Monday, September 17, 2007

Travels in the Altai-Sayan Region (August 15 - 30, 2006)


From August 15-30 my friend Anya and I traveled in the Altai-Sayan Region of south-central Siberia (see map right) , which is home to some of Russia's most beautiful, striking and varied landscapes.
Anya is from Irkutsk, and we met during my first trip to Russia over 4 years ago. During our trip we visited Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve on the Enisei River (one of the largest rivers in Siberia and on Earth, running from south to north to the Arctic Ocean); the Republic of Khakasiya and Khakassky Zapovednik (nature reserve); we traveled along the border of Khakasiya, the Altai Republic and the Republic of Tuva (home to nomads, throat singing, camels and yaks), through Tuva and to the park Ergaki in the Krasnoyarsk Region. We had an amazing time!!

We are very, very grateful to the directors of Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve and Ergaki Park, and also the director of the Idgir hunting and fishing company for inviting us to visit and taking time out of their incredibly busy schedules to organize everything for us. They are wonderful. We also owe a big thank you to the staff of Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve and Ergaki Park for teaching us about the protected natural territories where they work. Lots of pictures below!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Looks informative and encouraging