You've probably heard of the Tunguska Event sometime in your life, but Tungussky Nature Reserve (Russian: Тунгусский заповедник; sometimes Tunguska) in the Evenkia region of Krasnoyarsk Krai is where it all happened. It is here where between 3 and 50 MT worth of explosion happened in 1908 from a possible meteor. The remains – with more than 2,150 km² (830 sq mi) of taiga forest flattened – is almost the sole reason you'd want to visit this place.

Understand

Climate

The nature reserve is at the southern edge of the area's permafrost region. The region experiences a highly continental climate, characterized by significant daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, low levels of precipitation mostly in the summer, and distinct summer drought periods. The average annual air temperature in the reserve is -6°C. The growing season lasts 110-120 days. July is the only frost-free month of the year, and although its average temperature is 16°C, it can rise to 30°C or higher on sunny days. In winter, temperatures can drop to -55°C to -58°C. Tungussky enjoys an average of 255 days with sub-zero temperatures.

Visitor information

• Park website (in Russian)
• tunguska.ru (unofficial collection in English)

Get in

Although there are roads to the park, they are not paved and mostly unusable, leaving foot, air and water as the remaining options.

Occasionally, MI-8 helicopters fly to and back, but this must be discussed and planned appropriately. This only flies to the centre of the crater and then back to Vanavara and takes approximately an hour.

Between late May and early June (when the weather is clear), it is possible to visit the park via motor boats for the 200-km journey. Often visits include a stopover at Khrustalny Mine. See tunguska.ru for more details.

Fees and permits

Visiting Tungussky Nature Reserve is not easy. tunguska.ru has a good overview, but you will first need to obtain approval to visit from the Director of the Tungussky Nature Reserve at 8 Moskovskaya St in Vanavara (Ванавара, ул. Московская, дом 8), who can be contacted via phone (☏ +8 3912-560952) or via email (tunzap@vanavara.ru).

See

• 1 Lake Cheko. Although this lake is around 8 kilometres northwest from the hypocentre of the Tunguska event, some scientists suspect that this is a potential impact crater. However, this has been the subject of an on-and-off dispute since some newer research has proven that this lake existed well before the Tunguska event, but only time will reveal the definitive answer. (updated May 2024)
• 2 Tugussky Crater. It is here where the epicentre of the event is theorised to be. (updated May 2024)

Buy, eat, drink and sleep

You won't be able to do any of that here. Essentials are available in the nearby town of Vanavara.