The Ob crosses Surgutsky District from east to west for 275 kilometres. Numerous branches split off and rejoin the main river farther downstream. The waterscape offers several ways to experience it: the district’s rivers are suitable for rafting as well as boat and kayak trips; the rivers and lakes are also used for sport fishing. Paddling, boat trips and fishing thus offer different ways to explore the waterways.
The Yugansky Nature Reserve
The Yugansky State Nature Reserve was established in 1982 in the south of Surgutsky District, between the Great Yugan and the Little Yugan. Covering 648,636 hectares, it preserves West Siberian middle-taiga biogeocoenoses in their original state. Its wetlands help sustain a population of wild reindeer belonging to the rare forest subspecies.
To visit the nature reserve, you must reach the rural settlement of Ugut, where its central administration is located. Ugut can only be reached by road from Pyt-Yakh. The 107-kilometre route is partly paved and partly surfaced with concrete slabs. As road conditions can change, check your route with the reserve in advance.
Trom-Agan Culture in Russkinskaya
The Museum of Nature and Man in Russkinskaya features exhibitions on the nature of Surgutsky District and the ethnography of the Trom-Agan Khanty. In the ethnographic hall, you can encounter the traditional culture of the eastern Khanty’s Trom-Agan group: exhibits include hunting and craft items, clothing, household objects, means of transport and objects related to religious beliefs.
The open-air ethnographic complex offers a different focus. It comprises traditional Khanty residential and farm buildings. Visitors can also sample national dishes and warm themselves by the chuwal hearth. While the hall focuses on collection items, outdoors the emphasis is on the traditional built environment. If you plan to visit the open-air complex, please check in advance whether it is currently open to visitors.
Villages and Seasonal Experiences
The P. S. Bakhlykov Ugut Museum of Local Lore offers walking and driving tours of the old and new villages. This lets you explore Ugut on a tour either on foot or by car. If you are planning a specific tour, it is advisable to arrange a time in advance.
At the Lyaminskiye Berega sports and tourism base in Lyamina, activities change with the seasons. In summer, there is fishing on the Ob, an inflatable obstacle course, cycling and walking excursions, quad biking and a football pitch. In winter, activities include snow hills, snowmobile rides and tubing; the rental service also offers items such as tubes, skis and winter bicycles. The seasonal shift brings a change from summer activities on the water and on the move to activities in the snow. As the offerings may change, check what is available during your travel dates before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Nizhnevartovsk, Yugorsk, Berezovsky District, Surgutsky District, Surgut, Nyagan', Berezovsky District, Nizhnevartovsky District.
View the regional travel overview: Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
