“Rifle ready?” asked Dr Igor Taganov with a smile.

Standing in the early morning light next to Lake Baikal, he scanned his motley crew of international volunteers from Earthwatch, examining their backpacks, rubber waders and nets in preparation for the five hour hike to a remote beach for some water sampling. His gaze fell upon the black canvas bag hanging heavily over my left shoulder.

Twenty thousand black bear were known to live in the region around this UNESCO heritage site, the world’s largest freshwater lake, but he was not really worried about seeing any. After nearly two weeks of trekking and camping in Siberia, watching me setup and “shoot” Nature’s wonders, this scientist from the Russian Academy of Sciences had come to affectionately call my camera tripod – a “rifle,” while reminiscing about his hunting excursions as a young lad in this rugged land.

Come along for the ride, as I recount the stories, the culture and the rich history of the people who inhabit this vast territory. Starting in Moscow, we’ll journey east across the taiga on the Trans Siberian Railway, viewing shimmering modern cities and ancient Tuvan villages, then hike through the unique, untamed and pristine wilderness surrounding Lake Baikal – the “Pearl of Siberia.”

A historical and stimulating 90 minute slide show, enhanced by classical music from Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, and travel lore by adventure photographer

Frederic Hore

Not to be missed!