National Park "Taganai"

"Picturesqueness and originality of mountain landscapes” were terms used by numerous scientists, travelers, artists and writers when referring to the mountains Yurma, Taganai, Itsyl of the southern Urals. These beautiful places, frequently compared with well-known alpine landscapes, are known as the “Russian Switzerland” and the “Ural Tyrol”. In order to preserve these unique nature wonderlands of the southern Urals, in 1991 the first nature national park in the Urals - “Taganai” was established. “Taganai” is located in the western part of the Chelyabinsk district, adjoining the northern suburbs of the town Zlatoust, and it covers an area of 564 sq. km. The park stretches from north to south 52 km and from east to west 10-15 km. “Taganai” includes some small ridges of the southern Urals - Big Taganai, Yurma, Itsyl, Middle Taganai and Small Taganai. Here are preserved many ecological systems in practically pristine condition - mountain tundra and meadows, sparse growth of trees at the base of mountains and relic forests. The beautiful nature of the park has always attracted the attention of many tourists from all over Russia.

Duration: 7 days/6 nights

Recommended time of the tour: middle of May - middle of November
Physical Fitness: You should be ready to climb mountains by foot with light rucksacks and carry moderate physical loads.
Recommended Equipment: Clothing to suit temperature range from –2ºC to +30ºC. Waterproof clothing, high gum boots, trekking boots, sun glasses, UV cream, repellents for mosquitoes.
Important: For participation in this travel you should have inoculation against encephalitis.
The cost includes: car(bus) transportation, professional guide (scientific researcher) and translator, accommodation in tourist centre, entrance to museums, meal in time of the tour, according to program, equipment hire (tent, rucksack, sleeping bag, first-aid kit)
The cost does not include: photo and video in museums, alcoholic drinks.

Program of tour

1 day. Arrival in Yekaterinburg. Meeting, transfer to the hotel. Receiving equipment. Sightseeing tour around the city. Free time. Dinner.

2 day. Transfer to the town Zlatoust (450 km). Accommodation in hotel "Taganai”. Sightseeing tour around the town. Lunch. Visit museum of local lore. Dinner. Night at the tourist centre

3 day. Early breakfast. Transfer to the place of start trekking. Trekking on the territory of the National Park “Taganai”.Visit "White spring", "Meadow of tales", Rockdrome, Otkliknoy (echo) range (15 km). Dinner. Night at the tourist centre

4 day. Breakfast. Excursion to mount Kruglitsa (circle). Moving to Kialimsk's boarder (9 km). Accommodation. Lunch. Ascention to mount Izil. Walk to relict fir-grove. Russian bath. Dinner.

5 day. Breakfast Excursion to mount Dalniy (far) Taganai. Visit Meteorological station. Ecology monitoring grounds. Examining the state of tundra. Lunch.Visit "3 brothers" grove. Overnight in Kialimsk's log hut. Dinner.

6 day. Breakfast. Tour along the bank of Kialim river. Observation of beaver's dams. Visit Kialimsk's swamp. Gathering berries and mushrooms. Lunch. Moving in the direction of the Turgoyak lake. Dinner.

7 day.  Breakfast. Moving to the Turgoyak lake. Lunch. Museum of Nature Park, Ilmen's reserve, Mineralogical museum in Mias town. Transfer to Yekaterinburg (300 km).