 |
   
+ 7 909 064 69 95 skype: svezhy.veter, svezhy_veter svezhyveter@gmail.com |
||
Tickets - On-line
TOURS
TRAVEL MONGOLIA
RUSSIA EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEERING
Picture Galleries:
PEN-PAL CLUB
LINKS
ABOUT US
SVEZHY VETER Travel Agency
426000 Izhevsk Karla Marxa 288a
tel/fax:+7(3412) 931193, 931139
+7 909 064 6995
svezhyveter(at)gmail.com
skype: svezhy.veter, svezhy_veter
Contact us
Discover Udmurtia
Consider going off the beaten track?
Consider going off the beaten track? Well, then Udmurtia might as well be there for you. This land in Russia, not much known except for the names of Kalashnikov and Chaikovsky, has a lot to offer to those who are interested in seeing ‘true Russia’. You will probably find yourself one of those few visitors ever venturing into the region - no part of most guide books or standard package tours. Apart from museums – do not miss unique derevnia (village) stay, parachuting, skiing, snowboarding, skating, kayaking, cycling and trekking in wild vast virgin forests of Udmurtia, go fishing on one of the quiet rivers of Udmurtia or just have a good time!
Udmurtia, Izhevsk and their history briefly:
Izhevsk (650, 000 inhabitants) - capital of Udmurtia (1,6 million inh.), an ethnically unique region, exercising a certain degree of independence from the central government in Moscow. The autonomy goes back to the Soviet times when a few regions across the USSR were delegated a couple of extra rights, most of which were related to the people’s culture and language. The Udmurts still comprise a significant part of Udmurtia population and retain their original language (closely related to those of Finland and Hungary). They maintain a unique culture, very different from what you may think the culture of Russia is (say, borsh, balalaikas and bliny is not exactly the Udmurt thing). They inhabit their own settlements across Udmurtia, whereas in cities their culture and language are widely diluted by the influx of migrants from other regions as well as the local Russian speaking population.
Izhevsk history goes back to April 10, 1760 when it was first started as a private settlement of iron related manufacturing. It belonged to Graf (Count) Shuvalov.
1763 - first products (metal bands and ship anchors) - manufactured from cast
iron – came out.
1807 – fire-arms factory started under supervision of a brilliant Engineer Deryabin.
1812 - Napoleon – Russian war - settlement and its factory supplied the Russian army with shot-guns and pistols.
Last decade of the 19th century –Izhevsk flourishes and expands the production of firearms
1897 – Izhevsk population reaches 40,000.
February 1918 - Izhevsk acquires the status of a city.
1921 - Izhevsk becomes the capital of Udmurtia.
1928 - Izhevsk turns into the center of the Russian motorcycle industry
1941-1945 (World War II) - Izhevsk supplies fire – arms to the Soviet Army (around 13 million total)
After the war: city develops into a center of numerous sensitive industries. Access to the city to foreign nationals remains forbidden(unless special arrangements are made). Restrictions lifted after Perestroika, changes in the Soviet society and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
We will happy to help you discover Udmurtia whatever aspect you choose: Cultural, Outdoors, Sights or Winter Fun Special.
Contact us for advise, ideas or quotations.
Udmurtia Cultural
1. Saint Mikhail’s Church, IzhevskDefinitely worth a visit – an impressive building both inside and outside. Join one of the church services, get the feel of the culture and the place. Light your candles. Have your shot of Zhyvaya Voda (Holy Living Water). The original building was demolished shortly after the 1917 Revolution and what is standing now is a renovated replica of the original structure.
Entrance free, donations welcome.
|
 |
 |
- Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Izhevsk
Originally built in 1823 similar to the project of Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Kronstadt. Initially planned as a main cathedral of Izhevsk (Izhevsky Zavod). Seriously vandalized and partly demolished in 1930. Later turned into a cinema hall (movie theatre). Returned to the congregation of believers in 1990. Has a different feel from Saint Mikhail’s Church and is certainly worth a visit.
Entrance free, donations welcome.
 |
 |
 |
- Ludorvay Cultural Center
Ludorvay Cultural Center, 20 kms from Izhevsk in the vicinity of the Derevnia (village) Ludorvay.
Be met by a true Udmurt guide, get around Derevnia Ludorvay.
Do not miss authentic Udmurt dishes made by Udmurts themselves (perepechi, and tabani with zyret cooked in a traditional indoor brick oven).
The entrance fee is 130 R.
3 perepechi + 3 tabani + tea is 150 R.
If interested, a guided tour in a private car starting from from Izhevsk at the cost of
1 pax – 1470 R
2 - 990 R per person
3 - 840 R per person
4 - 720 R per person
can be arranged .
|
 |
 |
- Chaykovskiy Museum
Visit the house, where the world-renowned composer Chaykovskiy was born and spent his childhood. See the way the people lived at that time, check the authentic belongings of the family of Chaykovskiy. Do not leave without picking a few inexpensive authentic pieces of Udmurt art from their souvenir shop.
Opening hours: daily 9.00 – 17.30 (except Monday); from June 1 – September 15 – daily (closed Monday) – 9.00 - 20.00
Entrance fees:
adults (Russian nationals) – 70 R, college students – 40 R, under 18 – 20 R, under 7 – 10R, foreign nationals adults – 100 R, foreign students - 55 R.
If interested, a guided tour in a private car starting from from Izhevsk at the cost of
1 pax – 1470 R 2 - 990 R per person 3 - 840 R per person 4 - 720 R per person can be arranged .Udmurtia Sights
Need assistance with any of the visits below – feel free to contact us, we will be happy to arrange it for you.
1. Izhevsk Lake (Pond) Cruise Too big for a pond, the man-made lake is definitely a major Izhevsk attraction and a pleasant land mark. See the city from the lake side – make sure not to miss your great morning and evening photographic opportunities. Ticket Izhevsk – Volozhka – 50 R, Volozhka – Izhevsk – 50 R
|
 |
 |
2. Kalashnikov Museum and its shooting gallery
T
he Kalashnikov Museum (or AK 47 Museum as some nickname it) is dedicated to what is believed to be the world’s most popular assault rifle and, along with it, its father, the Engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov. AK 47 is what the engineer best known for. The popularity of the product is explained by its low cost, minimalist design, and, hence, its durability coming with it.If you think it is all boring and it is just ANOTHER museum – then you cannot be any more wrong than that! You (no joke!) for a small fee are allowed to shoot from your choice of a gun in the museum underground shooting gallery (ranging from a small tiny pistol to a monster of a gun, which you may have hard time lifting up)
Entrance fees: Separate halls from 80 to 100 Rubles per hall (four total) All in one ticket (all halls together) - 200 Rubles
Shooting Gallery fees (per shot):
Fire arms
AK 47 – 50 Rubles SKS (Semi-Automatic Carbine) – 7.62x39mm2 – 60 Rubles Dragunov Sniper Rifle (SVD) -7.62x54mm2 – 80 Rubles Mosin-Nagant (7.62x54mm2) – 80 Rubles Makarov Pistol (9x18mm) – 60 Rubles Colt revolver (9x17mm) – 60 Rubles Vepr 308 Combat (7.62x51mm2) – 80 Rubles Mauser bolt-action rifle – ( 8x57mm JS) - 100 Rubles
A shot from any pneumatic rifle or pistol - 5 Rubles
 |
Four spacious halls comprise the National Museum of Udmurtia. The museum explores the land, nation and people of Udmurtia, celebrating history of Udmurtia in lots of unique ways by revealing the stories of the past and the present. The museum occupies the former building of Izhevsk Arsenal, an architectural masterpiece of the first part of 19th century.
Opening hours: daily 10.00 – 18.00 (except Monday): from June 1 – September 15 – daily (closed Saturday, Sunday).
Entrance fee: adults (Russian nationals) – 40 R, students – 15 R, foreign nationals – 100 R. Guided museum tours: adults (in Russian) – 20 R, students – 10 R, foreign nationals – 30 R.
|
 |
|
4. Izhevsk General City Tour (2-4 hours/full day)
A quick efficient way of getting to know Izhevsk in one day or less
Visit:
Izhevsk Lake Cruise (picturesque 15 kms man-made lake, created in the early years of the settlement and stretching from across the western part of the city) Izh river dam and the Izhevsk Lake embankment Firearms factory historical Tower – Izhevsk’s symbol and landmark The Church of Saint Mikhail and the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral The Presidential Palace (of f Udmurtia) ) Izhevsk Circus Kalashnikov Museum or National Museum of f Udmurtia.a. The tour cost depends on the number of people on the tour and the choice of places visited.
Count on about at least 500 Rubles on a modest two hour tour with a guide in a group of a few.
5. Izhevsk Circus
Izhevsk boasts a big impressive permanent circus building. Worth a visit. Check their Internet site for pictures and description - http://www.udmcircus.ru/en/ Tickets vary in price, depending on your seat and the circus company performing: 5 – 30 USD. Contact us if assistance or reservations needed.6. Irga, Bachkeevo – Siberia Convicts’ Trail A picturesque bumpy north-bound road to Igra (2 hours), followed by a few more bumps on the way to Derevnia Bachkeevo, takes you to the place where over 18,000 convicts of the 18th century broke their walking way from St. Petersburg (and Moscow) to their Siberian exile (20 or 30 kilometers at that time – a normal daily convict’s walk).
Spend a night in an original house where convicts ‘rested’ and enjoy true tzar - convict hospitality: dress in shackles and the 18th century rags, sleep on hard three level barren wooden bunks (forget about sheets or pillows), enjoy convicts’ kasha meal in the morning. To sweeten your sufferings in the end – have a speedy ride on telega or sani before you are back to your normal life. Do not miss your chance to take photos of all of this.
7. Mystery Derevnia Guided Tours
Svezhy Veter non-touristy special. Become an explorer, go to the handpicked derevnia (village) where no or very few foreigners ever been to. Stay there for one or two nights, talk to the locals, become local, join them for their meals, have a banya, walk around, take unique genuine photographs. Some liked it so much that returned to stay for months. Good inexpensive way to learn Russian or Udmurt.Cost 30 – 60 USD/day, depending on the location (included: accommodation in the village, meals, transportation, a guide for the whole tour). Contact us for details.
Udmurtia Outdoor
1. Baidarka kayak ridesA great intrepid affordable way to have fun, visit remote Russian/Udmurt places. Travel along narrow rivers that take you to places totally off the beaten track, stay in a tent, have your meals cooked on fire, fight an army of hungry mosquitos and horse flies. Survive and tell your story your friends back home.Start on Friday and finish on Sunday.
Most popular routes run along:
a. Rivers Siva and Kama b. Rivers Kyrykmas and Izh c. River KilmezPrices range from 115 to 135 USD per tour (guide, gear, transfer, meals, accommodation) depending on the river.
2. Bicycle tours
Another fun way to see authentic Russia. Go 50-60 kilometers a day at a leisurely pace, stop at villages, meet locals, try local food, swim in creeks, ponds and rivers, sleep at traditional Russian or Udmurt houses, do the true banya thing, learn a few words of Udmurt and Russian, avoid the temptation to drink like locals, become their first foreigner they ever saw!
Tours run mostly in the middle and northern part of Udmurtia, last 2-4 days and may begin just about anywhere (train, bus or car transfer to the place).
Costs vary depending on the itinerary, season and number of days.
Rule of a thumb: budget 30 – 50 USD/day with a guide, meals, bikes, transfers, accommodation (very basic in villages). Need assistance – contact us.
- Airborne!
An independent skydive (a jump with a parachute) from 1000 meters from an airplane - 190 USD (with an English interpreter for orientation meetings and pre-jump session + transfer).
A skydive with an instructor from 3000 meters – 260 USD
(with an English interpreter for orientation meetings and pre-jump session +
transfer).
A flight on a paraglider with an instructor – 20 minutes – at 700 meters –
98 USD (transfers included).
Hang-glider flights with an instructor – 25 USD/ 5 minutes
Autogyro (gyroplane) with an instructor - 25 USD/ 5 minutes
- Horse rides
A memorable way to experience Russia from inside. Meet locals, be one-to-one with nature.
A choice of horse rides from 2 hour walks (25 USD + 13 USD transfer return) up to a few day wonderful unforgettable trekking in pristine parts of Udmurtia.
Most popular horse treks normally run along rivers, start on Friday or Wednesday and finish on Monday or Friday.
Prices range from 150 to 290 USD per tour (guide, transfer, meals, accommodation) depending on the season, day of the week and the proximity (or distance) to Izhevsk.
Some tours are also available in winter.
- Nechkino Resort
A resort of diverse all-year-round activities. Situated 50 kilometers from Izhevsk on a territory of a national park. Quiet during the week, may become very busy at weekends.
Entrance fee (10.00 – 23.00): 350 R
A range of accommodation and on-site shops are available
Summer:
Mountain bike
Dirtsurfing
Paintball
Siva and Kama River rafting
Fishing
Winter:
Mountain Skiing
Snowboarding
Gear rent:
Week day - 14 USD/hour, 21 USD/day
Weekend - 17 USD/hour, 29 USD/day
Snowboard park entrance fee per day
Weekday - 9 USD/day
Weekend - 13 USD/day
Winter Tubing course entrance fee:
9 USD/hour
Additionally available: :
SPA, swimming pools, tennis courts
Banya (up to 6 pax)
Weekday 33 USD/hour, 220 USD/24 hours
Weekend 47 USD/hour, 370 USD/24 hours
- Chekeril Winter Resort
Trendy and predominately winter resort, 6.5 kms from Izhevsk.
Welcomes visitors mid-October/mid-April as long as the snow is on the ground.
Offers gear and facilities for:
Mountain skis,
Snowboarding - weekday 12 USD/hour, weekend 14 USD/hour
Cross country skis - 7 USD/hour
Skating - 7 USD/hour
Winter snow tubing - weekday 10 USD/hour, weekend 12 USD/hour
Sauna, jacuzzi and Turkish bath.
A range of on-site accommodation is available.
From 70 USD/room - 170 USD/room
- Derevnia Mikhaylovskiy Zavod
The former Estate belonging to famous artist brothers of Svedomskiye. The place is set in a very beautiful area with both a great lake and woods around – a good way to experience Russia as it was 100 or so years ago. Recently renovated to welcome visitors. Walk around the park, do fishing, boat across the lake. More of a chance to spend time in Russian country-side rather than a cultural experience destination.
Try banya and a few cups of the samovar made tea, spend a pleasant evening next to a fireplace.
Sleep in master’s house (two bedrooms, up to 4 people together), or a comfortable guest house nearby.
The place does not come cheap and is not necessarily value for money, check out before booking in(240 USD – weekdays, 310 USD – weekend).
More accommodation on site:
Caretaker’s house (sleep 2 max). 90 USD - weekdays, 125 USD – weekend.
Caretaker’s house 2 (sleep 6 max). 160 USD - weekdays, 230 USD – weekend.
Hunter’s house (sleep 4 max). 125 USD - weekdays, 160 USD – weekend.
Museum guided tour – 60 R
Russian Banya – 700 R/hour
Billiard table rent – 30 R/hourur
Boat/canoe/catamaran rent – 30 R/hour for either
Udmurtia Winter Fun Special
Winter is not necessarily “sit home – watch TV” in Russia, but it is more about ‘to do’ rather than ‘to see’ – cold weather is hardly conducive to multi-hour walks or lengthy pensive picture taking. Very few places around the world get as much snow as Russia. So, there are lots of fun things you might want to do in Russia in winter. Make the snow your friend and do all sorts of crazy thing when it is around.
Snowmobile – an exciting way to tame snow fields - comes at around 35 USD/40 min ride.
Skiing – do not miss, not that hard to learn but turns addictive and you will certainly want to do it again, prices depend on where and how you arrange it (being a pricey resort or friends lending you gear and the rest).
Skating – easy to arrange, even easier to learn (you will see for yourself). Lots of places in town offer skating facilities, some rent skates as well – no need to go far. The place may even be next to your house – check it out with your friends (or us).
Winter Skydiving – may be a better option than a summer jump as the landing on a layer of snow is much less of a shock.
Totally underappreciated winter horse trekking or rides, try and see what we mean…
Winter trekking (for the brave lot) – join a survival winter tour. Sleep in a tent on snow, melt water from snow, breathe the fresh winter air with a bunch of tall yolkas (fir trees) above your head and around, listen to the sounds of winter forest when you wake up, feel you have been there for ages and you are part of it, take pictures and spend half a year convincing your friends that it was for real.
Winter ice fishing – a unique experience, being a significant part of the Russian culture. Winter fishermen are often jokingly called “penguins” in Russia for the looks they have when seen from afar. You patiently cut a circular hole in ice with a hand auger (up to a meter thick – no way one freezes working on this!), drop your line and sit keeping your fingers crossed that the fish won’t come bigger than the opening you spent an hour drilling. Contact us, we will help you arrange this.
