VLADIVOSTOK

The tour “ Tigerland”
 

History of the Central Sikhote-Alin Area and Expedition Information:

In 1787, a renowned French navigator, Jean-Francois Laperouse discovered a bay on the east Asian coast and named it Terney, after his mentor who had taught him navigation. Two French ships "Astrolabia" and "Boussol" anchored near the shore to get fresh water for the expedition's members. It was early July and the larch forests with blossoming wild flowers and bushes reminded the French explorers of their country's flora. But they were amazed by the deer herds and bear families feeding in the coastal meadows. The sea was abundant with salmon, trout, flat fish and herring. The mighty mountains on the far horizon (later named Sikhote-Alin Mountains) served as the backdrop an unforgettably charming and gorgeous scene.

Over a hundred years later Vladimir Arsenyev, a Russian explorer, made his expeditions throughout the mainland of Primorye, then called Ussuriland, reaching its northernmost areas. A naturalist, writer and military topographer Arsenyev explored the remotest areas of the Russian Empire and admired their beauty and riches. His novels "Dersu Uzala" and "In the wilderness of Ussuriland" presented the Central Sikhote-Alin as a mighty biologically diverse wilderness area, which he advised the Tsar to settle and protect. Some people might have seen Akura Kurosawa's (a well-known Japanese producer) "Dersu Uzala" film version based on these novels.

In 1998, Terney celebrated its 90th year. This northern village has experienced numerous economic and political changes, but its residents' business has always been hunting, fishing, logging and protecting the wilderness. Today Terney is a small town of about 4,000 people. Its remote location and northern beauty, pure river water and clean air make it a special place. Life is quiet here and the people are very hospitable. Their activities include keeping livestock, tend gardens and singing in the local chorus. While gathering mushrooms, berries and cedar cones out in the woods they might encounter Amur tigers. Many drivers, riding along the main road, tell their own stories of how they "saw a tiger".

We invite you to TIGERLAND NATURE EXPEDITION. You'll explore Northern Primorye, studying the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains' flora and fauna and admiring the region's unusual beauty... The unique area, one of the few places on Earth where Nature is kept in its pristine form - your unforgettable experience!

The untamed wilderness covers all this area. Over 1,000 plant species grow there, 20 of which are considered rare. Northern coniferous and temperate forests merge in a monsoon climate to form a unique environment characteristic only to this region of Earth. Marked displacement of altitudinal zones can be observed here. Mixed broad-leaf and Korean pine forests grow in the valleys and on the mountain slopes over 600 meters above sea level. Large areas along the coast are dominated by Mongolian Oak and Silver Fir, interspersed with Stone Birch formations and mountain tundra. Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, which is included in the World System of Protected Nature Territories is situated here, comprising the area of under a half a million hectares in three administrative districts. Formed in 1935, it was given Biosphere Reserve status forty years later. 

In and around the Reserve our guides will show you rare and unique plant and animal species. Mountain goat and various species of deer, including Musk and Sika, inhabit the area. You will see tropical lemon-berry lianas, Eleutherococcus and the tracks of the main predators, Amur tiger, Black and Brown bear, underscoring the wildness and diversity of this remote area.

All Tour Guides are professional biologists working in the Reserve. They live in Terney and speak good English. Homestays will give you the opportunity to learn more about Russia, its traditions, meals and gardening skills.

Duration of 1500 km round tour - 6 days / 5 nights 
Prime season - Summer, Fall, Winter 

ITINERARY
Day 1. 700 km drive to Terney, (10-12 hours), lodging with the families, sauna, dinner. Lunch in a cafe on the way.

Day 2. Breakfast. Walking tour of Terney. Lunch in a cafe. Drive to the Blagodatnoye area, Sikhote-Alin Reserve. Blagodatnoye Lake excursion with the Reserve biologist. Mountain tundra, local flora and fauna, wildlife tracking. Northern Cape excursion. Seals and beautiful maritime scenery. Five-hour trek, 5-6 kilometers. Drive to Terney. Dinner.

Day 3. Breakfast. Drive to tiger habitat (25 km, 1 hour drive). Beekeeper's cabin in the wilderness. Lodging in a cabin, packing for a hike. Hiking, tracking with a hunter or a wildlife biologist exploring the tiger area. Lunch in the field. Dinner and overnight in the cabin.

Day 4. Breakfast. Russian-American Siberian Tiger Project activities. Radiotracking with US/Russian Project participants. Visit tiger habitat. Lunch in a cabin or in the field. Evening return to Terney. Dinner in families.

Day 5. Breakfast. 380 km drive to Arkhipovka. Lunch in a cafe on the way. Dinner and overnight in Arkhipovka Country Lodge. Russian steam bath.

Day 6. Breakfast. Walking tour of Arkhipovka Village, visiting pioneer families, history of Russian Old believers. Lunch in Archipovka Country Lodge. 150 km drive to Spassk to visit a family of Siberian tigers. A large enclosed woodland in Spassky County. The area is Institute of Biology research reserve. Your guide is a biologist who manages this project. Professional-quality photographs are available for purchase. 250 km drive to Vladivostok.

Included: transfers, accommodation, all meals, guide, interpreter, excursions, entrance fees. 
Prices are in EUR per person.

Your tour can include (optional):
- One more day at the Beekeeper's (hiking, tracking) 
- Fishing 
- Full day at the cabin near the sea shore. 
- Boat excursion (4 hours) 
- Meeting with E.Suvorov, Geographical Society member 
- Patrolling with Conflict Tiger inspectors 

Please check the price of a tour during booking because it can be changed without notice. Exact price is confirmed at the time of booking.

You are welcome to Primorye!