The increase in tour operators offering the Russian Federation as a destination from Europe now means a wide choice for potential visitors. A bias towards tailor-made holidays has brought added activities and adventures to the traveller’s scope. There is a large potential to develop independent adventure tourism and recent years have seen a considerable increase. There are a number of opportunities on offer.
The Russians have also quickly developed some high-tech offerings. It is possible to fly in a MIG-29 aircraft, a fighter capable of more than twice the speed of sound, that was once
part of the formidable Soviet Air Force. Those interested in Russia’s achievements in the field of space travel should visit Star City, just outside Moscow, which is a cosmonaut training complex open to visitors.
Residential Russian-language courses and other short-term study programs are available. Accommodation is usually with Russian families, and activities are organized. For further information, contact VAO Intourist, 13/1 Milyutinsky per., Moscow 101990 (tel (095) 753 0003; website:
www.intourist.ru).
SkiingThis is on offer in the Caucasus, at Teberda-Dombay (west) and at Baksan Elbrus (north), and Kamchatka. As for the big cities, Moscow has a ski jump in the Vorobyevi Hills and days of cross-country skiing, with poles and boots provided, at Suzdal. Cross-country skiing is available outside the city at Olgino on the Gulf of Finland. Downhill skiing enjoys a short season in the Russian Federation and generally lasts from January to March. Skiing in the Russian Federation calls for much fitness and skill, more than the average skier takes with them each year to other European resorts, as facilities in general will take some years to equal those of luxury alpine resorts.
Heli-skiing is now available in the Caucasus and Kamchatka where, it is claimed, the powder snow rivals that of Colorado and there is a guarantee of snow throughout the short season. Amid the wilds of Karelia, north of St Petersburg, cross-country skiing is routed through the taiga and over a terrain of frozen rivers and lakes including Ladoga and Onega.
Outdoor pursuitsThose wishing to go trekking can climb to altitudes of 3200m (10,499ft), where the landscape changes en route from alpine meadows of red poppies to snow-capped peaks and scenic plateau. Until recently, previously unexploited areas of the Fan Mountains, known as Matcha, had never been trodden by Western feet. Perm in the Middle Ural Mountains is home to some of the rarer birds of prey. The Baseguy National Reserve has been created on the Kama River Basin and ornithologists can get glimpses of eagle owls, great grey owls, Ural owls and golden eagles.
The Caucasus Mountains, which stretch from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, separate Russia from Armenia and Georgia. Dominating the range is Mount Elbrus, at 5642m (18,510ft), the highest peak in Europe. The jagged peaks overlook a vast vegetation range from palm trees to deciduous forest and flower-carpeted valleys. Elbrus offers a strenuous, though non-technical, climb to its summit. Trekking, again strenuous, is possible across the beautiful scenery of the peak and its neighbors. Six-day Elbrus trekking circuits and three-summit climbs in the Adyl-Su Valley that include the Elbrus peak are also available. Siberia used to be associated with salt mines and permafrost, yet the Altai region of southern Siberia rivals Switzerland for rolling hills, snowy peaks, flowers and pine forests. Undiscovered areas of Siberia, on the borders of Kazakhstan and Mongolia where summer temperatures hit 22°C (71°F), are heady with the scents of its flowers, herbs and trees. Mount Belukha rises to 4506m (14,784ft) over a few scattered villages in an area where the bear population outnumbers the human. Not unsurprisingly, among tours offered are botany itineraries through June and July with safari camp accommodation. There are also horse riding holidays, with routes through the Alpine meadows and coniferous forests of the Sayano Altai Mountains, which also include opportunities for botany, birdwatching and river rafting.
Getting around the Pacific peninsula, reminiscent of Alaska just across the Bering Sea, can be done by flying, on all-terrain vehicles or on two sturdily shod feet.
WatersportsCentral Asia’s Lake Baikal – dubbed the Blue Eye of Siberia – offers canoeing and camping holidays for groups. It is also possible to go scuba diving there.
The Kamchatka River in Russia’s Far East has some stiff river-raft tests as well as canoeing. Enthusiasts should note that the Veselovskaye Reservoir in the Rostov-on-Don region is noted for fish, particularly pike, perch, carp, bream, gudgeon, bullhead and roach. Many towns and cities have artificial ice-skating rinks for the summer but during the hard winters frozen lakes and rivers ensure plenty of room for skating. St Petersburg’s Central Recreation Park is a favorite among skaters and it also has a ski center.
Spectator sportsAlmost every provincial city has a football team and larger cities have several clubs organized within factories, unions and government offices. International events include the
Kremlin Cup tennis tournament and the Izvestia
Hockey Prize. Russia’s ethnic diversity is reflected in the wide variety of local traditional sports. Martial arts are a recent import and are steadily gaining in popularity.
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