Beyond the outgoing ice of Lake Baikal. Cruise expedition to the Baikal Arctic!

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A unique expedition to the Baikal Arctic! Only once a year and for only 6 days! You will be able to appreciate the beauty of sparkling icebergs and ice during boat trips or boat trips, see the snow-white caps of mountain ranges and even climb to the top to admire the views, the beauty of which is impossible to convey in words.

The expedition participants, including scientists exploring Lake Baikal, will monitor the lake's condition during the off-season period. The annual (since 2004) expedition “Beyond the outgoing ice of Lake Baikal” starts during the unique period of the lake's liberation from the winter ice cover, when the southern and middle basins of the lake are free of ice, and the northern is covered with pack (broken) and solid ice.

Location

Irkutsk

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Baikal seal

We will see cute seals swimming on ice floes and basking in the May sun

Needle ice

Let's find a unique time of ice opening – when the dense ice of Lake Baikal melts and turns into long fragile needles

The Awakening of Lake Baikal

We will see the wildlife of Lake Baikal and its inhabitants during the spring revival

Ringing ice floes

Let's appreciate the beauty of sparkling icebergs and ice during boat trips or boat trips

Let's become Baikal explorers

Let's take a sample of the flora/fauna of Lake Baikal, and, accompanied by a scientific speaker, consider it under a microscope!

Sauna on board the ship

We will travel on a comfort-class ship with all amenities, including a sauna

Itinerary

Day 1 - The start of the expedition
Meeting of participants at the airport or railway station in Irkutsk.
09:00-15:00 Transfer to the Small Sea (MPC).
15:00 Boarding the ships.
Accommodation in the cabins of the ship.
Meeting with the crew, safety instructions and rules of conduct on board and on Lake Baikal.
Passage of the Small Sea Strait with a stop on Ogoy Island.
Ogoy (bur. Uhaguy, which means "waterless") is the largest island in the Strait of the Small Sea of Lake Baikal.
Geographical location: located between Cape Shara-Shulun on the western coast of Olkhon Island and Kurminsky Bay on the western shore of Lake Baikal.
In 2005, a Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment dedicated to Dakini Troma Nagmo was built at the highest point of the island.
The construction was initiated by the Moscow Buddhist Center.
The popularity of the stupa has led to a significant increase in the tourist flow, which raises concerns among experts about a possible negative impact on the local flora and fauna.
The island has a highly elongated shape and is an important natural feature in the waters of Lake Baikal.
Lunch on board the ship.
Further advance along the western coast to the north of Lake Baikal.
Supper.
Overnight in the area of Cape Zunduk (the northern tip of the Strait of the Small Sea) on board the ship.

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Day 2 - Transfer to the eastern shore of Lake Baikal
Breakfast on board the ship.
Long walk to Chivyrkuysky Bay.
Lunch on board the ship.
Supper.
In the evening, arrive at Chivyrkuy Bay.
Overnight on board the ship.

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Day 3 - Bays of the Chivyrkuysky Bay
Crossings along the Chivyrkuysky Bay.
During this day, visit the Serpentine Bay.
This bay is famous for its healing hydrogen sulfide baths with water temperatures from +41 to +45 degrees.
Lunch on board the ship.
Visit to the islands of the Chivyrkuy Bay.
Inspection of the nesting place of a Large cormorant (from the water).
Visit to Krokhalinaya Bay.
Supper.
Overnight on board the ship in one of the bays of the Chivyrkuy Bay.
Day 4 - Ushkany Islands
Transfer to the Ushkany Islands.
Island tour.
The rocky shores of the islands serve as a rookery for the only mammal on Lake Baikal, the Baikal seal.
The largest seal rookery on Lake Baikal is located on the western side of Tonkogo Island.
According to scientists, the number of animals in the rookery ranges from 2,000 and has not changed since 1934.
The seal is careful, and if they talk loudly and make noise on the approach, the seals dive from the rocks into the water.
During a wave or immediately after a storm, there are usually no seals in the rookery (visiting the island is optional and for an additional fee).
Lunch on board the ship.
Continue exploring the islands.
Supper.
Overnight on board the ship in the area of Bolshoy Ushkany Island.
Day 5 - Islands of the Small Sea. Olkhon Island
Crossing to the strait of the Small Sea.
Guided tour of the islands of the Small Sea.
There are 15 rocky islands in the Maly Sea (along with Olkhon Island).
The largest of them are the islands of Zamogoy, Ogoy, Oltrek, etc.
On the way, stop at Olkhon Island near Sarai beach, visit Cape Burkhan (Shaman Rocks) Shaman Rock, one of the nine shamanic shrines of Asia (formerly known as the stone temple).
The most revered holy place on Lake Baikal was the cave in the rock of this cape Shamanka, to which sacrifices were made and vows were made from the time of the appearance of the first.
If possible, visit Ogoy Island, on top of which a Buddhist Stupa was built in 2004.
From the top of the island there is a magnificent view of Olkhon and the Small Sea.
Lunch on board the ship.
Continuation of the tour of the islands of the Small Sea.
Supper.
Overnight on board the ship in one of the bays of the southern tip of Olkhon Island.
Day 6 - The Small Sea – the end of the expedition
After tomorrow, passengers will disembark.
12:00 Disembarkation of passengers at the village pier.
12:00-18:00 Bus transfer to Irkutsk by road (4-5 hours on the way, 280 km).

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

No special training is required to participate in this tour. Movement along the route is carried out on a comfortable motor ship. The excursions take place at the usual pace. Mountain climbs are for those who wish.

Accommodation

Cabin on the boat

5 nights

Comfort

Premium

The tour provides accommodation on a comfort class ship.

Single occupancy is not provided. If the guest is alone, then there is a check-in. This tour provides for the purchase of seats, not cabins. Since this tour is unique and is held once a year.

Cabin on the boat

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Another option

Cabin on the boat

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 40 tourists

Minimum age

3 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

car transfer to the starting and ending point of the expedition;
accommodation on the ship;
3–storage power;
guided tours according to the program with qualified guides and researchers;
fees for visiting national parks and nature reserves;
organization of scientific research activities according to the expedition program;
working with a microscope on board a ship;
collection of biological material for research and study;
working with microscopes;
meetings with representatives of environmental organizations (if possible);
baths according to the program;
honey.insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
accommodation in hotels in Irkutsk;
alcoholic beverages.

It's important to know

windproof, water repellent jacket, fleece jacket, lightweight beanie;
windproof and waterproof warm pants for bad weather and evenings;
light windbreaker or jacket for good weather;
a warm sweater;
a warm hat, a cap or a panama hat from the sun;
thermal underwear;
gloves;
warm socks (1 pair), thin socks;
boots or sneakers with mountain tread for cross-country walks;
lightweight shoes for staying inside the ship (moccasins, sneakers with anti-slip tread to avoid sliding on the deck of the ship);
sunglasses;
sunscreen and anti-weathering cream;
lantern;
swimsuit or bathing trunks for visiting baths, hot springs on the route;
all personal hygiene products;
personal mini-emergency (motion sickness, colds, stomach upset, headache, etc.);
additional batteries for camera, flashlight;
repellents that protect against mosquito bites and midges (while walking on the mainland).

Dates and Prices

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

$2,932

19 – 24 May, 2027 6 days 5 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

K
Ksenia

about provider

15 May, 2026

I would like to share my impressions of the “Winter Baikal Stories” tour. Everything was organized excellently and very professionally, the excursion program was rich and engaging, and we felt well taken care of throughout the entire trip. Our guide, Polina, was absolutely wonderful, knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely friendly. I would also like to give special thanks to our amazing organizer, Polina, who was always available during the tour and resolved any questions or issues immediately. Wishing your travel company continued success and prosperity!!! 🔥