In search of peace, tranquility and healing, city dwellers flock to the southern seas or hiking in the mountains. But what if the traditional holiday is replaced with something unusual?
In recent years, dozens of farms, eco-villages and ethnic villages have appeared in Russia. They receive guests, organize excursions, performances and costume shows, and conduct master classes. However, one of the most interesting features is that in these places visitors have the opportunity to interact with animals: from the simplest domestic animals, like chickens and goats, to exotic and outlandish ones, such as ostriches, bison and llamas.
You can find similar farms in almost any region. In our selection we will talk about farms in the Moscow, Leningrad, Yaroslavl, Kaluga regions and even the one located in the Primorsky Territory.
Zubrovnik Family Recreation and Ecotourism Park
This place is located in the village of Toksovo, Leningrad region, approximately 30 kilometers from St. Petersburg. Entrance to the park is free, and free parking is also available nearby for visitors. But for a fee you can get into the territory of a mini-farm and poultry house, where goats, sheep, miniature rabbits, plump turkeys and vocal guinea fowl live. When purchasing a ticket at the box office, you will also be given treats for animals.
In the park you can visit a rope town, ride horses and ponies through the forest, take an educational tour of the complex, where they will tell you about the inhabitants, their characteristics and the history of their appearance in the suburbs of St. Petersburg. Don’t forget about the main purpose of the trip — get acquainted with local bison. One day is definitely not enough for all the fun!
Where to stay:
We recommend spending the night at the K-Visit Toksovo hotel, and the next day continuing your acquaintance with Zubrovnik. One night for two will cost 2,600 rubles*. There is another option – “Hunter’s House”, where you can book a room starting from 2,950 rubles*.
Ethnographic Park-Museum “Ethnomir”
30 kilometers from the city of Obninsk, in the village of Petrovo, Kaluga region, there is the largest Ethnographic park-museum in Russia. On the vast territory of the complex of 140 hectares, you can attend folklore programs, attend culinary master classes and try unusual cuisine. Also listen to historical lectures and be sure to look into the ethnic courtyards of different peoples and countries. And most importantly, communicate with the animals. Huskies live in enclosures, strange invertebrates and reptiles live in terrariums, and domestic donkeys, kids of goats, cows and guinea fowl live on the farm. There are also peacocks, meerkats, turtles and even a tame crow.
Where to stay:
You can stay in one of the hotels in the ethnopark itself or at the “Magic Country” recreation center, which is located nearby. This is an unusual complex where visitors are accommodated in upside-down houses! Price per night for two starts from 3,600 rubles*.
Russian Alpacas Farm
Exotic residents live near the village of Pokhodkino in the Moscow region. Here, an hour and a half drive from the capital, in addition to the usual rabbits, chickens and goats, llamas and alpacas, shaggy red Scottish cows and even a she-camel peacefully graze and happily gallop around the paddock. Visitors are allowed to feed the animals, and the staff will be happy to tell the most curious of them about the peculiarities of caring for exotic animals and the history of their appearance in Russia. You can play with the animals, take pictures, pet them – they are very social and love attention. Each llama on the farm has its own unique style – which one will appeal to you?
Where to stay:
One day is usually enough to visit an alpaca farm. If you want to stay longer, you can book a room at the Boyarskaya Usadba hotel on the shore of the Yakhroma Reservoir (from 3,950 rubles*) or at the Park Hotel Lesnoy on the Klyazma River (from 9,950 rubles*).
Farm “Russian Ostrich”
If exotic llamas are your thing, then you can also check out this interesting place. It is located in the village of Starye Kuzminki, Moscow region, halfway from Chekhov to Serpukhov. The farm is home to rabbits, goats, sheep, donkeys, pheasants and ostriches: African and Australian emus. On weekdays and on holidays, excursions for adults and children, creative and culinary master classes, quests and photo sessions with animals are held here. Guests also have a unique opportunity to prepare and eat an ostrich egg dish themselves.
Where to stay:
Not far from Starye Kuzminki you can find housing for every taste and budget. For example, a night in a standard room at the Vozdvizhenskoye park hotel for two will cost 12,500 rubles*, and in the Petrukhino Club hotel – from 4,500 rubles*.
Peasant estate “Ryaba Hen”
The exoticism is not impressive? Go to the Leningrad region. Not far from St. Petersburg, in the village of Skotnoe, there is a small zoo, home to more than a dozen breeds of colorful chickens, large turkeys, nimble guinea fowl, affectionate calves, fluffy sheep, frisky kids, tame geese, tufted ducks and other domestic animals. And in “Chicken Ryaba” there is also its own museum of antiquities, where objects of peasant life of past centuries are collected. You can visit the farm and attend one of the master classes or photo sessions by appointment: the estate is small and not designed for a large number of guests.
Where to stay:
Thanks to its proximity to the Northern capital, you can relax in any suitable hotel in St. Petersburg. For example, a night in Apartico on Prosvescheniya Avenue, located near Engels Avenue, will cost from 4,700 rubles*. From there it will be most convenient to get to the village of Skotnoye.
Country complex “Forest Coast”
In the Yaroslavl region you can find a functioning “agrizoo” where unusual agricultural breeds of animals from different countries and continents are collected: alpacas from South America, English lambs, piglets from China, and Nubian goats. All guests of the local farm can be petted, fed and photographed with them.
The country complex is located on the shore of the Rybinsk Reservoir, so in the warm season, in addition to communicating with the domestic menagerie, visitors can diversify their leisure time with fishing or try their hand at water sports: kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding.
Where to stay:
You can come to Lesnaya Bereg for one day or overnight. Since almost all rooms are booked during the summer months, you can also stay at other hotels on the Rybinsk Reservoir. For example, the cost of a night in a double room at the Port Vesyegonsk hotel starts from 3,150 rubles*, and at the recreation center “On Chesnave” – from 3,450 rubles*.
Eco-farm on Ryazanovka
This location occupies a separate place on our list: you just can’t go here for the weekend. The eco-farm on Ryazanovka is located in the Primorsky Territory, the fastest way to get there is by boat. The journey from Vladivostok will take about an hour and a half. Fans of eco-tourism and exotic holidays should definitely include this farm on a trip to the Far East, especially if you are planning a trip with children. Each visitor can spend one day of his life here as a farmer: learn to milk a cow and a goat, collect bird eggs, care for animals.
Unlike all previous complexes, the eco-farm is home to not only farm animals, but also wild ones: yaks, roe deer, wild boars, raccoons, pheasants. Carp, carp, silver carp and even trout live in fresh water bodies on the territory. Fishing is a popular pastime for guests, as is catamaran riding, quad biking, archery and air rifle shooting.
Where to stay:
On the territory of the eco-farm there are several cottages for companies and families of various sizes. However, you can choose a cozy place not far from the center of Vladivostok – Mina Hotel Arbat – to stroll around the city itself. The cost of accommodation starts from 4,000 rubles* per night.
*Prices valid at time of publication.
If you are planning a trip, we recommend booking your hotel in advance on OneTwoTrip so you don’t have to think about it during your trip.
