The Putorana plateau

Day 1

You are welcome to the airport of Norilsk named by the name of Nikolai Nikolayevich Urvantsev – a geologist, hydrograph, scientist, researcher of Taimyr.

Just imagine that you find yourself in a distant northern world where you can not get either by a car or by a train!

Norilsk airport is the only connection of these places with other regions of Russia. In addition to the aircrafts you may get here only by water along the Yenissei river and the northern sea route.

On the way from the airport to Norilsk you will make your first acquaintance with the nature of Russia’s largest Taimyr Peninsula (its area is 400 000 square kilometers), you will see its flora and fauna.

If we are lucky – an ermine, sable or polar fox can cross the road and a partridge will fly overhead. Deeper into the tundra you can meet a reindeer, bighom and a polar owl but it will be in a few days.

But now we are close to Kayerkan, the western district of Norilsk. On the way to it we will see a monument on the Ambarnaya river, an inactive old narrow-gauge railway bridge and a steam locomotive on it. This narrow-gauge railway was built back in 1936.

This first railroad (this is one of the most northern roads of the world!) was built here by GULAG prisoners.

At the entrance to the town we take pictures at the arch “Welcome to Norilsk!” We are sure that not many people have such pic-tures!

Kayerkan is a unique town with a unique history. This is a working settlement that was built in the year 1940 on the site of the coal deposit.

We shall also pass by Nadezhda, a metallurgical plant that is a stronghold of metallurgy at the Far North.

If you wish we shall stop at the guard cross at the entrance to Norilsk. Did you know by the way that the custom to put such worship crosses arose in Siberia in ancient times? Travelers-pioneers thus marked the new borders od Orthodox Russia. Crosses were installed on the hills, mounds and passes through ridges.

In Norilsk we shall visit the railway station that is the central station of Norilsk railway. This is the largest railway network in Russia isolated from the continent!

Day 2

You are welcome to the airport of Norilsk named by the name of Nikolai Nikolayevich Urvantsev – a geologist, hydrograph, scientist, researcher of Taimyr.

Just imagine that you find yourself in a distant northern world where you can not get either by a car or by a train!

Norilsk airport is the only connection of these places with other regions of Russia. In addition to the aircrafts you may get here only by water along the Yenissei river and the northern sea route.

On the way from the airport to Norilsk you will make your first acquaintance with the nature of Russia’s largest Taimyr Peninsula (its area is 400 000 square kilometers), you will see its flora and fauna.

If we are lucky – an ermine, sable or polar fox can cross the road and a partridge will fly overhead. Deeper into the tundra you can meet a reindeer, bighom and a polar owl but it will be in a few days.

But now we are close to Kayerkan, the western district of Norilsk. On the way to it we will see a monument on the Ambarnaya river, an inactive old narrow-gauge railway bridge and a steam locomotive on it. This narrow-gauge railway was built back in 1936.

This first railroad (this is one of the most northern roads of the world!) was built here by GULAG prisoners.

At the entrance to the town we take pictures at the arch “Welcome to Norilsk!” We are sure that not many people have such pic-tures!

Kayerkan is a unique town with a unique history. This is a working settlement that was built in the year 1940 on the site of the coal deposit.

We shall also pass by Nadezhda, a metallurgical plant that is a stronghold of metallurgy at the Far North.

If you wish we shall stop at the guard cross at the entrance to Norilsk. Did you know by the way that the custom to put such worship crosses arose in Siberia in ancient times? Travelers-pioneers thus marked the new borders od Orthodox Russia. Crosses were installed on the hills, mounds and passes through ridges.

In Norilsk we shall visit the railway station that is the central station of Norilsk railway. This is the largest railway network in Russia isolated from the continent!

Day 3-4

We leave to Dudinka.

During the next two days you will have a chance to get familiarized with the life, traditions and living conditions of the Nenets – the indigenous people of the North. We shall go to the real ethic camp!

It’s located in Dudinka town and is a fabulous oasis of tundra life. The local people call it “Taimyr Oikumena”.

Here you will not only see the life of the northern peoples but also get acquainted with their culture and customs.

You will taste the dishes of national cuisine ad talk to the representatives of indigenous groups of Taimyr.

You will also take part in fishing and reindeer sledding riding.

In the program:
- The rite of the purification before visiting the Nenets dwelling.
- Acquaintance with the life, traditions and conditions of Nenets people housekeeping.
- Visit to the karall (reindeer pen).
- Acquaintance with the reindeer breeding peculiar features, the place of these animals in the life and culture of Nenets people.
- Visit to putik (a hunting path); demonstration of the hunting traps and methods of the fur-bearing animals hunting.
- National games of Nenets people (for those who wish).
- Tour around the camp – immersion into the traditional ethnic environment; Nenets living on the tribal lands; reindeer care; living in the tents (chums).
- Illustrative cooking of the traditional Nenets dishes: bread, fish, wild birds meat.
- Demonstration of the national fishing techniques and participation in fishing.
- Master-class in throwing a lasso (maut) and weaving a mat (or some other traditional crafts).
- Reindeer sledding riding.
- Overnight on the camp site.

Day 5

Have a look at the photos of Putorana Plateau. Do you think that such landscapes are there in New Zealand or on the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego? Not at all! This is Russia and its geographical center.

Let’s come back into the past – 250 million years ago. In many places of Siberia at that time red-hot magma through deep cracks in the rock flowed out to the surface, turning into lava. Then lava spread over the relief, forming a bizarre shape.

Thus, the Putorana Plateau emerged – the second largest lava plateau in the world (250 000 square meters is more than the territory of Great Britain!)

This contrast turned out to be so interesting: right next to Taimyr with its permafrost there is a frozen lava which once boiled and burnt everything on its path.

Putorana Plateau is a truly unique place! There are 25 000 lakes here and thee name Putorana” translated from the local language means “lakes with round shores.” As to the fresh water reserves this entire network of the lakes is the second big – only after Baikal!

There are real mountains here, the highest of which reaches 1701 meters. There are also turbulent mountain rivers, canyons and waterfalls. Putorana Plateau is the first in Russia in the number of the waterfalls.

Here there is the highest waterfall of Eurasia – Talnikovy, with a height of 482 meters and lake Vivi is the geographical center of Russia.

On the territory of the Plateau there is Putorana reserves which UNESCO recognized as the World Heritage Site of the planet. These are the last sites of virgin, untouched nature in the whole world. And today you’ll see them now! At 10:00 am we go to the recreation center(transfer – 150 000 rubles), at 14:00 pm we shall be there.

We shall have lunch, try local soup (shurpa) with the wild reindeer meat.

Then you may relax in a banya (sauna) - optional.

For dinner there will be fresh fish (the northern kinds of fish) and salads.

At your request you may stay in a real plague (chum), have tea and listen to the mystical stories about Putorana Plateau.

Day 6

In the morning we have breakfast and go to a ravine to the mouth of the mountain river Kuranakh. Here we’ll fish in the open clear water. While fishing we have sandwiches, hot tea and buckwheat porridge with the reindeer stewed meat.

After lunch we return to the recreation center.

Optionally – banya (sauna), then you’ll have dinner (reindeer meat or fish).

Day 7

In the morning we have breakfast and go to Lama Lake!

This is one of the deepest lakes in Russia (more than 208 meters!) with the cleanest cold water. The name of the lake comes from Tungus-Manchur word “laama” that means “sea, big water”. The lake is not only deep but also large – its area is 318 square meters and its length is 70 km.

If we are lucky we shall meet reindeers on the way!

On our way we’ll have sandwiches and hot tea, visit the “lost” house built in the year 1939.

In the evening we return to the recreation center where you will have dinner, go to the sauna and relax.

Day 8

In the morning we have breakfast and go to explore the lake Kapchuk. It is located in the south-west of the Putorana Plateau and is of the tectonic origin like the majority of the local rivers and lakes. The lake is not very large but beautiful and clean. The water comes into it from the melting snow and rain.

Perhaps, on its banks or on our way to the lake we shall meet the master of the tundra – a noble reindeer.

On your request we may rent the quad bikes and ride through the wildest places of tundra.

In the evening, as usual, we return to our warm place of comfort and relaxation - the recreation center. Here you’ll have dinner, go to banya (sauna).

Day 9

Today there is a real sports day!

After breakfast we go for a walk in the tundra, on foot. Just imagine: only you and the pristine beauty and unique landscapes!

On our way we can meet local inhabitants: polar fox, fox, hare, partridge.

Having walked with great pleasure we return to the recreation center where you’ll have dinner and to the banya (sauna).

After diinner we pack things and return to Norilsk.

Day 10

Return to Norilsk.

You’ll have some options in Norilsk:
- Visiting the USSR museum (optional)
- Attending concert events (optional)
- Sending the postcards with Norilsk postmark
- A walk from “Moscow” (former store) to “Vorkuta” (also a former store). This is the shortest distance from Moscow to Vorkuta in Norilsk – 2 km, the length of Leninsky Avenue, the main street of Norilsk (if the weather permits).
- Attendance of the library and library activities (optional and if there are any). Here you can see an all-year-round working library - an old refrigerator converted into a mini-library with cross-booking located at the wall of the library.
- Taking photo with the Northern Man. You can whisper your cherished wish into his ear and it will come true for sure!
- Visiting the exhibition hall “Vernissage” where the collection of folk craftsmen of Norilsk was created (optional and if we have time).
- Dinner in cafes and restaurants of Norilsk (for those who wish).
- Visiting the exhibition hall of the art residence where you can purchase the paintings of the local artists (optional).

Day 11

Departure to the airport named after N.N.Urvantsev.

Check-in. Departure from Norilsk to Moscow.

We say “Good bye” to you but you take priceless memories, vivid impressions, unique photographs and rare souvenirs with you!

All the beauty of Russian North will stay in your hearts and your photos for a long time!

Have a nice trip and come back again!