Rest by the water is still the most popular choice for a vacation. At the same time, tours with fishing and kayaking are becoming more and more popular, since the ponds of Russia allow this. For sophisticated tourists who have the experience of descent on rivers of different levels of difficulty, the most attractive are little-known places.
These include Zhizdra - a river in the Kaluga region. But not only an experienced tourist will enjoy relaxing on its shores and waters. For beginners, both raftsmen and fishermen, there will be something to learn, be surprised and rejoice at.
Description of Zhizdra
The Zhizdra River has a length of 223 km, all the way it "wags" and turns. This left tributary of the Oka River is most popular among those who prefer direct communication with nature, without intermediary services of camp sites and rest houses.
The Zhizdra River (Kaluga Region) takes its beginning in a small swamp near the town of Lyudinovo, then crosses part of the Central Russian Upland and flows into the Oka River near Przemyshl. Although by Russian standards this river is small, nevertheless it is fed by 129 tributaries, one of which, Resseta, is a favorite place for kayakers and owners of rafts.
Rest on the Zhizdra River is mainly tent, so often the impression of it depends on the shore.
The most picturesque and convenient places for spending leisure time begin beyond Kozelsk - the largest settlement in this area.
If you go on a trip along this river, then you should know about the customs of local fishermen and take them into account. On a fairly large area, they put dams for fishing, so you should be extremely careful and not rafting at night. Experienced racers dismantle part of the obstacle to continue the journey.
Climate
The climate of the Kaluga region favors both summer recreation on the water and winter fishing. Here is a pronounced change of seasons. Summer is moderately hot and humid, and winter is moderately cold with persistent snow cover and an average temperature of -9 degrees below zero.
All this helps to make Zhizdra (river) an object of interest for travel agencies working with weekend programs. As statistics show, today such tours are most popular among Russians. Kaluga region did not lag behind in this.
The absence of sweltering heat, protected places, reservoirs with clean water, holy springs - all this attracts lovers of pristine nature to the Zhizdre River.
It is important to remember: by the amount of rainfall this region belongs to the area of sufficient moisture, so raincoats and waterproof tents are the necessary equipment for traveling along the river.
Holy places
The Zhizdra River has become a haven for the stauropegic monastery Vvedensky Optina of deserts. According to legend, it was founded at the end of the 14th century by Optium, a robber who repented of his atrocities. After the tonsure, Optius received the name Makarii, and the monastery built by him and his companions-monks began to serve as a refuge not only for pilgrims, but also for the elders and old women who had received tonsure.
For the first time in the annals, the monastery is mentioned in the time of Boris Godunov, over the years it has turned from a small wooden monastery into a strong fortress with walls and stone cathedrals and churches.
Those who are attracted by the Zhizdra River as a resting place are recommended to visit these ancient walls, touch their history and draw water from a holy spring, since the monastery is located on the very shore. The beautiful architecture and the special atmosphere of this place will long remain in the memories of the rafting on this river.
Settlements
The Zhizdra River owes its name to the Lithuanian tribe of rum, which once lived on its banks. Translated from their language, it means "coarse sand", which corresponds to the truth, although there is another legend about this unusual name for the Russian rumor. They say that the words “alive” and “healthy” echoed the boatmen from different banks of the river, greeting each other in the morning.
These places cannot be called densely populated: there are only a few cities, the largest of which are Zhizdra (the river divides it in half) and Kozelsk. These are truly provincial cities, preserving the unhurried passage of time inherent in the settlements of the 17-19th centuries.
There are not so many villages and towns directly going to the river, therefore it is better for the rafters to stock up on food and everything necessary in advance. But such a vacation can really be called “wild”, since there are no sounds of transport or noise inherent in urban life. Only birds, the rustling of trees and the splashing of fish in the water.
Features of the natural world
Since Zhizdra (river) does not flow near large industrial centers, pristine nature has been perfectly preserved here. This is where the famous Kaluga Zaseka Reserve is located, thanks to which oaks from 250 years of age and older were preserved.
More than 50 species of mammals, about 170 species of birds, 5 species of reptiles, about 10 species of amphibians live in the ancient oak forest, and 16 species of fish are found in the river.
This reserve park is also considered historical, since, in addition to the fact that its territory is 65% covered with forests and ponds, it has 20 natural monuments, 4 of which are unique.
Part of the reserve along Zhizdra are the old lake - the main attraction of these places. On their shores inhabited has become a rarity Russian muskrat.
Fishing
Pure water is another feature that the Zhizdra River possesses. Fishing here is a real pleasure, but it is important to know exactly where the fish is found. The best place is considered to be the part of the reservoir that begins beyond Kozelsk. In addition to the river itself, its tributaries, especially Peschaniy, Yasenok, Bryn and Resseta, are very popular with fishermen.
In Zhizdra itself, you can catch a chub, pike, perch, ide, dace, asp, and other fish. Sandy shores favor long-term parking, and the pine-oak-linden forest growing on them will become a source of firewood and berries. Pike fishing, which is known to be the most intelligent and cunning fish, is especially popular among fishermen. The only condition for successful fishing is the observance of silence, since for many kilometers you can hear only birds and the sound of the river.
Kayaking
Rafting on the Zhizdra River in the Kaluga Region can be carried out both by kayaking and on makeshift rafts. Most of the river is quite calm, but winding. The most popular is the site in front of the village of Chernysheno. Rapid rifts appear here, and the river narrows to 20 m.
Tour operators working with river rafting programs have long chosen Zhizdru. As a rule, they offer weekend tours during which:
- the first day is a trip to the place of rafting to the village of Dretovo, where a camp is set up and a late dinner is being prepared;
- the second day - training immediately after breakfast and the start of the rafting with a stop for lunch on one of the gentle beaches with further swimming to the place where it is convenient to set up camp for dinner and overnight;
- the third day - after breakfast, the next stage of rafting to the village of Berezichi, where lunch and gathering of things are held in the field.
Such a rich holiday offers guests the Zhizdra River. The rafting is carried out with an instructor, while even beginners easily overcome 20 km of track per day. The cost of such a vacation is low, but the impressions of beautiful nature, daily fishing and swimming in clear water will remain for a long time.
Quite often, you can find rafters on homemade rafts, who prefer not to depend on the timing and directions.
Parking places
To Kozelsk, Zhizdra (river) is hardly suitable for relaxing on the water, since it is almost impossible to choose a parking place here and you will have to sleep on a boat. The shores on this site are clay, high and steep. Immediately outside the city, they begin to gradually decrease until they pass into gentle beaches with clean and coarse sand.
There are no specialized bases where you can relax in comfort, but there are no signs with the words "parking is prohibited" either, so everyone is free to choose the shore that he likes best and stay on it as he wants.
It is pleasantly pleased that every self-respecting tourist carefully removes trash after himself before leaving the parking lot, so there are no problems in choosing a clean place on the Zhizdra River.
Zhizdra today
Perhaps this river and the surrounding area is a pleasant exception when you can be glad that civilization, with its buildings, moorings and prohibitions, has not yet reached here. Along the coast there are small settlements where you can buy milk, honey and vegetables from the gardens of local residents, but they are few.
The rest is a wild land with clear clear water, dense forests and the sounds of nature. Exactly what a city dweller needs for a good rest.