west australian travel club

The Best of France

• NICE - AVIGNON - ARLES - VIVIERS - TOURNON - VIENNE - LYON •

HOSTED BY STEPHEN SCOURFIELD

7th  - 16th August 2022 

10 Days starting from just $5,995 per person

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Limited Cabins Available!

The experience.

Join Travel Editor of The West Australian and West Travel Club Stephen Scourfield on one of his favourite trips.

The adventure begins in Nice, where it is time to explore the famous French Riviera! Enjoy 2 nights in Nice, including welcome function before making your way to Avignon to board Viking's stunning  longship Heimdal for 7 glorious nights cruising up the  Rhône river to Lyon.

Tap into your inner van Gogh at an Arles painting class, discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes amphitheater and the Pont du Gard. Explore Avignon’s Palace of the Popes, excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy.

Savor Beaujolais wines, hunt for truffles and see how chèvre cheese is made, all while witnessing the beauty that inspired artists like Cézanne and Chagall.

If you're not ready to head home just yet, why not continue your adventure with our 3 Night Parisian extension. Upon disembarking the cruise in Lyon, you will be taken by private transfer to Lyon station where you will take the TGV train through the French countryside to Paris. 

You will then have 3 Nights to experience the city of love and all that it has to offer - the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc du Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Moulin Rouge, Montparnasse, Saint Germain, Notre Dame, Galeries Lafayette, the Seine and so much more!

The Inclusions

Arrival Airport to Hotel transfer in Nice

2 Nights Accommodation at the Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais in a Superior Room (upgrades available)

Private Welcome Event in Nice

Private group transfer from Nice to Avignon

7 Nights aboard Viking's Longship Heimdal cruising from Avignon to Lyon

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner (option to upgrade to an all inclusive drinks package)

24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Fully Comprehensive Travel Insurance* - including Covid Travel Cover * Based on up to 69 years of age with no pre-existing medical condtions. Please advise if you need adjustments to this in your booking form.

Standard CABIN

$5,995 per person

Stateroom size: 150 sq ft (Category E) 

River-view stateroom with half-height picture window

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) 

42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system, 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports

Private bathroom with accessible shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

Telephone, safe, refrigerator with bottled water replenished daily

Individual climate control

Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping

Under-bed suitcase storage space

Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

12pm Embarkation - 3pm stateroom access

FRENCH BALCONY

FROM $6,595 per person

Stateroom size: 135 sq ft (Category D)

River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)

Verandah CABIN

FROM $7,095 per person

Stateroom size: 205 sq ft (Category B) 

River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda

Upgrades and Extras

We can book flights for you, alternatively, Frequent Flyer Flights are available. Book with us to get your free transit airport lounge pass (oneway)

BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Beer, wine and soft drink is included with lunch and dinner,

however you have the option to upgrade to have all of you drinks  including

Champagne,  Premium Wines & Beer, Cocktails, Mocktails, Soft Drinks, Juices for just $30 per person per day

Total Cost - $240 per person

PRE and/or POst ACCOMMODATION & ACTIVITIES If you would like to upgrade your room type, or extend your stay, please let us know!

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive travel, medical and cancellation insurance with nib is included in your tour price.* Additional premiums apply for travellers 70 years and over, and with pre-existing medical conditions.

The included insurance has a $250 excess, you can remove the excess completely from an additional $70 per person

The insurance includes cancellation cover to the value of $10,000 per person

The insurance includes unlimited medical cover (including Covid-19), as well as Covid-19 Travel Cover.

You can download the Full PDS here , as well as one-page flyers on

Cruise Cover , Coronavirus Travel Cove r & Emergency Assistance  

Available Cabins

Secure your cabin with a  deposit of just $1000 per person an invoice for full payment will then be sent to your email address full payment is due by the 20th of april 2022, standard cabin (cat e).

French Balcony (Cat D)

French balcony (cat c).

Verandah Cabin (Cat B)

Verandah cabin (cat a), join our waitlist.

Thanks for submitting your waitlist request! We will be in touch if any cabins become available.

The Itinerary

Please note the finalised itinerary and times will be included in your travel documents.

Day 1 - 7 th  AUGUST 2022: NICE 

Arrive in Nice at any time

Transfer from the Airport to Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais , check in and enjoy free time to explore the hotel and surrounds

This evening is your to enjoy at your leisure, a sunset dinner or cocktail may be order to kick of your French Adventure!

Stay: Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais, Nice

Day 2 - 8 th  AUGUST 2022: NICE

Take a walk along the promenade, go to one of the beach clubs or perhaps go for a wander around the old town of Vieille Ville, and take the free elevator up to Parc de la Colline du Château where you will experience some of the best views od the riviera.

This afternoon/evening there will be a Welcome function where you can meet and mingle with the other West Travel Club Members.

Day 3 - 9 th  AUGUST 2022: AVIGNON

Meet the group in the lobby of the hotel at 9am for your private transfer to Avignon. 

The scenic drive will take 2.5-3 hours and will take you along the coast pas Antibes and Cannes before heading inland to Aix-en-Provence, and up to Avignon where you will board Viking Cruises' luxurious  Longship Heimdal, which will be home for the next 7 nights.

After boarding, take free time to explore this quaint town on the scenic Rhône River, or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and get oriented before we embark on out 8 day cruise done the Rhône.

Meals: Dinner

Stay: Viking Cruises -  Heimdal

Day 4 - 10 th  AUGUST 2022: ArLES

Disembark after breakfast and take a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colours and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trôphime, completed in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore Arles on your own. 

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - 11 th  AUGUST 2022: AVIGNON

This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic centre, see the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture that served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. After the tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Avignon.

You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine.

Lunch and dinner are served on board the ship.

We depart for Viviers this evening. 

Day 6 - 12 th  AUGUST 2022: VIVIERS

This morning join a walking tour of Viviers’ Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Once a 5th-century Roman settlement, today the cobblestone streets are dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral.

This afternoon, we set sail to Tournon. 

Day 7 - 13 th  AUGUST 2022: Tournon & VIENNE

Board the Train de l’Ardèche this morning for a locomotive ride through the deep gorges of the Ardèche plateau, cut by the Doux River. Return to your ship and enjoy lunch on board as we cruise past dramatic landscapes.

Arrive in Vienne this afternoon, a beautiful town with an ancient Roman past. Visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia, the Roman amphitheater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice on a walking tour before dinner on board the ship.

We remain docked in Vienne this evening.

Day 8 - 14 th  AUGUST 2022: LYON

After breakfast, disembark in Lyon for a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Begin with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive through town past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice.

Then take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), with free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world-famous.

We remain docked in Lyon overnight. 

Day 9 - 15 th  AUGUST 2022: LYON

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep and enjoy a tasting in one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars.

Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time.

Day 10 - 16 th  AUGUST 2022: PARIS

Today our tour comes to an end, for those flying back to Perth we can arrange airport transfers for you.

If you would like to extend your stay in Paris or anywhere else in Europe or the UK, please let us know and we would be happy to help you with your plans and discounted rates.

We hope you have had a wonderful time, and look forward to welcoming you on another trip soon!

Paris Extension

 3 nights  

Take in the French countryside from your First Class seat from Lyon to Paris - in less than 2 hours you'll be in Paris!

Upon arrival a Gare du Lyon, we will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

A 2 Day Hop On - Hop Off Big Bus Premium Ticket is included

Enjoy the next three days at your leisure, taking in the sights - and tastes! of one of the world's most famous cities!

4 Star: Le Belgrand Hotel Paris Champs Elysees - from $775 per person

5 Star: Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg - from $1150 per person  

Or we can tailor a package just for you!

Get In Touch!

(08) 9288 4418

[email protected]

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See all region register, peakvisor app, khanty-mansiysk autonomous okrug – ugra.

Welcome to the land of sheer silent whiteness. Its vast expanses are filled with fresh Arctic air, howling winds, and the spirit of true adventure. Come with us to the lands of the ancient Khanty and Mansi tribes that survived in this harsh climate of the Nether-Polar Urals . See the mountains that defy any logical or geological reason for their existence. Experience the wonders of this sparsely populated land where you can hardly see a human trace. Welcome to Yugra!

Flora & Fauna

Water resources, landmarks and tourism, major mountains, mount narodnaya, mount zaschita, mount neroyka, the pyramid mountain, samarovskaya mountain, ski and sports facilities, protected sites, reserves, national and natural parks, rivers and lakes, major cities, khanty-mansiysk.

The Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area – Yugra (KhMAO) is located in the central part of the West Siberian Plain, stretching from west to east from the Ural Range to the Ob-Yenisei Watershed. The vast areas of this plain, as well as the Lower Priob region, are considered one of the most recently inhabited areas.

The Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area (KhMAO) was established in 1930. Its name comes from two main northern indigenous peoples – the Khanty and the Mansi. From 1944 it was legally part of the Tyumen Region , but in 1993 the Area received autonomy and became a full-fledged territorial entity of the Russian Federation. It is a part of the Urals Federal District. The administrative centre is the city of Khanty-Mansiysk , whereas the largest city is Surgut. The word Yugra was introduced to the name of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area in 2003 to pay tribute to the old name used by the locals to call the territories lying beyond the North Urals.

The KhMAO borders the Komi Republic in the north-west, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in the north, the Krasnoyarsk Area and the Tomsk Region in the east and south-east, the Tyumen Region in the south and the Sverdlovsk Region in the south-west.

The area of the territory is 534,801 sq.km, the length from north to south is 800 km, from west to east is 1400 km. The population of this huge territory is 1,674,676 people as of 2020, which is the same amount as people living in Barcelona or Munich.

The main part of the territory is a huge, poorly dissected plain where absolute elevation marks rarely exceed 200 meters above sea level. The western part of the KhMAO territory is characterized by low and middle mountainous terrains with some Alpine relief featured in the Subpolar Urals. Here are ridges and spurs of the mountain system of the North Urals and the Subpolar Urals. The maximum absolute elevations are on the border with the Komi Republic . Mount Narodnaya (1,895m) is the highest peak.

More than 800 species of higher plants grow in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area . Almost the entire territory is covered by taiga forests that occupy about 52% of the area. Spruce, fir, pine, cedar, larch, birch, alder grow here. In the northern parts of the area, the composition of the vegetation is greatly influenced by perennial permafrost. Light lichen grasslands which are used as deer pastures are widespread there. Tundra dominates in the mountainous and hilly areas. River floodplains and lowlands are characterized by meadow vegetation, the so-called water meadows. High floodplains of large rivers are mainly covered with woods that mainly feature willows, birches and aspens. Forests and swamps are rich in berries and various valuable plants, most of which are used in traditional indigenous medicine.

The animal world is typical for the Russian taiga zone. There are 369 species of vertebrates. Mammals are represented by 60 species (28 of them are commercial species). The most common and valuable of them are wild reindeer, elk, fox, sable, fox, squirrel, marten, ermine, Siberian weasel, polecat, mink, weasel, otter, hare and others. Wolverine and West Siberian river beaver are included in the Red Book of Russia.

There are 256 bird species in the region, including 206 sedentary and nesting species. Some rare bird species are listed in the Red Book. There are 42 species of fish in rivers and lakes. Of these, 19 species are commercial, among them are starlet sturgeon, lelema, muksun (whitefish), pelyad, chir, lake herring, wader, tugun, freshwater cod, pike, ide, roach, bream, fir, perch, ruff, golden and silver crucian carp, carp (carp is grown in the cooling ponds of the Surgutskaya and Nizhnevartovskaya hydroelectric plants). Sturgeon is listed in the Red Book. There is an abundance of mosquitoes and gnats in the area, the greatest activity of which is in the second half of summer.

Yugra can boast of over 2 thousand large and small rivers, the total length of which is 172,000 km. The main rivers are the Ob (3,650 km), the Irtysh (3,580 km). These are some of the largest rivers in Russia. Other significant rivers include the tributaries of the Ob (the Vakh, Agan, Tromyogan, Bolshoy Yugan, Lyamin, Pim, Bolshoy Salym, Nazym, Severnaya Sosva, Kazym rivers), the tributary of the Irtysh (the Konda River) and the Sogom River. Ten rivers are over 500 km long. All the Yugra rivers with the exception of the rivers in the Ural part of the region are characterized by rather slow currents, gentle slopes, some surge wave phenomena, spring and summer floods. The Ob River basin extends over a distance of 700-200 km from the mouths of its tributaries. Such abundance of water facilitates the appearance of floodplain swamps and seasonal lakes.

The region's swamps are predominantly of the upper and transitional type. Those water basins occupy about a third of the region. About 290,000 lakes with the area of more than 1 ha are surrounded by swamps and forests. The largest lakes are Tursuntsky Tuman, Levushinsky Tuman, Vandemtor and Trmemtor. The deepest lakes are Kintus (48 m) and Syrky Sor (42 m). However, most of the lakes (about 90%) are modest and quite small and have no surface runoff.

The area is rich in resources of fresh, mineral and thermal underground waters, which are still insignificantly used.

The climate is moderately continental. Winters are harsh, snowy and long, and summers are short and relatively warm. The territory is protected from the west by the Ural Mountains but its openness from the north has a significant impact on the climate formation because cold air masses from the Arctic freely penetrate the area. The flat character of the terrain with a large number of rivers, lakes and swamps also has its impact. Most of the precipitation falls during the warm seasons. But even with a small amount of precipitation, their evaporation is very low, which as a result contributes to the formation of the zone of excessive moisture throughout the Yugra. The snow cover is stable from late October to early May, its height varies from 50 to 80 cm. The region is characterized by a rapid change of weather conditions, especially in transitional seasons (autumn and spring), as well as during the day. Late spring and early autumn frosts are rather frequent and can happen even until mid-June. Average January temperatures range from -18ºC to -24ºC (0 F to -11 F) and can reach -60ºC to -62ºC (-76 F to -80 F) when the northern cold air masses break through. The average temperature in July, the warmest month of the year, ranges from +15ºC to +20ºC (+59 F to +68 F) and on very rare days can reach a maximum temperature of +36ºC (+97 F). The prevailing wind direction is north in summer and south in winter.

The weather in the mountains is quite changeable and cool even in summer. The best time to visit the region's mountains is between July and mid-August.

The Yugra of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area has a huge natural resource potential. These are oil and gas deposits, forests, gold and iron ore deposits, as well as bauxites, copper, zinc, lead, niobium, tantalum, brown and hard coal deposits, rock crystal, quartz and piezo quartz, peat deposits, etc. The region has plenty of natural resources. In terms of natural gas reserves, the Yugra ranks second in the Russian Federation after the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District .

The industry is dominated by oil and gas production, power generation and processing industries, including woodworking except for pulp and paper production.

The Khanty-Mansi area has very developed tourism of all kinds. There is a modern infrastructure for cultural exploration as well as for active recreation.

Fans of sports and eco-friendly tourism will be able to conquer majestic mountains and raft down picturesque rivers, enjoy the beauty of nature in nature reserves and natural parks. The hills and mountains of this area open up endless opportunities for skiing and snowboarding.

The mountainous part of the Subpolar Urals located on the territory of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area is very beautiful. The highest peaks of the Ural Mountains are situated here.

Being the highest point of the whole Urals, Mount Narodnaya (1,895 m), also known as Naroda and Poenurr and translated as People's Mountain is territorially situated in the Subpolar Urals, on the border of the Yugra Area and the Komi Republic . It is the highest point in European Russia outside the Caucasus. This leads to its large topographic prominence of 1,772 metres (5,814 ft).

The top of the mountain is half a kilometre from the border towards Yugra. As for the name of the mountain, scientists could not come to a common opinion for a long time, so there are two versions. According to one version, in the Soviet years, an expedition of pioneers gave the mountain a name in honour of the Soviet people - Narodnaya (the stress is on the second syllable). According to the other version, even before the arrival of the first Soviet tourists, the peak was named after the River Naroda (the stress is on the first syllable) flowing at the foot of the mountain. The Nenets peoples called the River Naroda Naro, which means a thicket or a dense forest, and the Mansi peoples called it Poengurr or Poen-urr, which translates as the top, or head. The maps used to refer to it as Mount Naroda or Mount Naroda-Iz. Nowadays, it appears everywhere as Narodnaya.

In the 1980s, someone set a bust of Lenin on the top of the mountain. Its remains can be found there to this day. There is one more symbolic relic there – some Orthodox believers erected a worship cross on top of Mount Narodnaya after a Procession of the Cross.

The slopes of the mountain are steeper in the north-east and south-west and there are many steep rocks on them. The south-eastern and northern parts of the mountain are more gentle but they are also covered with scree. Be vigilant and careful when climbing! On the slopes of the mountain, there are many not only boulders but also caverns filled with clear water as well as ice. There are glaciers and snowfields. From the north-eastern part of the mountain, you can observe Lake Blue near which tourists and travellers like to make bivouacs.

Mesmerizing with its beauty and inaccessibility, it attracts many tourists and fans of active recreation. This majestic mountain is quite remote from the settlements, so getting to it is not an easy task. The mountain is located in the Yugyd Va National Park , so it is necessary to register in advance and get a visit permit from the park administration. How to get to the park administration and get a permit, read the article on the Yugyd Va National Park .

Mountain Zaschita (1,808 m) is the second-highest peak in the Ural Mountains, after Mount Narodnaya . Mysteriously, the name of the mountain, which roughly translates as Defense or Protection Mount, does not correlate in any way with the Mansi names of the nearby mountains and rivers. The origin of the name is unknown. There are some speculations but we will consider just one of them. On the map of the Northern Urals which was made by the Hungarian researcher Reguli the closest peak to Mount Narodnaya was called gnetying olu. Its location coincides with that of the present-day Mount Zaschita . The name gnetying olu in the Mansi can be deciphered as a mountain on which there is some help from ice. The mountain is believed to protect deer grazing on glaciers from mosquitoes. So, early topographers called the mountain more briefly – Mount Defense. Indeed, the slopes of this mountain are covered with a lot of snow and glaciers (the Yugra, Naroda, Kosyu, Hobyu glaciers and others). And it is here that the Mansi shepherds bring their deer which can rest on glaciers and snow. Summarizing all the above, we can say that Zaschita Mount is to some extent protection for deer from mosquitoes. The very name Zaschita appeared on maps with the beginning of hiking tours in the Subpolar Urals.

Mount Neroyka (1,645 m) is 100 km from Neroyka village, the closest tourist base to this peak. In the 1950s, people who were engaged in quartz mining near the mountain worked and lived in this base. Later, a gravel road was built from the village of Saranpaul to the mountain for large-scale development of the quartz deposit. In recent years, the road has not been much used and is practically not cleaned from snow in winter. There has been a plant built 20 km down from the mountain for primary processing of quartz with the use of nanotechnologies. There is an annual big camping event near the mountain. It is organized by the Tourism Department of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area. You can have a 1-hour helicopter ride to the mountain from the village of Saranpaul. Should you wish to fly from the city of Khanty-Mansiysk , be prepared to fly over the taiga for 2.5-3 hours.

Quite inquisitive tourists happened to discover, by a lucky chance, a Pyramid similar to that of Cheops but four times bigger. It is located on the territory of the Narodo-Ityinsky Ridge. The closest to the pyramid is the village of Saranpaul. The sizes of the found pyramid are as follows: the height is 774 m, in comparison to the Egyptian pyramid which is 147 m; the length of a lateral edge is 230 m whereas the Egyptian pyramid is 1 km. The pyramid is located precisely according to the cardinal directions, there is not a single degree deviation at that. The origin of the pyramid is unknown, scientists are still making assumptions. No traces of human activity were found near the pyramid. The only way to get here at this time is by helicopter.

Samarovskaya Mountain is another wonder that is baffling many people. It is dividing the city of Khanty-Mansiysk into northern and southern parts. Few now living residents know that in the old days the highest part of the modern city used to bear a plural name of the Samarovsky Mountains among which there were Mount Palenina, Komissarskaya, Miroslavskaya, Filinova, and Romanova. Originally, there was a village called Samarovo amidst these mountains. Until now, many issues bewilder both residents and scientists. How could a mountain form in the middle of the West Siberian Plain? What is inside it? Won't the weight of the buildings erected on the top of the mountain affect its height? The uniqueness of Samarovskaya Mountain is that it consists of numerous large stones, boulders, rocks that are absolutely foreign to this area. Scientists have not yet come to a consensus on the mountain’s origin.

The Yugra is very famous for its ski resorts, the main of which are:

• The Cedar Ravine ski resort (Surgut city, Naberezhny Ave. 39/1)
• Three Mountains (Trekhgorie) ski resort (30 km from Nizhnevartovsk, Ermakovsky settlement)
• Stone Cape (Kamenniy Mys) ski resort (near the city of Surgut)
• Pine Urman ski resort ( Khanty-Mansiysk , Sportivnaya Str., 24)

The far-away lands of the Yugra are the blessed sanctuaries for many animals as the area is rather hostile to a human There are reserves, natural parks, wildlife sanctuaries here that aim to protect the national treasures of the lands. Having visited these regions once, you would crave for coming back again and again to feel that unique sense of unity with nature, to forget about the urban fuss and and hustles whatsoever. The harsh but beautiful nature of this extraordinary area leaves an indelible trace in the soul of every person.

On the territory of the district there are 25 specially protected natural areas, the most famous of them are:

• The reserves are two: the Malaya Sosva Reserve and the Yugan Reserve, the latter was established in 1982 as the largest reserve of taiga landscapes. The purpose of the reserves was to study unobtrusively and carefully preserve the endemic flora and fauna without disturbing natural processes. Hunting and economic activities are prohibited here, which is important for the preservation of natural ecosystems.
• The natural parks are the Samarovsky Chugas Nature Park, the Siberian Sloping Hills (Uvaly), the Numto (also called Lake Numto), and the Kondinskie Lakes.

These reserves and natural parks offer tourists their own excursion programs to make visiting their territory much more enjoyable and educational.

The Samarovsky Chugas Nature Park is located in the center of Khanty-Mansiysk , on a small hill between the Ob and Irtysh rivers.

The territory of the Siberian Sloping Hills (Uvaly) natural park is 350 km away from the city of Khanty-Mansiysk . You can get there by helicopter or by plane. The office of the park is located at 7a Pionerskaya Street, Nizhnevartovsk.

The Kondinskie Lakes Natural Park is located 380 km from Khanty-Mansiysk . Half of the park is covered with swamps, but there is also a recreational area. There you can rest, swim, do some amateur fishing, picking berries (cowberries, cranberries) and mushrooms is permitted. There is only one independent walking route here, it runs for 3 km in the deep forest. It is a cool place for kids since the park is equipped with sports grounds, a pool and a small zoo where the kids can interact with brown bear cubs. What else, try the TaiPark, it is a rope course running at the height of 2.5 meters, having 15 stages, the full length is 125 meters. There is an opportunity to order water walking tours in the town of Sovetsky, which can be reached by train from Khanty-Mansiysk .

The Numto Nature Park is located almost in the center of the West Siberian Plain, in the Beloyarsk district of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, 300 km from the city of Surgut and 200 km from the town of Beloyarsk. It is located on the border of Yugra and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area. The administration of the park is located at 2, Beloyarsky micro-district, 4a. The territory of the natural park is a treasure trove of archaeological and ethnocultural monuments. As of today, there have been discovered 20 architectural monuments, including fortified and not fortified settlements, places of worship abandoned by the peoples who lived here from the Stone Age to almost the present day. Researchers have also found 65 monuments of ethnic value, the main of which are worship objects, sacred places and cemeteries.

The Malaya Sosva Reserve includes several subordinated territories and sanctuaries, including Lake Ranghe-Tour. The reserve offers a 4-km walking guided route that gets the visitors introduced to the typical features and characteristics of flora and fauna of the region. The route is called Bear Trail and you can spot bears there (don’t come close though, we’ve already written how to behave if you meet a bear in the wild). Also, you will see the River Malaya Sosva, some marshes, ancient cultural monuments and other nice sights. Permission to visit the reserve can be obtained from the administration of the reserve at Lenina Str. 46, town Sovetskiy.

As to the Yugan Nature Reserve , it is inaccessible to common hikers who are afraid of flying since there are no roads to it. The only way to get there is taking a helicopter ride. You also must obtain a permit in the administration of the reserve, go accompanied by employees of the reserve, and only on special transport of the reserve (motorboat, snowmobile). The central manor of the Reserve and the administration are located in the village of Ugut. To get to this village, you should first go to the town of Surgut, then go to the town of Pyt-Yakh, and from it there is a road to the village of Ugut. It is about 100 km from Ugut to the southern border of the reserve i, and another 25 km to the nearest cordon. The administration works from Monday to Friday. You can request a permit via mail at [email protected] , order a guided tour at [email protected]

The Yugra lands are heaven for water sports aficionados. They can have some awesome fishing or go rafting along such rivers as: the river Naroda, the Deep Sabun, etc.

The Naroda River is 140 km long. It is the left tributary of the Manya River located in the Ob River basin. The river has its origin on the south-western slope of Mount Narodnaya . It is a mountain-taiga river with rapids, swifts, numerous rolls, which attracts interest among water tourists. However, it is usually not rafted very often.

The Deep Sabun River flows through the territory of the Siberian Sloping Hills Nature Park. The park has developed multi-day water routes. It is possible to raft along the river in summer and to go skiing along it in winter.

The Kondinskie Lakes are a system of lakes along the left bank of the Konda River. The largest lake is the Arantur, with pine forests on the northern side and sandy beaches well equipped for a nice relaxing me-time. The water heats up well in summer. The small river Okunevaya and the river Maly Akh flow into the lake. The Maly Akh comes in on the west side and connects lake Arantur with Lake Pon-Tour. This lake is the richest in fish, and there is also a parking lot for fishermen here. The streams connect Pon-Tour with small lakes Krugloe and Lopukhovoye. When you look at Lopukhovoe lake, you feel as if you have found yourself in a fabulous place: more than half of its surface is covered with white lilies, as well as yellow flowers of the water-beans. Then the river Big Akh, which flows into the river Konda, connects all the lakes into a single system. Along the river there are many archeological monuments such as forts and settlements which have paths to them. The southernmost lake of the park is Ranghe-Tour.

Yugra is not the easiest destination and not the most accessible, but the effort is well worth it. You should first get to the capital of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area – the city of Khanty-Mansiysk either by air or by train.

Khanty-Mansiysk is based on the premises of the former village Samarovo founded in 1582. It used to be the territory of the Khanty people and a pit stop for coachmen who rode their wagons across the country. The village was founded by Russian Count Samara, thus the name Samarovo. The modern city actually began to develop in 1930 because amidst the Siberian taiga there finally started to appear stone houses on the high bank of the Irtysh River. In 1940, the village was renamed into Khanty-Mansiysk by the name of the peoples living on this territory – the Khanty and the Mansi, and in 1950 it received the status of a town.

The city has several attractions. Mount Samarovskaya is probably the biggest natural and scientific wonder. It divides the city in two parts and causes many concerns for urban developers who always wonder whether this mountain can move making the buildings slide or even sink in.

Another beauty is the century-old cedar grove that is within the city limits. The grove is a part of the natural park Samarovsky Chugas. The word chugas in the language of the Khanty means a lonely hill in the low river floodplain.

The park is one of the main attractions of the city, it hosts an open-air ethnographic museum called the Torum Maa, a cultural and tourist complex called Archaeopark, a biathlon center. Kids and adults, nature lovers and fans of culture love this place dearly.

A memorial sign to Yugra's discoverers is installed on top of the Samarovsky Chugas. It is a tall stele pyramid divided into three portions. On the lower level, there is a restaurant, on the second level is a small museum, and on the third level there is an observation deck, 40 m above the ground, with a magnificent view of the Irtysh River and the river port. The pyramid is decorated by the bas-relief depicting the discoverers of the region, from the 16th-century Count Samara to the geologists of the 20th century.

Another trademark of Khanty-Mansiysk is the State Museum of Nature and Man. The museum hosts a gallery and a workshop of a famous artist G. Rayshev.

The city has a lot of small monuments generously spread around the city. There is the Khanty family resting on a camp, this monument is near the airport building. You can take a pic at the Golden Tambourine located at the intersection of Gagarin Street and Mira Street. Connoisseurs of culture should also visit the Sun – the Theatre of Ob-Ugrian Peoples, it is the world's first professional theatre of Khanty and Mansi peoples. And if you are travelling with kids, the Khanty-Mansiysk Puppet Theatre is a must-visit. In the period from May to October, you can take a boat ride to the confluence of two rivers – the Ob and the Irtysh. Yugra Service Co. operates such cruises, you can find more information locally at their address Tobolsk Trakt street 4, Khanty-Mansiysk .

Explore Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra with the PeakVisor 3D Map and identify its summits .

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Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug from above

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Nature , Photos , Regions

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug or simply Yugra is located in the heart of Russia – in the north of Western Siberia. It is the main oil and natural gas region of the country and one of the largest oil producing regions in the world (about 60% of Russian oil).

Yugra climate is equivalent to the climate of the Far North. This region is the native place of indigenous peoples of the Khanty and Mansi. Photos by: Slava Stepanov .

The confluence of the Irtysh River in the Ob.

The Ob is the longest river in Russia and the second longest in Asia.

The Nazim River.

Swamps occupy about one third of the region’s area.

Khanty-Mansiysk – the capital of Yugra.

Surgut – the largest energy center in Russia, one of the first Russian cities in Siberia, founded in 1594. Surgut GRES-2 is Russia’s largest thermal power plant.

Yugra cable-stayed bridge across the Ob River – one of the longest in Siberia.

Nefteyugansk – the third largest city of the autonomous region.

Tags:  Khanty-Mansi okrug

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West Coast Eagles ‘hopeful’ on extra WA game in 2024 as fixture imbalance push intensifies

Adelaide dump Josh Rachele after Showdown antics

West Coast and Fremantle are hoping Eastern States clubs will play home games in Perth as they look to minimise their travel throughout the season.

Both WA clubs have been working together to get a fairer fixture as part of the AFL’s competitive balance review being undertaken this year.

The amount of interstate games both the Eagles and Dockers play has been hot on the agenda, with reports one club believes it’s not a factor because of the business seats they get on planes.

West Coast chair Paul Fitzpatrick said as part of their work to get a fairer fixture the WA clubs hoped to have eastern states clubs play home games at Optus Stadium.

“It’s well known we’ve been working closely with Fremantle to get an extra game played in Perth so that rather than playing 12 games in Perth and 11 away we’ll have 13 in Perth and 10 away which is what the Adelaide clubs do as a result of Gather Round,” Fitzpatrick told 6PR.

“I think there has been an acceptance at AFL level particularly amongst the CEO’s of the other clubs that the WA clubs are prejudiced by the fixturing and the amount of travel the clubs are required to do.

“I’m very hopeful that by the end of the season or the end of the year a decision will be made at AFL level that enables an extra game to be played for both Fremantle and us in our home state.”

Fitzpatrick said they also wanted to limit the number of six-day breaks between long interstate trips such as this weekend’s haul to Geelong, which comes only days after playing Calton on Sunday.

“One of the other differing we have are the short breaks, the five or six day breaks when we’ve been away and then play our next home game,” he said.

“I can remember we played Gold Coast (away) and then had a six-day break after a very long trip coming home from the Gold Coast to Perth. The next week we played Essendon at home who came off an eight or nine-day break.

“Those short breaks we often deal with, this weekend is another one we played on Sunday and we’re playing Geelong on Saturday and that’s a pretty long trip to Geelong because we’ve got the bus trip as well as the plane trip.

“So, one of the things we’d like to see is just a bit more consideration given to what sort of breaks both we and Fremantle get when we’ve been travelling.”

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