If those who believe the prophesies—that out of the Russian Motherland will come hope for the planet—were to look for Russia's most magical and sacred places, they would choose ...
(revised May 11, 2007)
You are invited to join the First Cultural-Educational
sponsored by
As part of the Congress, you will have an opportunity to participate in "Peace-Mapping"—creating collaborative action plans to build
peace with the joint resources you already have. Peace-mapping is a powerful new, archetypally-based peace-mapping
model to create strategies for peace with an international group. This model comes directly
out of the spiritual energy of Altai.
In the "Land of Cities" is a burial mound that is believed to be that of Zoroaster. On a hilltop above the archeological
site of Arkaim, you will be able to walk a wonderful labyrinth. Thousands of people make a pilgrimage
here to celebrate the Summer Solstice, but we, arriving a week later, will have the place to ourselves, to listen to the wind
whistle hauntingly through the grass, and to build friendships and sing songs of hope and renewal from
many lands, around a blazing campfire, while the Milky Way glows above us.
But we will travel far from the crowds, through the "taiga" forests of pine, larch, and white birch,
and across hillsides bright with wildflowers—deep
into the mystery of Altai. We'll hear the lyrical Altai language in transformative words and song;
absorb the wisdom of
the elders and share the joy of the children.
We will meet with indigenous Altai people who are dedicating their lives to bringing forth anew
the cultural power that is prophesied to be the hope for the world; and we will learn how we ourselves
can contribute to this global awakening.
We will purify our bodies in the pristine waters and crystal-clear air. We'll meet with many sacred
stewards who embody the magic of this extraordinary ecosystem, and learn how we can participate
in caring for this treasure and sharing it with the world.
Please see the cost worksheet for your specific dates. The trade-off for the flexible itinerary is that the cost worksheet is rather complex.
Please feel free to contact Carol (by e-mail at Carol@AltaiBooks.com at any time, or by phone at 206-525-2101 until she goes to
Russia around April 20).
For stays of MORE than 30 days, a business visa is required. Not only does a business visa cost more and take longer to get, the required
in-country registration is more complicated and expensive. Please specifically inform us if you plan to stay more than 30 days.
From other countries,
costs can be tripled and invitations and visas can be more difficult to get and take much longer (let us know, and
we can probably help).
On the plane, before you arrive, you will need to fill out a "migration card" that will be used for your registrations and turned in when you leave.
We will e-mail you specific instructions on how to fill out this card. Print the instructions and put them with your passport.
Russian law requires foreigners to "register" their visas in every location where they remain for three days.
Practically however,
if foreigners are not "registered" for most of their visit, even if they are traveling the whole time, they can be
fined upon exit. Sometimes
hotels will register visas for no extra charge, but still, you should allow $30/week of your visit for registration
fees, and you should
keep all your transportation receipts. Global citizens that we are, we must still cooperate with local authorities!
Apply for your visa immediately! Apply for the whole 30 days even if you don't plan to stay that long.
Triple check every number and word on both your invitation and visa. (Errors are common!)
There are two international major airports in Moscow. If you are connecting, allow at least four hours between
flights for Sheremetyevo and three hours for Domodedovo.
International Aeroflot flights use Sheremtyevo Terminal 2 and domestic Aeroflot flights use Sheremetyevo
Terminal 1. There is a free shuttle between them,
but it is hard to find if you don't speak and read Russian. So, if you a connecting and we don't have someone
to meet you, be very assertive about
getting help to get between the terminals from Aeroflot or a fellow English-speaking traveler (like, before
you get off the first plane). Don't believe the
reassurances that it's obvious. Make sure someone TAKES you to the shuttle. If you get in a bind, a taxi can
cost you $50.
Most other airlines use Domodedovo Airport, which has only one terminal for both international and domestic flights.
We advise you to include any flights inside Russia in your international ticket if possible, because they are
likely to be cheaper,
and you will get an international luggage allowance (usually two 50 pound bags, plus some carry-on) instead of
domestic (total 44 pounds
including carry-on). To book flights, try airtreks.com (phone them), or Aeroflot (phone them too).
We strongly recommend that you buy travel insurance, including cancellation, medical, and emergency evacuation, from HostelCare
Plus; 1-877-233-7028; PRODUCT NUMBER: 007886-P1. NOTE: They usually sell this as part of a Hosteling package,
but they
do also sell it separately. If you get someone who says they can't sell it to you, call them back and talk to someone different. The
insurance will probably cost about $100 per person.
We will be walking a lot. You will enjoy the trip more if you are in good physical condition,
although we will do everything we can to accommodate different physical capabilities.
Recommended items:
We are truly glad to talk to you, and address any questions you have.
Questions can be directed to Carol Hiltner at Carol@AltaiBooks.com
at any time, or by phone at 206-525-2101 until she goes to
Russia around April 20).
Please see the COST WORKSHEET for your specific dates.
All registrations must be completed and paid in full no later than May 15, 2007.
Revision date is at the top of this page. Please check back periodically for updates. Details may still
be added.
ARKAIM June 30-July 1 • ALTAI July 3-18 • LAKE BAIKAL July 19-29, 2007
following the 11th International
"Education for World Citizens" Congress, June 27-29,
2007
Siberian Center for
Eurasian Projects
Galactic Research Institute of the
Foundation for the Law of Time
Altai Mir University
Altai Books
Costs & Deadlines
• Invitation, Visa & Registration
• Food
• International Airfare & Insurance
Cultural/Educational Program
• Guides/Translators
• Environmental Consciousness
• 2007 Trek Report
Packing List
• Recommended Reading
• Map
• Hints
• Contact Us
• Cost Worksheet
• Registration Form
Set your compass on peace and join us in creating this miracle! Awaken your consciousness in three of
Russia's highest energy places, supported by an international "family group" of light workers and Mother Earth herself!
The expedition is organized in modules, so you can customize your journey to perfectly meet your needs, joining us for all or
any part of the Expedition. To optimize participation by non-Russians, we also offer customized guide/translator packages:
Join global citizens from all over the world! The 11th international "Education for World Citizens" Congress and the 12th
international "Ural-Planet" Festival will be held concurrently at Turgoyak Lake tourist base near Chelyabinsk in the southern Ural
Mountains.
The mysterious Arkaim archeological site is the most prominent of a number of ancient circular-shaped ceremonial cities along the Eurasian continental
divide to the south of the Ural Mountains. On a map, the "Land of Cities" is located in Russian territory just to the west of
Kazakhstan. The landscape is grassy, rolling hills (steppe). Some rivers originating in this region flow into the Caspian Sea
to the southwest, and others flow north to the Arctic. 
Travel from Arkaim to Chelyabinsk by bus. Overnight in hotel.
The Altai Mountains have been a place of pilgrimage for millennia. Shamanism is believed to have started in these
"Golden Mountains," fostered by the powerful energy vortices here, and the indigenous Altai people who will host our
visit are the heirs and keepers of this magical power. A million Russian tourists visit Altai each summer, to soak up the
healing energy.
Sparkling Lake Baikal, jewel of Siberia, is the largest body of fresh water in the world, creating its own ecosystem and
weather patterns. Of course, such majesty invites company—many shamans and spiritual teachers live along her steep,
forested shores.
To provide as much flexibility as possible with both itinerary and costs, we are offering two tracks:
- Budget: meaning "standard" open sleepers on trains, and your tent wherever possible, or
- Luxe: meaning air travel or 4-person "coupe" compartments on trains, and hotel
accommodations wherever possible.
All registrations must be completed and paid in full no later than May 15, 2007.
From the US, Canada, and Europe, a 30-day tourist invitation and visa cost about $150. Apply for the whole 30 days,
even if you plan to stay less time. First, you must get an
official tourist invitation, which is available through a commercial visa agency such as www.waytorussia or www.gotorussia.
Visa agencies can also get your visa for you, for an additional fee. Or if you wish to apply directly for your visa,
go to http://www.russianembassy.org/CONSULAT/TOUR-VIS.HTM information and application.
You are responsible for your own food. Allow $25/day. Most places where we stay will offer a standard Russian cafeteria cuisine
(which is wonderfully healthy if you avoid the sugar and white flour). Bring your own specialty foods, snacks,
and comfort foods, plus
emergency rations for at least a couple of meals each week. Boiling water is
generally available, and we will have a water filter pump with us. Nuts, dried and fresh fruits, fantastic juices,
vegetables, cheeses,
chocolate, cookies/crackers, and great bread can be readily purchased. Bring a cup, bowl, spoon, and pocket knife.
For Customs, it's best to keep vitamins and pills in their original containers.
We recommend that you make reservations but do not purchase your tickets until you have your visa in your possession.
If you are flying east from the US, you will lose a day to time zones.
This trip brings you the best possible opportunities, contacts, and programs for environmentally and culturally consciousness-enhancing
travel—offered by Russians (including indigenous peoples) who dedicate their lives to offering profound and practical programs for the healing
and enlightenment of humanity.
If you don't speak Russian, this service ($45/day) is required. At this price, however, your fees only cover the guide/translator's travel
expenses. They will be volunteering their time to support our global spiritual work, so any tips you
can manage will be very welcome. Depending on your arrival/departure schedule, we will try to
have a guide/translator meet you at the airport and see you off, as well as escort small groups
as we travel within Russia.
A group of conscious travelers can have an amazingly positive impact on both the condition of the places we visit,
and as an example for locals.
Culturally in Russia, private land is meticulously cared for, but public or shared land is frequently abused.
As part of our gratitude to
the land of Russia for her gifts to us, we will strive (both individually and as a group) to leave each stopping
place in better condition
than we found it.
Siberian Center for
Eurasian Projects,
Galactic Research Institute of the
Foundation for the Law of Time
Altai Mir University
Altai Books
Please mail or scan & e-mail the completed REGISTRATION FORM