Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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An amazing opportunity to celebrate the New Year on the cleanest and most beautiful lake on the planet, spend the first days of January in a cozy atmosphere on the shore of Lake Baikal, try activities that have not yet been tried, get to know the locals and their way of life.

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

The Kiss of Lake Baikal

Let's enjoy a local cocktail right from the hole in the ice!

Skating rink without borders

If desired, we will skate at the largest ice rink in the world

A cozy hotel

We will stay in a hotel with a panoramic view of Lake Baikal

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tour of Irkutsk. The small sea. A walk on the ice
Arrival in Irkutsk.
Meeting at the airport / railway station (8:00 – 8:30, inside the building at the exit to the city) with a sign "New Year: The Winter fairy tale of Lake Baikal!".
We get acquainted with the guide and go for breakfast, after which we will have a sightseeing tour of the city of Irkutsk.
You will see: the Church of the Savior, the Epiphany Cathedral, the Polish Church, the Moscow Gate, the Angara Embankment and the Znamensky Monastery, on the territory of which there are graves of the Decembrists, as well as the famous merchant and traveler Grigory Shelikhov, and the monument to Kolchak.
We are going to Lake Baikal to the Small Sea!
On the way you will see a variety of landscapes: the snow-covered taiga, the barely snow-covered Tazheran steppes and the mountainous shores of the Small Sea.
And also, stop at the sacred place of the local Buryat people and learn what "burhanit" is, get acquainted with the Buryat traditions and history of our region.
Upon arrival at the Small Sea – accommodation in warm comfortable rooms of the eco-hotel "Mir Baikal".
Here you will not just relax, you will be able to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Lake Baikal right from the panoramic window of your room!
After arrival and accommodation, a hot and delicious lunch awaits you.
We have a little rest and go to the ice of Lake Baikal!
And anyone who wants can take skates at the hotel and ride the largest, mirrored and clean skating rink in the world (rental point, paid separately).
It's so great to skate and not think about boundaries!
Guide: Yes. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 2 - Great Baikal. Festive dinner
After a delicious breakfast, we go to Big Baikal, where, despite the frosts, the water is still raging.
The ice on Lake Baikal completely rises at the end of January.
Here is all the power and energy of the Sacred Sea!
In such places, you can ask for something good for yourself and your loved ones, because it was such places with strong energy that shamans chose for their rituals.
We return to the hotel.
After such impressions, you need to sit quietly in a warm cafe, drink delicious tea on Siberian herbs, keep warm and, of course, have lunch.
Rest.
Independent walks on the ice of Lake Baikal.
You can climb the sacred mountain, according to the legend, a Shaman lived here many years ago, tie a ribbon and make a wish.
And in the evening we invite you to dinner!
Dinner, sparklers, champagne and all this on the shore of Lake Baikal, in the best eco-hotel of the Small Sea!
Guide: Yes. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 3 - Free day. Sunrises and sunsets of Lake Baikal
We highly recommend waking up early and meeting the first dawn of this year!
Sunrises and sunsets of Lake Baikal are a separate kind of beauty.
Today you have free time, you can relax and unwind at the hotel or go for a walk and recharge with the energy of Lake Baikal or go on an additional excursion.
You can also arrange a trip on a Khivus (hovercraft) on the ice of Lake Baikal (paid separately).
Visit the Russian bathhouse, with a birch broom and herbal Baikal teas, or the Siberian bath tub, right in the open air, with a wonderful view of Lake Baikal! (paid separately).
The water in it is heated to 42 degrees, herbal decoctions are brewed in it!
Guide: no (yes - during the additional tour). Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 4 - Departure
Breakfast, free time.
Our program ends today, we are sure that winter Baikal has charmed you, that during these days you have been able to enjoy the beauty of its shores and the night sky, breathe deeply of its frosty air and recharge for a long time with the streams of its life-giving energy!
After lunch, transfer to Irkutsk (center, airport or railway station).
For those who wish to extend their stay and continue their vacation!
Guide: No. Meals: breakfast.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

2-3-local	1-local
42 230	53 090

The eco-friendly hotel is built of wood in a traditional Siberian style, well-appointed rooms are equipped with all amenities.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

accommodation specified in the program;
meals specified in the program (including a festive buffet dinner, without entertainment):
- Day 1-3: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
- Day 4: Breakfast;
transportation and excursion services according to the program and entertainment:
- a walk on the ice of Lake Baikal, a kiss of Lake Baikal, tea from a samovar;
- car tour of the Tazheran steppes to the panoramas of the Great Baikal and the Serpentine Bay;
fee for visiting the Baikal National Park.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
additional hotel services;
meals not specified in the tour program;
placement of another level;
individual service;
additional excursions.

It's important to know

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Car excursions (UAZ – loaf) - the price is per tourist.
Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal Duration: 3 hours Ice skating, "Kiss of Baikal", Samovar on ice! Excursion to the Serpentine Bay, it is a beautiful bay in itself: the right shape, framed by high mountains on both sides, but in winter there are its own highlights. Beautiful clean ice - there is no such thing anywhere else. It is here that the amazing, mighty hummocks are located! In words or photos do not show the full power of these Baikal sculptures, they are worthy special attention should be paid to them in person! And the color: white, blue, bright turquoise, blue ... the rays of the sun and the sky inside ice. Hummocks are piles of ice fragments along the cracks or through cracks. When the temperature rises and the cracks narrow, the ice it is squeezed onto the surface and creates hummocks. Since the extension and if the narrowing is repeated, then the hummocks along the gap form a pronounced the ice shaft. Two lines of hummocks are usually formed here. On the way, stop at the observation deck, from which the panorama of Lake Baikal opens, endless fields of ice, the steep Shore of Lake Baikal, and in good weather you can see the East Coast. Baikal is the creator, and you will definitely always remember this creation of his! The famous "Kiss of Baikal" is waiting for us in the bay, we will also try to get rid of Baikal fish, and the highlight of the tour is the flooded tea from the samovar on the Baikal water with local herbs! Everyone can skate on the largest ice rink in the world. Period: January, February, March	3,500 rubles .
Olkhon to Cape Burkhan (4-4.5 hours) Duration: 3 hours Shamanka Rock or Cape Burhan is one of the nine shrines of Asia. This is the place fabulously beautiful, has powerful energy. A place of magical power. It is here that shamans gather to perform all their rituals. Here is the best place to make your most cherished wish! There is also an annual ice sculpture festival – every ice sculpture The figure is an individual creation of masters from all over Russia. A walk through the ice town. On the way to Cape Burkhan, there are obligatory stops at the picturesque ice caves. sightseeing - admire the splashes and look into one of the grottoes – an ice cave that can only be accessed in winter on ice. Period: February, March (January with additional payment for crossing on Khivus)	3,500 rubles .
O. Ogoy and Cape Dragon Duration: 3 hours The Buddhist stupa erected on the island of Ogoy is officially referred to as a stupa Enlightenment, Subjugation of demons, containing a statue of a female form, the mother of all Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the more often they go around holy places (stupas, Buddhist hills, sacred mountain peaks) the more likely it is that the hidden The good wish will be heard by the gods and will come true soon. The most basic: near stupas need to keep only pure thoughts and pure motivations – for For many people, this is the most difficult thing. It's not really important here, in what exactly do you believe, it is important to keep only kind thoughts here. Let's go up to the Stupa, observing all the rules, make a wish, admire the beauty of the Small Sea from a height and let's go down to take a photo at the cape The dragon. We admire the ice splashes near the island and visit the ice caves. Period: February, March January – Only on Khivus	3500 rubles .
Excursion to the Nuri - Baikal bubbles + hot mulled wine on ice. Duration: 3 hours In one part of the small sea, near the island. Olkhon, there is a place in the bay where dozens Thousands of bubbles froze in the icy universe. We take pictures, bask in hot mulled wine. Then we go to see sokui – the frozen waves of Lake Baikal! Fabulous ice kingdom: splashes, several meters high, Can you imagine with what power the water was beating here? It's like we're on another marshmallow the planet. Next, we will climb the Trident rock, where we admire the rocks overgrown with bright lichen - bright green and orange. The presence of which is an indicator of the purest air. Period: February, March (January is only on Hivus)	3000 rubles .
Aya Bay Duration : 4 hours Aya Bay is translated from Buryat as "cozy". Space landscapes and endless fields of Baikal ice, that's what awaits you at this place. On this trip, we study ancient Petroglyphs, admire on the observation deck the panorama of Lake Baikal, on the fields of ice, we will see hummocks. Ice blocks – the creation of Lake Baikal, its power and strength. Hummocks are piles of ice along the cracks and through cracks. As the temperature rises and the cracks narrow, the ice is squeezed out onto the surface creates hummocks. Since the expansion and contraction are repeated, then hummocks along the gap form a pronounced ice shaft and change every day. During the tour, a samovar with mulled wine will be flooded for you. Period: January,February, March	4000 rubles .
Olkhon Island – Cape Khoboy Duration : whole day (7-8 hours), lunch-picnic – included.Khoboy is the northernmost tip of Olkhon Island, a sacred place, here you can feel the power and strength. You have a unique opportunity to see him from from the side of Lake Baikal, drive up to its foot. We will make our first stop at Cape Burhan. This cape is one of the most energy-strong places of Lake Baikal and one of the 9 shrines of Asia. Cape Burkhan, or as the locals also call it – Shamanka Rock – has a powerful energy, and since ancient times this place has been treated with reverence. On the way to Cape Khoboy, we will make a few more stops at the grottoes and splashes, and at the picturesque Sagan-Khushun rock ("Three Brothers"), which is associated with A beautiful Legend. Khoboy is translated from Buryat as "fang". And indeed, driving up to him closer and closer, you will see the outline of this rock, and the cape itself looks like a virgo in profile – which is also associated with the local belief. Upon arrival in the north of Olkhon, a walk around the Oboe, surrounded by blue ice and hummocks. There will also be an open-air bonfire lunch. We return back at sunset, admiring the delicate shades of the setting sun. Period: February, March (January with additional payment for crossing on Khivus)	5500 rubles .
Buguldeika . Duration - whole day (7-8 hours) - lunch-picnic - included. Buguldeika is a settlement on the western shore of Lake Baikal. Famous in the first place the fact that there is an incredible and unique marble quarry! The marble deposits here are older than Lake Baikal, they are more than two billion years old. Now the quarry is abandoned and no work is being carried out in it. There are scattered everywhere giant pieces of marble. The walls of the marble quarry are perfectly cut to a depth of 10 meters, the snow-white stone shines beautifully in the sun and looks spectacular against the background the blue sky, and in the distance the ice of Lake Baikal shines. Have tea at the quarry, and descend to Lake Baikal, exit to the ice. There are also places where Baikal bubbles appear, While a picnic lunch is being organized, everyone who wants to skate on their own the largest ice rink in the World, walking, taking pictures and enjoying the Baikal space and grandeur. Lunch is a picnic. Period: January, February, March	5500 rubles .
Aya Bay + Buguldika with lunch. Duration : whole day (7-8 hours) lunch-picnic – included. Aya Bay is translated from Buryat as "cozy". Space landscapes and endless fields of Baikal ice, that's what awaits you at this place. Buguldeika is a settlement on the western shore of Lake Baikal. Famous in the first place the fact that there is an incredible and unique marble quarry! The marble deposits here are older than Lake Baikal, they are more than two billion years old. Now the quarry is abandoned and no work is being carried out in it. There are scattered everywhere giant pieces of marble. Access to the ice - there are places where Baikal bubbles appear. While a picnic lunch is being organized, everyone who wants to skate on their own the largest ice rink in the World, walking, taking pictures and enjoying the Baikal space and grandeur. Lunch is a picnic. Period: January, February, March	6500 rubles .
On Khivus (hovercraft) - the price is per tourist.
O. Ogoy with grottoes and splashes Duration : 3 hours The Buddhist stupa erected on the island of Ogoy is officially referred to as a stupa Enlightenment, Demon Conquest, containing a statue of a female form, mother all the Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the more often they go around holy places (stupas, Buddhist hills, sacred mountain peaks) the more likely it is that the hidden The good wish will be heard by the gods and will come true soon. The most basic: near stupas need to keep only pure thoughts and pure motivations – for For many people, this is the most difficult thing. It's not really important here, in what exactly do you believe, it is important to keep only kind thoughts here. Let's go up to the Stupa, observing all the rules, make a wish, admire the beauty of the Small Sea from a height and let's go down to take a photo at the cape The dragon. We admire the ice splashes near the island and visit the ice caves.	5500 rubles
Excursion to the Nuri - Baikal bubbles + hot mulled wine on ice. Duration: 2 hours In one part of the small sea, near the island. Olkhon, there is a place in the bay where dozens Thousands of bubbles froze in the icy universe. We take pictures, bask in hot mulled wine. Then we go to see sokui – the frozen waves of Lake Baikal! Fabulous ice kingdom: splashes, several meters high, Can you imagine with what power the water was beating here? It's like we're on another marshmallow the planet. Next, we will climb the Trident rock, where we admire the rocks overgrown with bright lichen - bright green and orange. The presence of which is an indicator of the purest air.	4,500 rubles .
Dawn on Khivus with a photo shoot Duration: 1.5 hours (props for filming are provided (outfits for girls, skins, small decorative props) , as a result of the photo shoot : 10-15 photos / per person in processing)	4000 rubles .

The price is for 1 person. for a group of 6 people or more; A smaller number of people is calculated individually.
Additional excursions are held according to the schedule of the campsite, during the high season (February – March), most excursions are held regularly;
The duration is approximate (+-) depending on the weather conditions, the ice situation, as well as the number of people in the group;
In each excursion, we reserve the right to change the order or places of visit, without compromising the quality and integrity of the excursion.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$424

28 – 31 Dec 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

I
Irina

8 Nov, 2024

about provider

The trip was fantastic and filled with positive experiences. Thank you to the company for its customer focus and excellent organization! Appreciate the wonderful vacation!

8 Nov, 2024
T
Tatyana

2 Nov, 2024

about provider

Excellent organization, a small group, and the guide's full attention.

2 Nov, 2024

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Baikal's New Year's Tale