Irkutsk:
The town of Irkutsk was established as a fortress
on the banks of the Angara in 1651, and from
humble beginnings developed into the administrative
center of Eastern Siberia. The town initially
grew rich and prospered on the profits of the
fur trade, and then boomed following the discovery
of gold in the area. Though much of the fine,
classic Russian architecture of these boom-times
was lost during the Soviet era, old gingerbread
log houses remain in areas, and this atmosphere,
combined with the Asiatic influences of neighboring
Mongolia and China, serve to make Irkutsk one
of the most interesting places to visit in the
area.
Lake
Baikal, the “Pearl of Siberia”,
is a place of breathtaking beauty and mind-boggling
statistics: at 1637 meters it is the world’s
deepest lake, containing an incredible fifth
of the world’s fresh water resources.
At 636 kilometers long the lake is bigger than
Belgium, and has water of such crystal clarity
and visibility extends to a depth of 40 meters.
Baikal has been home to various ethnic groups
for millennia, and the shamanistic Buriat people
still reside in settlement of wood cabins around
the lake shore. This is one of the most magnificent
natural sites on earth, and offers lovers of
the outdoors fabulous opportunities for hiking,
horse trekking, fishing and boating.
Yolyn Am - the Vulture’s
Gorge Yolyn Am, 'The Vulture's Gorge’,
commonly called Eagle Canyon by travellers,
is a striking gorge in the deep desert, remarkable
for the microclimate that its formation creates.
Sheer rock walls, up to 660 feet high, keep
out the light and the heat, whilst four waterfalls
pour into the canyon, chill as they leave the
sun, and freeze. Yolyn Am is lined with ice
almost year-round and at its narrowest point
only two people (or animals - the canyon is
a favored haunt of the wild Ibex and Argali)
can pass abreast. Descent into the canyon is
on foot or on horseback if you'd prefer.
Bayanzag, which in Mongolian
means 'a place of many saxaul bushes', was first
called 'The Flaming Cliffs' by Roy Chapman Andrews,
the American dinosaur hunter and adventurer
who made vital finds of dinosaur eggs and skeletons
at the base of the vivid red bluffs, which stand
alone in a vast empty expanse of land and sky.
Chapman himself was something of a rogue - said
by some to be the man on whom the film character
'Indiana Jones' was based. He lived an adventurous,
self-aggrandizing life across much of this part
of the world. At Bayanzag it is the landscape,
in addition to the rich dinosaur history, which
is very impressive - an intense evocation of
Mongolia's great emptiness.
Mongolian Bactrian Camel: People
can travel almost anywhere by camel. In olden
days, camel was the biggest and strongest form
of transport. Camel may look imposing but they
are actually very calm and easy to ride. One
of the most interesting parts of this journey
will be to ride a camel over the sand dunes
for a panoramic view the natural beauty of the
Gobi.
Gun-Galuut is one of the most
popular nature reserves of Mongolia. The Reserve
is truly the marvelous combination of high mountains,
colorful flowers, pretty lakes, rivers and wetlands
with its famous rare species. It is a home to
endangered wild Mountain
sheep-Argali the Big Horns, White-napped crane,
Siberian White Crane, Hooded Crane and the rare
Black stork, Asian heron, Whooper swan, Swan
Goose and so on. Over 80 Argali sheep inhabit
peacefully in Gun-Galuut now. Tourists visiting
the Nature Reserve have the opportunities to
do watching and taking photos of the Endangered
species, rafting and fishing in the lakes and
rives, camping in a beautiful and peaceful nature,
visiting nomadic family, riding horse, yak and
camel and introducing with traditional nomadic
lifestyle and culture.
More
information about Mongolia and Russia tour:
This fantastic multi-country tour takes you
to Russia and Mongolia in one Mongolia Russia
trip. You will travel to the Asian Black Pearl
lake Baikal and Siberia and the Gobi desert
and Gun-Galuut steppes in Mongolia. You can
sail with boats, ride camels or horses or trek
during the trip.
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