Idea:
Siberia is a mysterious land, keeping the traces of ancient civilisations and untouched nature alive. The human being and the nature elements: fire, air, earth, and water - interlace in harmony with the landscape of this great country. It is so strong that you will feel the invisible power in every rustle of the tree leaves, in every capful of wind, in the shaman's movements during his rituals at the fireplace, in the ringing silence of the Khakassian Steppes, in the fascinating rhythm of the monks' voices in the Buddhist temple, and in the majestic running of the main vital water-way of the ancient earth - Yenisey.
If you feel ready to start looking for a real cultural experience, take a chance to make a trip not only in the material world, but more importantly, in the spiritual world. To feel a tete-a-tete with nature and to gain peace of mind and spirit - is just a part of what The GREAT SAYAN RING may offer you.

Part 1
Days	Program of the tour		Notes
Day 1	Upon tourist's arrival to Krasnoyarsk they transfer to the "Oktyabrskaya"* hotel, with a rest and dinner. A sightseeing tour with a visit to a symbol of Krasnoyarsk - a Paraskovya Pyatnitsa chapel*, Blagovetchensky Cathedral, and recently reconstructed Regional Museum* considered to be one of the best historical and ethnographical museums in Siberia. In the evening the tour agency "Sayan Ring" will host the welcoming dinner. *Accommodation is in the Oktyabrskaya Hotel.		"Oktyabrskaya" hotel is considered to be one of the best hotels in Siberia - extended suite, kind staff, first-class service like in the best hotels of Europe ***. The hotel is located on far from the bank of the Yenisey river near the thriumphatic arch - symbol of the city. All the rooms are provided with telephone (international and trunk-line), satellite television, hair-drier, mini-bar and personal safe in deluxe suite. Paraskovya Paytnitskaya Chapel is located on the Karaulnaya hill, it is the symbol of our city, its image can be seen on a 10 rouble-note. From the Karaulnaya hill you can see the whole city spread out behind you. Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum was founded in 1889, there are unique archaeological finds from ancient civilisations of Yenisey basin and value ethnographic collections are presented here.
Day 2	The group will travel to the South through the city of Divnogorsk*. They will cross the river Yenisey along one of the biggest dams in the world - the Krasnoyarsk Hydro Power Station*. Lunch is in the open air. After lunch those who wish to enjoy the stunning view of the Krasnoyarsk Sea may go up the nearest hill. A stop in the historical village Shushenskoe* will bring even a confirmed sceptic from civilization to old times - a show-excursion to the State Ethnographical Museum-reserve "Shushenskoe". A visit to a real tavern will bring everybody another surprise, then our tourists will take part in the traditional evening meetings - "vechorka", national rites, games and dances. On parting they will be served a cup of tea and bird cherry pie in the Russian izba. Accommodation is in the "Tourist" hotel.		Divnogorsk got its name from Divnye (wonderful) mountains, located on the opposite, left bank of Enisey. The town is situated in the burgs of East Sayn mountains, on the right bank of Enisey, in 35 km. from Krasnoyrsk. The special feature of Divnogorsk is its striking close neighbourhood with nature. Krasnoyarsk Hydro-Electro Station is the biggest in the world, it was founded in 1972. It is located at the Enisey river, just in the place where Enisey crosses East Sayan mountains, near Divnogorsk city. Shushenskoe village was founded in the first part of the 18th century by Russian kozacs. It is an urban village, situated near Big Shush river falls into Enisey, in 721 km. to the South from Krasnoyarsk. For the long time Shushenskoe has been the place of politics exile, in the 20th century the village became famous for it was the place of Lenin's exile. Nowadays ancient folk traditions and Siberian hospitality take much more interest.
Day 3	A day begins with a visit to the village Lunch is in the mountains with a view to the majestic Yergaki Ridge. After lunch a group moves on to Tuva. At the end of the route tourists meet the host of the region - the Sleeping Sayan. One can seen it in the contour of the mountains: he is lying on his back, his arms folded . Why? - the guide tells everything. Then the group goes to the border between Tuva and Krasnoyarsk region, makes a stop at the sight area with a wonderful view of Tuva Visiting the burial mound "Arjaan II"*, picnic among the silence and Tuvan steppes. Then the group goes to the border between Tuva and Krasnoyarsk region, makes a stop at the sight area with a wonderful view of Tuva. By to the evening the group makes a stop 22 km from the city Kizil, on the riverbank of the Biy-Khem (in Tuvan - Big Yenisey), in the yurts' complex*. After dinner - the performance with the traditional throat singing - "khoomei"*. * Accommodation is in the yurts' complex "Biy-Khem" along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.		The excavations of this mound began in 2001 with the group of archaeologists from S.Petersburg together with German specialists. The appearance of "Arjan" dates 6 century BC. A grave of the "tsar" and "tsaritsa" (a king and a queen) was found and there were a lot of golden wares, the common weight was near 20kg. All these prove that the Skythian culture was in the prime of life. The excavations were continued in 2002 in common with State Hermitage. In other parts of the burial mound unique remains of ancient dress and the burial place of 14 horses were found. "Byi-Khem" is a yurts' complex, located just on the riverbank of Biy-Khem (in Tuvan - Big Yenisey), there you accommodate in the real Tuvan yurts, built by the Tuvan craftsmen specially for tourists. The yurts will fill you with thoughts and feelings of something past, mysterious and eternal. "Khoomei" is a fantastic capability of tuvan and some other Siberian peoples to emit simultaneously two or three sounds of different tone and to sustain the same sound during 25-30 seconds without taking a breath. With your eyes closed, it's hard to believe that the sounds are emitted by a person, not a musical instrument.
Part 2
Day 4	Excursion to Kizyl*, the capital of Tuva, visiting the Geographical Centre of Asia Then a visit to the Buddhist temple where the tourists will hear sermon of lama. The main part of the daily program is a visit to the Shaman clinic*. Lunch in the restaurant of Kizil where the traditional dishes of Tuvan cuisine are cooked specially for the guests. Then a visit to the National Museum of Tuva, the souvenir shop and the atelier of the national dress. On the way back the group will come to the nomad's yurt. Acquaintance with the daily life of the Tuvan family makes a big impression on our guests. In the evening camp - a bewitching show: a ritual blessing for health and happiness* at the fire ring . * Accommodation in the yurts' complex "Biy-Khem". Breakfast, lunch, dinner		Kyzyl is located in the place of junction of the rivers Byi-Khem (Big Ynisey) and Ka-Khem (Small Ynisey), which form the famous Ynisey (Ulug-Khem). It was founded by tsar's government in 1914 as a main point in floating. Nowadays Kyzyl is a cosy town, buried in verdure, the main sightseeings are The monument of the Centre of Asia, National Museum of Tuva, Shaman's Clinic. In the Shaman Clinic the real shamans, old and young ones, tell the guests about their traditions, rites and their capabilities. Everybody who wishes to have a look to the future, to experience the purification ritual or to learn about one's state of health can make an appointment with any of the shamans. This ritual is a talk to the spirits, a real magical ritual at the fireplace, followed by the prolonged sounds of a man and his tambourine. You will witness the most unique occasion when several shamans take part in the same ritual all together. In this purification ritual you can plunge into meditation or you can think a wish and it will come true.
Day 5	The group crosses Tuva from the East to the West, following the road of the ancient nomads. Before lunch there is a stop at the Khayrakan* mountain. Lunch on the grass, in the company of "Seven Sisters" - century old larch trees, growing from one root. Then visiting the monument of the great warrior - a stone human statue. People call it "Chinggis-Khaan"*. On the Sayan pass, at a height of 2206 metres, Khakassia begins. Here the mountains are surrounded with the fabulous pine taiga.The next two days in the taiga camp "Snow Leopard"*. * Accommodation in the taiga camp "Snow Leopard". Breakfast, lunch, dinner		Khayrakan mountain is one of the most sacred and respected places in Tuva. In 1992 it was chosen as the energetically strong place and was sanctified by the Dalay Lama XIV. Once a year the local shamans come to this place to revive, strengthen and clean their spirit. Why not take a chance to use this possibility? Chinggis-Khaan is a figure 1.2 metres high, stands alone in the endless step and nobody disturbs it. Why it is so you'll learn from the guide's story. "Snow Leopard" is a nice camp, situated among pine taiga, surrounded by the West Sayan mountains, just in the heart of kind Siberian taiga and on the bank of the clearest mountain river Stoctysh, 1250 meters above sea-level. Kindest staff, 10 cozy wooden houses with hot stoves, main corpus, hall with soft furniture, fireplace. A small cafe will surprise you with various Russian taiga cuisine. There are also banya and volleyball ground. Snow Leopard or ounce, is the only permanent inhabitant of this mountain area; it lives in Russia, India, Bhutan, Mongolia, Burma. Nowadays Snow Leopard is put down into the Red Book.
Day 6	After breakfast a short stroll in the taiga to the most beautiful mountain lake situated at the height of 1520 metres. Inspired by the guides' stories about the ecological cleanness and energetic strength of these places, tourists can plunge into the lake where the temperature is approximately 12-14 degrees! And then herbal tea is served with cowberry jam at the fire place. After lunch those who wish can experience a "Phytosauna"*. During the berry and mushroom season the tourists collect taiga gifts which you don't even need to look for - they are just under your feet. And in the evening the hosts of the "Snow Leopard" offer their guests real Siberian banya*. After dinner evening at the fireplace. Cedar Taiga*, starry sky and the silence that we forget about in the city surround you and only the crackle of the blazing fireÅ * Accommodation in the taiga camp "Snow Leopard". Breakfast, lunch, dinner		"Phytosauna" - a very agreeable restoration procedure like a sauna with herbal steam. Siberian Cedar is a robust tree, in natural conditions it grows only here, in Siberia and also in Altay and Ural. Siberian Cedar lives for 3-5 centuries, at the age of 20-70 years it begins bear fruits. Cedar cones appear every 5-6 years, sometimes during 2-3 centuries. Their nucleus contain vitamin B and about 50% of oil. Cedar nuts are used with curative aims, also they are used for preparing oil, milk and other products with high quantity of calories. Siberian banya is an unusual wooden building, where people wash themselves and warm with hot and wet steam. The main parts of Siberian banya are an oven, with a stone (kamenka), "polok" where people lie or sit and rest, large pans with hot and cold water, switches for steaming out. A good banya always has some kind of hall - "predbannik", for undressing and resting after hot room . There people drink kvass (very tasty Siberian drink) or herbal tea.
Part 3
Day 7	From the morning tourists get familiar with the taiga and mountain medicinal herbs. The guides will tell them how one can render first aid to recover without contemporary medicines. After lunch - bid farewell to "Snow Leopard" and taiga. En route the group makes a stop at a khakasian village where there is a monument Hurtuyah tas* set, where native women bring there gifts if they wish to have a baby. By the evening the bus arrives to the Kug valley (in Khakassian kug means "delight") 137 km from Abakan. After dinner - a performance of the national folklore group. * Accommodation in the yurt complex "Akhtas"*. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.		Hurtuyah tas monument is a monument where native women bring their gifts if they wish to have a baby. In 2003 the monument was set in its original place after more than 30 years in the museum. Yurts' complex "Akhtas" is located in 140 km. from Abakan, on the left bank of the Askiz river, on the border of the mountains of Altay and Sayany, just on the territory of the National reserve of Khakassia. Accommodation in real yurts, built specially for comfortable rest. Every yurt is for two, dining room, lavatories, shower rooms.
Day 8	Excursion to the State museum-reserve of Khakassia "Kasanovka"*. After lunch - the sequel of the archaeological excursion: the sacred signs of the ancient shamans and a cult obelisk "Akhtas", which possesses a strong healing energetic field. * Accommodation in the yurt complex "Akhtas". Breakfast, lunch, dinner.		It's hard to believe but tourists will rock drawings that are more then 3-5 thousand years old. Moreover you witness how archaeologists make copies of the pethroglyphs onto paper for further study. You can take these copies as a rare souvenir. You also learn the purpose of the mysterious vertical stones, standing upon the earth all over Khakassia. And you see the places of real archeological excavations.
Day 9	Say "good-bye" to Akhtas and in a couple of hours you arrive to Abakan, the capital of Khakassia. A visit to the Republican Regional Museum *. From Abakan the group goes to "The Valley of Kings", there are about 30 burial mounds aged from the III-IV century B.C. The culmination of the trip will be the Great Salbyk Mound *. Lunch close to the Great Salbyk Mound with a view to the Valley of the Kings, then back to Krasnoyarsk. *Accommodation in the Hotel "Oktyabrskaya". Breakfast, lunch, dinner. (in the hotel)		The first notes about Abakan come from the XIXth century already, when Ust-Abakanskoe village became the centre of Kazachinskaya Stepnaya Duma. The only centre of culture was Orthodox church. Nowadays Abakan is the capital of Khakassia. Its population is 170 thousand people. The Republican Regional Museum presents the unique collection of cult stones and hears the echo of ancient worship and religions. It is believed that most of the stones have retained their power up until now. Great Salbyk Mound, once constructed over the grave of a noble family and excavated by archaeologists in 1954-56 . It is about 0.5 km by perimeter and over 11.5 metres high. The vertical stones weigh 60 tons. They say in that very place the local shamans derive their strength. The guide will tell you what to do if you want your wish to be fulfilled.