Sunny Buryatia by Tanya Rashepkina

Sunny

Buryatia

Ulan-Ude, 2013

Buryatia

a sunny country at the junction of the worlds Buryatia is perhaps one of the most and snow-covered peaks of the mountains. attractive regions of Russia. Winter in Buryatia is the perfect season for The Republic of Buryatia is situated on the active and extreme sports. There are good shores of the deepest lake in the world - conditions for practicing free ride, skiing, Lake Baikal. The territory of Buryatia is rich skiing on snow-scooter, dog sledding. in thermal springs, the beautiful scenery, In spring, extremals still continue to virgin taiga. conquer the slopes, at the same time the Recreation in Buryatia is good at any time season of ice fishing is in full swing. Autumn of the year. In summer, they are available is perfectly suited for the treatment and active, hiking, rafting, mountaineering rehabilitation on the health resorts, for relaxing rest, hiking, the contemplation tours, cruises around Lake Baikal. of nature, which gives to the guests In winter, your way will be lit by the bright magnificent colors, fresh air and new sun, you will see the vast expanse of the feelings. Baikal ice with quaint natural sculptures Project curator: Vyacheslav Dmitriev, www.baikaltravel.ru

Photo:

Texts, layout, design:

Vyacheslav Urbazaev, Alexey Shevelev,

Visiting-information center

Vyacheslav Dmitriev, photos from archives of the Republican agency for tourism

â&#x20AC;&#x153;VisitBuryatiaâ&#x20AC;?, www.visitburyatia.ru

they are the highway M-55 «Baikal» from Moscow to Vladivostok and A-165, UlanUde-Kyakhta-Mongolia, and the highway A-164 Slyudyanka-Orlik that goes through Mondy to the border with Mongolia to Lake Khubsugul. The highways have enough gas stations and roadside services.

How to get to The Republic of Buryatia is the region of the Russian Federation, it is a part of the Siberian Federal District. Ulan-Ude is an administrative and economic and cultural center of the republic. The distance from Ulan-Ude to Moscow is 5519 km by rail way, 3,500 kilometers to the Pacific Ocean, 130 km to Lake Baikal.

International airport «Baikal» is situated 15 kilometers from the city center or a 20-minute drive away. You can get from the airport to the city center by public transport, using route buses: № 28, № 55, № 77. Travel time is 20 minutes.

The Republic of Buryatia is situated in the southern part of Eastern Siberia, to the south and east from Lake Baikal. It borders on with Mongolia, Tyva, Irkutsky and Zbaikalsky regions. According to the solar days in a year, Buryatia is comparable to the Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia. That’s why Buryatia is often called “Sunny Buryatia”.

By train

By plane There is a direct flight From Moscow to UlanUde by air companies: «Aeroflot», “S7”, “VIMAVIA” «Transaero» and «Yakutia». Travel time is 5-6 hours.

The distance from Ulan-Ude to Moscow is 5519 km by rail way. It takes 4 days. The railway station is 2 km away from the city center, or a 5-minute drive away. You can get from the railway station to the city center by public transport, using route buses: № 4, № 23, № 36, № 63.

By car The total length of roads in Buryatia is more than 14 thousand km. Twol federal highways go through the Republic of Buryatia:

You can go by comfortable buses from the railway station of Ulan-Ude to Chita, Aginsky Buryatsky district, Ust-Orda (Ust-Orda Buryat Autonomous district), Arshan, Kyren, to the recreation centeres on Lake Baikal: Sukhaya, Enkhaluk, Baikalsky Priboy, Kultushnaya. From the bus station of Ulan-Ude interurban minibuses depart to directions: Arshan, Barguzin,Bichura, Goryachinsk, Gremyachinsk, Gusinoozersk, Zagan, Zakamensk, Irkutsk, Kudara, Kultushnaya, Kurumkan, Kyren, Kyakhta Mukhorshibir, Orlik, Posolsk, Potanino, Romanovka, Ust -Barguzin, Ust-Orda (through Irkutsk), Khorinsk, Schuchje (Pike) Lake. International automibile passenger crossings - Kyakhta-Altan Bulag and MondyKhanh. Work schedule «Kyakhta - Altanbulag»: from 9:00 to 19:30 every day, lunch break from 13.00 to 14.00 Work schedule «Mondy - Hanh»: in the summer from 15th of April till 15th of September - from 10.00 to 18.00, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, in winter from 10.00 to 17.00

Information background: Almost all hotels, restaurants, shops accept payment by cards of Visa and MasterCard. Currency can be exchanged in a hotel and in exchange offices, which there are enough in the city and they are located conveniently for tourists. All sights of Buryatia you can see on the map on the website of the Republican Information Centre «VizitBuryatia»: http:// www.visitburyatia.ru/map/

3. Buryatia is a «green area» Buryatia is a place where anyone can feel a connection with nature and can back to its roots .People of the Republic of Buryatia and its guests appreciate, first of all: clean air, healing springs and mineral water, ecologically clean products, produced on the Buryat land, unique flora and fauna, a symbiosis of traditional and alternative medicine. But the most important thing is hospitable and friendly people, who worship ageold traditions and are happy to receive guests on their native land.

10 reasons to visit Buryatia

1. Lake Baikal is the purest lake in the world The Baikal is a unique place, like this, there is not on the Earth. Hundreds of legends and stories are connected with the Baikal. The local people treat to its magnificence with great respect and awe. Nature of the lake is so beautiful, that charms anyone. The water of Lake Baikal is unique, as the lake itself. It is unusually limpid, pure and full of oxygen. Some years ago the water of Lake Baikal was considered to be healing, and with its help, people treated the disease.

4. The sights of the capital city of Buryatia - Ulan-Ude Ulan-Ude is the capital city and the centre of the Republic of Buryatia. This is one of the oldest and largest cities of Siberia and the Far East. On the main square of the city it rises the monument to Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, that represents a huge head of a great leader that is made of bronze with the height of 7.5 meters and with the weight 42 tones. This monument is listed in the Guinness Book of Records and its dimensions are impressive.

about more 110 different nationalities. That is why it is quite a unique place located at the junction of the East and the West with mixed cultures. The Republic of Buryatia is located at the crossroads of the routes linking Russia with countries of Asia, first of all with Mongolia and China. Once here there was the Great Tea Road.

6. Unique flora and fauna of lake Baikal The diversity of the organic world of the lake Baikal impresses imagination, but not less than its originality. Many plants and animals that inhabited the lake can be find only in the Baikal. Lake Baikal is home for 848 species of endemic animals (about 60%) and 133 species of endemic plants (15%). Not any other lake can boast of such number of endemic species.

7. Event tourism

Burayt people have a lot of national holidays, but only two of them are the most widely and commonly celebrated. The first is the traditional New Year according to the eastern lunar calendar - Sagaalgan, that means in translation «White month». The second holiday is 5. At the intersection of East and Surharban, cultural and sports festival, during it the participants compete in West three types of sport: archery, Buryat Buryatia is the region, where they live wrestling, horse racing.

2. Buryatia - the center of Buddhism in Russia Buddhism in Buryatia is one of the treasures of the world culture. It was spread in Buryatia several centuries ago and since that times it underwent several stages of development. Today, Buryatia is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. There are Buddhist temples (datsans) in all regions of the republic. The most famous of them - the Ivolginsky datsan (the center of Buddhism in Russia), the Tamchinsky datsan (one of the most ancient) and the Atsagatsky datsan.

Lake Baikal

8. National cuisine It is enough only the national cuisine to come to Buryatia and fall in love with it. The main component of the national Buryat cuisine is meat dishes. Along with a variety of sausages, Buryat cuisine is famous for such dishes as “buuzy”, “Buhler” (beef broth), “ubsun”, “khirmasa”, “hiime”, “khushuur”, “oreomog”, “shulen”, “Salamat”. In addition to the Buryat cuisine, there is such a variety of national cuisine as Baikal cuisine, where the main dish is omul, dishes which will satisfy even the most sophisticated gourmet.

the heritage of UNESCO

varieties of plants and animals inhabiting the lake, 3/4 are endemic. Among the endemics, such elements of the lake ecosystem, as crayfish- epischura, which plays an exceptionally important role in the circulation of substances in lake Baikal. Consuming planktonic algae, it is able to absorb the bacteria and ensure the purity of the Baikal water. Other endemics: the Baikal omul and the Nerpa (the Baikal seal), viviparous fish - golomyanka Lake Baikal is one of and a number of rare forms of aquatic the largest objects invertebrate. of the World Natural The reat value is the natural surroundings Heritage. On the 5th of lake Baikal: flora of the coastal zone is of December,1996 represented by more than 800 species the Committee of of higher plants, 50 species of mammals, UNESCO awarded to lake Baikal the status 250 species of birds. of the World Heritage Site, in Merida.

9. Extreme tourism Buryatia is a Paradise for young people who like extreme sports and attractions. Here, there is everything: mountainous relief for mountain biking, convenient slopes for skiing, snowboarding, asphalt roads, the rose of the winds for kiting and paragliding. And that’s not all. A lot of men are dreaming to get to Lake Baikal not only because of its incredible beauty but also because it is an excellent place for hunting and fishing. Fishing on Lake Baikal is not just a way to spend the time , it is the brand of our region.

10. Buryatia - this is a sunny country The first thing that the tourists notice is an abundance of sunlight. The sun shines here 320 days of the year, charging with positive and good mood! Even in frosts, when the temperature is 40 degrees below zero, the blue and boundless sky lights up with a bright glow of the friendly Buryat Sun. That’s why, the most beautiful and cheerful people live in our city. We are waiting for you in the hospitable Buryatia!

To be included in the List, a natural site must meet at least one of the four requirements, Lake Baikal satisfies all four. This is the oldest freshwater ecosystem of our planet, according to the different estimations it is 25 million years. The Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. Its deepest point is 1620 m. And according to its total size, Lake Baikal is largest lake in the world. Its length is 636 km, the water surface covers the area of 3,15 million hectares (6-surface largest lake in the world). Lake Baikal contains approximately 20% of the world’s fresh water stock. reserves. The water of the lake has incredible transparency, it is up to 40 meters. The ecosystem of the lake is unique: among several thousands of species and

Baikal nature. Together we listen to legends and tales from our storyteller sitting around the bonfire.

5-th Day Today we return to Ulan-Ude. You have a chance to rest before your departure.

6-th Day Transfer to the airport/railway station.

Tour price: from 1100 euro per person shaman Rock

Shaman tour

(6 days)

The price includes: • Transfers • Excursions • Accommodation 5 days • Full board • Support of the guide translator • Invitation for visa The price does not include:

During our esoteric tour to Buryat shamans, you’ll get acquainted with places of worship, the philosophy and practice of shamanism in Buryatia.

the New Bryan village (85 km. from the town). You get to know with popular Buryat rites and interesting information about shamans.

Shaman rock is located in a beautiful Shamanism is based on natural area; its natural beauty will make you phenomena. This is one of the oldest religions of humankind. Shamans cherish forget about the existence of time! their customs and rituals. This tour is purposed to help to modern human to 3-rd day understand his role in the World and Today you have a chance to see and to discover new aspects of nature. take part in shamanic ritual dedicated to the spirits of nature.

• Visa • Flight/transit to Ulan-Ude • All personal expenses are not mentioned in the program Season: Summer The optimal number of people: From 6 to 12

Tour operator in Buryatia “Absolut” Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia tel.:+7 (3012) 55 97 70 e-mail: abs.tour@mail.ru www.absolut-baikal.com skype: absolut 20131 ISQ: 474437044 shamanic Ritual

1-st day

Early in the morning you arrive in sunny Ulan-Ude. After taking a rest in the hotel, you get acquainted with our hospitable town.

2-nd day After breakfast, you are invited to visit

4-th Day Today we go to the Lake Baikal. On the way to Lake Baikal you will learn the story about traditions and customs of the local people. There you can take a rest in comfortable guest houses. Also you can take a walk by boat or just enjoy

Recreation

at the Baikal in winter and summer Beach recreation on Lake Baikal attracts hundreds of tourists every summer. At your desire you can find the wild beach and spend your holidays by savage, or you can stay in a hotel. The most popular beaches on lake Baikal are sandy beaches. They are located in the bays, where the water warms up faster: Posolsky Sor, Goryachinsk, Maksimikha, also people choose another places for the rest: Gremyachinsk, Enkhaluk, Sukhaya. Beaches of the Northern Baikal fascinate people with their beauty, you can reach them only by boat. The Chivyrkuisky Bay attracts more and more tourists, in spite of the fact that there is no guest houses there. This place is known not only among tourists, but also among fishermen. As you know, fishing on Lake Baikal can win any heart, even if it does not belong to a freat fan of this type of leisure. There are about 58 species of fish in lake Baikal, but the main interest for fishermen in the summer time are omul, grayling, pike, perch and soroga. Usually, fishermen come to the shallow warm bays. A favorite place for fishing is the Chivyrkuisky Bay. People say that

the fishing here is much more interesting and exciting than in other places. You can fish on Lake Baikal by different ways: fishing networks, fishing rods, fishing from a boat or a pier, everyone chooses what he likes. Winter fishing on Lake Baikal is a great opportunity not only to relax, but also to enjoy with a rich fish catch of the deepest lake in the world. Lake Baikal freezes for a month from the 21st of December to the 16th of January, after that it starts the winter fishing on the Baikal. Ice fishing on Lake Baikal is an opportunity to catch a representative of one of the fifty species of fish. They are grayling, lenok, omul, taimen, dace, perch, pike, soroga, burbot, gobies,yaz, grayling and others. You will like ice fishing on lake Baikal even if it was not interesting for you before as a hobby.

Hunting Hunting attracts in Buryatia a lot of tourists as fishing. Here, the hunters have the opportunity to get the manchurian deer, roe deer, wild boar, bear, black grouse, wood grouse. Hunting takes place mainly in Bichursky, Zaigraevsky and Pribaikalsky districts. Hunting on different animals is available in different time of the year. So, the hunting on the wild boar is possible, for example, from August until the end of December, and on the wood grouse and black grouse only in the end of April. Usually, a group of several people are hunting during 5th days. In this time, the hunters live in the square log houses, called ÂŤwinter hutÂť, that are located in the deep forest, far from the traffic ways.

Cruises on Lake Baikal People say that if you really want to see Lake Baikal, you should do it not only from the shore of the lake. Because of the kilometers impassable taiga and rocks, you can get to the most beautiful places of the Baikal only by boat or on foot. That’s why, Lake Baikal cruises has become so popular, they allow tourists to see the beauty, untouched by civilization.

Turka Port

There are different types of tours’ programs. There is also the opportunity to rent and to plan your own trip. Anyway, the main destinations of cruises usually are: the village Davsha, «Khakusy», towns - Nizhneangarsk, Severobaikalsk. Also, ships approach the shore in Gremyachinsk, Turka, Chivyrkuisky Bay, Zmeinnaya Bay (Snake Bay) and Svyatoi Nos (Holy Nose) peninsular. The trip includes a visit of the Baikal islands with caves, watching nesting Baikal birds, Baikal seal rookeries. Some tours combine the Irkutsk Region and Buryatia, starting in one region and ending in another.

The port in Turka village became the first creation area of a special economic zone «Baikal harbor» in the Republic of Buryatia. It will become one of the main centers of boating and the first modern port on the eastern coast of Lake Baikal. In addition to the port, in Turka, there will be built other facilities: cottage settlement, yacht club, slipways, a lighthouse, an adjustable foot bridge, administrative and business center with the hotel complex «Fishing Village», a sports center, a camp for 60 cars, a spa - and wellness centers. Already there is an operating hotel and built promenade.

the year. When it is a full moon night, the turtle comes alive for one night.

Waterfalls of the Kyngarga river

The Sleeping lion Mountain

Unique natural sights of Buryatia

Waterfalls of the Kyngarga river Stone «Turtle» It is a natural sculpture, which shape reminds a turtle with reminding tortoise with an outstretched neck, The stone attracts the attention of all guests who come to lake Baikal. It is located on the northern part of Turka village, several meters away from the shore of Lake Baikal and it is surrounded by water. They say that in Spring when it is a full moon, the turtle comes to life. According to the legend, many centuries ago, big turtle lived in the depths of Lake Baikal. It protected her magic white pearl, fencing Lake Baikal from the Black shaman. When the Black shaman gathered together all the dark forces in the Pearl of darkness, Turtle hid the White pearl in the depths of the lake. And all underwater inhabitants took refuge there, and the Turtle left on the shore to protect them.

Stone «Turtle»

Near the village of Tarbagatai It is located the “Sleeping lion” Mountain («Omulevaya»). It is a unique natural monument and one of the sacred places of Buryatia for Buddhists. The outlines of the mountains look like a sleeping lion. Lion’s head with a shaggy mane lies on its paws. You can see it’s strong spine and a round that looks like lion’s tail. Here it is opened a very picturesque panorama of the valley of the Selenga river and the surrounding mountains. Some meters from the «Sleeping lion» Mountain there is a monument of history that is situated on the way of the Archpriest Avvakum. This monument was established in June, 2007, in honor of the 250th anniversary of mass settling of Old Believers in Transbaikalia.

A group of waterfalls is located in the canyon of the Kyngarga river, near Arshan village. Waterfalls attract tourists attention with its beauty and the highest of them have a drop of water about 7 meters height. The river has on its way the number of rapids and the two beautiful waterfalls of free fall. One of them is

6 meters height, the other - 5 meters height. Tourists especially like the first waterfall. It is located 1,5 kilometers from the Arshan resort. The second waterfall is a wide cascade from several rocky steps with 3 meters high. There are 12 small waterfalls that are situated higher from the first one. You can get to them by a path along the river, it is about 11 kilometers.

The Sleeping lion Mountain

The Turtle appeared in front of its enemy in the image of beautiful Angara and it hit with a dagger, hardened in the waters of lake Baikal. The enemy was defeated, and the Turtle got the black pearl. The turtle went into the water, broke the black pearl about the underwater stones and at the same time it turned into the stone. Till nowadays it stands at the shore of Lake Baikal. The good forces have given it one spring night in

Tours all over Buryatia We offer you to discover for yourself Buryatia and Lake Baikal. The Republic of Buryatia is located in the center of Eurasia. Our hospitable and sunny republic, situated at Lake Baikal, is the best place for rest, healing, traveling, successful business. Here, there is a great relaxed atmosphere of harmony of the man with nature. Buryatia is one of the leaders of the russian and world tourism market of impressions: the ethno-cultural and ecological tourism, active tourism, extreme sports, family rest. Who have visited once Lake Baikal, certainly you would like to come back here again and again. This is the world of the perfect purity, breathtaking sceneries, almost virgin nature and unforgettable We invite you to spend an unforgettable impressions! vacation in Buryatia: Baikal is a great lake - the deepest, the • Tours all over Buryatia most ancient and the largest reservoir • Tours to Lake Baikal of fresh water, and the surrounding territories save the unique flora and • Religious tours • Ethnographic tours - tour to Old Believers fauna around the Baikal. Lake Baikal attracts tourists with its variety of exciting itineraries and the • Fishing and hunting on Lake Baikal unique nature. The surrounding beauty • Travel to the most beautiful places: the attracts thousands of tourists! It is a Barguzin valley, the Northern Baikal, Enkhaluk, paradise for fans of active recreation: Goryachinsk, Arshan rafting, diving, horse riding tours, fishing, • Guest houses at Lake Baikal from economy hunting, mountain-hiking tours and to elite many others. and to the Buryat village

Travel agency «Baikal-Buryatia» tel.: 8-9021-67-81-01, 8-9834-360-362 baikal.buryatia@gmail.com www.baikal-buryatia.com

it is difficult to forget. The lake is located in 15 kilometers from the shore of Lake Baikal. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why, who wants to get it, should go up the mountain path. Usually, tourists rent a motor-boat, that can get them to the eastern shore of the Baikal. Here, there are situated the health resort Khakusy and terminal springs, which are famous for its medicinal qualities. Except Khakusy Resort there are other springs on the Northern Baikal: Goudzhekit, Dzelinda and Kotelnikovsky.

Northern Baikal Northern Baikal is especially beautiful and little proceed. Its shores are wild and uninhabited and the nature is untouched. This area is famous for its numerous terminal springs, exotic swimming in them gives you a lot of pleasant emotions and impressions. The most favorite place for tourists is Yarki Island. It is spit of land that stretches in many kilometers from western to eastern shore of Lake Baikal. In summer, the temperature of the water reaches +25 Â°C. Another popular place is the Ayaya Bay, that is an excellent place for rest and fishing. The bay has golden sandy beaches, that are protected in all sides from the Baikal winds by sharp shores. It is one of some places in Lake Baikal, where you can see Baikal seal (nerpa). The seals lie under the sun on reefs, which come out from the water in 20 meters from the cape.

Another sights of Severobaikalsky district are Maloe and Bolshoe Slyudinskie Lakes, which are situated in 25 km from Severobaikalks. From the northern-west the mountain spurs with rocky ledges approaches to the lakes. Beautiful sandy beaches of the lake, surrounded with pines and pure water, better getting warm in summer, attract a lot of local people and tourists for rest and swimming. Going in trip around Northern Lake Baikal, you have to remember, that its shores are almost impassable. It is beautiful mountainous place. You should move here only along trails. But the beauty, that you can see, compensates with great interest all difficulties of transfers. All sightseeings of the Northern Baikal are unique and incredible. You would like to return again and again!

Here it begins the path to Lake Frolikha, that should be included in the itinerary of any travelers around Northern Baikal. It is considered by right the most picturesque place in this part of Lake Baikal. The nature is so beautiful that

Inbound and outbound international tourism. Referred as МТЗ 006239 in Russian Federal Register of Touroperators. Siberia Tour was established in 2003. It is an official operator and dealer of Federal TBG brand and has been a golden dealer of “A” category in Federal TBG brand for more than 5 years.

We provide: Tours around Russia, specializing on Baikal lake. Bukha – Shulun (Ox Stone)

Barguzin

On the western coast: Mukhor, Zama, Sakhuyrta, Kurkutskiy, Bazarnaya, Tutayskiy, Khuzhir-Nugayskiy bays, Shida, Kurma, Olkhon island;

а Heart of Transbaikal (5 days / 4nights)

On the eastern coast: Enkhaluk, Sukhaya, Maximikha, Barguzin, Ust-Barguzin, Goryachinsk, Gremyachinsk, Turka, Baikalskiy Priboy, Kultushnaya.

1-st day

3-rd day

Ski resort Baikalskiy.

Arrival to Ulan-Ude. City tour including visit to the Orthodox Hodigitria Cathedral, Buddhist Center “Rinpoche Bagsha” and the National Museum of Buruat Republic. Tour to the Ethnographic Museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia. Meals (Buryat national cuisine).

Tour to Zabaikalsky National Park with the lunch at the ranger’s forest hut. Bathing at the hot springs in Zmeyevaya cove (Chivyrkui Bay).

Different tours around Buryatia, tours to neighboring Mongolia and China.

2-nd day Transfer to Old Believers village. Tour around Old Believers settlement including visit to Old Believers Church, Museum and Manor. Folklore performance and lunch (Old Believers cuisine). Transfer to Ust-Barguzin. Housing in the local families. Russian banya.

4-th Day Tour to the ancient land of BargudjinTokum including sightseeing within Barguzin valley: Suvinsky Castle, Ininsky stone garden, Ox-stone (Buha Shuluun). Picturesque view of Bargusin ridge. Russian banya.

5-th Day Walk along the Baikal shore. Transfer to the airport or railway station.

The Ushkanie Islands

• Excursions. • Health and wellness tours. • Visa support, specializing on Russia, Mongolia, China.

Russian Folk Dance

• Air tickets, railway and bus tickets. Siberia-Tour Adress: 20 Nekrasova str., Ulan-Ude, 670000, Russia Tel: +7-3012-222277 Fax: +7-3012-212707 E-mail: sibtour@mail.ru

Meals 3 times a day

Booking of guest houses and hotels all around Baikal area:

www.siberia-tour.ru

The Barguzin Valley

centers in Transbaikalia from 1938 till 1945, being in the state of meditation, Pandito the date of opening the Ivolginsky datsan. Khambo Lama XII Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov In datsan, there is the Buddhist University, went into Nirvana.

He was buried in a cedar tomb in the lotus position, in which he was in the time of the prayer. According to his testament, in 1955, a group of lamas raised a tomb with the body of Pandito Khambo Lama XII Itigelov in the area Khukhe – Zurkhen. Making sure in stability of his condition, they carried out the required rituals and they placed him again in the tomb. The same thing was done in 1973.Only 30 years later, in 2002, Khambo Lama D. Ayusheev showed the place of location of Itigelov. On the 10th of September, 2002, the tomb with The Ivolginsky datsan is the centre of the body of Itigelov was removed from the Buddhism in Russia. A lot of believers and tourists from all over the world visit the land and moved to the Ivolginsky datsan. datsan.

where huvaraks – disciples study. The altars and the temples’ interiors of the complex are decorated with original works of art. The complex consists of several temples, where the main one is “Sogchen” temple, and also the temple of Pandito Khambo lama XII Dashi Dorzho Itigelov. Moreover, on the territory of the temple there are educational buildings of the University, sacred stupas - suburgans, a hotel, a Museum of monuments of Buddhist art, offices, houses of lamas.

Center of Buddhism in Russia

Buddhism spread in Transbaikalia in the form of Lamaism from Mongolia and Tibet. Buddhism exists here as officially recognized by the Russian state about 260 years. However, its penetration in Transbaikalia refers to the earlier period. Buryatia became the center of Buddhism of Russia. Buddhism has had a strong positive influence on the development of traditional science and culture of the Buryat-Mongols. Especially, it was a fruitful impact on the formation and development of the philosophical thought, rules of the moral behavior, medicine, chronobiology, bioenergy, culture of mental activity and psychotechnics, art literature, art and cuisine.

Zandan Zhuu (Sandalwood Buddha) The phenomenon of Pandito Khambo is a sculpture of Buddha with the height of 2 m. 18 cm., that is made of Lama XII Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov sandal wood, according to the legend The real miracle is a phenomenon of Pandito Khambo Lama XII Dashi-Dorzho 2500 years ago. It is a Buddhist Shrine Itigelov, who went into nirvana in 1927, and is considered to be the only whose body remained imperishable till one that made in the life of Buddha. nowadays. According to the tradition, Buddha According to the legend, on the 15th of prophesied her moving to the North: June, Pandito Khambo Lama XII Dashi- in China, Tibet, Mongolia. There, it was Dorzho Itigelov gathered the disciples. He Sandalwood Buddha, the center of gave them the last instruction. Khambo Buddhism moved. Today, the statue Lama began to read the prayer and is situated in the Egituisky datsan in gradually all disciples picked up it. So, Buryatia.

Ivolginsky datsan Ivolginsky datsan (temple) is situated at the foot of the Hamar-Daban range, in 30 kilometers from Ulan-Ude. It is the spiritual center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia and the residence of Hambo-Lama. There were not officially working Buddhist religious

Rinpoche Bagsha is the Buddhist centre, established for the preservation, development and spreading of Buddhism classical tradition. The datsan was founded by very reverend Eshe Lodoi Rinpoche - the fourth rebirth of Elo Rinpoche. In datsan there is the largest in Russia bronze, covered with gold leaf, sixmeter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. On the territory of the temple complex there are eight Buddhist stupas, symbolizing the nature of the enlightened mind of Buddha, and the Bell of the Four Stamps, that is the largest Buddhist bell in Russia. The image of the goddess Yanzhima. In the Barguzin district, near the Yarikto village, it is situated the stone cliff, that is officially recognized as a Buddhist Shrine of Buryatia and the place of pilgrimage for believers. The image of the dancing goddess with the height about meter appeared on the rock in 2005. Dancing Yanzhima is a goddess of wisdom, art, motherhood, children and students. She gives people all kinds of aesthetic knowledge, eloquence, wit mind. People come here to ask children. She gives family and financial well-being. The image of the goddess. Tamchinsky temple is a precious heritage of all Buryat people. It is situated on the shore of Lake Gusinoe. From 1809 to 1938 there was the residence of the official head of the Buddhist clergy of Russia Pandito Khambo Lama. This datsan had a glorious history. It was the center not only for all Buddhists, but also for the enlightened people of the whole Russia and foreign countries.

Ethno tour The program of the tour begins with visiting of the Buddhist monastery in Atsagat village. There are 1000 Buddhas on the altar of the datsan, and in the centre of the hall there is a throne with a wax figure of the Dalai Lama XIV, who has already visited twice Atsagatsky datsan (temple). On the territory of the datsan they are installed 5 meter statues of the gods, Green Tara and Avalokiteshvara. Guests and tourists make the ritual Goroo – when you go around the territory of datsan by clockwise direction. Here, on the territory there is a Museum of Agvan Dorjiev, the teacher of the Dalai Lama XIV, where they are stored the copies of the Atlas of Tibetan medicine and wax figures of the Buddhist hierarchy. Acquaintance with traditions of the Buryat people takes place in the tourist complex “Steppe nomads”, which is situated in a cozy picturesque place of the Atsagat valley, where it flows the mountain stream with healing water. The guests will visit the felt buryat yurt (the Buryat’s house), will get acquainted with the old way of life, play in the national games and shooting from a bow. Melodic Buryat songs, merry dance Ekhor and comic matchmaking ceremony will delight and joy of all tourists. Friendly hosts will offer a lunch of the national dishes of the Buryat cuisine from the village of environmentally friendly products. Touroperator of the incoming and outgoing tourism License 008544

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www.jassotour.ru, jassotour@yahoo.com Ulan-Ude, Kommunisticheskaya St. 47a, office 108. Tel.: 7-3012-22-14-11; Fax: 7-3012-211-877

meters there is the picturesque rocky formation of white marble, like the lying bull. Marble is gradually ruining, so a big white tongue goes down the slope. People worship to this place for centuries till nowadays. Rituals are made only on certain days by the local shamans. Only to old men and women is allowed to climb up a mountain. It is forbidden to young girls to come close to this place. It is believed that they will be infertile. According to the tradition, before you will go up to Bukhe-Noyon,you should go to a Buddhist priest, who shall made a special ritual.

Shamanism Shamanism is known on the shores of Lake Baikal long before the coming of Buddhism and Christianity. Rituals of shamanism have been preserved up to nowadays. Shamanistic natural temples and places of worship are carefully secured by the people, and are in the original, ecologically clean condition and they are considered to be sacred places for worship.

The Rock Taban-Khurgan From Buryat language it means “five fingers”. According to the legend, the tribes of the Merkits, who lived here, worshipped to the heaven. During a thunder, Merkit jumped into the saddle and galloped across the steppes on the horse, shooting arrows into the sky. In the XII century, the Merkits were forced under the pressure of Temudzhin to

go to the North in the Barguzin valley. Later, when they returned to their area, thinking that they provoked the sky, the Merkits performed the rite of sacrifice on the outlier, that symbolized the hand of a human, praying the sky for forgiveness. There is a belief, that there is the other hand in Mongolia.

Bukhe-Noyon

Bukhe-Bator is the master of the Selenga river and one of the sons of the heaven. The stony giant looking at Lake Baikal and the Olkhon Island is located on the top of mountain. It is a sacred center of the Northern shaman’s world. In these places, Bukhe-Bator rules not one. There is his wife and daughter behind his back. According to the legends, Bukhe-Bator gave people the power, physical and spiritual strength. In this place near the Selenga, people usually asked giants. There are special tours, that get acquainted tourists with shamanism. Tourists visit the museums, go out of the city, get acquainted with the buryats’ way of life and also can see shamans’ rituals.

There are a lot of legends, that are connected with the stone Bukhe-Noyon. They say that long ago, two mighty bulls met at Lake Baikal and began fight for the right to reign on this earth. The fight lasted for a long time, but nobody could win. Then, one of them left for the Barguzin valley, and the second one- for the Tunkinskaya valley, where he turned into a white rock Bukhe-Noyon. On the worship place at a height of 1050

Tours around Buryatia Our tours

All this things make the tour most We worked out and offer exciting tours, favorite and popular among tourists) excursions and travel programs that will • Lake Baikal Cruises make your leisure really unforgettable. • Horseback ridings and trips along the Our professional guides, tour guides shoreline of Lake Baikal and interpreters will take care that your • A trip to the old siberian towns Kyakhta stay in Buryatia was full of bright and and Novoselenginsk. This is a unique pleasant impressions! opportunity to visit the Museum of the Decembrists (the burial places of the Decembrists also belong to the Our most popular tours: museum complex) and the Obruchev • Tours around Buryatia Museum. • Tours to Mongolia and China • Religious Tours: visiting of Buddhist • Tours to Lake Baikal (Tour monasteries (datsans) Ivolginsky, «Chivyrkuiskaya Fairy tale»: it is a Atsagatsky, Tamchinsky; shamanic holy journey into one of the most beautiful places: for example, Olkhon Island, bays of Lake Baikal where there are which is well known as the center of sand beaches, seven islands, numerous shamanism, and most revered by the thermal springs. Buryat people; Orthodox churches (in Ulan-Ude and Kyakhta) • Ethnographic tours – visiting of the Old Believers and buryat villages • Special tours: bird watching, acquaintance with the unique flora and fauna of the Baikal region (endemic plants and animals), fishing and hunting • Trip to the Baikal National Park (the excursion «to the holy peaks»: a trip to the National Park is a great opportunity to see the two largest bays of Lake Baikal from the height 1877 m.) • Visiting of the national holiday «Surkharban» - sport national holiday, «Maydari» – lamaist temple festival in honor of the Maitreya Buddha (summer holiday), «Sagaalgan» - a new year according to the lunar calendar (winter holiday).

Areas of activity: international outbound, inbound tourism; domestic tourism. The company was founded in 2000. Registration Number of the Russian Federal Register of Tour Operators is 008 696 MT. We cooperate with the authors of such guidebooks as Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Thomas Cook, Bradt Trave lGuides and we are rightfully proud of the quality of our services. Since the foundation of the company We have taken the tourist train from Germany «Tsaren Gold» (Moscow-Beijing) since the day of foundation of the company. Our partners are travel companies of Mongolia, China, Japan, Finland and Germany. In addition, we are representatives of major tour operators of Moscow and St Petersburg and offer trips around Russia and anywhere in any county of the world. We organize services for tourists in the Republic of Buryatia, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk region, Zabaikalsky Kray, Tuva and Mongolia. Thanks to the experience and professionalism, we can offer an extensive excursion program according to the worked out itineraries by individual orders. «Baikal-Naran Tour» Co. Ltd. Kommunisticheskaya St. 47a, office 105, Ulan-Ude; Tel.: (3012) 215-097; Fax.: (3012) 615-097, tours@baikalnaran.com, baikalnarantour@mail.ru www.baikal-naran.com 31

The Old Believers The Old Believers is the ancient, the brightest part of the Russian people. The Old Believers refused to get the church reforms carried out by Patriarch Nikon, that’s why they were suffered from the cruelest repressions. Many Old Believers were forced to escape to Siberia. The first old believers settled down near Verhneudinsk in the villages: Tarbagatai, Kuytun, Bolshoy Kunaley, Desyatnikovo, Burnashevo. They lived with their whole family, because of that, later people started to call them «Semeyskie» (from the russian word “sem’ya” – family). It passed more than 240years. Semeyskie of Transbaikalia have been firmly rooted in the Siberian land, have found a second homeland here.

Till nowadays, the Old Believers remain the Golden Fund of the Russian culture. It is reflected in their moral principals, colorful clothes, design of the house, painting utensils and culture of their families. The peculiar technique of old believers’ polyphonic singing is a great value of their culture. The value of Old Believers, as a historical and cultural phenomenon of Russia, is difficult to estimate. They managed to preserve a spiritual experience, which, in fact, was lost by other groups of the russian people. Folk-singing traditions are the most important, because they are a masterpiece of oral, non-material heritage, taking its origins in the ancient russian music culture and their go into the depths of the middle ages. Presenting a unique ethnic heritage, the culture of Old Believers (Semeiskie) Transbaikalia was proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In 2001, Old Believers’ culture was put in the first list of UNESCO in Paris.

are wearing the bride in a wedding dress. Directions of Then the tour will continue on the open the activity: air, where guests will have a trip along i n t e r n a t i o n a l the village on horses, and in winter – i n c o m i n g , riding on a sleigh. Bolshoy Kunaley is i n t e r n a t i o n a l famous for the beautiful wide streets, outgoing tourism, ancient houses, carved window shutters, domestic tourism. Travel company painted gates. Registration Number of the Russian Federal Reference: Semeiskye of the Tarbagatay district were Register of Tour Operators is - MTZ 007734

Tour to Semeyskie All year round excursion. 5 or 6 hours

A one-day excursion. It includes several stops, one of them is the Sleeping lion mountain . The Sleeping lion Mountain is famous for the fact that, from its top it opens a beautiful view on the Selenga river. There you will have a short rest: fat and cakes. Then the road goes to Bolshoy Kunaley village. Bolshoy Kunaley is the ancient and beautiful village that was founded in 1765 and is situated 75 km from Ulan-Ude. There are a lot of sightseeings in this district: large Kunaley Stone, Luzhlovye gate, Merkit fortress. The soloists of Old Believers met tourists near the bus with bread-and-salt and with accordion.In the cafe you will taste traditional old believers dinner – russian cabbage soup, porridge, brand roast pork, pies, pancakes, homemade bacon and many other tasty dishes.

admitted by UNESCO on the18th of May, “Tri kita” Co.Ltd. was founded in 2006. 2001, as the “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” and • Reception and accommodation in Ulanwere added in the first list of UNO on the Ude issues of education, science and culture. • Excursion services • Visas registration in Russia, Mongolia, China • Air and train tickets • Tours around the Republic of Buryatia, in Mongolia and China • The oﬃcial representative in Ulan-Ude of the largest tour operator «Pegas Touristik»

“Tri kita” Co.Ltd. 670000, Ulan-Ude, Kommunisticheskaya St, 20, office 3; Kommunisticheskaya St.47a, office 8 Tel.: (3012) 22-12-07; (3012)215-215

(3012)

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After dinner, you will listen to the concert of soloists of the Bolshoi Kunaley choir. The repertoire of the choir includes beautiful lyrical songs, traditional famous old believers polyphony. After the concert you will see an old wedding ceremony. Under the beautiful wedding songs the old believers

number of events, including exhibitions, presentations, concerts, panel sessions. The work under the project continues. Baikal Khubsugul is a tourist route linking the two great lakes - Baikal and Khubsugul. Khubsugul is one of the most attractive tourist sights in Mongolia. Khubsugul attracts many tourists by virgine nature, exotic landscapes, a great variety of flora and fauna, and the abundance of fish. In terms of geology, Khubsugul is a water body of the Baikal type, so between the Khubsugul and the Baikal there is much in common. It is as old as Lake Baikal. The water in it is so icy and crystal clear as in Lake Baikal. Both lakes feed many rivers, and only one of them flows out. There is a legend that the Baikal and the Khubsugul are twin brothers, bound together by the Selenga river, like an umbilical cord.

Tea Road History of the Tea Road is a continuation of the history of the development of diplomatic, trade and cultural relations between the people of Eurasia in the Middle Ages. During the reign of the States of the Han dynasty and the Hunnu appeared the Great Silk Road, and there were laid ways, where the Great Tea Road appeared in the 16th -19th centuries. The Tea Road is the trade route from China to Russia. The geography of the Tea Road is wide and covers a large area. On one data the path has 8333 miles, and on the other - 8839 miles. The path had a lot of roads and waterways that have turned into railways and highways in present time. On the Tea Road it continues the trade exchange between Russia, Mongolia and China. Historically,

Kyakhta was a key point of the Great Tea Road, and this city is often called the capital of the Tea Road. On the trade turnovers, the Tea Road was the second after the Great Silk Road. The Tea Road acted more than 200 years and has had a huge impact on the socio-economic and cultural development of Russia, Mongolia and China.

The two lakes are connected with each other with a good asphalt road, which passes through the beautiful Tunkinskaya valley. Tourists can make a stop at the oldest spa resorts of Siberia - «Arshan» and «Nilova Pustyn» - with healing mineral, thermal and radon waters, visit the mountainous Shumak springs and continue the journey to Lake Baikal, for example, in Enkhaluk and other places.

However, the history of the Tea Road provides a rich material for the development of cultural tourism and the creation of the world’s largest transcontinental international tourist route. This idea is the basis for the development of international tourism project «Tea Road». The project “Tea Road. Hospitable Buryatia» has started in the framework of the Baikal International Tourism Forum in 2012, and included a

including performances in Buryat and Russian languages. Many times, the theater was invited to festivals not only in cities of Russia but in foreign countries too. The Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre was built in the Stalin Empire style. Thanks to interesting repertoire, highly professional theater troupe, the theater has got a recognition of the «Music Center» of a vast Eastern region of Russia.

Ulan-Ude. Culture Gostiny Dvor (Trade Yards) Great Tea Road ran through Verkhneudinsk (an old name of Ulan-Ude city), that’s why trade fairs were held there very often and local merchants were rich and famous. Since that time, it remained one of the most important architectural sights – Trade Yards. In the 19th century trade fairs, carnivals and performances of clowns and puppeteers were held here. Another historical value of Ulan-Ude is the Triumph Arch. Its construction was began after the visit of the cesarevitch Nicolas who later became Tsar Nicolas the Second. «Tsar Gate» stayed 45 and in 1936 the arch was completely destroyed. In 2006, the Arch was rebuilt and increased in its size.

The State Russian Drama Theatre named after. N.A. Bestuzhev is the first professional theater in the Republic of Buryatia. The theater performs the Soviet, Russian and world classical plays. The theater has a wide repertoire, which toured all over Russia, Mongolia, USA, Belorussia and Ukraine. The Republican Puppet Theatre «Ulger» was founded in 1967. The theater stages performances for young spectators in Russian and also in Buryat language promoting love to the native Buryat language. Its performances became four times winners in the world festival “Golden Mask”. Modern Ulan-Ude is very beautiful. Besides the architecture, the city is known for the beautiful colored musical fountains. Among the tourists are popular night city tours.

Cultural life of Ulan-Ude is represented by various theaters. The oldest theater in the Republic of Buryatia is the Buryat State Academic Drama Theatre after Khotsa Namsaraev, that was founded in 1932. The theater has a rich repertoire,

Modern Ulan-Ude is a city that has all the necessary infrastructure required to welcome guests from all over the world. In the center of the city there are several excellent hotels that meet the highest requirements . Also, in Ulan-Ude, there is a network of affordable housing in the hostel format, that is well known to European tourists. There are several large shopping and entertainment centers, modern movie theaters, supermarkets, that allow dwellers and visitors to fill comfortable yourself in the city. As a starting point for many tourist destinations around Buryatia, Ulan-Ude offers excellent conditions for equipment. Here, you can buy not only camping equipment, but everything that you need for hunting, fishing and sports. Pictures of the theaters, fountains and Ulan-Ude in the night.

The Museum of Nature of Buryatia introduces the endemic nature of Baikal, The Red Book of Buryatia, and the remains of mammoths. The History Museum of Ulan-Ude introduces the architecture and lifestyle of the past Ulan-Ude - Verkhneudinsk. The Ethnographic Museum of people of Transbaikalia presents various monuments of ancient tribes and ethnic groups of Buryatia. The History Museum of Buryatia is one of the largest museums in Siberia, that keeps the heritage monuments of ancient civilizations. The Art Museum after Ts. Sampilov presents numerous collections of paintings, sculptures and jewelry works of Buryatia.

in sculpture, graphics, and particularly sophisticated, with fantasy in the jewelry plastic. The Artist’s works are in the collections of the Hermitage, the Tretyakov gallery, in foreign counties, and in the private collections.

Art and culture The Republic of Buryatia can be rightfully proud of its culture, which is represented by five theatres, unions of writers, composers, artists, and architects. The Union of writers is the oldest one, and at the beginning of its foundation were stood such the Buryat writers as Khotsa Namsaraev, Dashirabdan Batozhabai, Nikolay Damdinov, Isai Kalashnikov. In all times great people were born here, lived and worked. Thanks to their names Buryatia is known all over the world. Dashi Namdakov is a sculptor, graphic artist and jeweler. For the last years, Dasha spent more than 15 personal exhibitions in the largest museums of the world. All his exhibitions have become a sensation in the world of art. An original refraction of cultural traditions of Europe and East is one of the main features of his works. They show the traditional images of the Central Asian steppe civilization: the soldiers and pretty ladies, lamas and shamans, totemic animals and mythological creatures. Dashi Namdakov develops with great enthusiasm the animalistic theme

Zorikto Dorzhiev creates paintings and graphic works, video, sculpture and costumes. In his paintings there is often image of a nomad. In his paintings and graphic works, the artist develops personal version of the oriental poetry: elegant outstretched silhouettes of the heroes, muted colors, and the characters are in a state of self-absorption. In the drawings and paintings of Zorikto Dorzhiev, there are highly developed a graphic beginning, and masterly performed realities - clothes, weapon, jewelry and women’s silhouettes. Zorikto worked as an artist on several movies. To the brush of the master they are belonged the illustrations for several books, including «Cruel age» by Isai Kalashnikov. In 2011, he presented his book «ZORIKBOOK». The artist is a participant of many exhibitions. His works are kept in private collections in Russia, the USA, Germany and Australia. Yuri Mandaganov is a muralist, only one, who represents the Florentine mosaic in art exhibitions. Florentine mosaic is the most splendid and time-consuming type of monumental painting. In last years, Yuri exhibited often in Ulan-Ude and in other regions of Russia, to demonstrate what can be made out of stone. The artist decorated with his work the hall of the Buryat drama theatre. His works are in the Tretyakov gallery and in other big museums of Russia and all over the world. During his career, he held 20 personal exhibitions. Today, he transfers his skills and knowledge to his three disciples.

The Empire of Genghis Khan

Merkit fortress

The Hunns town The state of the Hunns in its time was one of the most powerful in the world. It competed with the Roman Empire. In Buryatia, where it was the birth of the Empire, there are more than 100 unique monuments of this ancient culture. It is approximately 40 tombs and 10 settlements. The largest Hunns settlement is located in 15 kilometers from the centre of Ulan-Ude with the width of 5-7 km. The city-fortress, or protocity, was built in the III century BC. It is believed that the excavations carried out in the 60-70-ies, have proved that this fortified city was the northern capital of the Hunns, supplied nomads with weapons, where lived not less than 4000 people. The total length of the city was not less than 12 km. It is situated on the shores of the Selenga and the Uda rivers and reached the center of modern Ulan-Ude. The death of the Ivolginsk settlement belongs to the middle of the first century. The dwellers

were suddenly attacked and died or were forced to go away, abandoning all their property. Probably, the fire put an end to the city of the Hunns. The Hunns settlement with the burial grounds is a unique archaeological monument of the Hunns. It attracts tourists from all over the world and claims for inclusion into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Genghis Khan is the ruler of the greatest Empire, who treats the earth with a special thrill, where Buryatia is located now. He appreciated it for picturesque landscapes, healing mineral springs and sacred places. Genghis Khan laid the «Great ban» on any economic activity in these areas and thus took care of noninterference in the nature of this grand area, to preserve it for future generations. He wanted that his descendants were able to have a rest in this magical area, enjoy the peace, that full the soul on the Buryat land. Some times later the Great Tea Road went through the territory of Buryatia. It had a ramified structure, but all its routes met in Verkhneudinsk city (Ulan-Ude). And today, UlanUde left the city, connecting Russia with Asian countries, such as China and Mongolia. Thus, arrived to Buryatia you can get acquainted with the original culture, to visit interesting places and continue their journey already in Mongolia or China. In Buryatia, there are places that keep the memory about the time of the great Khan: Merkit fortress and apricot grove. The Merkit fortress is situated in the Mukhorshibir district in 110 km from Ulan-Ude. It is a landmark place, because, according to the legend, the first battles of Genghis Khan with Merkits took place here. The state of the Merkits was situated in territory of modern southern Buryatia. The Merkits were one of the strongest nations of Central Asia, who was fighting with Genghis

Khan. In 1208, Genghis Khan started his last military campaign against the Merkits. The battle took place at the fortress of Тaikhan (Merkit fortress). The fortress was built on a high rocky hill and was impregnable. Moreover, the fortress was adapted for a long siege, and it had a water well. Today, they remain: the foundation of the stone walls, roads, passages in the rocks, artificial platforms for buildings and observing the area. In the center of the fortress there is a secret well with entrance in the rocks. At the foot of the mountain, it remained the burial ground with the image of a symbol «Man of the sun». That status could have only a special dweller of the Merkits tribe - the one, who remained alive after being hit by lightning. Besides of variety of archeological monuments, here there is a fortified place Shara-Tebeg, that is situated on the ledge of the cliff. Also here, it was found the cave where, according to legend, the Merkits’ treasure was stored.

outside the Republic of Buryatia. This resort is good for treatment of diseases of the nervous, musculoskeletal system, blood circulation system, the skin. Also they are treated neuroses, chronic fatigue syndrome. Only traditional methods of balneology are used in the treatment complex. Also, the resort offers unique programs in therapeutic fasting. Kuchiger thermal springs

Oriental medicine Balneological resorts of Buryatia

Kuchiger thermal springs are situated 492 km from Ulan-Ude, at the foot of the Barguzin mountain range. Kuchigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s muds are recommended for the treatment of more than 30 diseases: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, consequences of traumas of peripheral nervous system, gynecological diseases. The resort works all year round. The temperature of springs remains high even in winter time.

consequences of traumas of peripheral nervous system. Oriental medicine This is one of the most ancient medical systems in the world. In its present form it was formed as a result of the synthesis of Chinese, Ayurvedic, antique and ancient Persian and Tibetan herbal medicine. Oriental medicine seeks to eliminate the source of the disease, the root cause. The therapeutic effect is achieved without surgical operations and the use of chemical drugs. People use the Oriental medicine for treatment of chronic diseases, prevention of exacerbations, rehabilitation after heart diseases, after injuries and operations, correction of metabolic disorders.

Umkhey resort Balneological resorts, in other words spas, are the subjects of the special pride of the Republic of Buryatia. Not every region can boast of such a considerable amount of resorts as Buryatia. Arshan The health resort Arshan is located in the Tunkinskaya valley at the foot of the Sayan mountains. Every year people come here to improve their health. The resort is good at treating diseases of the endocrine system, digestive organs, respiratory, blood circulation system, and a number of others diseases. The main methods of treatment are drinking mineral water, baths, showers, mud treatment, paraffin treatment and many others. Moreover, in the resort, you can try the abilities of Su Jok and manual therapy.

Umkhey resort is situated on the island of the Barguzin river, in the North of the Barguzin valley. Here there is everything for living and treatment: cottages for holiday-makers, dining room, bathrooms houses. There are found 146 hot springs with the temperature of the output from 20 to 60 degrees. With their help people treat about 20 different diseases of the bone-muscular system, osteomyelitis, gynecological and skin diseases and

Goryachinsk Goryachinsk resort is located in 180 km from Ulan-Ude on the shore of Lake Baikal. There are 256 sunny days in a year. The resort is more than 200 years, and it is known

Gastronomic tours National cuisine, undoubtedly, is one of the sightseeings of the Republic of Buryatia. Here they were formed the unique culinary traditions. In our region you can taste not only the Buryat cuisine but also the Old Believers’, evenk’ and even the Baikal cuisine. The cooking traditions of the Buryat people were formed during the centuries. The Buryat cuisine is famous for its meat dishes, as the Buryats did the cattle breeding for a long time. The most popular dish is buuzy (pozy), when a minced meat is put in the circles of dough. It is considered that “buuza” should have exactly 33 pinches. The traditional first dishes: “shulen” or noodle soup, rich broth - Buhler. An important place in the Buryat cuisine take dishes from milk, they are an essential part of any holiday. People often prepare Salamat. It is sour cream, boiled over low heat and mixed with flour of wholemeal. Tarasun – an alcoholic drink made from sour milk product. You can talk about Buryat cuisine endlessly. There is a great number of dishes from meat, milk, liver. Buryat cuisine will not be without tea .In Buryatia, people love green and black tea with milk.

The Old Believers cuisine is represented with cabbage soup, cereals, mushrooms, bird cherry, fish pies, pancakes with honey and sour cream. The main product is considered to be the rye and wheaten bread. People use in a large number: potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables, especially in the autumn and in winter. Especially, generous and delicious food is on holidays: pies with meat, pelmeni, fried pigs, noodles with meat or milk, potatoes with meat, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, wheat cooking. Omul and chum salmon are especially valued from the fish. Old Believers add to the tea wild plants such as: Badan, Ivan-Chai, cowberry, leaves of black berry, raspberry. Evenk cuisine consists of meat and fish dishes and vegetables. Dishes, cooked from reindeer meat, are considered to be the main. The traditional methods of cooking meat and fish are cooking and fried on sticks. Valuable species of fish are used as stragonina. There are known such dishes as tykhemin (fish soup with caviar), the stew from bear meat, baked eggs, duktemi (smoked fish), dried caviar, pancake, baked in the warm ashe, and many other dishes. Baikal cuisine combines the cooking traditions of the native people with the tastes of the pilgrims. It is filled with a rich hot dishes and original snacks, which always include omul and cedar nuts.

Surkharban is the buryat national cultural and sport festival. Its old name is “Erdyngurbannadan”, that means “Three games of men”. The program of festival’s competitions include traditionally three types of sport: archery, Buryat wrestling, horse racing. “Surkharban” means in the Buryat language “shooting in sur” – a leather target. Nowadays, it is become the name of the hole holiday, not only one type of competition. Surkharban is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of July and collects more than 10,000 spectators.

Holiday events Sagaalgan is the most favorite and significant holiday of the winter, that symbolizes the beginning of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar and the coming spring. It is the New year. This is a kind holiday of the veneration of the older people, a symbol of renewal of a man and nature. People get ready long before the celebrations and in holiday they set a rich table and meet the guests. Going to visit is a good tradition of the White Month holiday. According to the tradition, fabulous winter heroes come in Buryatia from other regions for the festival . On the main square of Ulan-Ude, there are held magnificent festivals, concerts and competitions.

Festival «Voice of nomads is the international music festival in the format of world music. The ideology of the festival is based on three concepts: development, movement and freedom. The motto of the festival is “the space of free music is for free people”. The festival is opened for various experiments in the sphere of world music and greets new original ideas based on the folklore and folk music. “The Voice of the nomads is held every summer since 2009, constantly expanding the geography of its participants. For several years, the festival has more than 20 groups and musicians from all over the world.

by the International charity fund “Russian Silhouette”. The “Fashion Week” program is very rich and constantly changes. It includes: the contest of young designers, fashion shows of famous designer, presentations of the new season, masterclasses, exhibitions. International festival «Ekhor Night” Ekhor is the oldest dance with ritual and sacred meaning. The festival “Ekhor Night” has been held in the Ethnographic open air museum since 2008. Every year, about 6 thousand people from Buryatia and guests take part in the festival “Ekhor Night”. The program of the festival consists of several parts: the contest, where they participate not only different groups from all over Buryatia, but also people from other regions; ekhor master-classes. The most spectacular show begins, when, in the night, it is lit a big fire and 3 thousand people are dancing the Big Ekhor around the fire. So great, the sound of music and fireworks complete the festival.

Baika lFashion Week is a unique project, which is a distinctive brand of Buryatia. Fashion week is organized every year and combines an authentic buryat culture and modern fashion trends. Since 2012 Baikal Fashion Week has been organized

Baikal fishing has already become a traditional festival of ice fishing. Every year, the Baikal fishing festival attracts hundreds of participants not only from all districts of Buryatia, but also guests from different regions of Russia, teams from the foreign countries. This event has become a real brand of Buryatia. Each team has an opportunity to represent their region and fight for the prize-winning place. Traditionally among the main prizes are snowmobiles, motor boats and many other things. But the main prize is always a car.

“gutuly”, the belt - sash. Before the match it is performed a traditional dance-greeting: “Dance of an eagle”. In spite of the fact, that the fight can last from one second to a few minutes - “bukhe-baeildan” is an incredibly spectacular and an exciting competition. Archery is also popular as a wrestling. In ancient times it was believed that everyone man and a woman should be able to shoot from a bow. Archers were especially honored by the Buryat people. Their art to strike the goal was glorify by uligershinami, and the best of them were called Mergen.

Surkharban

and Three games of men (ЭрынГурбанНаадан) Surkharban is one of the greatest and most spectacular cultural and sport events, that is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of July in Ulan-Ude. Earlier it was called «the three games of men», or in Buryat language «эрынгурбаннаадан». One of three sports competitions of Surkharban is a national wrestling “bukhe-barildan”. It is a favorite type of competitions of the Buryats. The wrestling came from the depth of centuries, when during the wrestling match were identified candidates for the best part of the loot. Later they were held during the religious ceremonies, and in Soviet times, many of its attributes have been cancelled. Today, “bukhe-baeildan” has been returned to its original type. The basic rules are simple: it is only a wrestling without the striking techniques. You should take your opponent out of balance, but at the same time should hold on his feet. A fighter is considered to be the loser, if he will touch the ground with three parts of the body. Wrestlers wear special clothes: a cap, that is worn before the fighting, the national wrestling pants, leather boots

This beautiful and attractive sport is very popular in Buryatia. At present time, the Republic of Buryatia is rightfully considered to be the leading region in this type of sport. Traditionally, in Sukharban, the leading persons of government of the Republic of Buryatia take also part in the archery competitions. The culmination of the Surkharban festival is a horse racing - the third type of competitions. The best racers and riders from all over Buryatia come to the republican race track. In the program of this competition there are trot races, jumping and horse races, which are the most favorite by the audience. The most interesting race to 4000 meters holds at the end of the feast. Hundreds of spectators, with bated breath, are watching this race. According to the tradition, horses of the winner make a circle of honor. People spray the milk on their heads and sacra and perform a poetic praise. So the holiday ends. Today, Surkharban is a part of the national culture; it is a national holiday, which preserved the culture and traditions of the Buryat people. Every year, thousands of spectators and participants come to Surkharban from all Buryatia and all over the world.

The most striking

tourist events February

• The republican festival «Ekhor Night»

Interregional tourist project « Fabulous • The republican sport holiday «Surkharban» Sagaalgan». An extensive program of cultural, ethno October tourists events, study tours around the Fashion week «Baikal Fashion Week» is the Republic of Buryatia. www.baikaltravel.ru new fashion brand of Buryatia. The aim of the project is the preservation of national cultural traditions and support of young March Open air festival «Maslenitsa». www. designers. «Baikal Fashion Week» makes uutravel.ru. Folk festivals, dances, funs, a significant contribution in preservation and revival of national cultural traditions. ethno-excursion programs.

April

Summer tours of Globus Tour

Tour «Chivyrkuisky Fairy Tale» Travelling to the most beautiful bay of Baikal. White sand beaches, 7 islands monuments of nature, hot springs, warm water in the bays make this tour the most popular. A car through the isthmus of the Holy Nose peninsula takes you to the water transport in the Monakhovo area and you’ll be admiring the ever-changing landscapes of Baikal. During the tour, you’ll be walking through the paved hiking trail through the taiga, along the coast, ranging from one hour to three.

Duration - 8 hours. Valid from May 25 to October 25 «Dancing Goddess» May 2, 2005 Buddhists found miraculous image of the goddess Yanzhima, which was appeared on a large boulder in Barguzin taiga. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for the faithful and tourists. Also a Barguzinskydatsancanbefoundh ere. Duration 6:00. Allyearround

November

• X Republican tourist exhibition - fair International competition of throat singing «Breath of earth» «Tourism and recreation in Buryatia» The business platform for organizations in the sphere of tourism. Presentations of the December tourist product of the Republic of Buryatia. Baikal Christmas festival The Agency for tourism of the Republic of Buryatia www.baikaltravel.ru More information about events is on web • Baikal fishing sites:

May

www.baikaltravel.ru and www.visitburyatia.ru

Interregional mountain festival «MunkoSardyk»

June Interregional meeting of Old Believers «Path of Avvakum»

July • Eco-tourism Forum • International music festival «Voice of nomads. Baikal Harbour»

waves on the Baikal. The most attractive places for windsurfing are Chivyrkuysky and Barguzinsky bays and Posolsky Sor. The length of water surface of Lake Baikal is 800 km. It is convenient for windsurfing. A mountainous landscape of the shores of the lake creates the necessary windy conditions for windsurfers.

Active tourism

Fans of thrills come to Buryatia to go in rafting. Rafting is not only an extreme sport, but also it is the absolute connection with nature, the unity of body and soul, teamwork. The favorite mountain rivers for extremals are the Turka river, the Irkut, the Sayan Oka, the Snezhnaya river and the Temnik.

in Buryatia

The Republic of Buryatia is a precious land with unique nature. The scarp slopes of the mountains, rough rivers, beautiful forests and abundance of snow attracts visitors from all over the world. It is possible to do active sports all year round: winter skiing, snowboarding, ice swimming, hiking in Spring and Fall, and of course, cruises in Summer. «Better than mountains can be only mountains» - and we can not argue with this statement. Mountain ranges, located in Buryatia, can not leave indifferent fans of mountaineering. Munch-Sardyk is the highest mountain of Buryatia, where they lay tourist itineraries of varying difficulty. Here you can climb to the height of about 3.5 meters and appreciate a majestic view of Lake Hubsugul. Accept mountaineering, windsurfing becomes more and more popular in Buryatia. Windsurfing is great, it is extreme, adrenaline and crazy speed. Windsurfing is more attractive in Buryatia, because you can cleave the

In winter, Buryatia is also popular for extreme sports. Annually, thousands of free riders gather here for snowmobiling, snowboarding and skiing. And if you are a free ride or just want to start, you have to come to Buryatia! Buryatia is famous for its mountain sceneries. The Mamay (1540 m) is famous mountain for snowboarding and skiing. It is situated 12 km from Lake Baikal, and is unusual because there is much snow here. Therefore, every year, beginning in November, a lot of tourists come to the Mamai mountain. But extremals of Buryatia are looking forward to the opening of the ski resort «Gora Bychjya” (Mountain Bull), located on the shores of Lake Baikal. The height of the Bull mountain is 1771 meters. This complex is unique because the slopes of this mountain are similar to the slopes of the Alps.

Ecotourism

on Lake Baikal

creating pathways for people with disabilities, and the participation of people and children from orphanages in the building of trails. The work has already started. In 2011, it was built the first barrier-free path for the disabled in Tankhoy village in Kabansky district.

Ecosystem of Lake Baikal is unique and requires a careful treatment, because the concept of eco-tourism on Baikal is very actual. The development of ecotourism on the Baikal region is mostly connected with the project “The Big Baikal Trail” (BBT). The Big Baikal Trail is an extensive and longterm project, which aim is to build trails around Lake Baikal. They are two weeks summer camps, where russian and foreign volunteers take part in. The aim of the Big Baikal Trail projects is environmental education of the participants of the project, conservation of ecosystems, improving the level of live of native people, preservation of their culture and traditions. BBT is not only the building of the first trail in Russia that meets international standards, but it is creation of eco-tourism infrastructure to support sustainable development of the Baikal region.

Today, the region gained its own experience in the construction and maintenance of trails. For 10 years of existing of the project the «Great Baikal Trail» they were built more than 700 kilometers of trails in different areas around Lake Baikal, more than 40 team leaders were trained on their own courses and workshops, many of them have been trained in the USA, Germany, and Australia. The creation of the net of trails will have a significant impact on the development of ecotourism in Buryatia. The «Great Baikal Trail» is free for dialogue and invites for the partnership of representatives from all over the world, who are not indifferent to the protection of the environment of Lake Baikal. Founder of the «Great Baikal Trail» Andrey Suknev, siknevgbt@gmail.com

180 international summer projects on arrangement and reconstruction of trails in different areas of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia have been held in 10 years. More than 4,500 volunteers took part in the project from Russia, Europe, USA, Canada, Mongolia and other countries. But still it remains an important issue of

Experimental theater

Souvenirs There is a good tradition that should be kept after returning from your trip to Buryatia. It is bringing souvenirs from your trip. Buryat masters offer a great variety of handmade souvenirs, from different materials such as leather, horns, fur, semi-precious stones. In addition to different painted statuettes and totems, you can order paintings on the leather roll on the motives of the Buryat myths and legends. You can also buy traditional beads of sandalwood or walnut, things made of felt and many other souvenirs. You can buy a variety of Souvenirs in the office of the travel agency «Baikal-Naran-tour».

Address: Ulan-Ude, Kommunisticheskaya St. 47a, office 105

The experimental “Theatre of Darkness” after E. Zhaltsanova invites guests to the summer vacation in Ulan-Ude for the fascinating and intriguing attraction journey to the past history of the Buryat people. The theatre offers to experience the atmosphere of the ancient and amazing land of Transbaikalia, the cradle of the Great nomadic civilizations of the hunns, turks and mongols. In the total darkness, the guide from the past will lead you through unknown and dangerous trails of the great steppe. Here you will fill the silent artifacts of the last epoch. Also, you will feel the breath of the ancient wind on the strings of the epic instrument Morin – Khur and you hear voices and drawling songs of our ancient ancestors. The night, mysterious steppe gives you a lot of surprises and unexpected moments that make you fill shivering, and also the wonderful and mysterious phenomena motivated to enjoy the feeling of harmony between human being and nature.

8 (3012) 215-097, 8 (9021) 615-097 8 (3012) 215-097, 8 (9021) 615-097

e-mail: zhalcanova@mail.ru tel. 8-964-409-0148

computer, not to be bored and to lead the usual way of life. Learn some words of greeting in russian and buryat languages: “zdravstvuyte”, “spasibo”, “pozhaluysta”.

What to wear to lake Baikal

Tips for travelers What to take with you to Lake Baikal

Useful information for tourists

Sunglasses and sun cream. Whenever you are going to visit Lake Baikal, put the sunglasses and cream from sunburn. Especially, these accessories will be needed in spring. In March, the sun is reflected from pure ice and snow. In summer, it needs a swimming suit and hat.

• The best time for fishing on Lake Baikal is the first half of June and September, the beginning of October;

Repellents. There are not so a lot of mosquitoes and different biting insects on lake Baikal, in most cases they are not dangerous, but there are cases of individual reactions of the body, even on usual a mosquito bite. That’s why, just for any case, take with you a small tube of any repellents and ointment against bites.

• The beach season on Lake Baikal is July, August;

Medicine. If you take medicine, take a standard set of medicine. You should remember that it is possible to enlarge the supply of medicines only in towns and in the district centers.

In summer, the temperature on the Baikal varies very much. The strong temperature’s drop is typical for June and the second half of August, but also in the hot July, the wind from the mountains or the evening breeze brings tangible cool. Therefore, you should take different clothes with you for sunbathing, and not to freeze. Especially, if you are planning to travel by ship or to go to the mountains, you should take something protecting from the wind with a hood, warm wool or fleece jacket and a cap. It is better to take comfortable shoes: sneakers of the “Асtive” type or any shoes for trekking.

• The best time for Baikal cruise by boat is the second half of June;

• For artists and photographers the best time for working on lake Baikal is the end of September. Especially, there are beautiful mixed forests of the coast near the Peschannaya Bay and in the Chivyrkuyski Bay; • Suitable time for ice fishing on Lake Baikal is the end of March-April.

Photo camera. It is so beautiful on Lake Baikal, that the memory card will be filled very quickly, so take with you reserve batteries and an extra memory card.

And the most important, that you can enjoy views, breathe clean air, drink clean water and relax!

Take with you an interesting book, guidebook, player,

It is not just possible on Lake Baikal, but it is necessary to do.

Visit Buryatia Visiting-information center

Visiting-information center «Visit Buryatia» is a single database of all tourist objects of the Republic of Buryatia, available in the Internet - www.visitburyatia. ru . The web site provides information assistance of the tourists and guests of Buryatia. Travel companies of Buryatia post information and offers about tours and recreation on Lake Baikal and in Buryatia. On the web site, there is a catalogue of all places and sightseeings that tourists should visited in Buryatia. All tours and itineraries are performed in convenient and visual. There is an interactive map of Ulan-Ude city and the Republic of Buryatia, where they are marked the sights, cultural and religious sights, the zone of the visitor. You can make online reservation roadside service, the tourist automobile of rooms in hotels, guest houses, tourist routs are shown. camps, order a tour, excursion or services of For the tourists’ convenience on the web site, a guide-interpreter. there is organized online communication On the web site there is information and consulting , and also there is a great about the price of travel, excursions, tours, opportunity to call the consultant directly tickets in theatres, museums, exhibitions, from the web site, and the call will be the average check of the café visiting, absolutely free, in spite of the location of restaurants offering national cuisine and a lot of other useful information for travelers. The web site contains information about the most interesting holiday events, news, articles, blogs, photos, videos and panorama of the most beautiful places of our republic. Lake Baikal is the purest and the deepest lake on the planet that attracts people from all over the world! 2013 is the year of tourism in Buryatia! Welcome to Buryatia!

See you in Buryatia

The year of tourism in the Republic of Buryatia

Buryatia is the place for those who have seen many things, but is looking for more dreams to combine all types of leisure activities and at the same time to have a rare opportunity to look inside themselves and solve ancient riddles and to learn more about the world. The beauty of it is, that travel and rest in Buryatia are possible at any time of the year, in spite the severe and changing climate. Many travelers are looking for untouched places, territories, where nature has remained the same, how saw it our ascendants. The nature of Buryatia is unique. There are mountains and steppes, thick and impassable taiga, mountain rivers and blue lakes. The nature created every part of Buryatia with inspiration and the local people took care of it from external forces during the centuries. Buryatia is a sunny region. The sun is shining brightly all year round here, penetrating deeper into the dense forests, filling everything around with mystical bright and warmth. Even the air is special here. For dwellers of megapolises it is enough clean air, saturated with oxygen, woody fragrance or Baikal moisture, to clear your mind and tune in the desired way.

of the world», «Father Baikal» and many others. Hundreds of legends and stories are connected with it. The local people treat it’s greatness with respect and awe. Every year it attracts more tourists and becomes a kind of a tourist Mecca. Here you can find a rest for your soul, to any taste and purse, but most of all lucky are those people who desire the contact with nature of the lake. Wild sandy beaches coexist here with pine forests and with the siberian taiga. Rocky cliffs, chains of Islands, herbs and flowers, rare animals, bright sun, high sky, clean air - all these things causes unique strong feeling, awaken the imagination and give a burst of energy.

You should come to Buryatia many times. You can visit it with one specific purpose, or you can take from the trip maximum and experience everything for what it will be enough your time and efforts. There are many amazing places on our planet, but the Republic of Buryatia is unique. More and more travelers from all over the world are dreaming to visit Buryatia, because it is a land of contrasts, it is the space of impressions, which are worth to taste. It’s a small world in the middle of Europe and Asia, The pearl of Buryatia is, of course, Lake Baikal. this Sunny country at the junction of the Poets and chroniclers of different times worlds. Come to Buryatia and take with you rewarded him with many epithets: «Glorious a piece of unique energy of Lake Baikal and the sun of Buryatia. sea», «the Pearl of Siberia», «the Blue eye

www.baikaltravel.ru

www.visitburyatia.ru

The republican agency for tourism Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude, Ranzhurova St. 8, ofďŹ ce 4 Tel.: (3012) 21-27-14 Fax: (3012) 55-97-46 www.baikaltravel.ru Edition is funded by the Republican agency for tourism 999 copies Published in the Federal Republic of Germany