The Kadalinski Cliff Towers

The Kadalinski Cliff Towers are a series of scenic rock formations in the mountains not far from the city of Chita.
It is a favourite vacation destination for local townspeople and visiting tourists.

There are many important archaeological sites near to the Cliff Towers that date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Research into these sites show that a local Cliff Tower culture was known to exist as far back as 3 to 4 thousand years ago.

The rock formations along the cliffs here not only look like castle walls and towers; but some of them also resemble wild animals on the run.
The most popular amongst them enjoy local names such as Sparrow Rock, Camel Humps, and Grandfather Rock.

This area also provides fine habitat for various rare and endangered plant species.

The Trans-Baikalia Regional "Office for Parks and Specially Protected Areas".

Creating and equipping an eco-trail within a regional park known as the Kadalinski Cliff Towers Natural Monument, with the goal of channelling and managing tourists so as to ensure that impacts from visitation are minimized.

At the same time we are trying to lay the groundwork for a number of eco-educational activities at the site for our visitors.

We will be refurbishing a popular walking route for visitors, which will include work towards clearing and otherwise reconstructing an existing,
but very primitive trail.

On average the working day will last 6 hours, with a full lunch break. Depending on weather conditions and the physical condition of the group,
this daily routine may change.

The volunteer crew will be accompanied at all times by a team leader who will be responsible for running all aspects of the project.
There will also be a translator who will make sure that communication amongst the participants always goes smoothly.

Our volunteers will be asked to help set up a campground base a forest that lies along the upper reaches of the nearby Kadalinka River.

The crew leader will establish an after-hours work schedule for participants to share duties in preparing meals and keeping the campsite in good order. Here is a sample menu for the camp.

The GBT will pre-purchase all food stuffs for the duration of the project. We will also provide a full inventory of trail-building equipment and tools,
along with two-person tents.

There will be no hot shower at the project site; but it will be possible to heat water over the camp fire and use it for a washcloth bath. You can also bathe
(or swim) in the nearby mountain river.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROJECT SITE IS LOCATED VERY FAR FROM THE SHORES OF LAKE BAIKAL.

The trail-building site where we will be working is going to be located some 500 meters from our base camp. Please note that volunteers will be expected to work with heavier tools (such as shovels, picks,hand-saws, etc.). You will also be asked to move heavier stones and logs, and otherwise build various structures along the trail route. You may also be asked to carry your own backpacks and the camp tools and food from site to site.

Your backpack should be rather large, at least 70 liters in volume. The local climate is such that you should probably bring a rain jacket, along with a warm sweater and trousers. Your choice of shoes will also be important—they should be light and comfortable, with non-slip soles.

Since the project will take place in June, when forest ticks will still be around, we recommend that you get a simple encephalitis vaccine in advance
of your arrival. You should also have clothes that can fit tightly around your body; and bring insect repellent with you for the project.

We strongly recommend future participants of the project to familiarize themselves with the list of necessary equipment, information about tick safety, and also with the general information for GBT volunteers.

On weekends we will organize a side trip around Chita, including a visit to the Ivano-Arakhleisky nature park. For at least one evening we will give
everyone the opportunity to take a "banya" (a Russian steam sauna)

The initial meeting place will be in the city of Chita.

All participants will meet on June 5th at 9am at the "Friends" hostel (which is located at 2nd Malaya Street #3). From the hostel we will take
you by bus down to the project site.

Our project will end on June 11th, when we take all the volunteers back to Chita by bus.

Participant fee for this project will be 7,000 rubles.

Participants can register for this project by sending us copies or screenshots of your travel tickets. You will be able to make this fee on the very first day of the project. We therefore advise that you read everything carefully in this project description before submitting your application.

Your payment fee will cover the following:
· Transfer from the city of Chita to the Kadalinski Cliff Towers, and back to Chita,
· Accommodation for the last night in Chita,
· Project leaders,
· Full first-aid kits (if you have a chronic issue and require certain medications, please be sure to bring them with you),
· All meals and food,
· All the necessary trail-building tools and equipment, including a tent (each tent can accommodate from 2 participants)

In the case of unforeseen circumstances the GBT reserves the right to cancel the project, or to make changes to the program itinerary, while at the same time informing all participants of these changes.

Note: if you do not receive a response to your initial online application within one week, then please contact our volunteer coordinator directly at:
international-volunteers@greatbaikaltrail.org.