This is the preliminary booking, but we must be flexible with domestic travel due to weather, equipment and other unavoidable occurences. Traveling in Russia is not difficult and all arrangements will be made for us, but we must travel with patience, compassion and a sense of humor. Keep in mind that this itinerary could change slightly for many different reasons.

Day 1 - Moscow
Arrive Moscow, transport to hotel
Group Dinner

Day 2 - Moscow
Kremlin Tour, City Tour or Tour to the Tretyakov State Gallery

* City Tour round the most beautiful places of Moscow (the Cathedral of St.Basil the Blessed, the Tverskaya street the most animated and saucy, the former headquarters of the KGB, University located in Lenin's Hills considered to be the highest point of the city, Russian White House, Kutuzov street and the Victory Park with it's fountains and churches)

* Excursion to the Moscow Kremlin & Kremlin Cathedrals + Armory Chamber. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power & might of the Russian land. Each era of Russian history left it's architectural mark on the Kremlin. Within the Kremlin walls there are many architectural monuments, churches, cathedrals, museums, etc.

* Tour to the Tretyakov State Gallery. The Tretyakov State Gallery - one of the world's largest museums, a treasure house of old Russian art from the 11th cent. till our days. The gallery bears the name of its founder, Pavel Tretyakov, a rich Russian manufacturer and patron of art. He presented his collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. Now the Tretyakov Gallery holds more than 50,000 works of painting, graphic art and sculpture.

Days 2 and 3 - Moscow to Ohlkon Island, Lake Baikal
Transfer to airport; Flight from Moscow to Irkutsk.
The flight is approximately 6 hours, the bus ride 5-6 hours. This will be a long travel day. Dinner

Days 4 - 9 - Ohlkon Island, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk
We will stay on beautiful Ohlkon Island, sacred land of the Buryats. Here we will participate in a gathering of Buryat shamans from Buryatia, Mongolia and China who meet at this place each year in July. There is time for ceremonies, learning about ancient shamanic traditions of the Buryats and exploring the island. Hiking, swimming and boating are some of the options available to us. We will stay at Nikita's Homestead for tourists and all meals are included while on the island. We will return to Irkutsk to explore the city and southern part of Lake Baikal. Dinner and lunch provided.

Days 9 - 15 - Irkutsk to Kyzyl, Tuva
Transfer to airport, Flight from Irkutsk to Kyzyl. (approximately 2 hours)
During these days, we will be with Ai-Churek (Moon Heart) Oyun, shaman and manager of the Shamanic Clinic in Kyzyl. She will be leading us to sacred places in the area for ceremonies and workshops. We will have time to work with the other shamans at the clinic as well and to have private sessions as you wish. Kyzyl is a small city of about 100,000 people. It is easy to walk to the nearby park, shopping, markets and restaurants. Some Lunches and/or Dinners depending on our schedules with the shamans.

Day 15 - Tuva to Moscow
Transfer to Airport; Flight to Moscow (approximately 7 hours)
Free Time
Dinner

Days 16, 17 - Moscow
Museum Tour, City Tour, Theater or Free Time, Farewell Dinner

Day 18 - Leave for Home
Leave for home or other parts.

$1,000 deposit is required to hold your place; the remainder to be paid by May 13, 2007.

Please call or email me if you are interested in participating on this journey.

Debra Varner
415-922-0137
debra@purplemedicinewoman.org

This is the preliminary booking, but we must be flexible with domestic travel due to weather, equipment and other unavoidable occurences. Traveling in Russia is not difficult and all arrangements will be made for us, but we must travel with patience, compassion and a sense of humor. Keep in mind that this itinerary could change slightly for many different reasons.

Day 1 - Moscow
Arrive Moscow, transport to hotel
Group Dinner

Day 2 - Moscow
Kremlin Tour, City Tour or Tour to the Tretyakov State Gallery

* City Tour round the most beautiful places of Moscow (the Cathedral of St.Basil the Blessed, the Tverskaya street the most animated and saucy, the former headquarters of the KGB, University located in Lenin's Hills considered to be the highest point of the city, Russian White House, Kutuzov street and the Victory Park with it's fountains and churches)

* Excursion to the Moscow Kremlin & Kremlin Cathedrals + Armory Chamber. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power & might of the Russian land. Each era of Russian history left it's architectural mark on the Kremlin. Within the Kremlin walls there are many architectural monuments, churches, cathedrals, museums, etc.

* Tour to the Tretyakov State Gallery. The Tretyakov State Gallery - one of the world's largest museums, a treasure house of old Russian art from the 11th cent. till our days. The gallery bears the name of its founder, Pavel Tretyakov, a rich Russian manufacturer and patron of art. He presented his collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. Now the Tretyakov Gallery holds more than 50,000 works of painting, graphic art and sculpture.

Days 2 and 3 - Moscow to Kyzyl, Tuva
Transfer to airport; Flight from Moscow to Tuva.
The flight is approximately 6-7 hours. This will be a long travel day. Dinner

Days 3 - 9 - Tuva
During these days, we will be with Ai-Churek (Moon Heart) Oyun, shaman and manager of the Shamanic Clinic in Kyzyl. She will be leading us to sacred places in the area for ceremonies and workshops. We will have time to work with the other shamans at the clinic as well and to have private sessions as you wish. Kyzyl is a small city of about 100,000 people. It is easy to walk to the nearby park, shopping, markets and restaurants. This is the time of national holidays or Naadam and we will enjoy the local festivities including wrestling, horse racing, visits to the yurt camp and throatsinging. Some lunches and/or dinners depending on our schedules with the shamans.

Days 9 - 11 - Lake Baikal, Irkutsk
Tranfer to airport; Flight from Tuva to Irkutsk. (approximately 2 hours)
Full day excursion to Lake Baikal and visit to Listvyanka village and the Wooden Village Museum. Cruise on lake with picnic. Return to Irkutsk.

Day 11 - Irkutsk to Ulan Ude
Transfer to Train Station; overnight train to Ulan Ude arrives early morning.

Days 12 - 15 - Ulan Ude
Transfer to hotel.
Here we will work with the Buryat shamans at the shamanic clinic and other sites. We will also visit local cultural sites of the Old Believers' Village, the Outdoor Museum, the Ethonographic Museum and a Buddist monastery (datsan) outside the city. Dinner and lunch with Old Believers' tour.

Day 16 - Ulan Ude to Moscow
Transfer to airport; Flight from Ulan Ude to Moscow. (approximately 7 hours)
Transfer to hotel. Free time.

Day 17 - Moscow
Museum Tour, City Tour, Theater or Free Time, Farewell Dinner

Day 18 - Leave for Home
Leave for home or other parts.

$1,000 deposit is required to hold your place; the remainder to be paid by June 10, 2007.

Please call or email me if you are interested in participating on this journey.

Debra Varner
415-922-0137
debra@purplemedicinewoman.org