Southern Tuva — a journey through ancient sites of power, high-mountain lakes, and northern deserts. The program includes a visit to the sacred Burgan-Izi (Buddha's Footprint), a site revealed after the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama, and the Duchen Lhabab Stupa—a place of pilgrimage and spiritual practice. You will explore Suglug-Dash — the legendary "stone with water," revered as a source of power since the time of Subedei, and the mystical Kezhege Mountain with its caves, stone altars, and ancient legends. The route takes you to the high-altitude Lake Tore-Khol on the border with Mongolia and the Tsugeer-Els northern desert with its shifting sand dunes. You will discover the sacred Ie-Dash stones, where visitors come to pray for family happiness, the picturesque Lake Chagytai nestled at the foot of the Tannu-Ola ridge, and the impressive Durgensky Canyon, shrouded in the legends of Genghis Khan. The journey concludes with relaxation at the saline therapeutic Lake Dus-Khol , known for its healing mud. This tour combines spiritual traditions, the stark beauty of the steppes and deserts, and the unique natural landmarks of southern Tuva.
Day 1
Burgan Izi locality
The sacred site of Burgan isi (Buddha's Footprint) is 54 km from the hotel. in the southeastern part of Kyzyl. According to legend, in 1992, during the Dalai Lama's stay in Tuva, during a helicopter flight, the Dalai Lama saw a glowing footprint of the Teacher on the ground. His Holiness informed the Buddhists about this, and they found this sacred footprint. Since then, a pilgrimage to the area has begun. This is where the Duchen Lhabab subdistrict is located, which means "The Descent of Shakyamuni Buddha from heaven." (Suburgan, or Buddhist stupa – structures, sacred objects, repositories of relics of the Buddha and revered teachers)
Suglug‑Dash locality
Suglug-Dash (translated as "stone with water")- a sacred stone with a rounded shape in the form of a bowl resembling a mother's womb. The stone itself is located in an extremely picturesque place. Since ancient times, Suglug Dash has been a great place of power, a place where Tsubodai himself and his troops stopped to gain strength, communicate with the spirits of nature and ask for blessings and protection.
Kezhege Mountain
Literally, "kezhege" translates as "men's pigtail", such as men wore in the last century. According to legend, many centuries ago the place was cursed by a "black" shaman, and anyone who dares to kill an animal, bird, break a twig or think evil here is in danger of death. The legend is alive when a hunter who got a fox here lost his pigtail (kezhege), and soon he went to another world. The mountain itself has a unique ring shape, with a small stream flowing inside. Inside the ring there are several stone altars with porcelain figurines and other objects of Buddhist worship. In addition, the unique feature of Kezhega is that it has an entrance. There are several labyrinths leading to caves in the mountain. Here you can make a wish, write it on a piece of paper and leave it between the rocks. After passing through the labyrinthine caves, you can climb to the top of Kezhega.
Tore‑Khol Lake
Lake Tore-Khol is a freshwater lake located in the south of the Republic of Tuva. Part of the lake lies on the territory of Mongolia. The lake stretches for dozens of kilometers from south to north, it is quite difficult to get to it. It is located high above sea level - at an altitude of more than one kilometer. The depth of the lake is mostly about seven meters, the length of the Torehole is 16 kilometers, and the width is 4 kilometers. The area around the lake is deserted, with occasional sparse shrubs. The lake is part of the Ubsunur Basin Nature Reserve.
*This area is a border zone — you must obtain a border permit to enter. (Please note the processing times: Russian citizens: 14 days; Foreign visitors: 30 days.)
* You are entering the protected zone of the «Ubsunur Hollow» Nature Reserve. A special permit is mandatory for access. (Please note: permit applications are processed within 1–5 days.)
Day 2
Tsuger‑Els Desert
The Tsuger-Els northern desert, unique to Russia, is located near Lake Tore-Khol, on the left bank of the Tess-Khem River. Scientists call such places Aeolian landforms: this means that grains of sand, subject to the wind blowing from west to east, move, each time forming new bizarre niches and dunes. You can come here time after time and notice each time how the landscape of Zugeer Els is changing.
Iye‑Dash Shrine
Iye-Dash is another unique object of worship. There are stone blocks in the middle of the steppe that resemble the shape of a woman's breasts. Iye-Dash is visited by women who cannot get pregnant and give birth to a child, asking for female and maternal happiness.
Chagytai Lake
Lake Chagytai is located in the central part of Tuva, the deepest and largest freshwater lake in the Tuva Basin. It is located approximately 70 km south of Kyzyl, at the foot of the northern slope of the East Tannu-Ola ridge at an altitude of 1005 m above sea level.
Durgensky Canyon
This place is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Tannu-Ola range. Locals tell legends about the origin of the Durgensky Canyon . They say that Genghis Khan went a long time ago and began to conquer the forest peoples. Many heavy wagons of the Khan passed through the ridge. Their wheels pushed through the Durgensky Canyon . Legends also explain the name of the river flowing here. On the long journey, Khan was accompanied by his young wife, who at that time was carrying a child under her heart. Right on the way, she started having labor pains. Tsubodai began to hurry people, shouting to them: "Durgen! Durgen! (Which means "Faster! Faster!) " - since then, the river that flows through the Durgensky Canyon has been named Durgen.
Dus‑Khol Lake
Dus‑Khol Lake is perhaps the most popular and visited healing lake in Tuva. The salt lake with healing mud is located 45 km south of Kyzyl. There are seasonal boarding houses. Many people come from other regions for a few days, and residents of Kyzyl or nearby villages like to come for a day or two.
