Indigenous Wisdom
in the Altai Mountains of Siberia
July 8 - 23, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the itinerary? How will the group travel?
A group will leave JFK Airport in New York City, on July 8, 2008, but we will officially meet late morning on July 9 at Sheremetovo Airport in Moscow, or for latecomers, at a charming resort on the outskirts of the city. This will give us a chance to get a feel for the Russian continent (without getting inundated by the intensity of Moscow) and become more of a team before flying off to Siberia that evening. After arriving in Barnaul about 4 hours later, we will head right for the Altai by bus. From here the days will include the spiritual and ecological activities described in the expedition's main flyer/description and travel will be on one bus or a pair of microbuses. These activities: ritual, ceremony, visiting sacred sites/petroglyphs, healings, swimming, walking, etc will be decided by our hosts based on the dynamics of the group in relationship with one another, the Altai people, and the land. It is not a fixed agenda with everything planned in advance but a more spontaneous encounter with the guiding Spirits (ancestral, land, one's own). If Spirits seem hard to believe then just think of intuition and energy. There is however a definite route we will take which generally follows Rt M-52 shown on a map towards the bottom of "Previous Trips/Altai 06" http://www.sacredearthnetwork.org/expeditions/altai2006.cfm
2. Where will people stay and eat?
Accommodations in the Altai will be either homestays with locals, camping in tents/yurts, or in larger hogan-like dwellings made for groups. You will need to bring a sleeping bag but not a tent. (See What to Bring for the rest). On the return we will stay at the Hotel Vega near Ismaelovsky Park, a short metro ride from Red Square where St. Basil's Cathedral is located. Throughout the expedition, three meals a day will be provided. Some of them will be simpler and "rougher" and served at different times than what you may be accustomed to, but they will all be filling and nutritious. The cost of the last restaurant meal/s (Georgian!) in Moscow will be split by the group.
3. Is the group traveling to Moscow and returning together?
Technically, the first day of the trip is after everyone arrives in Moscow. Some expedition participants are from countries other than the U.S. but anyone who lives in the U.S. should consider traveling together the day before on Delta Airlines # 30. Please allow at least three hours for your connecting flights. The return flight is also at your discretion. All trips finish on the morning of the last day of the trip. One bus transfer to the airport is provided for flights leaving in the morning or early afternoon. (All other participants must take a taxi or other transportation to the airport). Trip leader, Bill Pfeiffer, will leave on Delta Airlines flight # 31 on July 23.
Our travel agent, Lisa Kovalsky at Greater Falls will be happy to book your flight and help coordinate schedules. She can be reached at 413-774-2306 or by email at gfta@choiceonemail.com. Flights costs vary but the summer season fare is approximately $1100 roundtrip. We advise booking as early as possible to ensure a seat and save money.
4. How high will the expedition go?
6000-8000 feet. Gradually.
5. What is the physical intensity of the trip? How much hiking is required? Is backpacking involved?
All walking will be light to moderate, not arduous. There is no backpacking.
6. What should I expect spiritually and emotionally?
Expect a full range of rich inner "weather" patterns. You may be stretched and your self-defined limits tested. The energy and vibration is very high. We are going with an intention of raising our consciousness. Our cultural conditioning may resist this intention but it is a great joy to break through into new ways of seeing things as we slow down and live in the moment. Aligning our energy with the land and the elements can be ecstatic!
7. Should I be immunized?
Both former and current Sacred Earth Network staff have traveled to Russia and Siberian Russia for many years without contracting infectious diseases. However this does not mean we do not recommend immunization at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure. Good information on immunization in Russia is located online at www.mdtravelhealth.com. This will be entirely your responsibility and will be a part of the Liability of Release you will sign before departure.
8. What about water?
In Moscow and other Russian cities the tap water is not considered safe to drink. This is why most Russians tend to drink black tea or instant coffee. We will have a supply of bottled water available of which we will bring back the bottles for recycling. Bring along herbal teas if you do not want caffeine. There will be wild herbal tea available at times. In Siberia, there will be places of incredible water purity but because of a large amount of grazing livestock we will drink fresh water directly from sources recommended by the locals.
9. Should I be worried about tick-borne encephalitis?
iI is a good idea to check one's body at the end of the day to make sure none have latched on. In frequent trips there, we have never encountered the ticks or heard of anyone who has contracted the disease BUT there are reported cases in the Altai. See www.mdtravelhealth.com for more info.
10. Can I eat vegetarian in Russia?
For the most part, Russia is a "meat and potatoes" culture, especially in Siberia, but it is possible to be a vegetarian but not as sumptuously as you may be accustomed. There will be a vegetarian option available on this expedition.
11. What about mosquitos? How bad are they?
The Altai is a dry place so mosquitos are not prevalent except in wet areas like rivers and lakes. Bringing a small amount of repellent is a good idea.
12. What's this about a migration card?
Upon arrival in Moscow, you will fill out a migration card, half of which you keep for the duration of the trip. It is extremely important that you hold onto this as carefully as your passport. In fact paper clipping it to your passport is highly recommended.
13. How about money? Approximately how much should I bring, in dollars or traveler checks?
It is recommended that participants bring a minimum of $200 to cover the final restaurant meal, gifts, healings, and personal incidentals. Russia does not use U.S.currency but exchanging dollars is easy. Bring small, newer bills, no larger than $20. Travelers checks are not needed because they cannot be cashed in Siberia and we will be in Moscow for only one day (and they would be too time consuming to cash).
