Travel to Tuva, 2008 Tour in Tuva, Tuvan Culture and Ecology, Music Festival, Ustue Khuree

all photo's © devan miller 2003




Dungur Shaman with ritual fire at the grounds of the Tuvan National Museum in Kyzyl at the start of the Shamanic Symposium 2003.	Aldyn-ool Sevek in his grand prix performance at Khoomei Symposium 2003 with the legendary instrument Cha-khomus!
*Tuva Tour 2008, Updated March 01, 2008* This years Tuva Tour begins with an orientation of Kyzyl and Tuva starting at the Center of Asia monument along the banks of the great Yenisey River. Our introduction to Kyzyl and Tuva continues to build toward our participation in the International Khoomei Symposium with a number of cultural and educational activities such as visiting the Tuvan National Museum and other sites of interests around Kyzyl. We will meet with cultural dignitaries and scholars such as Valentina Suzukei at the Humanitarian Research Center and Mongush Kenin-Lopsan, the "living treasure" of Shamanism. We will refresh ourselves at a sacred-salubrious spring near Kyzyl and visit various shamanic clinics in Kyzyl to become acquainted with local Tuvan shamans. Later we will visit the Tuvan National Orchestra and be introduced to throat-singers participating in the Khoomei Symposium and Competition. The heart of this year’s journey will revolve around the two most exciting and important cultural events which take place only every 3-5 years in Tuva; the Khoomei Symposium and Shamanic Symposium. Our tour group will participate in all aspects of the Symposiums activities which include, parade, official meetings and honors, ethno-musicological conferences, concerts, competitions, dances and journey's to beautiful locations in and around Kyzyl and western Tuva. After the Khoomei Symposium and Festivities we will take a three day Journey to the beautiful far western region of Tuva known as Bai-Taiga. Where we will meet and camp with nomadic peoples of Tuva and visit sacred lakes, rivers and hike in mountains and steppe. When we return to Kyzyl, refreshed from the beauty of the Tuvan land we will join Shamans at the oldest of the shamanic centers; Dungur to begin with them the events of the Shamanic Symposium, after several days of cultural and scientific events we will accompany the shamans to the site of a sacred spring and camp for one or two more nights before returning to Kyzyl for a last day of activities. On the fourteenth day participants can either depart Kyzyl or stay on in Tuva to extend their trip. Please note: The above dates are more or less set now but they could be adjusted by up to three days earlier, I will of course let you know ASAP if that happens. Please check with us before confirming any related travel arrangements. This event summary is intentionally loosely planned at this time and it will change and become more specific as information is gathered from our organizers in Tuva and from this years participants about their particular interests. A more detailed itinerary will be provided for registered participants as we get closer to our departure. We aim for a meaningful experience connecting with the Tuvan people and their cultural, spiritual and ecological ways of life through a well planned, customized and flexible tour itinerary. Tour is limited to 10 Participants. “You really did a wonderful job with our tour and I will always be extremely grateful to you for making it possible for us to go to Tuva. Please accept our warm blessings.” Anna Kjellin and Bengt Wickman, from Sweden, 2007 Tuva Tour Read travel testimony from 2007 Tour Traveler Michael Crofoot Prices for Tuva Tour 2008 (1 person) $3,400 ∙ (2 or more people) $3,200 each Prices cover all planned travel, accommodation, food, group cultural programs and related expenses while in Tuva for two weeks. Prices do not cover Visa and Travel costs to Tuva, special food purchases, additional translation services or other special purchases or services. I provide assistance as needed with any questions about obtaining Visa’s and making travel plans if you are planning to join our one of our Tuva Trips. This process should be started about 8 weeks before departure. Questions? Read the FAQ guide here or contact us. You can Register by printing and sending in this form by mail or simply email or call us to get started: Register Now or scroll down for all our contact information... Do you need help with your Tuva travel plans or Tuva research? We often get requests for advice and arrangements for many aspects to Tuvan travel and cultural research; I am here to help in any way I can with many years experience in this specialized field but in order to prioritize your information request I recommend making a donation. If you are traveling to Tuva independently or doing research and need advice or assistance with travel arrangements/plans, Visa information or cultural research please choose from the following options:
*Consulting and Travel Services:* Donate to Tuva Trader for useful Information Feeling grateful for some good information we gave you by email or phone or do you need some information now? Often the information I offer saves you time and/or money but it does takes me time to research and respond to your questions. You can make a donation in whatever amount seems appropriate to you in $25 increments. Making a donation ensures greater attention to your questions and a timely response. $25.00 Basic Tuva Travel and/or Tuva Research Consulting Includes up to one hour phone or Skype chat or up to four email responses with answers to your Tuva travel and/or cultural research questions. $75.00 Tuva Travel Arrangements Includes open access by phone or email for flight booking from your home destination to Moscow and from Moscow to Kyzyl, Abakan, Krasnoyarsk or Novosibirsk. From these cities I will advise you ground transport (but not make arrangements) or add flight connection to Kyzyl, if possible. Please note: direct flights from Moscow and other cities to Kyzyl are often not available. $450.00 Tuva Accommodation Arrangements Reservation arrangements for any length of stay at the nice hotel in Kyzyl where my Tuva Travel guests stay. Note: I only book accommodation reservations in Kyzyl. $200.00 Tuva Travel, Accommodation Arrangements and Consulting Includes all of the above travel and accommodation reservations/arrangements and cultural consulting. $575.00 (this is all services combined and saves you $150) Terms and conditions for Consulting and Travel Services By using any of the above Travel, Arrangement or Consulting Services you agree to the following terms and conditions: Fees are non-refundable for our travel and accommodation reservations and cultural consulting. No travel costs are included in these consulting and arrangement services, we are here to assist with your plans, arrangements and research and these services should NOT be considered a full service travel package. We assume no responsibility for your travel safety or losses. All financial or other risks involved with arrangements or cancellations we make on your behalf are your own responsibility. Monitoring possible changes to your flights is your sole responsibility. Research assistance is not to be viewed as authoritative nor is it 'guaranteed' to be accurate or up to date, things change and our information should be treated as just one source of information. Please allow ample time for me to work with you on travel arrangements. Use our services and we will schedule time for your research questions or to make your travel arrangements; about 4-8 weeks prior to planned travel. Thank you!