In case you have never been to the birthplace of the great explorer and scientist Nikolay Przhevalsky, visiting the Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park is a must for you! There you will have the opportunity to learn about the principles of tea fermentation and to immerse yourself in the amazing atmosphere of the home of bisons.
The first stop of our excursion is a visitor centre. We will watch a brilliant film about Smolenskoye Poozerye that illustrates the role of this unique area in the development ofthe region.
The next step is visiting the one and only memorial house of Nikolay Przhevalsky. There you will have the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of travelling and will go on a journey following the route of the great Russian scientist who managed to cover the distance of 30 000 km while exploring the Asian part of our continent. The highlight of the mansion is a large collection of belongings of the pioneer. One should note that in Smolensk there are a monument to Nikolay Przhevalsky and a gymnasium named after him.
Afterwards we will go to “Horse ranch in Przhevalsky”, where Przhevalsky’s horses are bred. By the way, this breed is considered to be one of the most outstanding achievements of our genius compatriot. On the ranch you will have the opportunity to feed horses.
The next stop is the Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park. There you will be offered to have a walk along the ecotrail entitled “In the kingdom of a brown bear”. The length of the route is 1700 metres. You will be accompanied by zoologists who will tell you interesting facts about bears as well as other unique animals and plants that can be found in the central part of our boundless motherland.
After the walk around the park, we will have lunch and taste health-improving herbal teas. All the herbs used for the teas are grown in the pharmaceutical garden located within the territory of the park. As you probably know, local plants have been being used for making different kinds of healing potions for ages.
Our excursion also involves visiting a cage complex, where bisons are kept. The employees of Smolenskoye Poozerye make every effort to prevent the extinction of these huge animals and to create the favourable natural environment for them. In case you have any apples or carrots with you, share them with bisons.
If we have any time left, we will visit one of the locals — Albert Deryabin — who has managed to create a fantasy world on the plot of land that is six hundred square metres in size. It is entitled “The Museum of Birch Bark”. It is inhabited by the famous characters of Russian folk tales and popular stories. In this unique museum you will have the opportunity to learn how a windmill works, to get into Baba Yaga’s mortar and to make birch bark souvenirs.
 

— services of several guides;

— excursion service in museums;

— a tasty lunch;

— entrance tickets to the national park;

The rough plan for the day:

8.00-10.00 Going from Smolensk to Przhevalsky;

10.00-11.00 Going to the visitor centre of the national park;

11.00-12.30 Visiting the museum of Nikolay Przhevalsky;

12.30-13.30 Visiting «Horse ranch in Przhevalsky»;

13.30-14.30 Having lunch in the national park;

14.30-16.00 Walking along the path “In the kingdom of a brown bear”;

16.00-18.00 Visiting the cage complex inhabited by bisons;

18.00-19.00 Visiting the museum of birch bark (optional);

19.00-21.00 Going from Przhevalsky to Smolensk;