Kamchatka

Kamchatka is one of the most beautiful and unique places not only in Russia, but on whole our planet. The peninsula fascinates with its wild nature preserved in an original form. Kamchatka is stunning landscapes, gushing geysers, majestic volcanoes and glaciers, thermal and mineral springs. Some unique protected natural areas united under the tittle Volcanoes of Kamchatka and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kamchatka is known all over the world as the “land of volcanoes” – there are about 300 of them in the territory of the peninsula. Volcanoes have different status- active and extinct ones.

One of the most interesting tour of Kamchatka is a trip to Tolbachinsky volcanic massif, which is located in the south-western part of Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes. The large massif is formed by two stratovolcanoes, which merged by bases and have the characteristic structure and an independent centers of eruptions. Ostry Tolbachik is extinct volcano, and Plosky Tolbachik is active one.

Baikal

Lake Baikal is one of the most surprising natural treasures on our planet. It is known all over the world as the deepest and clearest lake. In additional, Baikal is the oldest lake in the world – it is more than 25 million years old.

Baikal is the planet’s largest freshwater reserve. This lake is beautiful at any season. In summer it is adorned with the picturesque shores – high mountains, steppes, marshes, meadows and tundra with rich flora and fauna. Along the coast are natural parks and nature reserves. In winter Baikal turns into the magic ice kingdom and world’s largest ice rink. Despite the depth of ice, it is so transparent, that the walking on the lake leaves a lasting impression.

During the visit Baikal you are expected:

• Amazing natural beauty of Siberia
• Architectural and ethnographic museums, where you’ll learn about the history and culture of Pribaikalye nations
• Travel through the Siberian taiga
• Exciting hiking routes and many other interesting.

Ruskeala

To see interesting natural places in Russia, it is not necessary to go on a long journey. For example, you can visit the tourist complex Ruskeala, which is located about 300 km from St. Petersburg. It is the amazing natural area of the Northern Ladoga region.

You’ll be able to admire the fascinating beauty of Karelian nature in Ruskeala Mountain Park, where the picturesque rocks of the Marble Quarry are reflected in the turquoise smooth surface of the purest lakes! This amazing natural park is an object of cultural heritage of Russia.

The park is equipped with walking trails and comfortable viewing platforms. It is open seven days a week in all seasons. Here you are expected:

• interesting sightseeing routes
• spectacular natural beauty
• various outdoor activities
• cozy cafes with authentic Karelian cuisine and delicious pastries
• unique handmade souvenirs made of local marble.

Chara Sands

Most people connect the word “desert” with something negative. A desert is in one way or another – extreme, survival, but in no way a place to relax. However, as regards the Chara Sands, this is not entirely true.

The most northern desert in the world is located in the Trans-Baikal Territory, in the Kalar District, surrounded by snow covered mountains.

Valley of Geysers

It’s hard to do verbal justice to the beauty and unreality of this place. Columns of hot steam burst forth from under the ground, and bears can sometimes be found wallowing in the natural mud pools. All this takes place over a small area of ​​around 6 sq km in the canyon of the Geysernaya River in Kamchatka.

Incidentally, the valley was discovered only recently, in 1941, by geologist Tatiana Ustinova, who made it there with a guide on a dog sled. In 2007, the valley vanished from the face of the earth after a landslide, but in 2013 the geysers started gushing again, and a new landslide cleared away the natural dam.

Today, the most common way to get there is by helicopter from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Karelia

The map of this northern republic is criss-crossed by lakes and waterfalls, giving the impression of a world with more water than land. The cliffs, blanketed by dense coniferous forests, offer endless scope for exploration, but for an instant impression be sure to visit Ruskeala Mountain Park, which, incidentally, is just a day’s ride from St. Petersburg, the final leg of which is done aboard an atmospheric retro train.  

Altai

The Altai Mountains are still home to many unexplored paths, and a trip here is not recommended to comfort lovers. But for those willing to suffer the Spartan conditions and days-long foot marches, the reward is an incredible vista of mountain peaks, fast-flowing rivers, and flowery meadows. One of the most beautiful roads in all of Russia is the Chuisky tract, which passes through Altai.

Curonian Spit

In westernmost Russia lies a unique nature reserve, where the most bizarrely shaped “dancing” trees have grown along a sandy narrow spit almost 100 km long. Here you can walk the incredible eco-trails with an (audio) guide among the dunes and futuristic sandy beaches, and breathe in the fresh pine air.

Manpupuner

These stone giants in the Urals were once mountains, but the erosive influence of wind and time has reduced them to pillars. True, the local Mansi people have their own legends about how their stone idols got here. It’s possible to get here by helicopter (the soft option) or by slogging it on foot and taking in the mysterious, infamous Dyatlov Pass along the way.

Lena Pillars

These otherworldly cliffs stretch for 40 km along the Lena River, picturesquely reflected in its waters. The “pillars” are a monument to several evolutionary cycles, and preserve the remains of Paleozoic-era creatures. Mammoths and other extinct mammals have been found here too. You can get here by boat in summer and by snowmobile from Yakutsk in winter.