Salt – grey gold of Siberia

We all know typical tours – you know exactly your route, accommodation, meals 3 times a day served in a restaurant, tour guide telling you bunch of historical facts. How about something different – to make that route, to test it, to go by off roads on military vehicle, to follow abandoned historical roads rediscovering history of 17-18th centuries, to have to stop at forest rangers houses, with hospitable villagers or in the tent? There won’t be choice of continental or American breakfast, but there will be dinners cooked at fire-camp, fresh fish from forest rivers, stories and songs by guitar.
You are not following the tour agenda – you will be creating one!
If you are up for game, next expedition is for you: “Salt – grey gold of Siberia”.
Group of enthusiasts of Siberian history and off-road trips will explore old trade route, which was once crucial of development of Siberia. Salt was not less important than gold and armory. If indigenous hunters and nomad tribes were getting enough salt intake from meat of animals eaten fresh or cooked, Russian explorers, soldiers and farmers needed salt for cooking and more importantly preserving food for surviving in long Siberian winters. Lack or absence of salt leads to brain dysfunction, lack of energy, as well as the whole range of other health issues. No wonder in medieval times, in many countries, including Russian and British empires, France and many others, salt was under state monopoly. In 1648 in Moscow infamous “Salt riot” started after prices of salt by government increased multifold. One of the turning points of Indian independence movement was “Salt march” by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. Not only insufficiency of salt reserves known at that time but also poor technologies of salt extraction made salt worth of gold. Experienced salt master had to stay up to 1,5 days non-stop for finishing full cycle of salt evaporation, assisted by 2 sub-masters. Any break of technology could lead to salt being cooked, burned or even destroying huge metal bowl used for salt crystallization. Salt master profession in 17th century Russia was valued higher than army person or goldsmith.
We will start from Krasnoyarsk heading 200 km toward north of Krasnoyarsk region, till Kazachinskoye village. Seemingly ordinary village dates it’s history back from 1650 and was founded by Cossacks from Ukraine. “Village inhabited by Cossacks”, in Russian language, sounds as “Kazachinskoye”. Once being strong fortress, nowadays it is famous for local talents, as well as keeping traditions of fold songs and dance. We hope we will be lucky to see one of their performances.
After Kazachinskoye we will cross Enisey river by ferry and will start 40 km forest road trip. It will be a real test of our vehicles UAZ-Patriot that had gone through military-grade tuning. At the end of that road we will enter village Troitsk, home for first salt manufactory in Eniseysk region, started in 1640. Our local scouts found abandoned 18th century manufactory facilities: salt tower for evaporation, grinder and other equipment. We will be able to re-imagine how salt was manufactured centuries ago. On a way back if time will permit we will see Eniseysk, former capital of Eniseysk region, practically front post of development of Central Siberia. Although nowadays it lost its administrative and industrial power, it still has its old time charm, wooden architecture, warm hospitality traditions. On the way back we will use highways, can chill and relax.

Season: May - October

Route length: more than 900km.

Transfer is carried out on specially prepared off-road vehicles: GAZ-Sobol and UAZ Patriot. The machines are specially equipped for Siberia, taiga conditions, off-road passage.

Health restrictions:
When planning this trip, tourists should consider:

· Long journeys

· Part of the route of this expedition tour runs under complete off-road conditions,

· Long walks are possible

Therefore, people with poor health and at risk should consult a doctor.

Physical fitness: no special physical fitness is required.