1. Health.

There are two aspects of trail-building which may affect the health of a volunteer: a week of living in field conditions, and the difficult physical work. We recommend that people with the following physical ailments not take part in the project:

• acute infections (flue, tonsillitis, high temperature, etc.);
• major psychiatric conditions;
• central nervous system impairments;
• malignant tumors;
• recent heart attack;
• cardio-vascular ailments such as:
  - myocardial infarction;
  - arrhythmia;
  - high blood pressure;
  - rheumatic heart disease;

• cerebrovascular disease;
• severe digestive tract disorders;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• which require operations;
• severe diabetes;
• thrombo-phlebitis;
• frequent asthma;
• osteoporosis and acute arthritis/joint ailments.

In addition, each volunteer should bring his/her own supply of medicines that he/she may require.

2. Information about official invitations for international volunteers.

There are two types of invitations:

1. Tourist invitations, which can be issued for travel in Russia for no more than 30 days, and take 5 days to prepare
2. Business invitations, which can be issued for travel in Russia for no more than 90 days, and take one month to prepare.

The cost of a Tourist invitations is $20. For Tourist invitations you must send the following information before May 1, 2004:

• Surname, given name.
• Date of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Passport number
• Dates of travel in Russia
• Cities in Russia you intend to stay in (note: if you intend to travel in Russia beyond the dates of the program, many restrictions apply; please check with the Russian embassy in your country for complete information)

The cost of a business visa is $85. Business visas are prepared by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Buryatia. If you require a business visa, you must send the following information at least 70 days before the beginning of the project:

• A copy of your passport
• Surname, given name
• Country of citizenship
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Dates of validity of your passport
• Cities in Russia in which you intend to stay
• The name of your place of employment or study (at home)
• The address, telephone and fax number of your place of employment or study
• Your job title ("student" if student)
• City and country where you will receive your visa.

3. Expenses before and after the project. All expenses for food, lodging and transportation before and after the project dates are born by the volunteers.

4. Visa registration (for foreign volunteers). Volunteers are responsible for visa registration on arrival to and exit from Russia (please check with the Russian embassy in your country for information).

5. List of necessary supplies.

• sleeping bag (rated for +5 Celcius)
• ground mat
• warm jacket
• boots
• hat
• raincoat
• medical supplies

(You may purchase a sleeping bag and mat in Ulan-Ude city and Irkutsk city for about 850-1000 rubles).