HORSEBACK RIDING IN BURYATIA

12 Days / 11 Nights
From mid-June to mid August.
From 1 to 6 clients. Any age.

The East Sayan Mountains is relatively young, rocky mountain system covering vast territory from Altay Mountains throughout Tuva Republic to Russia-Mongolian frontier and Lake Baikal. The heart of these land - Oka valley, 240 km long, hidden in the center of Sayan Mountains, separated from the nearest railway station with more then 400 km of taiga forest, swift rivers, high mountain passes.
Thirty years ago the Oka valley was virtually untouched by civilization, so Russian geographers and geologists had to organize a charter biplane flights or a long horse trip to get there. But the fame of that outstandingly beautiful country with people and culture survived throughout centuries excited the adventure seekers. A dirt road, built 15 years ago, opened the access to the region, but still there is no single industrial plant in the area.
Now the western part of Buryat Republic with the center in Orlick settlement is getting very popular among Russian and foreign outdoor enthusiasts. Many natural attractions keep high interest to this magnificent land. Trekkers come to enjoy the uninhabited mountain valleys and extinct volcanoes, relax at thermal baths, climb unknown summits, white-water funs appreciate tough rapids of Oka river combined with picturesque views and good fishing. Horseback riders, fishermen, bikers are developing new routes around Orlick.
Our ten days horseback tour in surroundings of Orlick will give you a perfect chance to experience the endless expanses of Siberian taiga forest, camp in the wildness, ride a small Buryat horse, see the way that Buryats use to live through centuries.

The first day tourists drive to Lake Baikal, stop at the viewpoint over the southwest extremity of the world's deepest lake, drives up the Tunka to the vast Okinskoe Plato (2200m), called a small Tibet, and further to Orlick along the Oka, which grows from a small spring to the great river.
In Orlick they meet local guide and have traditional dinner. Next morning tourists pack their bags and start up the Sentsa river valley. On the other day they come to Khoyto-Gol spa. Situated on the slope of the hill in spruce and cedar tree forest, mineral bathes of 33oC makes a body feel relaxed and muscles resilience. The other day the group takes an easy round trip through taiga forest to Shutkhulaysky source to taste ferrous water with slight sulfur smell.
After a day rest another famous spot is visited. Riding horses up the Dunda-Gol river with many lakes, tourists cross the Zhoigan-Daban pass (1935m over sea level) and get to one of the most wild and spectacular corners of Tuva Republic - Zhoigan spa. At territory of less then one acre there are about thirty sources with mineral water of different contains and temperature varies from 18 to 40 oC. Rising more then 3000 m. high snow capped massif of Peak Topographer surrounds the place.
Next day the group returns to Khoiyto-Gol. At the final stage of the rout the track leads travelers northeast through the labyrinth of gorges to the Volcano Valley. Two ancient volcano craters located close to each other are easily recognized at immense of the lava fields. After observing the volcanoes tourists get down the Zhombolok - narrow green-water river. After Zhombolok joins the Oka near the Sayany settlement, tourists turn their horses up the valley to reach Orlick.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival to Irkutsk, trsf to HTL. City tour 1 hour, observation tour of Lake Baikal 5-6 hrs.
Day 2: Driving to Lake Baikal, then via the Tunka valley to Okinsky pass and down to Orlick (1600m)
Day 3-4: Beginning of horseback trip up the Senca valley. Arrival to Khoyto-Gol spa.
Day 5: A day trip to Shutkhulaysky mineral spring.
Day 6-7: Radial trip to Tuva Republic, visit the Zhoygan spa.Sightseeing. Coming back to Khoyto-Gol.
Day 8-10: Visiting the Kropotkin volcano through the lava fields, riding down the Zhombolok river to Sayany settlement and further to Orlick.
Day 11: Return to Irkutsk.
Day 12: Breakfast, transfer to station / airport.