Russia Adventure Tourism
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Loading... - Lina Zhukov
- 22 Feb 2023
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Russia is a wild land. Its vast territory spans tundra, taiga, forest, steppe and dessert. It boasts the world’s largest area of uninhabited wilderness, the world’s deepest lake, Europe’s highest mountain and, unsurprisingly, the world’s coldest permanent human settlement. If you dream of stepping where no man has stepped before, Russian adventure tourism is for you.
Adventures Like No Other in Russia:
Long Journeys: Trains and river cruises provide a unique an often exhilarating way to see Russia’s lesser known regions.
Extreme Sports: Mountain hiking, heli-skiing, snowmobiling and sledding are just some of the amazing outdoor activities in Russia. Come in winter to be able to experience adventure tourism in Russia at its best.
Wildlife Watching: Russia has rightly earned its reputation as the land of bears, but did you also know that it has the world’s largest reindeer population?
Natural Wonders: The world’s deepest lake, a valley where all animals perish and a mountain that towers over all of Europe; these are just some of the gems that make Russia a global destination for adventure tourism.
Once in a Lifetime Journeys
Trains
Stretching nine time zones, travel takes on a whole new meaning in Russia. People talk of travel times in days, not hours. Whereas in Europe weekend city breaks are the norm, in Russia it could take as long as a week simply to get to the destination. The journey itself becomes an adventure. Due to the impressive railway lines that were laid down under the imperial rule, to this day train travel is the main form of long-distance transport. Indeed, so central is it to Russian life that train travel has become part of the culture. Though tourists tend to take the Trans-Siberian, which is the longest and perhaps most famous train journey in the world, there are hundreds of other rail routes for the intrepid traveller to take.
River Cruises
The hypnotic, rhythmic plodding of the song of the Volga Boatmen perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to sail down Europe’s greatest river. If Russia ever were to have a pilgrimage, this would be it. Though steadily sailing from the north-western forested hills between Moscow and St Petersburg to the sultry Caspian Sea, may not be a physical adventure per say, it is a undoubtedly a journey filled with cultural and spiritual excitement. At almost every bend in the river, the imposing walls of some historic city’s kremlin, such as Kazan or Nizhny Novgorod, rises up from the banks. And, amid reclusive forests brushing against the water, the golden, onion domes of centuries-old monasteries gleam in the sun.
Outdoor sports
Heli-skiing
When people think of Russia they think of snow, but fire is as plentiful as ice in Russia’s most remote eastern region; Kamchatka. With over 300 snow-capped volcanoes rising above jagged bays, skiing here is not for the light-hearted. But, for the true adrenaline seeker, being dropped by a helicopter onto perfectly powdered slopes stretching down to the Pacific Ocean is an experience like no other.
Hiking
Europe’s highest mountain is not in the Alps, but rather in the Caucasus on the border between Russia and Georgia. At 5,642 meters it is a mammoth climb. Thankfully, one doesn’t need to be Hercules to appreciate its height; a train and ski-lift carry visitors up to almost 4,000 meters.
Sledding
Troikas aren’t only found in fairytales. As soon as the snow is thick enough, horse-drawn sleighs heaped in lavish furs trail along many a park in Russia’s suburbia. Less well-known, but no less fun are the vatrushkas (doughnut-shaped sleds) that zip down dizzyingly high, traditional wooden slides during the New Year’s holidays. For families whith young children, Russia in winter is the perfect destination for an adventure holiday.
Snowmobiles
Feet don’t get you far in Russia’s vast land. This fact becomes painfully true when the snow gets meters deep. Though most ordinary Russians opt for cross-country skis to get around, it isn’t the most exciting or indeed effective way to explore Russia in winter. Instead, try a snowmobile tour and hear your soul sing as the engine roars. If you go far enough North, you may be lucky enough to see polar bears or the Northern lights.
Wildlife Watching
Bears
The bear has long been the symbol of Russia and rightly so. Russia has an estimated 120,000 wild bears; compared to America’s 50,000 it is by far the country with the most bears. In the far east region of Kamchatka, the salmon is so numerous that rivers appear to be red from a distance and bears simply need to dip their paws into the water to catch their dinner. With such a rich diet, Kamchatka bears are the world’s second largest brown bear, weighing in at 650kg (only 50kg less than the fearsome Kodiak bear). They are also the most prolific; Kamchatka has the world’s highest density of bears which means sightings are practically guaranteed. Though the relatively gentle giants don’t tend to attack unless forcefully provoked, bear tours must be conducted with armed guides by law. Read More…
