FIRST NATIONS' TOURISM
MONGOLIA
LAKE HUVSGUL
Use the keyword 'Mongolian Tourism' and you will find many informations in internet. A good travel agency with experience is 'Kia Ora Travel' with its opulate program. You can reach the agency under: gudrun_conrad@kia-ora-reisen.de.
Gudrun Conrad will care for you and let you visit our southern neighbors the Turkic peoples Duhkas (in Mongolian 'Tsaatan' / reindeer-people), Tuvas, Kazakhs, the Khamnigan-Mongols (our horse breeding Evenkis), the Darkhats, Khalkh-Mongolian herders and hunters as well other nations' member.
click to "enlarge"
First you have to recognise the size of "Mongol Uls" (Republic of Mongolia). This country covers more than the whole region of France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Schwitzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Lichtenstein together. Or in the American way, almost California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and it is bigger than Canada's Ontario, Northwest Territories or Quebec. Well, that's Mongolia's size without Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia) populated by the number of 2.594 000 citizen only. That's only for your imagination.
When you read the map that shows Buryatia and Mongolia you will recognise Lake Huvsgul is the granny of Lake Baykal. A lake that offers crystal-clear water and a still intact nature. Means as well a lot of fish of different kind.
His whole surrounding regions are called "aimag Huvsgul", means the district here. A district as big as Austria almost. As yet populated with 120.000 citizen only. The "aimag Hövsgöl" ,also called "ulaan taiga", being part of the Siberian mountain taiga and tundra, have his highest peak by 3.351 meter. It's also the region where the mighty river Yenisey get his water from. Neighbours are the Republic Tyva (Tuva) and the Republic Buryatia. As tourist you can enter this region three times: From the south via Ulaanbaatar, Bulgan up to Murun and Hatgal by automobile or airline, from the north from Irkutsk via Mondy and Hanh. The latter possibility only in tourist groups organised by travel agencies.
Beside of the Changajn and the Chentejn the Huvsgul Region is the only true Mongolian taiga. And indeed the Lake Huvsgul remind much for the Lake Baigal and his region. But different here, only a small number of cattle herder families you'll find here while the most people live in the capital Murun or other little towns.
If you ask because of nature, plants and wild animals, it's the same like Buryatia and Tyva. So what reason a tourist can have to visit this region ? Quite simple and different to Russia's regions, it's the centuries' old lifestyle of the Mongolian herders, their immense great hospitality, their knowledge (elsewhere often lost) and an open endless sky. All this you may find in Siberia's north by First Nations when they stay away from the Russian routine. But reindeer breeders, of the Dukha Nation (Tsaatan), you can visit here too. And this on the degree of latitude of London or Vancouver.
Some people call this region an absolutely less developed region, one of the poorest in this world. But when you see it from the different side, the "aimag Hövsgöl" is rich by nature. Nature which is gone elsewhere already, more or less. This beautiful earthy place is a place for the true man who can manage the nature, who know how to survive. As for visitors it seams to them a hard life. But it is our life, a life with belief.
By the way, in present days when Lake Baigal and his region is highly frequented by tourists, at Lake Huvsgul you will find more peace. In the summer you can kayaking and fishing, in the winter use your ski. How ever, here you'll find what's your imagination is, the Great Outdoor.
CHINA
In this case the CENTER makes an exception. This travel-agency is not ruled by First Peoples but its director Mrs.Ji Ping is emotional quite much involved in the theme Tibetan people and their culture. Therefore we like to announce the agency's homepage on which you can make your own connection: www.tibet-tour.com. As for the region of NEI MONGOL and
BURYATIA
If you like to be a tourist in Buryatia's south, the 'Tunka-Region', to hike or to raft, to climb or to ride, to ski you inform yourself at: www.jerga.narod.ruandwww.baikal.eastsib.ru. Communicate and book your tour with Anatoly Khunkhenov. He will show you the beauty of southern Buryatia and other easy reachable areas and connect you with his own Buryat-Mongolian people and Soyot hunters, Semeiskis ('Old Believers', a blend of Ukranien, Belorussian and Polish people) and Russians of the countryside. JERGA & BAIKAL-EASTSIB offer also tours which go cross the Buryat-Mongolian border (to Lake Huvsgul the granny of Baigal or till Orkhon River).
KAMCHATKA
You like to be an individual guest at Kamchatka's west-coast to join e.g. our Itelmen: Alaska-Airlines hit Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. An inland-flight goes to Ust'Khayryuzovo and the 'Tkhsanom'-people will catch you to give you a ride till their beautiful places. Connect yourself with Mr. Zaporockiy O. N. under: zprco@palana.ru to own an invitation. 'Tkhsanom' is a culture-center which has no experiences yet in tourism. Nevertheless they like to earn money to fight their own task.
Republic Sakha, Amur Oblast, Khabarovsk Kray
You like to get in touch with our First Peoples there? Give us a message and we try to help you. Write to: info@menschenrechte3000.de
Note ! In the Amur's and Ussuiri's region you can get in touch with Russian rangers who cares for the last 350 Tigers.
The tigers and rangers need your attention and financial help.
OUR FIRST NATION'S OFFER
for Buryatia's north
Much we have thought about tourism, as one possibility to finance the 'CENTER. Observing what's happen with 'agencies elsewhere, we don't like to push our guests through an automatically wind off program. We know that foreigners can stay
only for certain time but things shouldn't go in hurry. It's not the true Asian style. Not our style.
So we brought up our own 'philosophy':
A)Go in calmness,
B)treat tourists like neighborly guests,
C)do not bother them with stressing programs,
D)do not overfeed them with too much impressions and facts,
E)let them have time to relax,
F)show and let them enjoy little things and
G)show interest for their own place, work, family and news as they came for same reason.
Our program is not a program for always snapshooting or esoterics-eating guests. Imagin how it
would be if we would be intruders in your privacy and act without respect. Also we don't care for mass-tourism.
OUR TOUR, INFORMATION & TIPS
SUMMER-ITINERARY
This program will bring you to Buryatia's north, the Barguzin and invites you to be guest of our Evenki, Buryat and Russian people.
Day 1: Your arrival by train (coming from Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing or Vladivostok) or by airplane (from Moscow or
Day 2 : Breakfast and after a long ride, with two offerings and snackstops, to Maksimikha at Lake Baykal. We erect our 'otoks' (Evenk tents), go for swimming, try to fish or barbecue the fish we had bought in Turka, have our first night under the stars.
Day 3: We ferry cross the River Barguzin (Ust-Bargusin) and join the way up to the village Uloonkhan. On the way we had stops in Barguzin, Kurumkan and Alla and saw a lot of interesting places. Left side the mountains, at the right endless water, swamps and grassland. Nightcamp.
Day 4: Pack the horses, it's time to hike up the Uloon. Everybody owns his walking-stick this makes our climbing better. We cross the Karpusy's water and try to reach our next stop after 25 km.
Day 5: Strike the 'otoks' we continue in our tour and ascending the Nundu's valley. 20 km path. Did we saw a 'uluki'? That's (Nepi-)Evenk for squirrel. The trail ascends steeply.
Day 6: The forest border behind us we made it to reach the Duvan Pass (1,550 m). No clouds? Both sides you can see the alpine peaks of the Barguzin
Ridge (about 2,600 metres) and feel like an eagle. But we should keep on trekkig till the left
Day 7: Ascending along the Topa till the
Day 8: Let's hike down the Tompuda, again into the forest to the Sogzenaya Rivermouth (12 km). Camping and again fish as evening meal? Why not.
Day 9/10: Now we go with the Tompuda's right side and can smell the Baigal. Our camp for two nights, and let us discover this area. Aren't there not natural monuments and a hot spring? Let's ask the fishermen of Tompa.
Day 11: A boat pick up all of us and carry us back to Maksimikha. On the way we'll passing the Ushkanij-Island and with luck some seals ('nerpas') might be curious.
Day 12: We drive back to
Your host will be a little bit jealous for 'cause most citizen of
Day 13: We take a ride to Ivolginsk to visit the 'datsun'
(Lamaistic temple). This place owns the care of the present highness the Dalai Lama.
Maybe we have money left as donation and the monks will bless our ways? They have equip now a small Buddhist museum. In
Day 14: Last shopping and then? Too bad that we must say good
bye what isn't customary for Evenkis. Maybe you'll tell your friends back home
about us? Maybe we can receive a letter from you later? "Nu ladno" as
Russians say, it's o.k., as god makes his decision.
Leaving behind each places tent-poles the next tour goes vice versa and so on through all dates, like in a shuttle service. Here and now it must be said, the route across the
WINTER-ITINERARY
This program let you stay at the Baykal or guides you into the deep endless taiga. Now you can see how Siberian people manage nature and clima. By the way, did you know that our region own more sunny days than Central Europe or the north of
Day 1: Your arrival and the day's program happen as described in the summer-itinerary. Next day you'll see that our drivers are better and more careful than any Schumachers.
Day 2: Early morning we have store all luggage, our equipment and skies and so we move to Maksimikha. There we cross the
Day 3: With luck we see a 'kuma' (Russians say 'nerpa', seal) on ice whilst we squat down like a Yupikhyt (Siberian Eskimo) and fish in Siberian style as we care for natural food all way long.
Day 4: In Ust-Barguzin we enter the vehicle and take the direction of Barguzin to cross the river behind Uluh. Then we pass Khulgana, Khargana, Argana, Kurort Garginskij and get to the village Karatala and Karaftit. This route will show us a lot of natural monuments and one mineral spring. Seldom you will find here a tourist.
The camp must be erected and everybody will be happy to hit the sleeping-bag to manage what we have seen in beauty.
Day 5: This morning we'll give away our gifts to the people of Karaftit and they will tell us where the hunters or herders have gone. Actually we should find the reindeer. If we get in touch with a trapper he will teach us how to observe signs of nature and tracks. So we'll go for skiing in the snowy valleys of the River Vitimkan (70 km radius).
Day 6/7: If you hike without hurry a lot of things you may discover. And you must keep in mind we, means we as guests, like to visit hunters, herders and animals not vice versa. So we must go after their natural timetable. And we like to exchange news and knowledge, are we are right in our thoughts? Let's see what comes along.
Day 8: Back to Maksimikha and to our last night right under the stars and moon. You managed the taiga's coldness, you won't forget and miss the taiga.
Day 9:
Bye-bye Baykal you icy crystal, we must go to
Day 10: The last evening we had visit some artists and the 'CENTER. Today we take a short ride to Ivolginsk, ask for the 'datsun's monks and their blessings of our future way 'cause today is the day of departure. Bye, bye, hope we hear from each other.
KAYAK & BOAT TOUR
We don't know yet will it work out with our own equipment or must we keep on renting all kayaks and boat. It simply depends on the 'CENTER's financial possibility. Nevertheless this tour you can book.
ITINERARY
Day 1/2: As
happen in the summer and winter itinerary you go with us as written.
Day 3/4: From Maksimikha we go by boat arround the
Svyatoy Nos Peninsula, pass the Ushkanij-Island and get off at the village and
rangerstation Davsha. We are now in the area of the
Day 5-9: How far do we get, where do we erect our camp, how long do we stay - all this questions depend on what the nature like to show us. What we can promis is, a lot is to be seen and plenty talks will be happen.
Day 10: The last night we spend at Maksimikha, the last one under the moon and stars.
Day 11: We go to Ivolginsk, visit Ulan-Ude's local artists and the CENTER.
Day 12:
Last shopping and then good bye.
INDIVIDUAL TOUR
Also as single or couple you can book all tours. Same conditions but by a day-price of 80 USD. Knowing our places well we offer also company to film-makers, journalists and other professions. In this case we can offer deals on the base of the ground-price of 80 USD a day.
An other theme is 'Wildlife-Watching', 'Hunt' and 'Fishing'. Our idea is different to that of customary tourism. Highest priority for us is not to disturb animals or to make unnecessary kills.
The theme 'Trophy-Hunt' is in disaccordance with the CENTER's aim. Slowly the scientific facts should be known: To kill rare species or the biggest and highest decorated mammals, birds and fishes will cause a breakage of healthy populations.
If you like to join our hunters and fishers, being a professional too, also in this case we can help by same touristical conditions and prices as long you agree with the state low and your will to take what our people will leave to you. In other words and to make things clear: You can be one of our hunters and fishers to provide our people with food, that's all. The tourism-branch of 'Sport-Fishery' we do not support.
You like to be a guest in one of our '
HORSE RIDING TOUR
At this time the CENTER does not own horses, but we can rent any time horses. Note horse and rider shouldn't go by timeclock as non of our people go too.
Certainly we try to have own Mogolian horses but we have to make saddles and other equipment too, in the fancy Mongolian style. Sorry this needs money and time as well. So, we made up our mind and offer the tour in this way: We bring you to a horse breeder family and you can share their outdoor life. Their herders know at best where to go and what can be shown in their area.
Naturally our guide will be always with you. You may come single or as group but not higher in number than 5 person, so the host can care for you well.
Day 1: Arrival and the same city-program as those of the summer-tour.
Day 2/3: We bring you to the place we have arrange.
Days of Stay: You ride as long, as far you like. Carring with us pack-horses with tent and other equipment, any time any place we can sat up the camp.
Last 3 Days: We bring you back, show you Ivolginsk and the CENTER, have a party with our Artists and finaly you will be sade therefor that you have to go.
For this 'adventure', same as you will be a 'Hunter, Fisher or Photographer of Wildlife', we will charge you per day / single or couple: 65 USD, as group of 3 - 5 people: 60 USD, as group of 6 - 10 people: 55 USD.
Please note: When you ride Mongolian horses, please forget your western style of riding. Let them go as they like and participate on their knowledge. We had accidents caused by western riding tourists which had not follow our advice and knowledge.
As for 'Hunters', 'Fishing Guests' and 'Wildlife-Photographer' they must pay extra for what they have in use (technics) for going after their passion.
OUR DATES
Summer-Tour:
16th
- 29th May, 1st - 14th June, 17th - 30th June,
3rd - 16th July, 19th
July - 1st Aug., 4th - 17th Aug.
Winter-Tour:
6th - 15th Feb., 18th - 27th Feb., 3rd - 12th March,
15th - 24th March
Kayak & Boat-Tour:
16th - 27th May, 30th
May - 10th June, 13th -24th June,
27th June - 8th July, 11th -22nd July, 25th July - 5th
Aug.,
8th - 19th Aug.
INLAND PRICE LIST
AND SOME NOTES MORE
Summer-Tour:
1 -2
pax = 1,120 USD, 3 -5 pax = 910 USD,
6 -10 pax
= 840 USD
Winter-Tour:
1 - 2 pax = 800 USD, 3 - 5 pax = 650 USD,
6 - 10 pax = 600 USD
Kayak-Tour:
1 - 2 pax
= 960 USD, 3 - 5 pax = 780 USD,
6 - 10
pax = 720 USD
Children who are with you up to an age of 12: No charge. As soon the CENTER will work to the full having then a kindergarten as well it's then up to you to let your children join ours. In such case a kindergarten-teacher of your language will be with them.
Not included are Museum, National Park, extra excursions, costs or beverages, helicopter's service or those of ferry, inland-flights and fees.
Discount: We give 5 percent of the total price to guests who are with us a second time. 10 percent to those who will carry checkable others to us.
Payment: It's a good old Asian tradition to pay in cash. Let us go this way, the half you pay by arrival and the second half in the last evening. By the way, it's always good to show the customs officer an impressive bundle of green bucks.
Who can take part ? You don't have to worry so much about mosquitos or bad weather. We have chosen time and regions
well and we estimate more sunshine as you ever could think on. As long you are healthy and carry your medical aid with you; even our own children we would take on our routes.
At home you have required to be vaccinated against hepatitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria, plaque, smallpox and rabies? That's just fine. Your country's health-insurance is strongly recommended.
About visa: Do we have ones a foreign 'Partner of Tourism' as we ask for he will care for. But at present time you can mail: gudrun_conrad@kia-ora-reisen.de, Gudrun Conrad. You tell her which program you like and you'll get your official invitation; necessary for the visa's application.
By our initiator's experiences in tourism, as earlier you go for as less you have to pay for your visa.
We suggest you to get basic knowledge on the customs of those countries which you like to enter.
Your outfit: Our tip - you shouldn't pack more than a rackbag can take. This will lower your costs at the airline-desk immense and makes traveling more easy. Better you buy ordinary things and clothing in our shops.
What to carry: First aid kit, binocular, camera and films, a hat (with mosquito-net), a
one-man mosquito-net, iso-mat, sleeping-bag (..till -5 C = summer-tour, ..till -40 C winter-tour, both with eiderdowns that are the best; if we can buy such from you for the same price as you had payed for we would like to do so or we exchange things of equal value), raincape (big enough to wear it over a rackbag too), rubberized overboots (such kind as motor-cyclists wear; these are very lightweighty like moccasins and stabil) and repair-kit for rubber, sewing-kit, talcum for your feed, pocket-lighter, three pair of cotton foot-rags (better than to wear always wet socks; our outdoor working people wear such), leatherboots (stabil but light as possible; our Evenk boots are the best), a very good pocket-knife (for women and men a knife is our most important tool), fishing-hooks and -lines and lead (if you like a storeable fishing-rod).
Those who come for horse riding shall wear high boots.
As for kayaking you know what to wear and participants of the winter-tour should wear sunglasses not too dark.
Invided hunters and fishers should know what to wear.
Our equipment: You don't have to carry a tent or what ever is needed beside your personal outfit. In present time we can rent what ever is needed but no doubts at all, we like to own our own equipments.
About food: We know this is a theme for you. Whether you a vegetarian or a common eater you don't have to worry. As for both, our vegetables is more delicious than western sorts and the meat is free of antibiotics (see how good it is to live in the steppe or taiga). And the fish will come from crystal clear waters which you do not own anymore in Europe or elsewhere.
Literature: You can link yourself to THE BEST OF MY FAVORITE 'PAGES and see what these do offer. As for bibliographical works we like to point on:
'The Lake Baikal Guidebook' (1996) by A. D. Pedersen & S. E. Oliver. An almost perfect done paperback, purchasable via: ESD, Inc., esd@igc.apc.org and 'The Lake Baikal Region in the Twenty-First Century' (1993), a magazin of the: Davis Associates, Wadhams, NY, USA (ask for the Land Use Planner Mrs. Anita L.
Davis).
Communication: Network of international phone, fax and internet is available in our capital cities and in some towns, in case you are a business-man and you have a need for - unfortunately.
Theme present of host: It's customary in Asia to offer even as a touristical guest presents to those whom you visit. But please do not carry no sense making gifts. It's better to buy things in town which people of the land can't reach easily being hunter, fisher, herder or farmer (medicin, sweets, cookie, cracker, good tea, etc.).
As for in arts & crafts working people they would be simply glad for
obtaining beads of any color and size as you may known from 'America Indian Works'. Also our Siberian First People use such materials by kilograms. But such are rare in Siberia. That's why it would be a good support if you could bring them from your country..
Or you bring good fishing-hooks & -lines, good western tobacco and paper, snuff, simple toys and drawing-paper and colored pencils for the children.
An delicate theme is alcohol. The CENTER and our tourism do not support such beverage. But to offer a flask of real good stuff, let's see it alike good medicine. Please carry no goods which will cause rubbish heap. Our guides will tell you at best what will be needed.
Let us say here already
YOU ARE WELCOME
ANY TIME
MAP & LEGEND
The illustrations show our Northern Evenki, our Buryat or Khalkha summer- and winter-tour, the possibility for kayaking, horseback-riding and wildlife-observation. In Buryatia's Barguzin-region you can join our fishery and
hunters to learn from them or to give a hand. In the 'aimag' (district) Huvsgul, in Mongolia, you can stay with our herders and for many reason more.
If you like to be a helper in our 'CENTER's daily work and activities or you like to stay for certain time with one of our native families, no question we take care for.
HOW TO REACH US
THE CENTER AND OUR FIRST
NATIONS' TOUR
To hit ULAN UDE you can use the flights to Buryatia's capital directly or you arrive in
To reach
If you like to travel by visiting several places: Between
Only thing you have to do, take well care for invitations and visa or transit-visa to stay out of trouble.
At time BURYATIA and
In the winter less guests arrive but such tough 'winter-birds' can enjoy
By the way, if we would visit Central-Europe in winter with his only 10 or 15 C below, we would feel uncomfortable. But to live with 30 till 50 minus it does not bother us. Why? Our climate is continental dry.
Take a look at the world-map and you'll see
So, you have no reason to be afraid for Siberia's or
DEVELOPING PROGRAM OF TOURISM
Let's talk about material things. General we can operate tourism as we have written in our program already. But to rent touristical outfit, transportation, etc. means for us less independency. As for BURYATIA, in certain regions we have to repair by weather broken huts, etc. and we like to revive a reindeer-sovkhoz (-farm) that was going ruinous after the brake down of the Sovietunion.
The CENTER like to buy a stock of 150 reindeers being the needed livestock for the CENTER's own survival and tourism. We co-operate with Evenk and Dukha (Tsaatan) herders. In this way we would have own reindeers for transportation (taiga- & mountain-tour), can show our guests how to work with them (as Mongolian herders do it too).
The equipment we have to use for tourism you can see in the initiator's
illustration. It's traditional done good enough and enumerated as needed for a group of 10 guests maximum.
What the illustration doesn't show are the cost of: A four-wheel-drive truck, a UAZ (as transportation for tourists and for the CENTER's use), replacement parts, spare tyres, first fills, voice radio (also good for the CENTER's communication), snowmobile, fishing equipment, boat & trailer, kayaks, life vests, etc. and the expenses of: office work & payments, advertising, ads & prints, taking part in the 'I.T.B.-Fair' & travel, etc..
So all in all we ask for
a start-sum of 70,000 USD / EURO
This illustration may show what the CENTER like to offer as material investment if we get the financial support for.
Most things can be done by our own hands using the traditional know-how of our elders. But for outfit wich bases on modern technics we must pay for. Naturally, even home materials cause the need of money.
A/B = lower shelter, C/D = upper shelter, E = door-flap, F = stove (made in V2A-steel), mess kit & dishes, G = boat & sail, H = outboard motor (35 hp),
I = sleigh, J = skis, K = stick, L/M = kayak, N = life-vest, O = fishing net, P = saddlebag, Q = harness, R = saddle.