See the sunrise in Ergaki National Park in Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk is one of the biggest cities in the central part of Siberia. Unlike Irkutsk, it does not have direct access to Lake Baikal. But, it certainly does not mean that there is nothing to see there. I can give you at least one great idea for the perfect weekend getaway in Krasnoyarsk. I am talking about Ergaki, also known among the locals as a pearl of Siberia. So, if you like mountains and camping, I invite you to see the sunrise at Ergaki National Park in Krasnoyarsk!

What exactly is Ergaki

Ergaki in Krasnoyarsk is a chain of mountains situated in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Region. Its length is 80 km, and its surface is 342 873 hectares. Ergaki lies in the very heart of Asia, located right between Khakassia and the Republic of Tyva. Due to unique natural conditions, Ergaki has an extraordinary natural ecosystem that can impress even a very experienced traveler.

Ergaki has dense taigas and gorgeous high mountains with cliffs as well as the lakes with pure water. Even shamans from the Republic of Tuva consider Ergaki to be a sacred place. In 2005, Ergaki was worldly acknowledged, as it got a WWF status. Venturing into the wild taiga of Ergaki may seem like a wild and uncivilized kind of trip. But, don’t be afraid, most of the touristic paths and places for the camping are marked on the park maps. You can borrow them in any information center of Krasnoyarsk or download them from the internet. The paths are marked with different colors: green for the beginners and red for the advanced mountaineers.  

Locals of Krasnoyarsk and other cities of Siberia know well the true beauty and importance of Ergaki! They travel here for family camping trips or an easy mountain climbing. As for the advanced climbers, they meet in Ergaki yearly. The European part of Russia is not fully aware of Ergaki so, when you go there, most likely you will be surrounded only by the Siberian people! Locals go to Ergaki all year round. Winter is perfect for mountain skiing. Snow falls in abundant quantity, and it creates ideal ski routes. You can ski from the end of September till the middle of May. Beware of the very low temperatures during winter (sometimes it can be 40C below zero). Don’t forget your warmest clothes. Summer is rather cold, and there are significant temperature differences during the warm and cold seasons. The best time to visit Ergaki is the beginning of August. July can be great too, as there will be various beautiful flowers in bloom, covering the cliffs. You may also need warm clothes during summer and a pair of reliable waterproof boots, as the weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable. 

There are some official camps in Ergaki National Park, but the real sense of unity with nature can be only achieved by trying to live in a tent, out in the wild. So, if you want to see the sunrise in this national park in Krasnoyarsk, grab a tent and a pair of hiking shoes, and go conquer the mountain peaks of Ergaki!