Day 1: Arrival in Ufa
You arrive from Moscow with provided 2-hours-flight, departing from the airport Domodedovo (DME) or Vnukovo (VKO). Due to the additional 2 hours time difference you arrive in Ufa at the evening. We meet you at the Ufa airport (UFA) and bring you to the President Hotel, which enjoys a reputation of beeing the best hotel in the city. It stands on the confluence of two rivers, and is surrounded by a pine grove. You relax and we take care of your hunger.
Day 2: Ufa – Ohlebinino
After the late breakfast, we discuss the itinerary, riding rules, contingencies and emergency plans. But not to much theory – we gear up and jump on our new KTM 450 EXC bikes. Leisurely ride to a bungalow camp located 60 km from Ufa in a beautiful spot on the river Belaya. Snack following by an optional test riding through the gentle flourish foothills of the Ural Mountains. A typical Russian picnic with shashlik (Russian style barbecue), beer and of course vodka will be waiting for you.
Day 3: Ohlebinino – Tolparovo
Start the day with an early breakfast and head up to a different world – Russia's countryside. Enjoy the day of a relatively easy going ride in a spacious forest-steppe scenery. We will pass a lot of small and very small Russian and Bashkir villages. The life of its inhabitants is so simple and archaic that you will become a feeling of being back in the time. Meet with support vehicles and enjoy a bonfire lunch. After a 3 hours afternoon ride we pitch our tents in a nice tranquil place on the river Zilim near the settlement Tolparovo, cook together by bonfire, swim, and enjoy the rest of the evening with the Russian beer.
Day 4: Tolparovo – Abzakovo
Not later than today you become to appreciate the off-road capabilities of the KTM bikes. Continuing to cross the Urals we get right into the virtually untouched Russian taiga. Depending on the weather conditions, the very few forest trails become a hard challenge, even for experienced riders. After 2-3 hours ride we leave the forest and visit a partly exploited iron-ore mine were (under enraupted looks of the mine workers) you can try some crazy figures. Afterwards, relaxing gravel road and again into the forest. Late lunch at the upper stream of the river Belaya. From here we take an easy ride to a lovely family-hotel in Abzakovo – the favorite ski resort of the president Putin. In the hotel restaurant we enjoy a tasty dinner and celebrate your first crossing of the Ural Mountains.
Day 5: Abzakovo – Orlovka
After breakfast at the hotel we depart direction North-Northwest along the East side of the Urals, which is lush with a lot of smaller and bigger lakes and spectacular hills-scenery. Depending on the weather we stop for a swimming/lunch break at the lake Uzunkul surrounded by a typical Russian pure silver birch forest. Some short sections on this day we ride on gravel roads and tarmac, so we quickly move forward and you can enjoy a relatively easy going ride. By the evening we pitch our tents at a lake Aushkul and you again can enjoy the freshness of a clear mountain lake. You may try yourself in fishing and with a little bit of luck we might have for the dinner a traditional Russian fish-soup "Uha".
Day 6: Orlovka – Zyratkul
On the days 3 and 4 we crossed the Urals from West to East. But to return back home we need to cross it in the opposite direction. And again there are only few muddy trails through the wild taiga. That means: challenging narrow trails, river crossings, lots of ascents and descents, and dirt, dirt and again dirt. By the evening we reach the lake Zyratkul located in the protected national park, where we settle in for the night. Accommodation in a Russian style solid-wood house at the recently build deluxe resort EcoPark. For the dinner, enjoy delicious and tender calf's shashlik and aromatic herbal tees served in a wood-heated Russian banya with silver birch besoms and cold water pool!
Day 7: Zyratkul – Kordon
To recover from the strains of the previous forest trails, we take a lazy start to this day. We don't want you to miss a chance to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of this place, go for a walk by the ancient lake Zyratkul or just getting more sleep. Therefore, late breakfast and lunch at the resort's restaurant. In the early evening, depart for the overnight stay in a 40 km remote bungalow camp on the territory of the national park Zyratkul.
Day 8: Kordon – Bedyarish
We continue to cross the Urals and the impenetrable (except for the few trails) taiga. Intensive few hours ride with short stops for snack until we again reach the 'civilization' – a small settlement. If you also imagine that Zlatoust-36, one of the Russia's closed military cities, is located only few miles off our route, you know, this is something that you will tell all your riding friends about back home. And the few run-down and nearly abandoned villages lost in the middle of nowhere, which we pass on the way, will also leave a big mark in your memories. By the evening we camp in the forest.
Day 9: Bedyarish – Asha
Even if this is your last hard enduro day, be aware that your off-road riding skills will improve after this day. We head up further towards Northwest. 40 km old, partly overgrown forest trails with overturned trees, stones, deep grooves and large puddles filled with sticky mud will challenge even an experienced off-road rider. When we rich a settlement Suhaya Atya, it will mean that we made it. After another 20 km of easy gravel road and tarmac we arrive in a small ski resort Asha. Accomodation in a comfortable wooden house. In the Russian wood-heated banya you can relax, drink beer, and enjoy the company of your riding mates.
Day 10: Asha – Ufa
The last day will be an easy going ride, mostly on gravel and field roads (in Europe you would call it off-road) mixed with some tarmac sections. On the way to Ufa we pass a number of villages, where you again can watch the typical Russian countryside life. By the late afternoon we arrive in Ufa at the President Hotel. While you get some rest and pack your gear, we load the bikes. By the evening we invite you for a tasty farewell dinner with traditional Russian and Bashkir cousine.
Day 11: Departure to Moscow
After an early breakfast at the hotel we take leave of this nearly untouched part of the world. Short transfer to the Ufa airport (UFA). Final farewell to the group. For those of you who want to stay longer in Moscow we help to make necessary accommodation arrangements.