A Chapter on the Journeys of the Great Siberian Rivers...

There may be no other place on earth where nature is as diverse and extraordinary as in Siberia. We are proud that Siberian Wellness was born here and continues to thrive, gratefully accepting the gifts of Siberian nature and diligently caring for it.

Siberian rivers are tireless workers: They have faithfully served their land for many years, captivating with their meandering paths and stunning landscapes, earning pride from Siberians and admiration from the world. We invite you to embark on a virtual cruise and explore the five mightiest rivers of Siberia.

The Yenisei: A True Bogatyr

The Yenisei conquers hearts with its majestic waters and rushing rapids. Many legends and stories have been written about it, and its beauty has been celebrated by poets and artists. A. P. Chekhov described it as: "The Yenisei is a fierce bogatyr who does not know where to apply its strength and youth. What a full and daring life will eventually illuminate these shores!" And the writer was entirely right!

Today, the Yenisei is one of the largest and most significant rivers in the world. With a length of 3,487 km and an annual runoff of 624 cubic kilometers, it ranks first among Russian rivers. The sources of the Yenisei, the Big and Little Yenisei, merge near the city of Kyzyl: From there, the river flows across Siberia to the Arctic Ocean, emptying into the Kara Sea. The river is of great economic significance as a navigable waterway, with its resources extensively used in industry and agriculture. Several reservoirs and hydroelectric power plants have been constructed on the Yenisei: Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam, Mainskaya HPP, and Krasnoyarsk Dam.

Historians trace the river's name to the Evenki word "ionessi," which means "big water." The Yenisei basin contains 100,000 lakes, including the largest one – Baikal. In the valleys and along its banks grow cedar, pine, and spruce forests, as well as over 150 plant species, many of which are listed in the Red Book. Due to its length, the Yenisei has gathered a diverse array of fauna along its banks: In the river’s upper reaches, near the Sayan Mountains, you can find camels and donkeys, while near the mouth – polar bears. The river flows through several nature reserves, including the Great Arctic, Sayano-Shushenski, and Krasnoyarsk Pillars.

Siberians take great pride in their native river, affectionately calling it Yenisei-Batyushka, meaning "Father Yenisei." They are often seen here fishing, picking berries, or enjoying their vacations. These picturesque locations are a paradise for tourists, offering the chance to enjoy the splendor of the mountains and taiga, breathe in the purest taiga air, go river rafting in Khakassia, or enjoy fishing in Krasnoyarsk Krai. The waters of the Yenisei are home to burbot, perch, pike, and crucian carp, with particularly valuable species including nelma, omul, smelt, and muksun.

The Angara: Daughter of Baikal and Wife of Yenisei

The Angara River is renowned for having the purest water in Russia at its headwaters. The Angara is the only river flowing out of Lake Baikal: It originates in the north of the lake and passes through the Irkutsk region towards the Krasnoyarsk Krai. The river flows into the Yenisei near the town of Lesosibirsk.

The Angara has an interesting history. Legend has it that Angara was the only daughter of the gray-haired old man Baikal. He kept her locked up and wanted to marry her to Irkut, whom he had chosen, but Angara, with the help of mountain streams, broke free and hurried to meet her beloved Yenisei, with whom she remains inseparable to this day. The angry father threw an entire cliff after the runaway, now known as the Shaman Rock. This place is considered sacred by locals, and tourists come specifically to touch the stone, believing it will help them unite their fate with their beloved ones.

The country's most powerful hydroelectric power plants have been built on the Angara River: Bratsk HPP, Irkutsk HPP, Boguchansk HPP, and Ust-Ilimsk HPP. Despite serving as an important resource for the country's energy industry, the Angara River retains a distinctive natural beauty that attracts tourists and explorers.

The Ob: The Main Water Artery of Siberia

The Ob is one of the largest rivers in Russia, distinguished by several parameters: Its length (3,650 km), channel width (reaching up to 50 km), and catchment area (2,990 sq. m). The great river flows across the West Siberian Plain from south to north, empties into the Kara Sea, and impresses not only with its size but also with its rich history and diverse nature.

The Ob did not receive its current name immediately; each nation had its own name for the river. There are several theories about the origin of the name: The Iranian word "ob" meaning "water"; a version of the Komi people's "ob" (with a soft "b" sound), meaning "snowball"; and the Russian word "obe," meaning "both", which reflects the river's origin from the confluence of two Altai rivers – Biya and Katun. Interestingly, the two rivers have different shades of water, so in spring and summer, you can see the Ob becoming striped in the area where they merge.

The writer S. Elpatyevsky referred to the Ob as the "Russian Amazon" because, like the Amazon River, it flows through vast lowlands and generously provides the people of the country with the treasures of its basin. This area is rich in natural minerals and resources, with coal, gas, oil, and peat being extracted there. Hundreds of thousands of cargo and passenger ships navigate its waters. Hydroelectric power plants have been built here to supply energy to major industrial cities, including Bukhtarminsk HPP, Novosibirsk HPP, and Ust-Kamenogorsk HPP. The river is home to over 15 cities crucial to the region's development, including Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Surgut, and Salekhard, as well as more than 10 major ports and wharves. 16 bridges have been constructed across the river to support road and rail transport.

The Ob is unique because it traverses several climatic zones, which is why in its upper reaches, you can find Siberian grapes, watermelons, and melons growing along its banks, while its lower reaches extend into the circumpolar tundra, where vegetation is sparse. In the districts of Barnaul, Biysk, and Novosibirsk, there is plenty to do during the hot summer months: The numerous sandy beaches attract water sports enthusiasts and anglers, as the Ob is home to about 50 fish species.

The Lena: Beautiful, Exuberant, and Rugged

The Lena is the longest river in Siberia, majestically spanning 4,400 kilometers. It flows from its source in the Baikal Range northward into the Laptev Sea of the Arctic Ocean. The unique feature of the river is that its entire course lies within the permafrost region. According to a popular hypothesis, the river's name originates from the Evenki words "elu-ene," meaning "big water."

The Lena River remains undisturbed by dams or hydroelectric power plants, flowing along its natural course. However, it is navigable and serves as an important transportation artery for the region. Crop cultivation is common on the plains through which the Lena flows, and the extensive pastures in the river's floodplain are ideal for cattle ranching. The surrounding land is rich in minerals, and natural gas deposits are actively being developed in the region.

The pristine nature and historical monuments along the banks of the Lena River attract tourists from all over the world. Everyone wants to see the unique natural formations known as the Lena Pillars, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These steep cliffs and the Sinskiye Pillars stretch along the Lena River to create Lena Pillars National Park in Yakutia. Many of the plant and animal species found here are listed in the Red Book. The river basin is home to another fascinating natural wonder – sand deserts known as tukulans. In the summer and autumn, the Lena attracts fishing enthusiasts from across the country. Its waters are teeming with omul, burbot, taimen, common dace, pike, perch, lenok, tugun, peled, grayling, and Siberian sturgeon.

The Irtysh: A River of Three Countries

The Irtysh is so mighty and extensive that many consider it a major river in its own right. However, it is a tributary of the Ob River. Despite our desire to classify it as a native Russian river, it actually flows through three countries: China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The river originates in the high mountain ranges of the PRC and crosses into Russia at the border between Kazakhstan and the Omsk region. The Irtysh stretches 4,248 km, surpassing the length of the Ob itself, and it flows into it near Khanty-Mansiysk.

According to a popular version, "Irtysh" means "digging the earth" or "digger" in Turkic. This name reflects the river's dynamic nature, as it is often turbulent, erodes its banks, and alters its course.

The Irtysh is a vital transportation artery in Western Siberia, with regular use by ships navigating its waters. Within the city limits of Omsk, there are a river station, several river ports, and wharves. The river is also used for power generation, with three hydroelectric power plants installed along its course. Additionally, several ornithological reserves and notable sites are located along its banks, including the Bird Harbor Natural Park, which lies on the migration route of migratory birds, and the Goose Flight in the Pavlodar region, a unique paleontological monument. The river's fauna is rich and diverse, with over 20 fish species, 15 of which are sought after for fishing (sturgeon, carp, pike, perch, and burbot).