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

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
from
$3,193
$2,735
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 Days
5 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 20 – 25 May, 2026
or
Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 40 tourists
Minimum age
3 years old
Group meet at
Irkutsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

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.

    Breakfast on board.

    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.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Transfer to the eastern shore of Lake Baikal
  • Day 3 - Bays of the Chivyrkuysky Bay
  • Day 4 - Ushkany Islands
  • Day 5 - Islands of the Small Sea. Olkhon Island
  • Day 6 - The Small Sea – the end of the expedition
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

Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    8 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.

The ship "Vympel" 8 nights

The Vympel motor ship is a modern and comfortable motor ship for traveling around Lake Baikal. A comfort class motor ship with a passenger capacity of up to 15 people. Most cabins have a shower, toilet, upholstered furniture, carpet on the floor. Each cabin has a telephone connection to the captain's cabin. Spacious cabins provide more comfort and individual space for each passenger. On the second deck there is a comfortable lounge where you can watch movies and listen to music. Or just sit for conversations and a cup of tea with the cruise guests.

Navigation equipment:
  • echo sounder
  • inflatable motor boat
  • unsinkable lifeboat
  • life jackets
  • lifebuoys.
Technical specifications
  • Speed – 24 km/hour
  • Length – 27 meters
  • Width – 4 meters
  • Number of decks – 2
  • Register class – M
  • Voltage – 220 Volts
Cabin No. 1 standard + TWIN
The entrance to the cabin is from the corridor, double, separate beds. The total area of the cabin is 7.8 m2. Accommodation: 2 people
In the cabin:
  • bathroom with shower
  • safe deposit
  • windows
  • a place for clothes
  • sockets (2 pcs)
  • heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 70cm by 1.90m. TWIN
Cabin No.2 Improved TWIN
The entrance to the cabin is from the corridor, four-bed, spacious, separate beds (compartment). The total area of the cabin is 8.4 m2.
Accommodation: 4 people
In the cabin:
  • bathroom with shower
  • safe deposit
  • windows
  • wardrobe
  • sockets (2 pcs)
  • heater
  • table
  • Sleeps: 4 beds, TWIN
Cabin no.3 Improved
Entrance to the cabin from the mess, four-person,
spacious, 2 separate beds (compartment), large double sofa.
Accommodation: 4 people
In the cabin:
  • bathroom with shower
  • safe deposit
  • windows
  • wardrobe for clothes
  • sockets (3 pcs)
  • heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 70cm by 1.90m. TWIN/DBL
Cabin No.4 Standard + TWIN
Entrance to the cabin from the stern, double, ceiling height 180 cm, separate beds of Elena
by the stairs. The total area of the cabin is 6.6 m2 Accommodation: 2 people
In the cabin:
  • bathroom with shower
  • windows
  • safe deposit
  • sockets (1 piece)
  • A place for clothes
  • table
  • heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 65cm by 2m. TWIN
Cabin No. 5 Standard internal
Located on the upper deck, spacious, 1 bed and a sofa. General
cabin area: 5.7 m2 . The bathroom is next to the cabin. Accommodation: 4 people
In the cabin:
  • windows on the promenade
  • wardrobe for clothes
  • sockets (2 pcs)
  • heater
  • safe deposit
  • table
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 70cm by 1.90m. TWIN/DBL
7 more photos

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

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  1. windproof, water repellent jacket, fleece jacket, lightweight beanie;
  2. windproof and waterproof warm pants for bad weather and evenings;
  3. light windbreaker or jacket for good weather;
  4. a warm sweater;
  5. a warm hat, a cap or a panama hat from the sun;
  6. thermal underwear;
  7. gloves;
  8. warm socks (1 pair), thin socks;
  9. boots or sneakers with mountain tread for cross-country walks;
  10. lightweight shoes for staying inside the ship (moccasins, sneakers with anti-slip tread to avoid sliding on the deck of the ship);
  11. sunglasses;
  12. sunscreen and anti-weathering cream;
  13. lantern;
  14. swimsuit or bathing trunks for visiting baths, hot springs on the route;
  15. all personal hygiene products;
  16. personal mini-emergency (motion sickness, colds, stomach upset, headache, etc.);
  17. additional batteries for camera, flashlight;
  18. repellents that protect against mosquito bites and midges (while walking on the mainland).
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
What will be the nutrition?
What is the program of the research expedition?

Dates and Prices

  • $2,735
    20 – 25 May, 2026 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • LV
    Lilia Vakulova
    about provider
    31 Dec, 2024
    The tour provider stayed in constant contact with us and even came in person to see us off.
  • MB
    Maria Barakova
    about provider
    12 Nov, 2024
    5 more photos
    Good afternoon! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the organizers of the “Taste of Lake Baikal” tour, which we enjoyed from July 15 to July 18. The entire experience was flawlessly arranged, with every detail thoughtfully considered! Special thanks to manager Kirill, who was always available and took excellent care of us throughout the trip. Our group was small—just five people—which was a real advantage for us as travelers! We felt like VIPs in Irkutsk! Our guides, Alyona and driver Roman Kondratiev, shared so much about the history of Irkutsk and the incredible places we visited. Their laid-back storytelling kept it interesting, giving us insights that most tourists don’t get. The choice to use a car for such a small group was perfect—flexible, comfortable, and easy to hear everything. From the initial greeting to our final departure, we were so well looked after. The program was rich and engaging without a single wasted moment! Irkutsk is a beautiful city, full of amazing people and historic sites, and we were fortunate to have enthusiastic guides who truly love what they do. We highly recommend this tour to everyone! It left us with the very best memories.