By sea and by land. Excursions and recreation on Lake Baikal

After breakfast, we take the bus to Olkhon Island along the road that runs through the steppes past ancient Buryat villages, through the picturesque spurs of the Baikal ridge, the Siberian taiga, which then again give way to the Mongolian landscapes of the Tazheran steppe. 

Transfer by regular tourist transport to Olkhon Island.

The ferry to Olkhon Island is the largest of the 26 islands of Lake Baikal, its geographical, historical and sacred center, even in its shape resembling the outlines of a lake.

The crossing takes about 40 minutes; you will see both the "Small" and "Big" seas – two parts of Lake Baikal, separated by Olkhon, and the famous Olkhon Gate Strait, which runs between the island and the mainland. 

Another 40 kilometers around the island and you are in the village of Khuzhir, the capital of the island.

We stay at the campsite and – go ahead – conquer the unexplored expanses of Olkhon Island.

An evening activity for you will be a walking sightseeing tour of the surrounding area: a walk through the village of Khuzhir, a visit to the sacred cape Burkhan (Shaman Rock) – one of the 9 shrines of Asia, equally revered by shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists.

For those who wish, an excursion to the local museum of local lore, where a collection of ancient objects reflecting the life and culture of the islanders is presented (for an additional fee.payment).

After a busy day of travel experiences, the first acquaintance with the island and walks in the fresh air, sleep in a cozy authentic wooden house will be deep and long.

Length: 320 km. On the way: ~ 7 hours.
Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, dinner at the campsite.

Despite the fact that Olkhon is an island, there are such distances and roads that if you go on an excursion, it's for the whole day.

So this day will be spent almost entirely on an excursion to Cape Khoboy – the northern tip of the island, near the widest part of Lake Baikal.

On the way you will be able to see all the variety of Baikal natural landscapes concentrated on the island:  steppes with bays jutting deep into the land, sand dunes, mixed deciduous forests with areas of relict spruce forest, picturesque cliffs on the shore made of marble covered with red lichens.

And on the cape itself, with a panoramic view of the northern part of Lake Baikal, and in good weather you can see the outlines of the Ushkany Islands and the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula – a walk through the surroundings, during which the guide will tell you about the legends, traditions and customs associated with these places.

And if the local gods are quite complacent, they will give you the opportunity to see the unique Baikal seal, the only freshwater relative of the seal. 

Meals included: breakfast, dinner at the campsite, hot picnic lunch.

Today is your free day, and everyone can choose the entertainment to their taste.

If you enjoyed traveling around Olkhon, we offer you to ride a bicycle through the Olkhon expanses (for an additional fee.payment).

Well, those who like to be lazy in the sun are waiting for the sandy beach of the Sarai Bay.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner at the campsite.

Today you will have a short trip – on a speedboat.

You will walk along Lake Baikal from the west coast to the east coast.

During a short cruise, you will see a magnificent panorama of the lake, with its valleys, wooded slopes.

You will find yourself on the shore of the Barguzin Bay, the largest bay of Lake Baikal.

The Barguzin River, rich in fish, flows into the bay, there are unique nature reserves nearby, and the Barguzin Valley, according to legend, is the birthplace of Genghis Khan's ancestors.

In the next two days you will discover this protected land, but for now we are staying at a cozy campsite on the coast.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the campsite.

In the next two days on the shore of the bay, everyone will be able to choose entertainment to their liking.

Numerous excursions are offered for the curious (for an additional fee): by water, for example, along the Barguzin Bay, by car – to the legendary Barguzin Valley, or on foot – along the Holy Nose peninsula.

It is worth visiting the neighboring Chivyrkuy Bay and the famous Zmeinaya Bay (for an additional fee) with a thermal spring.

Fishing enthusiasts, of course, will not miss the chance to explore the local fish stocks (fishing gear can be rented directly at the campsite).

Fans of beach holidays will certainly appreciate the warm water, the absence of wind and water attractions (for an additional fee).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the campsite.

Free time to relax.

Numerous excursions are offered for the curious (for an additional fee): by water, for example, along the Barguzin Bay, by car – to the legendary Barguzin Valley, or on foot – along the Holy Nose peninsula.

It is worth visiting the neighboring Chivyrkuy Bay and the famous Zmeinaya Bay (for an additional fee) with a thermal spring.

Fishing enthusiasts, of course, will not miss the chance to explore the local fish stocks (fishing gear can be rented directly at the campsite).

Fans of beach holidays will certainly appreciate the warm water, the absence of wind and water attractions (for an additional fee).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the campsite.

After a few days of outdoor recreation, it's time to return to civilization, especially since it is very original and interesting here.

While not saying goodbye to Lake Baikal (you will still see it – though already from the train window), you will take a bus to the next point of your journey – the city of Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, called the "eastern gate of Russia".

Transfer by regular transport to Ulan-Ude.

The length of the crossing: 240 km.
Meals included: breakfast at the campsite.

In the morning we invite you to a sightseeing tour of Ulan-Ude, during which you will see the old part of the city, merchant mansions with rich carvings, stone buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries. 

The tour goes outside the city and, admiring the boundless Mongolian steppe, you find yourself at the main local attraction – Ivolginsky Datsan – an active Buddhist monastery, the capital of Buddhism in Russia. 

Lunch time is also a kind of excursion in a real Buryat yurt with real dishes of national Buryat cuisine.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, lunch at the cafe.

This day will continue the process of learning about the peoples of various nationalities, beliefs and traditions inhabiting the shores of Lake Baikal.

The split of Christianity in Russia is known to us from school textbooks and the painting about Boyarina Morozova.

Russian Russian Orthodox Believers exiled to Siberia after the split of the Russian Orthodox Church in the XVII century will help to see in real life how the followers of Patriarch Nikon differ from traditional Orthodox Russians.

During the tour, you will get acquainted with their distinctive culture, customs and folklore, and taste traditional cuisine.

In the evening, boarding the night train, which, having rounded Lake Baikal from the south, will bring you early in the morning to the city of Irkutsk. 

Power is included: breakfast at the hotel, dinner in the village of Old Believers.

The final day of the program and acquaintance with the ancient Siberian city of Irkutsk.

Sightseeing tour of the city: visit the historical center, the embankment of the Angara river, architectural monuments.

Excursion to the Znamensky Monastery with one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Siberia, famous for its iconostasis and burials on the territory (graves of the Decembrists, Grigory Shelikhov, etc.).

Visit to the central market and souvenir shop.

The approximate end time of the program is 13:00.

Power is included: breakfast at the hotel.