Khvalynsky National Park
Khvalynsky is a national park in the Saratov region near the city of Khvalynsk. Initially, the territory of the park was 255 km2, but in 2004 the protected area was increased and at the moment the area of the national park is 1404 km2.
The main objective of the national park is environmental tourism, the protection and scientific research of the biological diversity of the park and archaeological sites. In Khvalynsky there are such historical and cultural objects as the settlement, burial grounds, ancient settlements, Monakh cave. Some settlements and burial grounds were founded in another 6-4 thousand years BC.
The relief of the park is hilly with many ravines and small mountains: Kalka ( 285 m ), Tashi ( 309 m ), Mordovian bump ( 267 m ), Belenkaya ( 345 m ). The tops of the mountains are covered with forest, in which many animals are hiding, including those listed in the Red Book. In total, 53 species of mammals and 15 species of reptiles are registered in the park. Among them: foxes, wolves, marten, hares, lynxes, moose, badgers, gophers. Of even greater interest is the ornithofauna of the park, which has over 150 species of birds. You can find out more about the animal world by ordering a suitable tour. The cost of an excursion per person is quite small. For an additional fee, you can arrange horse excursions accompanied by a park employee. Also, some animals found in the park can be seen in the "Teremok" aviary, you can immediately feed the animals from the hand.
The plant world of the park has almost a thousand species of plants and trees. In forests, pine trees predominate, and oaks and lindens are less common. 21 plants growing in the Khvalynsky National Park are listed in the Red Book.
