Sikhote-Alinsky Nature Reserve in Primorye

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Yes, insurance is included in the price of the tour.

The Sikhote-Alin State Reserve was founded on February 10, 1935 to restore the sable population. Currently, several hundred species of animals and birds, over a thousand species of plants are protected here. The first director of the reserve was Konstantin Georgievich Abramov, a traveler, naturalist and hunter, the founder of conservation in the Far East. In July 2006, by a decision of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Sikhote-Alinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve was named after him. In 1979, the reserve was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In 2001, the reserve was included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. These are the places where north and south meet. A land of amazing combination of diversity and contradictions of natural areas, flora and fauna: from highlands to sandy and pebble beaches of the sea coast, from actinidia creepers to cedar and yew. Here, the Amur tiger and lynx, Himalayan and brown bears get along on the same territory. The preservation of vast tracts of undisturbed forests, the presence of rare species of plants and animals have determined the status of the Sikhot-Alinsky Reserve as a key conservation area not only in the Far East, but also in the world. The reserve includes two sites, as well as part of the coastal waters of the Sea of Japan. The Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve is rightfully called a forest reserve. It is here that you can see the unique coniferous and deciduous forests, and the main wealth of the reserve is considered to be the Korean cedar.  The Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve is a land of countless rivers and streams. The largest rivers within its borders are the Taiga. Dzhigitovka, Serebryanka and Columbe. There are also several lakes in the protected area, different in their origin: Blagodatnoe, Blueberry, Bolshoe Solontsovoe, Krugloye. The modern area of the reserve is 401,600 hectares, the marine area is 2,900 hectares, forests occupy 97% of the territory.  

Tiger Trail tour. The trail is located in the central part of the Sikhote-Alinsky Nature Reserve in a picturesque place – the Yasnoye tract. The 4.8 km long circular hiking route passes through a cedar-deciduous forest and is located at the confluence of two beautiful mountain rivers Maisa and Tunsha. Here, tourists have a chance to meet the tracks of tigers, and on the camera trap installed at the marking tree, to see fresh footage of forest inhabitants. On the trail, you can feel like a real tracker, because in addition to tiger tracks, there are many hoof prints and paws of other inhabitants of the taiga. The cedar-deciduous forest serves as an excellent food base for animals, and traces of animal activity are visible everywhere along the trail. The trail is suitable for travelers of almost any age and physical fitness.

Cape Severny, the territory of the Sikhote-Alinsky Nature Reserve. A circular route through the forest with access to the viewing platform, and return along the seashore. We observe the tracks of forest animals and the larga seal rookery. The length of the route is 5 km, the duration is 3-4 hours 

Lake Blagodatnoye, the territory of the Sikhote-Alinsky Nature Reserve. The ecological trail goes along the lagoon lake, where you can observe birds and animals of the Ussuri taiga, two observation towers, return along the seashore. In one half of the lake the water is salty, in the other it is fresh. From time to time, the water washes the channel from the lake into the sea, and fish from the sea enter the lake in large shoals. Many waterfowl gather on this picturesque lagoon lake during spring and autumn migrations. It is separated from the sea by a pebble spit, which erodes during severe storms. As a result, the lake is connected to the sea by a deep channel for some time.

The Golubichnoye tract, the territory of the Sikhote-Alinsky Nature Reserve. It introduces the ecosystems of the reserve, the Golubichnoye lagoon lake and the sea coast. On the vast meadows and on the sea terrace, you can observe different types of ungulates. There are traces of large and small predators — a tiger, a bear, a raccoon dog, a fox. Length: 14 km on foot, duration 7 hours. The route is designed for physically prepared tourists.

Terney is an urban-type settlement in the north-east of Primorsky Krai, 650 km from Vladivostok. It stands on the right bank of the Serebryanka River, 3 km from its confluence with the Sea of Japan. Terney Bay was discovered for Europeans by La Perouse on June 23, 1787 and named by him in honor of the French navigator Admiral Charles de Terney. The village has a population of 3,500 people. The main activity is logging and processing of forests.

A Canadian DHC 6-400 aircraft operated by Aurora Airlines flies to Terney. The aircraft takes 14 passengers on board, the length of the aircraft is 16 m, the flight altitude is up to 3000 m. The plane departs from Vladivostok airport. You go through all the same check-in procedures as on other flights, the rules for the carriage of prohibited items also apply here. Baggage allowance up to 10 kg. 

Attention! Small aircraft are not all-weather. If the weather conditions do not allow us to return from Terney. We get there by car, about 10 hours on the way, the surcharge for car delivery to Vladivostok is 4,000 rubles/ person.

Our region is not dangerous! What do guests need to know about? 

First of all, if you are planning a trip to the Ussuri taiga, you should know that we have encephalitic ticks. The most dangerous period is May—June, then the ticks are on the wane, in August–October there are practically none. Also, ticks usually do not live on the coast and on the islands. But there are always "lucky" tourists who find them everywhere! Therefore, it is better to prepare for a visit to the taiga. If there are no contraindications, get vaccinated against tick—borne encephalitis. But this requirement is not mandatory — at your own risk. How to dress? Your clothes should have as few exposed areas as possible. T-shirts with long sleeves, trousers, not shorts. Cuffs or an elastic band are desirable at the bottom of the clothes, T-shirts are tucked into trousers. The clothes are smooth, without fleece and lint. Trousers can be tucked into socks. We must not allow the tick to catch on your clothes. As a rule, this little bug crawls on clothes for 30-40 minutes before biting you, looking for a "delicious tender place". Therefore, in the taiga, you need to look around every 40 minutes and remove ticks from clothes. Where should I put them? They just took it off and threw it away from themselves, into the bushes, not into a neighbor.... We tie a scarf on your head so that your hair is completely removed. Avoid tall grass, bushes, and move around the open area. Repellents ("Reftamid" or others) are very effective. The main active substance is alfamethrin, alfatsipometrin. In Vladivostok, you can buy it in cosmetics stores or pharmacies.

There are no emergency points in Terney for tick bites, it is possible to take it for analysis only in Vladivostok.

The medusa is a cross. As a rule, it sails to shallow, well-warmed bays in August. The main condition is warm water, algae, and often not the cleanest sea. Jellyfish are very small, no more than a 5-kopeck coin and it is difficult to see them. If you feel pain on an open area of the body, as from a burn, it is very similar to the bite of a cross jellyfish! It is necessary to get out of the sea, rinse the burn site with fresh water. You can take antihistamines. If you feel an allergic reaction of the body, go to a medical institution. Our doctors know how to help. Unpleasant, but not fatal.

Snakes. Snakes are found in the grass, on the rocks, on the paths. Be careful, do not walk barefoot, look at your feet. When you see a snake, do not touch it, move away. The snake will never attack you first. In Primorye, there is only one species of venomous snake — the muzzle. An allergic reaction develops from his bite, but the poison is not deadly. After the bite, we take antihistamines and move to a medical facility. 

On our routes, tourists are always under the supervision of a guide. He will definitely warn you about the danger, he knows what to do in an emergency situation. We follow his recommendations and never overtake the guide on the route. Let him get all the dangers, as the most experienced.

General provisions:

• Throughout the tour, we ask you to follow the recommendations of the reserve staff. 
• Staying in the territory and water area of the reserve is possible only after being instructed by a security officer about the rules of staying in the protected area. Each tourist confirms in writing that he has read and agrees with the rules of conduct in the reserve. In case of violation of the protected regime, measures are applied to the violator in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. The tourist's stay in the reserve is terminated.
• If tourists have expensive items, documents, which are not necessary to be on the route, it is recommended to leave them at home. The tour organizers are not responsible for the safety of your belongings. Expensive photo and video equipment should be in an unbreakable, waterproof case!

The basic rules of tourist behavior on the ecological route:

• Respect the staff of the reserve, cultural and historical values, and the natural environment
• It is forbidden to tear up any terrestrial and aquatic plants, collect shells and living inhabitants of waters, paint rocks and stones.
• No natural souvenirs can be removed from the trail: beautiful stones, archaeological finds, etc. 
• You can not take radios and tape recorders with you on the trail (only recording of nature's voices is allowed). 
• Particularly strict measures to prevent animal disturbance are taken at the direction of the guide in the habitats of rare and endangered species. 
• It is forbidden to leave the trail during excursions, as protected plants can be damaged.
• Pets are not allowed in the protected area.

Personal safety rules:

• While staying on the route with children, do not leave them unattended! Parents are responsible for minor children.
• Follow the basic rules of personal hygiene. Inform the team leader in a timely manner about the deterioration of health and injuries. If you have chronic diseases, have an individual first aid kit with you.
• In case of an accident, inform the guide immediately.

Precautions during bathing:

• Remember that the sun is very active at our latitude (as in Sochi), Therefore, to avoid sunstroke, it is necessary to cover your head. You can't sleep in the sun!
• There are no poisonous and life-threatening organisms in the sea in this part of the bay. Sea urchins can cause concern (if you step on them, the tips of the needles, breaking off, remain in the body, they must be removed with a disinfected needle). 
• Do not go into the sea very hot. Sudden cooling can cause colds, cramps, and loss of consciousness.
• It is not recommended to swim for an hour after eating.
• It is strictly forbidden to:
  • swimming in a drunken state;
  • swim far from the shore;
  • diving off cliffs;
  • swimming for unaccompanied children;
  • when bathing, give false alarms, indulge in the water.

Do not eat unfamiliar fruits and plants.

There are snakes in the grass. Therefore, be careful not to walk barefoot on the grass, look at your feet. When you see a snake, do not touch it, move away. The snake will never attack you first. Remember! — she's at home, and you're visiting her. In case of a bite, contact your supervisor immediately.

Route features:

• The weather may change the tour schedule.
• Cancellation of the tour or changes to the route occur in the following cases:
• stormy weather;
• deterioration of the weather during the tour (the decision is made by the staff of the reserve);
• accidents with tourists;
• force majeure;
• the guide has the right to remove the tourist from the route in the case of:
  • failure to comply with the requirements of a guide, a conservation officer;
  • alcohol consumption;
  • inappropriate behavior.
• Nature tours are weather-dependent, travel agency employees always monitor the weather in the recreation areas of our groups, but we cannot sell the "sun" to you ... The decision to release the group on the route or cancel the tour is always balanced. We ask our tourists to be prepared for weather changes — always have a raincoat with them. 
• You must only follow the instructions of your team leader! We ignore the "recommendations" of others! Only a well-coordinated group following the instructions passes the route without incident!
• If you have lost your guide, pay attention to the tourists of your group. Stick together! In no case do not join the "alien" group, and even more so do not get into transport with them. All the additional costs of your search are at your own expense!

For tourists who find themselves in a difficult or extreme situation related to any incident, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

• If any danger or accident is detected that has led to a deterioration in one's own health or that of another member of the tour group, the guide must be informed immediately.
• In emergency situations, tourists should strictly follow the recommendations of the guide. He has the information and the necessary skills. This is not the time to discuss with them the legality of quiet or other actions. In emergency situations, complete discipline must prevail.
• It must be remembered that the safety of a tourist depends not only on the measures taken by the travel agency, but also on the actions of the tourist himself!
• For tourists:
  • don't panic, calm down, look around, keep your composure;
  • use all means of communication to notify about the disaster. Let us know what happened to you;
  • if you get lost, be heard and seen! Know that they will definitely be looking for you! Keep warm, save your strength! 
  • be prepared for possible temporary difficulties;
  • Whatever happens, think not only about yourself, but also about those who need help now. If you need help yourself, ask for it from those who are close to you.

The phones of the Unified Rescue Service are 010, 112.

Remember that only by working together we can make your vacation safe and memorable!

The tour is an adventure! You must be mentally prepared and in terms of clothes and shoes for an extreme journey! There are no ambulances, firefighters and the Ministry of Emergency Situations! Tours to nature reserves are organized for nature lovers, there are a minimum of amenities for people and a maximum of nature! For tourists who do not have hiking experience, it can be difficult!

The program may change depending on circumstances — weather, wind, fog, emergency situation on the road, stretch over time due to the quality of roads, etc. This is primarily due to the fact that we are moving significantly away from Vladivostok, over long distances, one third of the roads are unpaved.

Visits to protected areas also have their own characteristics — they require registration of permits, priority and other features.