- In the first half of the 17th century Russians began to explore the territory of Taimyr. That was also the time when the river Kotuikan was first described.
A warm ocean used to lap against these rocks. Then the water moved away and the ancient rocks form the surface now.
The Kotuikan river has formed its own valley here and created one of the most scenic landscapes on Earth. It has uncovered geological layers on which one can read the history of our planet.
Water, wind and temperature drop has created a unique landscape here. The rocks, sharp like spades, soar up like Medieval castles.
Travel agencies organize rafting tours along the Kotuikan. These are breathtaking, although dangerous trips.
The travellers fly over a lot of little marvellous lakes.
The helicopter leaves the raftsmen alone with bloodsucking insects.
Local untouched nature.
There is unbelievable silence around. One can feel the absence of civilization.
The river carry the rafts with the speed of 5- 10 km/hr.
There hardly are dangerous rapids on the Kotuikan, the rafting is mostly calm and pleasant.
There is, however, a danger of losing your rafts overnight – the water level may abruptly rise because of the amount of rain water coming from the hills.
This red brown steep has remained from the times of the ancient ocean.
These stones are about 1,2 – 2 billion years old.
The river makes a loop forming one of the most beautiful nature phenomena – turning around the peninsula where such fanciful green larches grow.
Man’s imagination easily turns this stone into a brave guard.
These are traces of vital activity of the first organisms capable of photosynthesis. They were active about 3,5 billion years ago.
Twin stone strongholds are guarding the river’ peace.
When one steps on these rocks they crack like ceramics. It reminds of walking over earthenware in some forgotten ancient city.
The river forms one of the strangest and the most picturesque landscapes – a rock amphiteatre.
Pure beauty of nature.
This cliff is split by a tiny spring in the middle.
Every spring the water rises and polishes the bank which makes it feel like marble floor.
Deers are constant campannions of the raftsmen: they watch from the banks, wander about the camp and swim across the river right before the rafts.
Taimyr can boast of the biggest herd of the wild deer – about 600 thousand heads.
The travellers find the deer during their annual migration to the South. Local people kill hundreds of deer in this period to stock up the meat for winter.
Doe with a little young deer are crossing the river with caution.
These places are perfect for fishing.
Giant taimen. The fish was returned to its natural habitat after working as a photo model.
There is really a lot of fish here. If one has a fishing rod, one definitely won’t starve.
The raftsmen came across a deserted litospheric base.
The interior and left objects move one to the Soviet times.
Abandoned wooden bathhouse.
Time to go back home.
Khatanga is one of the most Northern Russian towns. Its name can be translated as “a lot of water” from the language of a local nationality.
A rare possibility to visit unique “Mammoth museum”.
