Have you been excited and fascinated by stories about the life of nomadic peoples since childhood? Today you can go to visit the peoples of the North without leaving far from Moscow. Just 10 kilometers from Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region, is the unique Nomadic Ethnopark. Here you can see the traditional dwellings of different nationalities and get acquainted with the bearers of different cultures.
Installation for tourists or lifestyle?
As you know, theme museums and all kinds of reconstructions are today a fashionable entertainment attraction. So is the “Nomad” ethnopark a regular “decorative” village for tourists? This question can be answered in the affirmative or negative. Of course, the northern nomads in the Moscow Region did not appear by chance, but in order to receive guests and acquaint them with the peculiarities of their culture and traditions. However, this ethnopark cannot be called exclusively entertaining. Its main task is to popularize and familiarize the population with the traditions of small nationalities. Real northerners, not specially made up actors, work and almost constantly live in the open-air museum. During the tour you can hear a lot of interesting facts and fascinating stories firsthand. Of course, while visiting the park you will not get bored. Since the theoretical part of the tour is completely intertwined with the practical. Here you can try national cuisine, sit in the nomad’s dwelling or take part in an unusual master class dedicated to one of the folk art forms.
Ethnopark population
Guides on the territory of the complex conduct excursions who are versed in the subject under discussion, like no other. The plague owner Alla Nabutova is Kumandink by nationality and is very proud of it, since today there are about 2000 people left in our country. It is in the Nomad that Alla walks in the national clothes of the Nenets young ladies and gladly treats guests with national dishes. By her main profession, this amazing woman is a journalist, the author of a project dedicated to the small ethnic groups of the Russian North.
Hadri Okotetto is a real nomad, a Nenets by birth, whose family switched to a settled lifestyle only to the first class of his son. Today he also works as a correspondent and often acts as a consultant on issues of the Nenets culture and life.
Umka Kaipanau is a marine Chukchi, with the greatest pleasure he talks about the traditional dwelling of his people - yaranga, and also joyfully looks into the neighboring Kyrgyz and Mongolian yurts. Come to the “Nomad” ethnopark and you can personally communicate with all these wonderful people and learn a lot of new and interesting things about life in the tundra.
Sightseeing tour
The unique open-air complex occupies a territory corresponding to a medium-sized village. That's just the house here is very unusual. These are: plague, yarangi, as well as Kazakh, Mongolian and Kyrgyz yurts. In addition to residential buildings, there is also a food service - a tea yurt (here you can also have a bite to eat) and a nomadic coffee house. Ethnopark "Nomad" is also famous for its menagerie. In spacious open-air cages, there are already quite manual camels, curiously bowing their heads to each visitor in anticipation of a treat, and Mongolian yaks, because of their huge horns, seem more dangerous. And geese, goats and donkeys calmly walk around the complex.
Additional services and events
A variety of concerts, national holidays and other events are regularly held in the ethno-park. During such events, you can see the rituals of communication with the spirits, listen to national songs and even participate in the dances of the northern peoples. The ethnic nomad “Nomad” (Sergiev Posad) also offers everyone who wants to participate in unique master classes. During classes, you can master the original craft techniques and create a unique souvenir for yourself. Additional services of the complex include: dog and reindeer sledding, hand-fed animals (food can only be bought on the spot). Also, on the territory of the ethnopark, national drinks and dishes are served for an additional fee, you can purchase souvenirs or conduct a photo shoot in costumes of the peoples of the North.
Where is the "Nomad" located and how much is the admission ticket?
The exact address of the ethnopark: Moscow region, Sergiev Posad district, the village of Khotkovo. The nearest landmark is the village of Morozovo. Now you know where the Nomad ethnic park is located. How to get to this amazing place? If you travel by car, you should drive along the Yaroslavl highway 45 kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road. By public transport - to the city of Sergiev Posad (suburban electric trains or buses / minibuses from Moscow), then to the village of Khotkovo. The entrance ticket costs 250 rubles for adults, 150 for children, visitors under 7 years pass free of charge, accompanied by their parents.
Reviews of visitors to the ethnopark
The tundra corner near Moscow leaves an incredible impression. Everything here seems so realistic and real that it is difficult to describe in words. According to visitors, when you go to the ethnopark, the Moscow region seems very far away, and it is impossible to believe that you were in this place without air travel or a long train trip. Tours are conducted in an informal setting. Animals can be touched and fed, which is especially liked by children. On-site photography is permitted (and encouraged). Ethnic park “Nomad” has positive reviews among the vast majority of visitors, it is difficult to find someone who was here and was not satisfied.