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Related links:
 The republic of Buryatia
Places to visit
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Alpine meadows.
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One of the most attractive wild areas for all kinds of travellers and adventureres, photographers as well, it was named after a small river that leaves deep and narrow canyon in the ridges for flat plains of the valley. It is much more reachable than Oka (see Oka Region description), as it is much closer to the main ways of South Baikal area. Connected with a good paved way to Sludyanka Transsiberian railway station and Federal Highway M55, Tunka is a lot more populated than Oka region. The valley of Tunka is sprinkled with settlements as it is good for agriculturing and herding, with rich soils and good pastures. The region is wellknown among adventureres first of all because of Tunkinsky Range of Eastern Sayan mountain country. Perfect for backpacking tours, it's also exellent for rafters and kayakers, and particularly for mountaineers and rock climbers. Trekking season lasts almost the year through, excluding most cold months January and December. The climate in whole is continental, summers are longer and hotter than in Oka, wintertime is characterized by strong frosts starting from November and fading out in February. The whole area bears traces of ancient glaciering, with sharp pyramid summits and deepened cirques, hemmed around with old moraines, the ridges of a sierra type with vertical rock faces and steep cliffs. Glaciers are now replaced by deep and clear lakes with ice cold water.Mountain passes mostly are rocky saddles, with steep slopes lined by long screes with patches of green grass. The absolute altitude of the range is around 3000 m over ocean level. Current icing process is not characteristic for this district of Sayan Mountains. Sandwiched in between two main streams of the area, Irkut on the South and Kitoy on the North, The Tunkinsky Range is cut across with many rivers and creeks that run down along narrow gorges with waterfall steps which are many. Backpackers' tours usually start in June through September. February, March and April are perfect for ski raids. Mountaineering traditionally takes place thrice a year: in the end of October (Winter season), in the end of March (Spring season) and in the beginning of May (also considered as Spring). Climbing season opens in June and lasts till early September. As for rafting and wild water kayaking, the best time is from the end of June to midAugust. Main rafting streams are Irkut, Zun-Morin and Kitoy.
Almost all the ridges crossed by trails, that go over the mountain passes. The Passes in Tunkinsky Range have different degree of difficulty - from wide low saddles to narrow slots in rocks, so it is quite possible to built own way according to your abilities. Cirque lakes are the start for many rivers and creeks.
Surrounding taiga (Boreal forest)is abundant with wildlife and different kinds of wild berries, such as raspberry, redberry ( Russian "brusnika", also called as billberry, mountain cranberry), blueberry (Russian "golubika"), huckleberry (Russian "chernika"), bittersweet (honeysuckle) and others. Partly taiga cosists of Siberian stone pine which is called "cedar" by locals. The nuts of this tree previously served a perfect raw material for cedar oil, that was replaced by sunflower oil later.
Hiking on a trail.
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The snow melts by June, tho' in cirques and canyons it can lie all summer through. Nothern sides of peaks and passes are covered with deep snow till midJune.
Sudden snowstorms are not rare in mountains in June yet they don't last long. Local population uses horses to ride over the ridges through flattened low passes with good horse trails. It is also possible to arrange horsebacking trips to the main highlite of the Range Shumak Spring Valley.
Along the southern foot of the Range there are a lot of spots with mineral water springs which are utilized by people as a medicine for a number of diseases. The most popular and wellknown are two of them - Arshan and Nilova Pustyn resorts, spa villages with developed infrastructure, good warm curative baths, drinking water springs, hotels and hostels and small cafes along the streets. Arshan is more visited by people as it closer to Federal Highway and Transsiberian Railroad. Nilova Pustyn is a desolated spa village now.
Since 80-s the whole territory of Tunka region announced a National park.
Hiking on a trail.
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The route starts in Arshan Resort town, which is 130 km along a paved road from Sludyanka railroad station of Transsiberian, can be reached for three hours from Irkutsk. Rather can be started from Nilova Pustyn, too.
Day 1. Arrival to Arshan. Hiking along and across the town, visiting springs, walking in the park with old historical larches. Lunch can be served in a local cafe. Walk up along the rocky edge of Kyngarga creek canyon, then descend to the bottom of it to the trail. Several waterfords along the way. Deep canyon is a good place to make pictires, the river bed is crossed by waterfalls. Hike upstream the creek till a campsite on the bank. Overnight in tents.
Day 2. Hiking to the Arshan Pass. The slope rises steeply, the trail to the Pass is rather hard and goes over the grassy fields. The altitude mark of the saddle is 2200 m. From the Arshan Pass a sweeping panorama of Sayan Ranges opens on both sides. The Nothern side of the Pass is very steep and grassy, too. Campsite on the bank of Kitoy river, famous for great fishing.
Day 3-4. Hiking upstream Kitoy river. The trail is good walked, on the way there are cozy campsites. Great time to sink into the wild nature of the area. Picturing Biluta Creek (left inflow of Kitoy) canyon and waterfalls.
Day 5. Hiking from the mouth of Shumak river to Shumak Spring Valley along the edge of the canyon. Some good spots for picturing on the way.
Day 6. Spring Valley Sojorn. Excursional raids neararound. Mineral water drinks and warm baths.
Day 7. Leaving Spring Valley for the Great Waterfall on timberline. Camping.
Day 8. From a Timberline waterfall to Shumak Saddle - a mountain pass to Irkut river valley. Overnight near the wooden cabin "letnik".
Day 9-10. Descent to Nilova Pustyn spa village. Leaving Nilova Pustyn for Sludyanka train station or Irkytsk city.
A stop on a path.
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Shumak Spring Valley is reachable on horseback from Khoyto-Gol village which is on the bank of Yikhe-Uhgun tributary of Irkut, 12 km from Nilova Pustyn spa. The ride takes two days there and two days back along the horse trail over Khubuty Pass. The horses and horsemen can be hired in the village for reasonable price. The itenarary is the following:
Day 1. Arriving to the village of Khoyto-Gol. Loading luggage on horses and start for the trail. Lunch can be taken on the way. Campsite near the cabin on the Pass.
Day 2. Going over the Pass to Zun-Gol river and then follow to Ara-Oshay creek campsite.
Day3. Arriving to Shumak Spring Valley.
Day 4. Spring Valley sojorn. Excursional hikes neararound.
Day 5. Ride to the Timberline waterfall and through the Shumak saddle to the cabin.
Day 6. Arriving to Nilova Pustyn spa village and departure to the train station of Sludyanka or Irkytsk city.
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