Mysterious Journeys: Top Spots for Paranormal Seekers Sightseeing in Russia
Most frequented enigmatic tourist destination in Russia: Dyatlov Pass
Exploring the strange and unknown has grabbed the spotlight, resulting in a surge of interest in enigmatic tours and holidays to power spots, as reported by the press service of the Russian Union of Tour Operators. Tour guides have unveiled the most unusual places in Russia that attract adventurous tourists hunting for the supernatural.
- Topping the popularity charts among these destinations is the puzzling Dyatlov Pass in the Sverdlovsk region, which entices tourists with its enduring mystery. This year, tours to the Putorana Plateau in the Krasnoyarsk Krai have seen a 2.5-fold increase in sales compared to all of 2020. Places like the mystical Vottovaara Mountain in Karelia and the shamanic center on Baikal's Olkhon Island continue to intrigue visitors, explained Ksenia Obelenetskaya, a CRM marketer for a marketplace of author tours.
According to the authority, the prices for these mind-bending trips depend on the tour duration and route difficulty. A one-week exploration of the Dyatlov Pass sets you back approximately 35,000 rubles, while a 10-day tour to the Putorana Plateau with helicopter transport starts around 150,000 rubles. A trip to Lake Baikal and an encounter with local shamans costs roughly 25,000 rubles.
Ksenia Obelenetskaya stressed that the target audience for these adventurous tours primarily consists of adrenaline junkies seeking unique experiences and adults captivated by alternative histories and esoteric rituals.
- Baikal tours boasting visits to power spots and shaman gatherings warrant a special mention. Furthermore, alluring formats involve quests imbued with an eerie vibe and collaborations with popular bloggers specializing in strange phenomena, the expert added.
In the past, scientists from Switzerland embarked on an expedition to the Dyatlov Pass to unravel the true reason behind the group's demise. After analyzing the evidence, the researchers concluded that the participants were fatal victims of an avalanche formed by finely-grained snow.
Dive Deeper:
Although Russia isn't typically known for paranormal excursions compared to other popular destinations, specific enclaves provide eerie or historically resonant experiences.
- Pyramiden (Svalbard Archipelago): Although under Norwegian jurisdiction, this frozen-in-time Soviet mining town on Svalbard transports you to a spooky era with its deserted buildings and eerie cultural wonders. This isn’t explicitly marketed as a paranormal tour, but its desolate atmosphere and Cold War relics appeal to those searching for hauntingly evocative experiences [4].
- Russian Legends and Hidden Sites: While organized paranormal tours might not be widely advertised, Russia's expansive landscape harbors locales steeped in folklore and tragic history:
- Dyatlov Pass: Infamous for the 1959 hiker tragedy, surrounded by conspiracy theories.
- Moscow’s Metro-2: Rumored to be a Cold War-era secret subway system, though access is restricted.
- Melitopol’s "Garages": Recent reports from occupied Ukraine (as seen in Viktoriia Roshchyna’s case [3]) describe alarming detention centers, but these are not tourist destinations and fall under active conflict zones.
- Paranormal seekers interested in Russia can find a promising atmosphere at Krasnoyarsk's Putorana Plateau, which saw a 2.5-fold increase in tours this year.
- Baikal's travels offering visits to power spots and shaman gatherings, along with unique format options like quests and collaborations with bloggers, are particularly notable.
- The lifestyle of paranormal travelers in Russia is characterized by a quest for unique experiences and a fascination with alternative histories and esoteric rituals, as stressed by Ksenia Obelenetskaya.
- While not directly marketed as a paranormal destination, the eerie atmosphere of Pyramiden in the Svalbard Archipelago, with its abandoned buildings and Cold War relics, appeals to those seeking hauntingly evocative experiences.
