There is something surprisingly attractive in the dark arches of underground caves. It is very difficult to pass by and not explore the unknown grotto. Even more exciting can be a visit to an underwater cave. Gloomy arches, stalactites, curving tunnels in which you can get lost - this is a real challenge for every traveler. If you happen to be in Perm, then the Orda cave can be an ideal place for extreme relaxation. Today we’ll talk about it in more detail, because it really deserves attention.
Where is located
This is one of the grottoes located in the chain of the Ural Mountains. Moreover, despite the abundance of such objects on the territory of the Russian Federation, most of all the attention of tourists is precisely the Orda cave. Perm Territory (Russia) is the southernmost part of the Urals. It is a favorite place for cavers from all over the world, because it has about 700 caves of different lengths. However, none of them can overshadow this wonder of the world. In 1992, its study began: the first expedition explored more than a kilometer of underwater passages and one longest flooded tunnel. It was from the end of the twentieth century that the Orda cave began to interest scientists and travelers, and its map began to grow rapidly and replenished with new parts.
Short story
With the beginning of the 21st century, a full-scale study of this huge system of entangled tunnels flooded with water began. Of course, they were studied by specialists, but soon it attracted the attention of amateurs, brave people, experts in extreme diving. And gradually the Orda cave (Perm Territory) turned into one of the most interesting objects for tourists.
As early as the beginning of the 19th century, gypsum deposits were found here. It was first mined for construction purposes, then for artistic processing. It was thanks to this industrial activity that the Orda Cave was discovered. It is located in the bowels of the Kazakovskaya mountain. On its surface there are large karst funnels, one of which represents the entrance to the cave.
In 1997, the first 300 meters of its grottoes were mapped. The cave was amazing not only for its size, but also for its beauty. Deep and clear lakes, high gypsum arches, snow-ice decoration of silent halls - all this is beyond our imagination.
The second All-Russian expedition was carried out a year later, this time 1980 meters of underground flooded passages were already covered. In 2001, the Orda cave turned into a diving base. Here cave divers are trained, underwater research and video shooting are carried out. Today, about 4000 meters of underground passages have already been studied.
Journey into the unknown
Can any tourist visit the underground tunnels of this cave and soak up its unimaginable romance? No, this is not possible without preparation. In the same way, an amateur parachute jump cannot be completed without training, as it can cost you your life. Orda's underwater cave will not forgive mistakes. A diver in such difficult conditions (complete darkness, the danger of clouding of water, collapse of gypsum walls, a banal attack of claustrophobia and panic), like a sniper, has only two options: do everything right and survive or stay in the tunnel forever. Only a person who has been trained by a special technique and perfectly knows the equipment can plunge into this complex cave. Be sure to dive in pairs, and the entire life support system is duplicated. Behind two cylinders and two regulators.
Transport accessibility
Almost all divers are attracted to the Orda cave. Photos of her snow-white vaults can make you forget about everything in the world, although they will not replace the dive itself. Here is his own world, a man as if enters into space, cold, uncharted and so attractive. The nearest settlements are Perm and Kungur. In the immediate vicinity of the cave is the village of Orda. From this settlement to Perm can be reached by any convenient transport. And from the city to the village will deliver a fixed-route taxi, which are available in large numbers.
Accommodation for tourists
In fact, the choice is quite large. Very often, tourists consider different options. In the city of Kungur, unlike Perm, there are many hotels that differ in a very modest cost. The comfortable hotel "Stalagmit" is very popular among city guests. There are a number of other suitable complexes here. If you want to choose the least cost option, you can opt for private mini-hotels or just rent an apartment. They are offered a lot in the village of Orda. By the way, from here to the cave is much closer. And if you do not intend to spend a lot of time on the basis of diving, then it will be most convenient to choose housing in a cottage village, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the cave.
Diving
Not everyone will find the affectionate and welcoming Orda cave. The knowledge of the underwater world should really captivate you, so that it becomes possible to overcome yourself and descend into its labyrinths. The water temperature here is not higher than +6 degrees, and can reach +4. Visibility at best is 100 meters. It is equipped with a convenient descent to the water with metal stairs and railings. This will help to go down and climb in a diving suit. A wide area with special benches, as well as good lighting make the preparation for immersion convenient and enjoyable. It should be noted that only separate galleries are designed for tourists, where running ends are laid, that is, you will move in one direction along the extended rope.
A bit more about the underwater route
What appears to travelers Ordinskaya underwater cave? Photos taken by researchers and scientists do not convey a hundredth of the magnificence that is available to those who ventured to go here on their own. You will be guaranteed a light shock from ice water, as well as the unearthly beauty of the huge underground galleries filled with clear water. Of the 4,500 meters of underground grottoes known today, about 4,200 are in the underwater part. Depth is approximately 43 meters. The main galleries are the Chelyabinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow and Sverdlovsk moves. Each hall has its own name and attraction - like a plate of the original form.
Tourists reviews
Surely you will be wondering what the one who first descends into the snow-white grottoes of this cave is going through. Do not risk doing this without an instructor, because in underwater tunnels it is very easy to get lost. There are actually two options: you will immediately want to leave her and never come back again, or fall in love with her for life. But the experience, judging by the reviews, is fantastic. As if in a dream, you are floating in zero gravity in huge halls filled with clean water. Immersion in ice water alone is not a test for the weak. The water temperature is close to zero, which is very much felt even in a good wetsuit. However, the impression is worth it to overpower yourself and continue the dive.
The cave is very interesting. Each dive is completely different from the previous one. It is impossible to capture the entire cave, hall or passage: a flashlight illuminates you only part of the picture, so time after time you rediscover this world, find new corners and unexplored places. Divers call this cave the White Bride because of the snow-white color of its plaster vaults. These rocks were formed about 200 million years ago, and the sense of time here completely dissolves.
Challenges and Dangers
This is not a walk for amateurs, but a very important event, which must be approached with all seriousness. This is an elite sport for the elite, because in local conditions there is a great difficulty in diving. Of course, there is a rental of equipment, before you receive it, you must undergo training and get a certificate.
Tourists who have already been here say that there are plenty of opportunities for panic. I tried to emerge earlier than the intended place - you hit your head against a stone, instantly lose your orientation in space, and begin to breathe more often. As a result, air is consumed very quickly. And if a flashlight suddenly fluttered, then in the darkness it immediately lost the understanding of where the top and bottom. That is, the diver should be ready for any situation. However, until now, all the divers descending under the arches of this cave have returned back.