Muir's Tours Siberia - Shumak Valley

The Shumak valley is situated in the Eastern Sayany Mountains, in the heart of Buryatia, southern Siberia. The Buryat people are descendants of the Mongolian invaders and they still ride just about everywhere today.

Join us on a horse ride or trek into the Shumak Valley - for great mountain scenery, restful and curative mineral springs and sunshine. Yes, sunshine - this is Siberia, but did you not know that the sun shines more in southern Siberia than it does in the Mediterranean.

The thermal springs that spout from the ground in the Shumak valley contain many different minerals and are renowned for their healing powers. The area has long been a spiritual sanctuary for the Buryat people and recently they have built a Buddhist monastery here, following the Russian liberalisation. There are many Shamanistic sites in the area, as Shamanism has existed here alongside Buddhism and beyond to the beginings of humankind.

So if you want to enjoy gorgeous mountain views, the green or autumnal gold valleys of eastern Buryatia and get closer to nature, find out more here.

Sample Itinerary - 12 Days

Day 1  Arrival in Irkutsk. Meet and assistance at the airport. A city tour with a visit to the Cathedral of the Holly Sign and the historical museum followed by lunch in a restaurant. After the tour a restful drive to Listvyanka settlement on the shores of the world's largest lake - Lake Baikal. En route we visit the museum of wooden architecture - an exposition of old Russian buildings with the oldest fortress tower in Eastern Siberia. En route to Listvyanka settlement we also stop by the legendary Shaman Rock – the rock that marks the headwaters of the Angara River. Arrival and check in your hotel. Siberian banya (sauna) followed by dinner and a little wodka. Overnight in Tepema Lodge.

Day 2  After breakfast we take a boat ride across the Angara headwaters to the starting point of the legendary Circum Baikal railroad. Lunch on board. Further passage to the southernmost point of lake Baikal – Kultuk settlement. Bus transfer to Nilova Pustin then by road from Kultuk to the beautiful Tunka Valley that stretches for 200 km, part of the great rift valley that includes the second deepest section of the Earth's crust, after the Marianas trench in the Pacific Ocean. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 3  Our trek or ride starts with an easy trail in old forest that leads to the foot of the mountains. From here and for the rest of day we shall be going uphill. It is a rocky path milled by a thousand years of horses’ hoofs. Lunch and a short rest near a small mountain lake. The goal of the day is to reach the tree line. Dinner and overnight camp near a small creek.

Day 4  Breakfast and then onward to Shumak pass (2760 m). Lunch at the foot of the pass. A short rest near another beautiful lake. Dinner and camp at the tree line inside the Shumak Valley. Overnight in tents on a picturesque forest clearing opposite a beautiful 30m high waterfall.

Day 5  Breakfast then a 4 hour walk down to the Shumak springs. Lunch. Introduction to Shumak springs. Bathing in the warm spa. Dinner. Overnight in tents or log cabins.

Day 6  Rest day. All food and drinks provided. Overnight in tents or log cabins.

Day 7  Breakfast then a 2 hour hike to the Sand pillars (shamanistic icons) situated 7 km down the Shumak river. Lunch with sacrifices (**). Hiking back to the base camp. Dinner. Overnight in tents or log cabins.

Day 8  After a good rest and a late breakfast we start out on our return journey. Stop for the night at the foot of the mountain pass. Probably the only day when meals (dinner and breakfast) are to be cooked on a gas stove. Overnight in tents.

Day 9  Early breakfast then progress towards Shumak pass. Lunch on the other side of the pass near a small creek. Easy hike to the tree line. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 10  Our last hiking day takes us down to the valley and Nilova Pustin health resort. Lunch en route. Bus transfer to Arshan health resort. Accommodation in hotel or a guesthouse. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 11 Visit to a small Buddhist temple. 1 hour easy trek to one of the beautiful Kingarga waterfalls. Lunch in a café. Transfer to Irkutsk. Accommodation in hotel. Farewell dinner.

Day 12 Breakfast. Check out. Departure from the hotel to Irkutsk airport or the Trans Siberian Railway.

Date(s): July, August or early September at your request on a private basis.

Price Indication per person GBP / USD - 2009: GBP1100 / USD2000 Fully Inclusive.

                      Email for availability and Current Price

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range £450 - £600 for economy class. 

Visas
A visa are required for UK passport-holders and cost about £30 for 30 days.

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.