory is the domain for 450 species of plants, 340 species of birds and 90 species of animals including snow leopard, Putorana bighorn sheep, snow fox, stoat and musk-ox. In region there are 6 nature reserves under state protection: Great Arctic, Central-Siberian, Putorana, Stolby (Rock pillars), Sayano-Shushensky and Taimyr reserves.

The main religion here is Orthodox Church, but other confessions are also spread: Catholicism, Islam, Judaism etc.

The capital of the region is Krasnoyarsk – megapolis situated on the both sides of the Yenisei river. It was founded by Russian military man Andrey Dubensky in 1628. The population of Krasnoyarsk is about 1 million people. Time difference with Moscow is +4 hours, distance to Moscow is 3995 km. There are many old buildings and places of interest here. Krasnoyarsk is the motherland of painter Surikov, geographist and scientist Potanin, singer Khvorostovsky, violinist Tretyakov, Olympic champion Yarygin, writer Astafiev.

The symbol of Krasnoyarsk is Paraskeva Pyatnitsa chapel built in 1805 on Karaulnaya hill. It is printed on the 10-roubles banknote.

Tuva is situated on the South of Eastern Siberia in the geographical center of Asia. It borders Krasnoyarsk region, Khakassia republic, Mongolia, Altai republic. Tuva is very rich in natural resources: besides huge geological deposits, there are about 8000 rivers, including famous Khemchik and Yenisei, about 20 big fresh and salt water lakes, lots of healing mineral springs. Fauna of Tuva is very unique and diverse: here one can meet a camel, a desert dweller, and a reindeer, inhabitant of northern territories, Tuvan mountains Tannu-Ola are the realm of snow leopard. Also bear, wolf, squirrel, moose, sable, roebuck, lynx, glutton and birds like hazel-hen, blackcock, goose, duck, eagles and even swans are often met here. From fish such species can be mentioned: Siberian and Mongolian grayling, salmon, bass, pike and many others.

The population of Tuva is about 315 thousand people. The capital of the republic is Kyzyl, the place having been calculated and depicted to be the geographical center of Asia. Distance from Abakan – 400 km, from Krasnoyarsk –1000 km. Time difference with Moscow is +4 hours.

Main confessions: Orthodox Church, Buddhism, Shamanism.

Places of interest in Kyzyl are: free Arat square, The Geographical center of  Asia obelisk, National Tuvan museum, Tuvan national theatre, Shaman clinic.

Khakassia republic is located in South Siberia on the left side of the Yenisei basin. It occupies territory of 62 thousand sq.km. Its population is 535 thousand people. Time difference with Moscow is +4 hours.

Khakassia is often called "a huge open-air museum". The history of Khakassia is very great, it counts not only the centuries but thousands of years. The first state of Din Linnes, who lived here in 7-3 centuries BC, left the remembrance about themselves in marvelous burial mounds, mystic rock paintings.

Khakassia is famous for its huge lakes with healing water concentrating in Shira district. Many territories of the republic are devoted to the protected nature reserves, which are inhabited with rare species. Some of them like red wolf, snow leopard and argali are endangered and included into Red list of WWF.

The administrative center of Khakassia is Abakan, a city with population of 160 thousand people. Sightseeing in Abakan: Khakassian national museum, Preobrazhensky cathedral, Lora stele, landscaping park Gardens of the Dream.

How to get

The tour starts in Krasnoyarsk

One of the main transport hubs in Siberia is Krasnoyarsk. It is passed through by Trans-Siberian railway, so it provides tourists with possibilities to travel actively. Krasnoyarsk posses the airport both of local and international level, river port and well-developed road vehicle infrastructure.

Information about railways to Krasnoyarsk can be inquired at managers of Sayan Ring Co.

Airport in Krasnoyarsk Yemelianovo accepts planes from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Norilsk, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Kamchatka and many other cities in Russia, also from international flights from Beijing and Bangkok. You can reach Krasnoyarsk by flights of following  airlines Aeroflot, S7, UTair, NordStar etc.

Meeting and seeing off

Group transfers from/to airport (railway station) are organized at fixed time. Tourists are met with a board, where tourist’s name or a name of a company is printed. At the day of the beginning of the tour the bus at the airport will wait for arriving tourists from 05:00 to 07:30 (local time). Railway station-hotel transfer is between 06:00 and 08:00. You will be met by the representative of the company, who will help you with everything you have problems with.

For those who arrive at different time an individual transfer can be organized for additional fee (car 45 euro one way from the airport, 22 euro from the train station).

04:00 - seeing off tourists to airport are transferred to flights to depart from 06:30. (local time). Hotel-railway station transfer is planned at 10:00 am. If it's too early for you, you can book a separate transfer for extra charge.

We earnestly recommend you to book tickets according to this time.

Tourists leaving at different time are transferred to the railway station 60 minutes before the departure, to the airport - 3 hours before a flight.

Weather

The climate in Tuva is sharply continental. Summer there is dry, temperature up to 40 C.

The climate in Khakassia is also continental: cold winter, hot summer, with significant variation of temperature and precipitation level. Summer duration in steppes is from the middle of May till the middle of September, in highlands – from the middle of June till the end of August. The hottest month is July (average temperature is 20 C). Sometimes there is “Indian summer” in the end of September.

Each season in Krasnoyarsk region has its advantages; therefore the choice depends only on what month seems to be the best in your opinion.

• It's very beautiful in May, as the greenery is still fresh, everything is in blossom, at the same time you can see snow high up in the mountains. It's warm during the day, but rather cool in the evening.

• In June everything is in blossom as well, and every week you can various colors of nature. Stable weather is characteristic of this period of time.

• July is the hottest month, but sometimes there might rain for a week. The weather is stable and it's warm in the day time and at night. At the end of the month the steppe starts getting dry.

• The first half of August is warm, but later it starts getting colder. Nights get colder. At the end of the month there is a change of colors in nature surroundings: leaves get red and yellow. At this time of the year there is a great many of mushrooms and berries.

• September is rich with a diversity of nature colors, red, yellow, and green colors prevail. Usually, the first half of the month is warm but nights are cold. During the second half of September it can be rainy, the temperature can drop to +5C.

Useful tips

Travelling clothes must be comfortable. Please, take clothes you put on for walking and outdoor activities with you.

• Light-toned T-shirts with long sleeves and light pants to protect your skin from spiny plants in Tuvan steppes

• Shorts, T-shirts in light colors

• In May and in September warm sweater or fleece jacket, thermal underwear, gloves, hat

• Cotton socks 2-3 pairs; wool socks in May, late August and September

• Windproof and waterproof jacket / raincoat

• 2 pairs of shoes: a pair of sport shoes (preferably closed) and a pair of waterproof shoes. If you travel in May, the second half of August and September, it is advisable to take good hiking boots for hiking in the taiga in the camp Snow Leopard.

• Hat or cap to protect your head from the sun

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen (in Tuva and Khakassia high solar activity)

• Swimsuit (you might need you in the banya)

• Flashlight, you will need it in the evening at the camps

• Personal hygiene items

• Insurance, incl. against tick-borne encephalitis, if available

• Individual medicines in the presence of chronic diseases

• Cash (for souvenirs, shaman's rituals, sweets, alcohol drinks, other personal expenses).

You can choose from a travel bag, backpack or suitcase, all options are ok. You do not have to carry your luggage over long distances.

You do not need to take with you:

• tents, sleeping bags and other camping equipment

• soap

• toilet paper

• towels (all hotels and camps providetowels, but you can take your own from personal hygiene reasons)

• repellents

Accommodation

Krasnoyarsk hotel 3*

Krasnoyarsk hotel – comfortable location – in the very city center, on the bank of Yenisei river, on the Theater Square, 15 min from the railway station, 50 min from the airport. Accommodation in double or twin rooms – for extra charge single rooms. In every room: WiFi, TV, phone, air-conditioning system, mini-bars, fridge, hair-driers, bathrobe, towels, cosmetic kit, slippers, electric kettle, electronic locks, shower, WC. Additional services: in the hotel building there are many restaurants, cafés, bars, sauna, billiards, hair salon, beauty salon (tanning salon, massage), gift shop, business centre (PC, copy machine etc), conference halls, personal safes, luggage room. Breakfast (buffet) is included.
Address: Krasnoyarsk, Uritskogo str, 94.

Shushenskoe guesthouses

The village Shushenskoe offers you to stay for a night in their wooden guesthouses built in the Ethnographical museum, they are so Siberian typical as the museum itself. Guesthouses were reconstituted with preservation of cultural styles of Angara river area and south of Krasnoyarsk Territory. The realities of peasant life are combined with modern comfort living. Full board with Siberian dishes will be served.
On the territory of museum there are 5 houses, every of them consists of 2-4 rooms, has unique design, its legends, in every house there is a fridge, kettle, tea set. Every room has 2 single beds and private shower, WC, air-conditioning, as well as free Wi-Fi, cosmetic kit, towels, bathrobes and slippers are provided.
Extra services: banya, photographing in national costumes, themed tours.
Address: Krasnoyarsk Region, Shushenskoye village, Novaya str. 1

Yurt camp Biy-Khem

The yurt camp is located 22 km from Kyzyl, on the bank of Yenisei river, and is specially designed for tourists’ accommodation. These are yurts with low door facing the East. There are 2 beds, a cupboard, bedside tables in yurts. At the door you can find a washstand. Electrical heating, electrical outlets. WC and shower are in a special big yurt. Also canteen and bar are situated in a separate yurt.
Extra service: banya, shamans' kamlaniye ritual.
Address: Tuva Republic, Piy-Khem kozhuun, Kara-Khaak settlement

Snow leopard camp

Camp is situated in the taiga in highland district of Khakassia,1250 m above the sea level. Speciality of the camp are Russian bathes on the bank of mountain river.

During the tour the Great Sayan Ring tourists will be accommodated in wooden houses for 1-2 people with a bio-toilet and washstand. There are single, double or bunk beds, a table, a chair, a cupboard and a bedside table. Furnace heating. Please note that the camp is located deep in the taiga, electricity from the generator, so the houses are no outlets for personal use (to avoid overloading the network and fires).
There is also the main hall, upholstered furniture, fireplace, bar, billiards, a café, sports ground for playing volleyball. There is an outdoor shower as well as Russian banya (one visit free of charge for 2 nights stay).
Address: Khakassia Republic, Tashtyp district, Stoktysh area, 301 km from Abakan

Kyug yurt camp 

The yurt camp Kyug is situated near Kuznetsky Alatau on the bank of the river Askiz, on the territory of an ethnographic nature reserve Kazanovka. Abakan city is situated 140 km far from the camp. It consists of 15 wooden yurts, a canteen. There are also shower cabins and bio toilets on the territory of the complex. There are 2 beds, a cupboard, bedside tables in yurts. At the door you can find a washstand. Electrical heating, electrical outlets. Russian traditional cuisine includes local cuisine dishes. 
Address: Khakassia Republic, Askiz district, Kazanovka village.

Asia hotel 4*

Meals

During all the tour you will be offered three meals a day. Weather it is a hotel, yurt complex or picnic in the open air, you will be served with hot food, mineral water, coffee or tea  – they are included in tour price. Alcohol beverages are not included in the price. We can also take into consideration the tourists' preferences in dietary or vegitarian food as far as possible. In order to have it during the tour, you should fill in the questionnarie about pecularities in food and send it to us in advance. In case you don’t complete it, you will be provided with standard European food with elements of national cuisine. Changing of menu during the tour is possible only for extra pay.

The national dishes of Russian, Tuvan, and Khakassian cuisine are essential parts of the program. The traditional dishes of Russian cuisine are thought to be pancakes, rosted and backed pies, meat dumplings, salty cucumbers, beetroot salad, cabbage soup, fruit drinks and many others. The basic food in Khakassia are considered to be meat dishes in winter and diary products in summer. Also an integral part of daily ration in Khakassia is bread, different kinds of soups (ugre) and broths (mun) with boiled meat in it. As for cereals, they prefer soup called “charba ugre’ and barley cereal (koche ugre). Speaking about Tuvan people, they also can’t do without meat and diary products. In fact, they eat mostly meat and all other food is just an addition to it. Various dishes made of meat and flour are quite popular with local people, these are soup with meat and noodles (uzken bydaa), meat dumplings prepared on steam (boozy) and traditional ones (manchy), round fried meat pie (khuzhuury), minced meat with pastry (tyrtykan) and many others.

Moreover, you can find on the table of Tuvan people vodka made of milk (araga), which is made of sour milk, boorzaki – pieces of pastry fried in boiled oil, cakes, which are eaten not with prepared food, but as “individual dish” and soktaan dolgan – ground barley. Also Tuvinian people like blood pudding, green tea with milk (it is drunk with butter or salt). The importance of diary products as well as meat product is very high for these people. They developed different ways of cooking products made of  milk such as – cheese (bashtyk), butter (sarzhag), cream (oreme), koumiss (khymys), kefir (tarak), sour clotted milk (khoitpak), dried cottage cheese – of hard  and crumbly consistence (kurut and aarzhy respectively).

In case the meal preferences were not specified, one will be provided with standard menu. Any altering in meal during the tour is possible only for additional fee.

Security

All vehicles along the route are equipped with first-aid kit and all our guides have been specially trained to do primary medical assistance. Also all our tourists are insured (medical and tick-borne encephalitis insurance). Insurance company is Nadezhda, phone of 24-hour customer service center +7 (812) 325 72 92, +7 800 333 72 92

Mobile phones

On the most part of the tour the cellular network coverage is available. Mobile phones operated by local operators (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2) are working alright. There is no mobile connection in Snow Leopard and in some parts of Tuva and Khakassia (you will be not available since the midday on the day 5 till the midday on the day 7).

Transportation

Our tour is organized by comfortable minivans, minibuses (Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter) or large buses depending on the number of people in the group. The final decision, what kind of bus to coose, is made upon group's formation, usually 10 days before the tour start.  In every bus there is air conditioning system, audio and video system. Each day we cover the distance of approximately 400-450 km. Every 1,5-2 hours we make stops, that's why the journey does not seem very tiresome. There are days included into the program when tourists stay at camps and do not travel by bus. It is forbidden to smoke in buses, stops in some places, preserves. Driving during the night is also forbidden because of the seasonal pasture.

Guide service

We have highly qualified guides working in our company, due to this fact the tours of the company Sayan Ring have become so interesting and fascinating. They say, without a guide any journey, even a short one is nothing more than going some distance, but with a guide it is already travelling. Our guides speak Russian, English or German language. Other languages on request. 
Tipps to our guides and drivers are not included in the tour price.

Ticks and mosquitoes

In Tuva and Khakassia there are not many mosquitoes, but there can be a lot of mosquitoes because of continuous rains, which is a rare phenomenon for Tuva and Khakassia. In alpine region, where the campsite Snow Leopard is located, there are almost no midges and mosquitoes. We recommend tourists to make sure their arms and legs are covered in twilight because mosquitoes are enlivened in the evening time. We provide you anti-mosquitoes repellents.

There are ticks in steppes of Tuva and Khakassia. The territory of yurt camps Biy-Khem and Kyug is treated by the pest control. The area around the Snow Leopard camp has no ticks due to the alpine location. The peak of ticks activity is from May to Middle July. In this period each tourists gets special anty-ticks repellents. The tour price includes also the tick-borne encephalitis insurance. In any case, we recommend everyone to regularly check your cloths, open skin areas, the head. Most often ticks fasten on legs and then crawl up, sucking to the upper body, above the waist.

Souvenirs

In Krasnoyarsk you can buy the paintings of local artists, souvenirs made of stones, bones, ceramics, things of birch bark made by local craftsmen, also you can buy semi precious stones and antiques. Besides that, you can take Siberian vodka, herbal and berry liqueurs, jewelry, handicraft (embroidery, hats and headscarves). In Shushenskoye village there is a wonderful store in a local museum of XIX-XX centuries, where you can purchase postcards, books, things made of ceramics, wood, and glass beads, kitchenware made by regional craftsmen and children as well. As you continue the journey you will be able to buy real cedar nuts, cedar oil, herbs.

In Tuva there is a wide choice of souvenirs, presented at the numerous stores in Kyzyl - items made of 'soapstone' aghalmatolit, Tuvan chess, national dresses, gowns, hats, souvenirs made of wood, metal, amulets, also CD's and tapes with the performers of guttural singing.

In the Snow Leopard camp you can gather herbs yourself (cowberry tree, wild rose, feverfew, coltsfoot), widely used in everyday life of local inhabitants, also you can gather different berries (cowberry, huckleberry, honeysuckle, great bilberry), mushrooms (boletus, orange-cap boletus, brown mushroom, variety of edible mushroom, saffron milk-cap, chanterelle), and of course, cedar cones, Siberians' favorite delicacies.

Khakassiya is rich with ceramic and wooden items, embroidery, various amulets, national instruments, you can buy there CD's and tapes of national folk singers.

Other information

Information with number of telephone of meeting guide and a detailed program of a tour can be provided 7 days before the beginning of a tour. Your insurance policy and booked railway and air tickets you can get from your guide on the first day of the tour.

Guarantees

Sayan Ring is the incoming tour operator in Krasnoyarsk regional, Khakassia and Tuva. The company is in the Federal Register of Tour Operators, according to it our Certificate Number is # PTO 015694, given by Federal Tourist Agency. We are the member of Association of Russian Tourism Companies.

Financial insurance guarantee #194732061 for 1 000 000 rubles is valid from the 20.12.2019 to 19.12.2020.

Enjoy your trip!