Horseback rides and trips - Ride Russian horses in Russia countryside

Feedback, testimonials, press articles in English about the dacha/horses project

New stuff added to the top. See also or post to my totally uncensored guestbook and the client feedback pages of my main site Lots of stories at the Russian original of my dacha/horse riding page.

Wonderful stay at Pasha's.
Posted on November 22, 2009 at 02:49:46 PM by Janine

Hi Pasha

We have been meaning to write this review for a while. We are the 4 kiwis who came to stay over new year time four years ago now, 2006/07.

We had a fantastic stay at the Dacha, arrived late one night and Pasha picked us up from the local train station drove us out to the country, where we began our adventure! Crossing the ice river on horseback, horseriding through the snow storms, fabulous food and warming ourselves around the log fires.

Thanks for the great stay we still talk about it even now, definately the best bit of our trip to Russia.

You gave us a bottle of your Maldovian Brandy at the train station when we were departing, we drank that 'liquid gold' neat on New Years eve in St Petersburg, it was so good, we have never found another brandy quite like it (and I have been drinking to try!).

Thanks again hopefully we can make it back in the summertime, some time soon.

Janine & Eugene, Anna & Duncan

Both Gulya and myself thank you for the weekend in your most interesting world which is hard to image existing in the same universe as this truly crazy town we live in most of the time.

We loved everything (particularly your cooking and "Svo", prince of dogs!) and look forward to coming back in another season when the rivers freeze and the magic there takes on that most Russian of Winter characters.

I'll be certain to give your cards to some employees and clients of mine provided they are willing to leave their "shashlyck", vodka and working girls at home...

All good luck to you and your unique and worthwhile project...

Gulya and John
jhuey01 [at] attglobal [dot] net

Our experience at Pasha's dacha.
Posted on October 5, 2007 at 08:49:25 AM by Lee Orchard (A New Zealander, self-exiled to Russia) [lee . d . orchard gmail com]

Pasha is the horse whisperer of the Tver Region.

My behind is still a little tender after riding the horses. Pasha's effective instructions allowed me to feel confident enough to ride faster than I ever have before. Don't be put off by the distance to get to Pasha's. It's necessary if you want a genuine rural experience in Russia, which I believe is imperative if you want to truly experience a vital aspect of Russian culture, i.e. dacha life. Pasha trusted us with his property, thus respecting our independence and encouraging our sense of responsibility, essential if you are to fully embrace the freedom offered by rural living.

Pasha made us the best food I've had in my 5 months in Russia. As a fellow vegetarian I relished in his ethnic fusion of very tasty and healthy meals. I share his views on Russian cuisine as being bland, heavy and lacking in essential nutrients, so, ate my full.

It was a bitter departure since I knew that my many loathes would continue to be endured once back in Moscow. I'm still longing to return to the countryside where I could find harmony within myself and dedicate my attention to those things I value most in life; unspoilt nature, a loved one, my mental and physical well being and a context that allows one to enjoy these things free from the negative influence of city life. Endeavor to make life simpler for yourself. Revive or create an interest in rural life and go have an experience you'll never forget in that red dacha on the top of the hill where you're always welcome.

Give Moony, that hard Russian work horse an affectionate smack on the behind for me ;-)

Kia Kaha (stand strong) Pasha, and best of luck with your efforts in promoting rural tourism in Russia. You offer something truly unique.

Hello there,

I generally found this edition most helpful for my trip through Russia. One thing I simply must add, which you must change in your next edition as I think it is an incredibly unfair review - is that of a rural dacha farm stay - Uncle Pasha's Dacha.

The lonely planet describes this as an authentic Russian experience - which it is - however it goes on to state that the food left a lot to be desired and the toilet was fairly grim being located 'outside'.

Firstly, the food I ate at Uncle Pashas dacha was some of the most excellent food I had in all my travel in Russia - indeed throughout all Europe! I am not kidding! It was vegetarian food, and while I am not a vegetarian, the food was excellent and Pasha used meat replacements which tasted absolutely delicious. The meals were full of fresh local vegetables grown in his own garden or sourced from some of the locals.

Secondly, there is not one single dacha I know that does not have an outdoor toilet, and I must say that Pasha's was incredibly clean, and quite cute - with a pleasant view out into the horse paddock!

Also, I think the review should note the great banya there - a sauna made completely from wood and very cosy.

All in all, staying at Pasha's for two nights was certainly the highlight of my entire stay in Russia. I got to go horse riding whenever I wanted, the horses are great, especially for inexperienced riders - and Pasha can give you horse lessons. The dacha is situated less than a half minute walk to the River Volga - beautiful to swim in, in the summer.

Please amend your review immediately. Oh, and I heard of three other travellers who had also stayed there and were confused about the lonely planets review, given that they had all had a similarly great experience.

Look forward to hearing back from you and seeing some action on this!
Kind regards,
Jane Laming.

You have not see Russia until you have seen the countryside, and the Staritza dacha will take you back hundreds of years to a way of life far removed from Moscow. The timeless Volga flows by, wood fires and vodka warm you, horses await your command, and you'll see a rare breed of dog, a fountain of life, and a mysterious cave.

You have not known Russians if you have just had official guides. Pasha, with his mix of humour and cynicism, will give you a unique insight into the Russian character and culture. With us he failed in his mission to provide misery travel - we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.

Visiting the Russian countryside was what attracted us in Uncle Pasha's offer to visit his Dacha near the town of Staritsa. Getting there seemed like a road to nowhere and that was nothing compared to the other experiences we had there. The term Misery Tourism really cuts the cake, but we wouldn't want to have missed it. Uncle Pasha can be obnoxious, but he is trustworthy, honest, and a good guide. Read more about our experiences with him on the Rural Russia pages of our Adventure Travel Tales and tips website, built around our 15 month journey in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Glory can be yours too. Foreigners are so rare that the local newspaper hunts them down for an interview...One of several examples