MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin typically seeks out exciting, rugged, sometimes shirtless activities on his summer vacations. This year he was more laid back.

One summer Putin took a dive in the Black Sea only to allegedly discover an ancient amphora. Another time he galloped on a horse bare-chested across a mountain creek.

This year Russia's 65-year-old leader returned to one of his favorite holiday spots: the far-flung wilderness of Siberia's remote Tyva region.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday that Putin spent last weekend hiking in the mountains and taking in the views with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the head of Russia's main intelligence agency, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov.

Photos released by the Kremlin showed Putin hiking, examining plants with Shoigu and riding in a boat on the Yenisey River.