THE RUSSIA YOU NEVER SEE | Ulan-Ude, Russia

Ulan-Ude, Russia - From Stolby National Park in Krasnoyarsk, we continue east on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Ulan-Ude. The Capital of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude is our jump-off point for exploring the Buryatia region. We start with a visit to Ivolginsky Datsan - a significant Russian Buddhist Temple, as well as a visit to lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, one of Ivolginsky Datsan sacred Buddhists objects of Russia. After a blessing from a Buddhist Lama outside Ulan-Ude, we make a 3-hour journey deep in the great Russian Steppe of Southern Siberia. The small Russian family farm community on the border of Mongolia in Buryatia was a highlight of the Trans-Siberian Railway adventure across Russia. We rode horses, wrestled, learned about the Buryatia culture and customs, and ate a feast! It was a true Russia travel experience! I walk away from this feeling incredibly humbled to be invited into this parallel universe - far removed from anything I knew or have seen in Russia so far. If you ever have the