A trip to the Chara Sands is one of the most fascinating side trips you can do while travelling along the BAM (Baikal - Amur mainline), after all, where else could you see a desert surrounded by mountains and taiga forests. The sand dunes are located in the heart of Siberia 10km from the Novaya Chara railway station in between two mountain ranges: the Kodar Mountains to the north and the more ancient Udokan and Kolarsky Mountains to the south. The word Kodar translates from the Nenets language as ‘wall’ and it is not hard to see why they were so named, as the massive mountains form a great barrier rising almost immediately just 3 kilometres from the sands. 

  However, it is not that easy to get there as you need to cross a river and there are no bridges.  In winter you can walk across the frozen river, but you will, of course, have to cope with freezing temperature - even as cold as -50.  In summer you can either swim across or use an inflatable dinghy.    

  The tour will last around seven or eight hours and involve a 20km trek along a route through forests and taiga. The weather here is very unpredictable and sunny skies can quickly give way to rain. Depending on the time of year, mosquitos and other flies can be a problem, so be prepared!

• 11:14 • 

 River Sredny Sakukan - You will cross the River Sredny Sakukan in an inflatable dinghy. The river is 30 metres in width and it will take no more than 10 minutes to cross it. It is a typical mountain river, which takes its source from a glacier in the Kodar Mountains. Even in July, it can be covered in snow and ice. The water volume changes throughout the year, becoming at time wide, deep and rapid.

• 11:30 • 

 Chara Sands - Ater the river you will need to pass through a stretch of taiga and around some boggy areas before finally reaching the sands, which appears on the very edge of the taiga as the green scenery suddenly gives way to yellow sand.  Here you will find yourself in a real desert, albeit a miniature one, complete with whole ranges of sand dunes and with the odd oasis of pine and larch trees.

  The dunes are affected by the wind and change depending on the direction the wind is blowing and sometimes even cover the surrounding trees. Some experts believe that they are even gradually drifting towards the River Sredny Sakukan and the village of Chara. While at the sands you will have free time for wandering around and taking photos. From the top of the dunes, you can enjoy truly spectacular views of the Kodar Mountains.

• ~15:00 • 

 Lake Alenka - You will make a stop at Lake Alenka for a bite to eat and some tea. If you don’t mind the cold, you can even have a swim. Even in warm weather, only the very top layer of water warms up and icy currents remain, however, the water is crystal clear and pure.

Trekking back to Chara and transfer to Novaya Chara.

You should get back to Novaya Chara around 18:00.

• The best time of year for this tour is from mid-June to mid-September.

• In total, you will walk 20km, although over rather a flat land.

• The route is not extreme and no special training is required.

• You should take good insect repellent as you will always be accompanied by mosquitos.

• Be dressed for rainy and windy weather, even if it is hot and sunny when you set off as the weather is very unpredictable. You should have a hat, a long-sleeved top and trousers.

• The river crossing can be done on a cross-country vehicle (at an additional cost), and in some weather conditions, this is the only way of crossing.

• CANCELLATION POLICY •