A Week on the Water: the Tarmans
Seven days across the Tarman wetlands: a boat, a tent, smelt, and birds. For those who want wild Siberia.
The Tarman lake-and-bog complex is not "a sight" but a week on the water: a boat, a tent, fish, and birds. The wildest route in the region.
The plan
- Day 1 — out onto the water from the mouth of the Tobol or the Tura; set up camp on the bank.
- Days 2–4 — moving along the channels: smelt, pike, birdwatching. Nights in tents on the lakes.
- Days 5–6 — the channels deep into the complex, the quietest places.
- Day 7 — out to the water, the way back.
What to take
- a boat (inflatable or rowing) and a motor;
- tents, sleeping bags for 7–8 nights;
- life jackets — on the water they are not optional;
- fishing gear — smelt (in season), pike, rudd;
- binoculars — the birds: gulls, common terns, ducks, and in migration dozens of species.
When
- Water — May–August (the main season).
- Birds — April–May (arrival) and September–October (departure).
Practical: this is not "a hotel with breakfast" but a "trek". Bring more food than you need, and more water: in the complex there are no "resupply points" — only river water and rain. A group of 2–4 people; more than that is already an "expedition". If you are "not a trek" — take 3–4 days, not a week.