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In the Jungles of Khamar-Daban - 3
Project dates: August 4 - 17, 2009 Project Duration: Two weeks Languages: Russian & English
(If you have Google Earth program, you can see a map of this project). Setting: The Baikalskiy National Nature Reserve is situated in the southern part of Lake Baikal. Its northern border runs along the lake, separated from the water only by the steel rails of the Trans-Siberian railway. In 1986, Baikalskiy gained the status of a Biosphere Reserve and was recognized by UNESCO as part of the international network of biosphere reserves which represent the most important types of the world’s ecosystems. The Reserve is especially important as a conservation area for water fowl. Its rare species include black storks, white-tailed sea eagles, and the rare Daur storks. Among the many mammals living in the Reserve are moose, brown bears, sable, deer, foxes, badgers, mink, weasels, and bats. The Khamar-Daban mountain range, which passes through the territory of the Reserve to the south and south-east of Baikal, is one of the most beautiful and fascinating mountain ranges of the Baikal region. The gently sloping mountains of the Khamar-Daban range arch alongside Baikal for 350 kilometers, reaching an average of 1500-1800 meters in height. The highest peak, Khan-Ula, is 2,371 meters above sea level. The Khamar-Daban range is a unique and rare place even by Baikal standards. The vegetation here truly reminds one of a lush Amazon wilderness – hence the project name. Because of the humid climate in the area, enormous relict trees predating the Ice Age, and ferns taller than man, flourish throughout the Khamar-Daban. Long-term Goal: The Reserve conducts several popular environmental educational programs for local children and adults and international groups. These programs range from a few hours in the field to overnight hikes. In partnership with local schools, the Reserve staff uses eco-trails to take visitors on tours to see the local flora and fauna. The trail is one of two reserve trails allowing organized groups, accompanied by Reserve staff, to experience the wildlands here. The Reserve’s future plans include the addition of 12 kilometers of educational eco-trails. (There are currently 7 km of existing trail) GBT volunteers will take part in the construction of these new trails and the improvement of existing trails.
Work Schedule: The group will work 5 days a week, 6 hours a day with rest breaks and a longer break for lunch. Please read the description of a typical day at camp. Depending upon weather conditions and the mood of the group, the crew leader has the authority to change the daily working schedule. Meals and Accommodations: Camp will be in the vicinity of a zimovyo, or a wintering hut built by Reserve workers. The zimovyo is about 5 kilometers from the village of Tankhoi, where the Reserve headquarters and the nearest modern facilities are located. Here, next to a beautiful, but chilly, mountain river (don’t forget your bathing suit!), you will live in primitive, wilderness conditions: in tents with a pit latrine, cooking over a campfire. (By the way, the GBT staff will buy all necessary cooking ingredients in advance of the project. See our MENU for examples.) Most likely there will be no other groups in the area, so you will enjoy the solitude and beauty of the area without distractions. Please note: you will need to carry your personal belongings and camp gear to the camp site. Entertainment and Relaxation: During one weekend off, you will visit Tankhoi village, where you will be able to enjoy the Baikalskiy Nature Reserve Museum as well as familiarize yourself with local Buryat culture. You will have a guided tour of the area and be able to talk with and ask questions of the reserve staff. You will also have an opportunity to see traditional Buryat and Evenk dwellings. And of course you will have a great time experiencing our Russian wet saunas- which are called banyas in Russian. There will also be an additional weekend excursion – the group will go to Lake Baikal, enjoy wonderful views across the lake, sunbathe and swim in the lake as well. For two weeks you will live and work in one of the most unique environments of Lake Baikal. You will be fall asleep to the soothing sounds of mountain waterfalls. During your time off you can take walks along the Osinovka River, located just 30 meters from the camp. You can also go for a quick dip in its refreshing water, and explore the many secrets of Khamar-Daban. And don’t forget the evenings, which you will spend talking and laughing by the camp fire, under the starry Siberian sky. There will be plenty of chances to get to make new friends out of recent strangers, who are likely to become your new family during the two weeks of unforgettable adventure.
Required Experience: None Age Range: 18+ years Additional Requirements: Please make sure to carefully read the General Information for Volunteers and the List of Necessary Equipment, Fitness Fitness: Trail building includes: walking 1 - 4 kilometers a day through forested areas possibly with no paths; using pick, shovels, and other tools to dig out vegetation to make a path; lifting logs and other debris; hand sawing; and carrying tools. You will need to carry your personal stuff and project gear and food all the way to the project site, it may be somewhat physically challenging. Transportation and Meeting Location: Volunteers travel independently to Irkutsk. Once in Irkutsk, you will travel as a group by minibus or train to Tankhoi. In general, it takes 4-5 hours to get from Irkutsk to Tankhoi and costs between 500 and 600 rubles. If you have questions regarding transportation, contact our volunteer coordinator. To Irkutsk by air: Moscow – Irkutsk (5.5 hours) To Irkutsk by train: Moscow – Irkutsk (3.5 days) Please note that your contribution fee does not include any expenses incurred while getting to the starting point of the project, the village of Tankhoi. Important Visa Information: 1. The Great Baikal Trail is registered in the Federal Migration Service as an organization with the permission to provide official invitations to foreign visitors. This process takes between 4 and 6 weeks. However, it may take even longer than this at times, which is why we accept applications for an invitation only until April the 1st. After April 1, you will still be able to obtain your invitation for a fee through other specialized agencies, like Red Star at www.waytworussia.com
You can contact us at gbt.volunteers@gmail.com – attention: Yulia Misevich If you are interested in participation, please, fill in GBT volunteer application form Project Personnel: Project Manager: Victoria Krasnopevtseva, Baikal State Biosphere Reserve, director of Environmental Education.Department, Project manager at Baikal Nature Reserve for summers 2005 through 2008. Responsibilities: The project manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination and implementation of the project. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the manager and she will be in frequent contact with the volunteer group throughout the duration of the project. However, she will not always be present at your project location. Your crew leader will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project. Crew Leader: TBA. We will send you background information about your crew leader several weeks before the project starts. Responsibilities: The main GBT staff member on the project, the crew leader coordinates the day-to-day trail work and the organization of the camp. Translator: TBA Responsibilities: The translator is responsible for translating for the crew leader (who may or may not speak English) and helping with communication between Russian and English speaking crew members. The translator also plans and conducts the social activities of the group. Past volunteer comments about this project: • A great experience, good combination of work and free time, living in the woods and still do some useful work! A great vibe among the Russians and foreigners. A totally new aspect of Russia! • It was a nice experience and we do a good job building this Great Baikal Trail! • Project with people from different countries (multicultural) where you work together for a good goal!
• Baikal is beautiful! GBT is a great organisation and Russia
and Russians are so interesting. |
Project
Location: Baikalskiy National
Natural Reserve, south of Lake Baikal, in the Khamar-Daban
Mountain Range region. The project site will take place in the
reserve itself, within a forested area near the Osinovka River.
It will be located near the shore of Lake Baikal, some 5 km
north of Tankhoi Village, with its 1,300 mainly Russian and
Buryat residents. 
Project Work: Working on the trail
bed, clearing fallen trees and dwarf pines from the trail,
rerouting some sections of the trail, building small bridges and
dikes, and reinforcing the trail along the steeper slopes. The
current 7 kilometers of trail requires some improvement and
restoration. Some sections are rocky in their terrain, so trail
construction can be especially challenging for this project.
Contribution Fee: 10900 Rubles
(approximately $ 420 US or 320 EURO;
2. Every foreigner traveling through Russia
has to comply with the obligatory visa registration process in
any location where you stay for more than three business days.
Since this process takes at least a day, project participants
should arrive in Irkutsk no later than