Highlights
The Amur Tiger certainly is the King of the Russian Far East. Its numbers have been fluctuating over the past fifteen years, but due to the effort of WWF/Russia and other project dedicated to preservation this magnificent animal, right now the numbers are increasing. Nevertheless, actually observing the Amur Tiger is nearly impossible, as it is elusive and requires long term dedication. However, it is possible to observe and learn about what is done to protect the tiger from poachers and other hazards.
Logistical details
After a day of acquaintance with the great city of Vladivostok, you will transfer by car to the Sikhote Alyn Preserve. You will explore the area by foot and be accompanied by a naturalist who will explain the Tiger protection efforts. You will be partly accommodated with families and in cabins with outdoor toilets. On the way back to Vladivostok, you will stop at Victor Yudin's small protected area where he usually takes care of 4-6 Amur tigers which were left as youngsters in the woods.
Accommodation
Hotel Versailles
With its prime location on the Amursky Bay and close to the downtown are, the hotel is situated in a perfect location for both business as well as leisure clients. The hotel is close to the downtown business center, shopping, entertainment and the railway station. are only a few blocks away
Airline connections
Most people prefer to arrive into Vladivostok via Seoul, Korea. There are a variety of international carriers operating from the US to Seoul, Korea including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Flights out of Seoul to Vladivostok operate on Fridays, Saturday, Mondays and Tuesdays out of Seoul, Korea. Most international airlines connections require an overnight in Seoul, Korea.
Important Notes
This itinerary takes you to one of the most remote parts of the world. All though services have improved in the last couple of years, we will encounter problems with delays, bureaucratic conditions, bad road conditions, uneven surfaces and steps and unavailability of public bathrooms. Please also note that weather circumstances may change each day's activity as to take advantage of good weather.
This program requires flexibility and good humor. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary; however there is always the possibility of changes
We work only with tour operators who adhere to the following basic ecotourism principles.
Our Ecotourism Guidelines
1. Make tourism and Conservation compatible
2. Support the preservation of wilderness and biodiversity.
3. Use natural resources in a sustainable way
4. Minimize consumption, waste and pollution
5. Respect local cultures
6. Respect historic and scientific sites
7. Communities should benefit from tourism
8. Trained staff is the key to responsible tourism
9. Make your trip an opportunity to learn about the destination and its people
10. Follow safety rules
Weather
Spring weather can still be somewhat cool and rain storms are common. Summer is warm but can have some cloudy days The best time to go to the Primorsky Krai is in late August and September, even beginning October. Winter is beautiful but on this particular trip you need to be prepared for heavy snow fall, all though if that does not bother you, the scenery is spectacular.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive to Vladivostok
Vladivostok After your arrival in Valdivostok, transfer to Hotel Versailles which is located in the middle of downtown Vladivostok. For those not too tired, take a walk around town and afterwards enjoy a light dinner at the hotel's dining room. D
Day 2: Vladivostok
After an early breakfast, you will spend the day sightseeing. This will include a tour around Vladivostok with observation of the history of the city and some of the most beautiful renovated buildings that used to belong to international trading companies. Visit the Natural History museum which is not only interesting to learn about flora and fauna, but also about the shared history of the US and Russia and great exhibitions about the indigenous peoples of the Russian Far East. You will also visit the fort which was build for the Japanese war but never was used. Finally, you will have a chance to visit the Modern Art Museum and some famous art galleries in the city. Vladivostok has a very active artist community. Lunch will be in a small café where you can actually get a latte with wonderful pastries. Dinner will be at the hotel's restaurant. B, L ,D Hotel Versailles
Day 3: Vladivostok-Terney
Today depart for the 700 km drive to Terney, which will take approximately 10 hours. It is a beautiful drive during any season and the transportation mode will be as comfortable as possible. However, it needs to be noted that you will be driving on rural roads. Upon arrival in Terney, you will be housed with families with outdoor toilet facilities. Dinner will be with the host families. B, L, D Home stays
Day 4: Terney
After breakfast participate in a walking tour of Terney. After lunch you depart for the Blagodatnoye area in the Sikhote-Alyn Reserve. There you will participate in an excursion and wildlife tracking near Blagodatnoye Lake with the Reserve biologist. It is a beautiful area with mountain tundra. Afterwards you visit the Northern Cape, a coastal area where you can observe seals and beautiful maritime scenery. This will be about a 4-5 hour trek in hilly terrain. Afterwards you will return to Terney and once again will have dinner with your host family. B, L,D Home stays
Day 5: Sikhote-Alyn Reserve
After breakfast this morning, you will drive to the tiger habitat about 25 km away from Terney. You will drop your belongings in the Beekeeper's cabin in the wilderness and get ready for your experience of wilderness tracking with a wildlife biologist, while exploring the habitat of the Amur tiger. You will have lunch in the field and dinner and overnight at the cabin. Again there will be outside facilities. B, L, D Reserve cabins
Day 6: Sikhote-Alyn Reserve
After breakfast this morning you will visit the scientists of the Russian-American Siberian Tiger project and learn about their activities and participate in radio tracking with the project participants. You will have lunch at the project center or in the field and return to Terney for dinner and overnight with your host families. B, L,D Home stays
Day 7: Arkhipovka
After breakfast you will drive for about 380 km to Arkhipovka, a small village of Old Believers in the wilderness. You will have lunch in the café and spend the afternoon visiting with the Old Believers that inhabit the village. Dinner and overnight with be at the lodge. B, L, D Country Lodge
Day 8: Arkhipovka-Spassk-Vladivostok
After breakfast at the Arkhipovka Country Lodge, you will drive 150 km to Gaiveron Village in Spassk country to visit a family of Amur tigers. The tigers live in a large enclosed woodland area that is part of the Russian Academy of Sciences biological research reserve. Doctor V. Yudin who manages the project will show you around. Afterwards you will drive 250 km more to return to Vladivostok. Dinner and overnight will be at hotel Versailles. B, L, D
Day 9: Vladivostok
The morning is free for some shopping before you leave in the early afternoon for your departure to the airport and your flight to Seoul
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