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The Primorsky Coast: Where the Taiga Meets the SeaLong recognized as an area of remarkable beauty, the Primorsky Coast remains a world center for biodiversity. In this coastal region of the Russian Far East, visitors can see the tracks of Siberian tigers and leopards, ginseng plants and lotus blossoms, Oriental storks and Mandarin ducks and countless other species long vanished from the rest of North Asia. Based on this unique geography and high value to global biological resources, the World Wide Fund for Nature identified the Primorsky Coast as one of the world's most important areas to protect and conserve. After many years of Soviet isolation, the region still retains large tracts of forest wilderness and pristine beaches along the Sea of Japan. Today, the Primorsky coast offers a tourist destination for travelers looking for a taste of Russian wilderness and an experience with unsurpassed natural beauty. Visitors here will also meet the hearty and independent Russian people who live in the land where the taiga meets the sea.  Many state-run protected areas in the Primorsky Krai ensure adequate habitat for wildlife and many of these areas offer safe, comfortable tours for visitors. Each area has a unique beauty and appeal for nature lovers who can enjoy excursions to mountains, beaches and beautiful river valleys. To get a better look at the landscape, tourists easily can arrange in cooperation with tour companies special individual tours with experienced Russian field guides and scientists. This is the New Russia. It's wild, beautiful and you will always remember it. Most of all you will remember the hospitality of the Russian people and their deep understanding of the land they live in.
Travel to and from the US to VladivostokKorean Air offers twice a week flights from Seoul Korea to Vladivostok. Magadan Airlines operates flights out of Anchorage on a once a week basis to Magadan, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. There are also daily flights on Aeroflot from Moscow. Vladivostok: Gateway to the Primorsky CoastBuilt on the hills overlooking Golden Horn Bay, the busy city of Vladivostok provides easy access to coastal destinations. At the end of the Trans Siberian Railway and 9,000 kilometers away from Moscow, Vladivostok is the largest commercial, cultural and scientific city on the Russian Pacific coast. It is home to about 664,000 people and offers abundant transportation and communication facilities. Popular ferries and ships serve coastal destinations and foreign ports in Japan, China and northern Asia. The Southern Coast and Gamov PeninsulaThe Primorsky coast south of Vladivostok stands out as a destination for travelers who appreciate pristine beaches alongside a rugged, wild landscape. Coastal islands and beaches extend south from Vladivostok to the North Korean border. These areas offer easy access to pristine beaches and virgin Asian forests. In this wonderful place, people can experience endless space, sky, and ocean and imagine life along the Sea of Japan 12,000 years ago. And after enjoying your leap into the past,, when you are ready to return to the present, a good meal and a hot banya are awaiting you. Only several hours away form the bustling city of Vladivostok, the Gamov Peninsula provides opportunities to explore the Primorsky Coast. Surrounded by four protected areas, the region is the perfect place for hiking, swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing, horseback riding and special tours. And in the nearby forests live Siberian tigers and leopards who prowl through one of the most unique and rich forests in the world.  Far Eastern Marine Preserve and Kedrovaya PadThe Far Eastern Marine Preserve was the first marine preserve established in Russia. It includes several small islands in the Peter the Great Bay Gulf south from the city of Vladivostok. Our trip to the Preserve is not only to observe the natural diversity of the region but also to take advantage of the migration of Siberian bird species, in particular shore birds. Among the numerous colonies of seabirds are: Black-tailed Gulls, cormorants (two species), wildfowl and colonies of Far Eastern species of shearwaters and Fork-tailed petrols. Some raptures may also be observed on the shores. Marshy lowlands, with sandy shore flats, many lakes and hills with marvelous oak groves, represent the extreme southern part of the Preserve, the Khasan area. In September, its is a key-point for migrating shore birds. The egrets, herons, ducks and grebes can easily be observed on the lakes.  Inside Look at Siberian Tiger Protection ProgramsIn partnership with regional Anti-Poaching Brigades, World Wise Ecotourism Network offers tourists an opportunity to get an insider look at tiger habitat and the people who protect these remarkable big cats. You will ride with one of five teams who travel through the region to assure that the remaining 400 Siberian tigers in Asia are protected. It's a safe and interesting trip that will give you a real understanding of the unique landscape and people of the southern Russian Far East. And give you the best possible opportunity to view one of these magnificent animals. Tours can be arranged along the Primorsky coast and can last two to three days. An excellent opportunity for educational groups and wildlife lovers! Contact the WWF Vladivostok office for more details. World Wise Ecotourism Network © 2000 Far East Development |
