Hot
breathing of Sayan mountains
Being so remote and difficult to access,
this "spa" has retained its natural appearence. The
way to the springs is through mountain pass Shumakskii (2850 asl),
along rivers abundant with canyons and waterfalls. On the way
you will see magnificent scenery of Tunkinskaya valley and the
East Sayan. Shumak hot springs are surrounded by mountain ridges,
and are evidence to their volcanic origin .There are more
then 70 different mineral springs, some of them are furhished
so that people can take a bath, others are only for drinking.
There are some cabins, banya, and Buddhist church, so you stay
there will be both comfortable and interesting.
After the trekking you will take a rest
in Enchaluk camping on the Lake Baikal - a good place for hiking,
horse riding, canoeing etc. In the end of this 12-days trip you
will visit Ulan Ude and Ivolginsky Datzan - center of Buddhism
in Russia.
Season June to September
Duration 12 days
Route Irkutsk - Nilova pustyn village - Shumak springs
- Sludyanka - Enhaluk canping- Ulan Ude
Weather : daytime+ 25 +35 С, after sunset +15 +25 С, in
the mountains in may be colder at night, it may raining or even
showing.
Accommodation during trekking - comfortable tents, on the
Lake Baikal - wooden cottages, in Ulan-Ude - hotel
Тransfort minivan, train
Group: 6 - 10 people plus Wild Russia tour leader and local
guides
Grade of difficulty easy - suitable for ages 12 to 70
Guides: local support team and Wild Russia tour
leader
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival
to Irkutsk, short sightseeing tour, transfer to Tunkinsii National
Park (5-6 hours drive). In Nilova Pustyn village we will visit
local datzan (Buddhist church) and mineral springs in the valley
of Ihe-Uhgun river. There the trekking starts: after an hour of
trekking you arrive at Khubuty river and stay there overnight.
Day 2. Trekking
15 km (6 hours) to Khubuty lakes, luggage is carried over by packhorses.
Day 3. Crossing
Ikhe-Ger river, trekking through alpine meadows, ascent to Shumakskii
mountain pass – the highest one in Eastern Sayan (2850 m asl).
A view from the pass is worth bringing the heaviest photo camera
– the Shumak river valley with its numerous canyons and mountain
lakes. Descent to the forest zone. Overnight in tents beside picturesque
40-metres waterfall.
Day 4. Trekking
to Shumak hot springs (10 km, 4 hours) along Shumak river. Free
time for rest and exploring the springs.
Day 5. Trekking
down the Shumak river valley to Huhain Hada place that is considered
as a sacred place by local people.
Day 6. After
lunch trekking back to springs.
Day 7. Trekking
back trough mountain pass.
Day 8. Afternoon
arrive in Nilova Pustyn. Transfer by minivan to the Lake Baikal.
Night transfer to Ulan-Ude by train.
Day 9. Arrival
in Ulan-Ude. Transfer to Enhaluk camping. Free time for rest and
explore Lake Baikal coastline. Overnight in cottages.
Day 10. Stay
in Enhaluk camping. Optionally: horse riding, canoeing, hiking.
Day 11. Morning
transfer to Ulan Ude. Check in in hotel. Guided city sightseeing.
Excursion to local folklore village. Transfer (40 km) and guided
excursion to Ivolginsky Datzan – center of Buddhism in Russia.
Free time. Dinner: traditional Buryat cuisine. Overnight in the
hotel.
Day 12. Transfer
to the airport.
Price of the tour
2 pax $1690 per person
4 pax $1160 per person
6 pax $980 per person
The price includes:
- Accommodation in hotels B&B
- Full board during trekking and camping, breakfasts in Ulan-Ude,
dinner in Buryat cuisine restaurant
- All transfers according to the itinerary
- Packhorses
- All excursions according to the itinerary
- Permits to national parks
- Tent and other equipment rent
- Local guides and Wil Russia tour leader
The price does not
include:
- Domestic flight airfare
- Over luggage if any
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Medical insurance
Note: the program
is indi\cative only and may be customized according to your preferences