The Top 10 Adventure Destinations in Russia

There are people with a spirit of adventure andOymyakon, was ranked by journal "GEO" in
taste for discovery who always dream ofDecember 2007 as one of 50 most exotic trips
challenging the North Pole, the South Pole,of the world. Winter Yakutia - a perfect land for
Everest, etc. These people are true adventurists.the reindeer sledding trips, that will put you
Regardless of your age or preference,through the exotic life of real Siberian nomad.
breathtaking experiences and adventures await5. Altai is second to none in the beauty of its
you all year round in Russia. From the volcanoeslandscapes, and in diversity of its attractions. Deep
and geysers of Kamchatka, through the Siberianin the heart of the Siberian wilderness, covered
taiga to the mineral spas around the Black Seaby impassable taiga forests and high mountain
coast. Russia has the longest rivers, biggestpeaks, Altai is one of the top attractions of the
nature reserves, largest primeval forests, wildestRussian wilderness, and an incredible place for
areas, least visited wilderness, and the highestoutdoor adventures from rafting, hiking and
mountains in Europe lie in the Caucasus range withmountain climbing to fishing, horse-riding and many
Mount Elbrus, overlooking the rest of Europe fromothers. A flowery fragrance of Alpine meadows;
a majestic peak of 29,029 ft. Rafting or skiing,grasses along the icy mountain streams;the
hunting or fishing, jeep safari or snowcat skiing,famous Altai honey;the nomadic stone idols and
heli-ski or paraplane, deer-sledge races and horseRerich's trails; the settlements of the "old
expeditions, diving or helicopter tours, Pole of Coldbelievers", the Siberian shamans. Discover the high
expedition or reindeer nomading in Kolyma, themountain glaciers, where during the summer
adrenalin rush of mountain climbing or thesnowfall is higher than in winter, deserted steppe,
wonders of nature - only you know what you aredense Siberian taiga, meet pastured camels on
capable of. Cooking over an open fire, encountersthe valley floor and gather a basket of ripe
with wildlife, traditional Russian sauna followed by acedar-cones amidst the lofty forests during your
snow bath or a dip in an icy lake will give youhorseback riding tour across the Altai mountains.
memories for a lifetime. If you want trips that6. Caucasus is an alpine country in the
combine a range of activities from biking, hikingsouthernmost edge of the European part of
and rafting to sea kayaking, rock climbing andRussia. The main mountain chain - the Greater
zip-lining, Russia is a place to go! Are you readyCaucasus Range represents a natural border
for your next challenge?between Europe and Asia. Europe's highest
What will your next Russian adventure be? Heresummit - Mount Elbrus (18,510 ft) lies just north
is the top 10 Adventure destinations in Russia.of the main range, several kilometers into Europe.
1. Lake Baikal is the most famous of all natureSouthern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range
wonders of Russia and often referred to as thecome down to the Black Sea. Caucasus is the
pearl of Siberia. It is not only the deepest andland of breathtaking beauty and purity. Its snow
oldest (25 million years) lake of the world, but alsopeaks, pine forests, icy streams and glaciers
an excellent travel destination for those who wantattract thousands of climbers, mountain-skiers,
to spend their holiday in stunning surroundings ofadventurers and nature lovers from all over the
the Siberian wilderness. Lake Baikal offers hotworld.
springs, helicopter tours to remote wilderness7. Karelia is a strikingly beautiful land of "midnight
areas, diving, off-road expeditions, hunting, fishing,sun", the land of white nights. Forests, lakes and
mountain climbing, snowcat skiing, heli-skiing,rivers of Karelia give a perfect opportunity for
rafting...(development of different types of tourism:
2. Kamchatka was discovered by Russianhunting, fishing, safari, rafting, e.t.c.Karelia offers
Cossacks over 3 hundred years ago. However,various tours, during which you will pass historical
even today Russians know very little about it, tomonuments, deserted villages, self-made fords
say nothing about the rest of the world whereand fortifications of World War II.
most people have hardly heard of Kamchatka.This8. The Urals marks the northern part of the
century the airplanes have made Kamchatkaborder between Asian and European sections of
closer to Europe and America though not morethe Eurasian continent. (Away from the "hustle
available.and bustle" of cities and everyday cares - Away!
The Valley of Geysers is the only geyser field inIf you like the scent of campfires and morning
Eurasia (apart from the Mutnovsky geyser field)mists, forests and mountains and are physically
and the second largest concentration of geysershealthy - one of our "classical mountain trekking"
in the world. This 6 km long basin withtours is for you! On our classical trekking tours
approximately ninety geysers and many hotwe visit the most beautiful and attractive places in
springs is situated on the Kamchatka Peninsula inthe Urals. Mountain lakes and meadows, scenic
the Russian Far East, predominantly on the leftrocks, coniferous and mixed taiga, rocky rivers
bank of the ever-deepening Geysernaya River,and streams, night bonfire - it is impossible to
into which geothermal waters flow from aforget! The Urals is also famous for its
relatively young strato-volcano, Kikhpinych. It isarcheological findings in Arkaim. Archeologists
part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which, inassume that it is the place where horse was
turn, is incorporated into the World Heritage Sitetamed for the first time, the first battle
"Volcanoes of Kamchatka". Kamchatka is probablytwo-wheel wagon was invented, the first
the only place where the saying "Bears walk onmetallurgic furnace was found, one of the most
the streets of Russia" is true...ancient civilizations appeared.
3. Chukotka is the easternmost region of Russia9. Sayany is a large mountainous country with the
and of the whole Eurasian landmass. It is washedhighest mountain ranges of Eastern Siberia. It
by waters of two oceans - the Arctic and theconsists of two large parts - the Eastern Sayan
Pacific. A half of the territory lies beyond theand the Western Sayan. Virgin Southern taiga
Polar Circle. Almost the whole area is occupiedwith lush vegetation, wonderful scenery with
with tundra. Coasts are reach of scenic bays, fullmountain rivers, waterfalls and lakes attract and
of sea birds and mammals. Aborigine peoples -stagger tourists. It mostly presents an endless
the Chukchis, the Eskimos (the Siberian Yupik) andsteppe almost without footprints of modern
other small local nationalities are mostly engaged incivilization, which grants space scenery with sharp
reindeer breeding or in hunting for sea mammals.crests of remote mountains. Tuva is full of
Chukotka is still a restricted region of Russia thatarcheological memorials of different centuries.
has had limited contact with the rest of the world.Tourists can also deep into local ethnography:
Every tourist, a Russian or a foreigner, must havelifestyle of Russian old-believers, shaman
a special permission to enter Chukotka. Fewceremonies, throat singing, opportunity to live in a
visitors and extremely low density of localreal Tuvan yurt and to imagine yourself an
population help to preserve unique landscapes,ancient nomad.
flora and fauna of the region.10. Primorye is the far south-eastern edge of
4. Yakutia or the Republic of Sakha occupiesRussia, washed with waters of the warm Japan
most of the North-Eastern Siberia. Yakutia is theSea. Particular geographical position at the border
land of countless rivers and lakes, hundreds ofof Eurasian continent and the Pacific Ocean grants
glaciers and ice crusts. More than 40% of theunique nature and climate to this region. The most
territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle. The Pole ofpart of the territory is occupied by the
Cold for the Northern Hemisphere is situated inSikhote-Alin mountains, covered with virgin taiga.
Yakutia. The Polar Nights in winter begin on theThis is a great natural arboretum, which contains
territory which is above the Arctic Circle. Someone the richest and most unusual temperate
nights are lit up by the Aurora Borealis, the naturalforests of the world. In this mixed zone between
phenomenon that can only be observed along thetaiga and subtropics southern species such as
latitudes occupied by this territory. In summerAmur tiger and Himalayan bear cohabit with
time the Polar Days begin. A day can last up tonorthern species such as brown bear and lynx.
20 hours along the latitude of Yakutsk, whileThe sea coast attracts with beautiful exotic
farther North, the Sun never drops below thesceneries of bays and uninhabited isles, very
horizon. Expedition to the Pole of Cold,reach of underwater life.