Responsible tourism

In order to help to preserve the natural and cultural values of the region and to get the best experience during your holidays, we urge all travellers to prevent or minimize any negative impacts on the environment, local communities and economy of the destination they are visiting. Our aim here is to provide guidelines that will help you to remember the principles of ecotourism throughout your trip to Central Siberia.

• Choose your travel provider on the basis of their eco principles and practices.
• Minimize waste by avoiding excess packaging.
• Educate yourself about Central Siberia and learn about its ecosystems by reading this website as well as other guidebooks and travel articles.
• Be aware of local history, culture and customs of the locals before arriving. Learn, for instance, a bit of Russian such as hello, please and thank you. By making the effort to learn even the basics it will be appreciated by locals; and enrich your experience. Be aware, however, that even all people speak Russian in Central Siberia; they are many indigenous non-Russian people living in the area having their own languages.  
• Consider opportunities for offsetting your carbon emissions when using air travel.

• Be sensitive to the local culture by wearing clothing that is accepted. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; always ask first. Observe local customs.
• Remember that you are a visitor and therefore be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of the locals. This may include different concepts of time, dining, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different. For instance, many indigenous people in Siberia may find it difficult to understand if you have vegetarian or other special dietary requirements.
• Behave thoughtfully and demonstrate responsible behaviour to other travellers who are less informed than you by acting as an example.
• Use local transportation, guides, inns, restaurants and markets to benefit the local economy.
• Be streetwise and sensitive to displays of wealth in front of people. By displaying possessions such as cameras and jewellery, feelings of jealousy may be created which then generates barriers that inhibit genuine interactions between travellers and locals.
• Ask your tour operator or guide what their established environmental guidelines are for limiting and improving tourist impact on the environment and local culture. General guidelines involve staying on trails, maintaining set distances away from wildlife, and not encouraging drivers to move too close to wildlife, even if it is tempting for getting a better picture.
• Comply with international environmental conventions. Do not buy any animal products from endangered species (caviar, furs, skins, etc.) while travelling. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature. Not only can these affect fragile ecosystems, but is also illegal.
• Conserve resources and do not litter.
• If you bring small gifts for local people, ask your tour guide or driver to give them to community elders so that you don't encourage begging from children.
• Don't allow your guide to hunt endangered or threatened species or harvest rare plants for your consumption.
• Encourage practices to conserve the environment, including the use of renewable resources in a sustainable manner and the conservation of non-renewable resources.