lost stupas in the soviet far east
DAY 1 - Chita
Meet-and-greet at Chita International Airport, transfer to our hotel of choice in Chita and introductory briefing about the region.
Chita City Tour: Lenin Square, Grand Buddhist Temple, Cathedral Mosque, Decembrists Museum, Odora Park of Culture and vast array of Socialist architectures and fading Soviet glory.
Overnight in Chita.
DAY 2/3 - Aga-Buryatia
We'll devote two full days to the exploration of this secretive autonomous region: the Agin-Buryat Autonomous Okrug, aka Aga-Buryatia, used to be one of the many more-or-less self-governing geopolitical entities in which the mighty Soviet Union was divided.
This remote land is mostly inhabited by a peculiar sub-ethnos of the Buryats—who are the titular nationality of the namesake republic further west—and represents a bizarre, exotic and slightly desolate post-Soviet reality wild steppes and lonely stupas.
We'll base ourselves in Aginskoe, the regional capital, and tour all the main highlights of Aga-Buryatia such as Mogoytuy (open-air ethnographic museum), Tsugol and Uzon (imposing Buddhist temples).
We'll also go off the beaten path and visit the Alkhanai National Park, which hosts one of the Five Sacred Peaks of Northern Buddhism, and Ankhabai, where ancient and mysterious monoliths stand still in the steppe as a somber reminder of a past civilization.
During your time in the valley you'll have the unique chance to meet with Buryat shamans and pilgrims, who will share with you their food, their stories and the mystic secrets of their secretive culture.
Overnights in Aginskoe.
DAY 4 - FAREWELL TO SIBERIA
After sharing a last Buryat meal together we'll take care of your transfer to either Chita International Airport or Chita Train Station for your trip back home and/or your connection to yet another exciting destination in the region such as Mongolia, Manchuria or Yakutia.
End of the tour.
950 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast included), private transport (car/minivan), all entrance fees, English-speaking guiding service, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement, international flights, main meals, extra drinks, visa fees (if required), additional activities, tips, travel insurance.