Yenisei river cruise (8 days/7 nights, period June-September) route goes along territory of Krasnoyarsk region.

Region

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 the Kara sea and Laptev sea. The population of the region is about 2,8 million people.

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.

Yeniseysk is one of the most ancient Siberian towns. The town's past is closely connected to the history of Eastern Siberia's and Russia's uniting. Yeniseysk was founded in 1619 by Cossacks as a military fortress on the left bank of the river Yenisei. During 150 years this town was the main gates to the Eastern Siberia and "the father" of all Siberian towns. In 2019 Yeniseysk will celebrate its 400 anniversary. But the town still impresses everyone with its old architectural look. There are more than 110 objects of cultural inheritance on the territory of Yeniseysk. Approximately 30 of them are Russian inheritance.

Dudinka town and its surroundings include Kheta River basin which is a tributary of the Khatanga River and south forest-tundra on both banks of the Yenisei river, where the biggest Russian sea and river port is located (Port of Dudinka).

Docks there have a depth of 8-12 meters which allows to serve ships with a weight-carrying capacity of 17 thousands tons. Summer navigation period continues from June 15 to October 20, winter navigation is provided by icebreaking ships which convoy transport vessels through the ice. The port has 23 river piers, 9 sea piers and 8 piers of high water with pass-through function of 25 thousand tons per day.

7% of Dudinka citizens are indigenous people from the North – dolgans, nganasans, nenets people, evenk people, enets people etc. Spring fishing for candle fish is a fascinating deal of local people, because soft-salted, sun-dried or smoke cured candle fish is a best present to friends and relatives who live on the Big Land. In summer fishers usually fish out vendace, nelma, luce, dog-fish, sturgeon. In tundra which surrounds Dudinka only edible mushrooms grow (because of the climate), exotic fen-berry and arctic raspberry.

The tour starts in the northern city of Krasnoyarsk territory – Norilsk. This is a city of contrasts: in summer the sun never sets, in 2 winter months it doesn’t rise at all. Advanced local airport Alykel looks weird in the middle of northern tundra. Milky light of sleepy sun is diluted by the colors of new Norilsk buildings, which are the creations of young architects of the city.

Together with satellite towns Talnakh and Kayerkan the population of Norilsk city (the biggest city of the Subarctic) is 176 thousands people. The first citizens of Norilsk were geologists and prisoners of Norillag (Norilsk Corrective Labor Camp), whose labor was used in mines, roads and housing construction as well as for ore and coal production, and quarry development.

A vast territory covered with tundra lies right behind the city. The name of the city comes from the name of the river Norilka, which connects Melkoye and Pyasino lakes. From the bridge across the river you can see an amazing landscape: far bald mountains, small lakes, forest with white birches. 

Norilsk is famous today thanks to the huge Nickel mining and smelting company. 

Time difference with Moscow +4 hours, distance  - 3000 km far from Moscow.

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 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 of Krasnoyarsk will wait for arriving tourists after your flight you will be met by the representative of the company, who will help you with everything you have problems with.

Tourists arriving or leaving at different time could get a transfer by a car for 45 euro in Krasnoyarsk. 

Weather

The climate in northern and central parts of Krasnoyarsk territory have big difference.

Norilsk and Dudinka:

Average temperature in July and August – +5-8 С. The maximum +17 С. This time Norilsk has Polar Day.

Yeniseysk and Krasnoyarsk:

• 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. Make sure you have taken warm sweater, warm socks, and waterproof shoes and jackets with you to feel comfortable during cool evenings; 2 pairs of footwear: a pair of light sports trainers and waterproof footwear. Sunglasses, sun cream will be helpful to defend yourself from high sunburn activity. Also one should posses a hat or cap to avoid sunstroke, mosquito headnet, repellent sprays. Warm gloves are recommended.

It’s necessary to take with you an agreement, confirming the purchase of the tour, insurance policy, medicine for individual needs.

Accommodation

Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk Hotel 3* (1 night)

Krasnoyarsk hotel – comfortable location – in the very city centre, on the Yenisei river - it takes several minutes to get to the office and business parts of the city, shops and leisure centers. 249 comfortable rooms are ready for you, among them are deluxe, superior rooms, studios and apartments. There is a shower, telephone and TV in every room. If you are on a business trip it is possible to accommodate you with a PC and other technique in the room you have chosen. There is a sauna with a small swimming pool and billiard you can use. You can create your own world of rest and bliss here. Delicious food will be delivered from the café at your request, massage will help you to take your fatigue away, contrasting water of the swimming pool will recover your cheerfulness and fill you with fresh energy.

Address: Krasnoyarsk, 94 Uritskogo str.

On ship board (3 nights)

Boarding a three-decked ship Valery Chkalov (project № 588, built 1955). Please note, ships are not touristic, they are normal regular passenger ships. During river cruise you will be accommodated on board in cabins of 1 class (1 or 2 sofas, wardrobe, wash-basin). Shower and toilet cabins are located on decks. There are two restaurants, reading and music room, bar. Throughout the voyage on the ship’s radio there is travel information.

Dudinka

Viktoria hotel 2* (2 nights)

It is a simple but cozy hotel which is situated 5 minutes walking from the embankment, from where you can see a magnificent view of the Yenisei. All rooms are equipped with everything necessary. The staff guarantees comfort and attentive attitude towards the guests. Extra facilities: a café, a restaurant, a sauna, billiards, laundry and safe. Overnight in single rooms.

Address: 14a, Matrosova str., Dudinka

Norilsk

Talnakh hotel 3* (1 night)

Talnakh Hotel is a modern hotel combining conditions for business and good relax. Room interior combines modern functionality and practicality for a comfortable stay. All rooms are equipped with electronic locks system and advanced fire protection. Room Service 24 hours. Overnight in twin rooms with 2 single beds (90x130) or with 1 double room with a big bed (150x180) - for extra supplement. Every room has TV-set, phone, safe, mini bar or fridge, modern bathroom, shower, hair dryer. Totally there are 48 rooms. Extra facilities: restaurant with Arctic cuisine, lobby bar, billiard, sauna, fitness hall, free WiFi.

Address: Pervoprohodtsev str, 15, Talnakh district, Norilsk city.

Meals

During all the tour you will be offered three meals a day. Weather it is a hotel, pension, board restaurant or picnic in the open air, you will be served with hot food, mineral water, coffee and 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.

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. 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 route

In cities like Norilsk, Dudinka, Yeniseysk and Krasnoyarsk the cellular network coverage is available. Mobile phones operated by local operators (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2) are working alright. On the most part of the route (on the river, from Dudinka to Yeniseysk, from the day 3 till the day 7) there is no mobile connection.

Transportation terms

Comfortable buses and minivans (for small groups) with air conditioner service in all the programs of the company. In every bus there is an audio system. During the tour there are several stops, rest, and walks. It is forbidden to smoke in buses, restaurants, hotels.

Guide services

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.

Ticks and mosquitoes

In the north of Krasnoyarsk territory and Yenissei along there are many mosquitoes, so please take repellents, mosquito headnets and closed clothes.

Ticks were not caught yet. But ticks are active in Krasnoyarsk until mid-July, you should be attentive and regularly checked.

Other information

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

Guarantees

Sayan Ring is the incoming tour operator  in Krasnoyarsk region, Khakassia and Tuva. The company is in the Federal Register of Tour Operators, according to it our Certificate Number is # РТО 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!