Ecological tourism has appeared relatively recently, but is rapidly gaining popularity. According to the agency "TurStat", in 2016 more than 9 million people became closer to nature by visiting one of the natural national parks, reserves or reserves in Russia. It is expected that next year there will be even more of them - after all, 2017 in the Russian Federation has been declared the “Year of the Environment”. In the meantime, we present top 10 most popular ecotourism destinations in Russia.
10. National Park "Lower Kama" (Tatarstan)
The reserve was created to preserve meadow and forest landscapes in the Republic of Tatarstan. The territory of the park embodies the best features of central Russia - a green plain, strewn with many rivers and streams, with forests and groves. Some of the most popular walking routes among tourists is a walk through the places that Shishkin captured in his paintings, as well as a kayak trip along the Kama River.
9. National Park "Khvalynsky" (Saratov region)
There is something to see in "Khvalynskoye" - on the territory of the reserve there are many objects of cultural significance, ranging from ancient settlements to an ethnographic museum. In addition to excursion routes, you can live in the park in a separate cottage or guest house.
8. Specially protected natural territory "Russian North" (Vologda region)
On the territory of the park there are five unique natural objects, more than 50 lakes and numerous cultural monuments that reveal the richest past of the north of Russia. Visitors can follow 13 tourist routes, as well as stay for a longer time in tourist complexes and private boarding houses.
7. Natural Park "Kandry-Kul" (Bashkiria)
"Kandry-Kul" is one of the largest lakes in Bashkiria, popular among lovers of tourism and water recreation. In order to organize crowds of tourists and minimize damage to nature, a natural park of the same name was created. The money from the visitors is used to improve and keep the park territory clean.
6. National Park "Shushensky Bor" (Krasnoyarsk Territory)
"Shushensky Bor" is distinguished by the richness of vegetation and living creatures - more than 800 plant species (11 are listed in the Red Book), 270 bird species, almost 60 mammal species. Visitors are offered hiking and car routes, for climbers - mountain trails, and for those who want to take a break from city life for a longer period - places at the camp site and cottages.
5. National Park "Elbrus" (Kabardino-Balkaria)
One of the best ski resorts in Russia... The infrastructure there lags far behind not only foreign, but also domestic counterparts. But since tourists continue to go there, despite the difficulties, it means that the skiing there is really amazing.
4. National Park "Curonian Spit" (Kaliningrad region)
A narrow sandy strip separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and characterized by a variety and richness of landscapes. Although this natural park is the smallest, it is also one of the most visited by ecotourists from all over Russia - about 400,000 people rest there annually.
3. National Park "Pribaikalsky" (Irkutsk region)
Only in this park you can admire the legendary Baikal seal - the world's only freshwater seal. There are several routes of varying duration and difficulty, as well as the possibility of staying at a camp site or in a cottage. You can also visit many cultural and archaeological sites, from ancient rock art to the sacred island of Olkhon.
2. Sochi Natural Park (Sochi)
Visitors are invited to follow more than 30 excursion routes and admire the unique nature, rich subtropical flora and many rivers and streams that make an unforgettable experience.
1. Losiny Ostrov (Moscow)
And the most popular place for ecotourists turned out to be "Losiny Ostrov" - it is visited by 7 million people annually. Basically, these are, of course, residents of Moscow and nearby cities of the Moscow region (Queen or Balashikha). The guests especially like the Elk Biostation, where you can see elk and feed them.