Diving into Lake Baikal. Easy trekking and excursions

The tour harmoniously combines excursions and hiking trips that will show you all the beauty of the nature of Lake Baikal. The program will begin with Irkutsk and the open–air ethnographic museum on the banks of the Angara - Taltsy River. And then we will get to the Baikal Museum with its amazing aquatic world and inhabitants. 

Next, we will walk along the Circum-Baikal Railway and along the shore of Lake Baikal along the Great Baikal Trail. And then we will change the urban landscape to the endless steppes – the road will lead into the real taiga and in front of Lake Baikal, the taiga will part, exposing the Tazheran steppes soaked with winds with the aromas of herbs.

Location

Irkutsk
from
US$ 753
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
8 Days
7 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 19 – 26 Jul
    • 16 – 23 Aug
    • 16 – 23 Sep
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
  • Guest House
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Premium
Difficulty
Moderate
Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
7 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

Folk fun
We will visit the Taltsy ethno-museum and have fun on stilts and Siberian swings
Baikal seal
Let's get acquainted with the cutest seals living in the aquariums of the Baikal Museum
A walk along the KBZHD
We will reach the first tunnel of the famous railway, have a picnic and swim
Trekking along the Great Baikal Trail
We will admire nature and drink tea infused with Baikal herbs at rest stops

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Irkutsk. The Taltsy Museum. The Baikal Museum. Listvyanka

    Welcome to Irkutsk!

    Gathering a group: 

    • airport (8-8.30 at the airport, opposite the baggage claim, inside the building);
    • Railway station (9-9.30 suburban ticket offices at the entrance, outside) with a sign. 

    Breakfast, acquaintance and discussion of the program. 

    Irkutsk city tour.

    Irkutsk is an ancient Siberian city with a rich history and famous surnames. 

    You will get acquainted with Count Speransky, Count Muravyov-Amursky, merchants Sibiryakov, Sukachev and many famous personalities.

    Transfer to the Taltsy Museum.

    The unique open–air museum is located on the territory of 67 hectares, it was opened in 1969, when during the construction of the hydroelectric dam along the Angara, buildings - monuments of architecture of the 17th century fell into the flood zone. 

    Not only the Spasskaya Passage Tower and the Kazan Church of the Ilimsky Ostrog, but also other unique historical and architectural monuments of the Irkutsk region were transported to the future museum. 

    On July 18, 1980, the Museum of Wooden Architecture received its first visitors.

    Today, the museum recreates the cultural and everyday life of the Siberian village of the 17th and 19th centuries. 

    Here you will see the estates of wealthy peasants, the Spasskaya Tower of the Ilimsky ostrog, the Parish Council, the parish school, the temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God of the 17th century. 

    What is especially interesting is that each courtyard of the museum has its own exposition, you can go into each house and plunge into the atmosphere of those times. 

    Transfer to the village of Listvyanka and a meeting with Lake Baikal. 

    We will reach the place where the Angara originates, the only river flowing from Lake Baikal. 

    At its source is a shaman stone, fanned by myths and legends. 

    He holds back the mighty streams of the river, which once escaped to its beloved Yenisei. 

    Excursion to the Baikal Museum. 

    This is a real research institute. 

    You will learn the secret of the purity of Baikal water and forecasts for the evolution of the deepest lake. 

    The aquarium is home to hamaruses and sponges, gobies and grayling, sturgeon, omul and Baikal seal. 

    A walk through Listvyanka.

    At the fish market, we will try Baikal fish, choose souvenirs for memory. 

    Lunch during the tour. 

    Accommodation in a hotel in Listvyanka. 

    Dinner on your own. 

    Guide: Yes. Meals: breakfast, lunch. Accommodation: room with comfort/comfort+ amenities.

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  • Day 2 - A walk along the Circum-Baikal Railway
  • Day 3 - Boat trip and the Great Baikal Trail
  • Day 4 - The Small Sea
  • Day 5 - Free day
  • Day 6 - Free day
  • Day 7 - Transfer to Irkutsk
  • Day 8 - Departure
Difficulty
Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers
Tour organizer's comments

The program has two easy tracks of 15 and 24 km. in the day.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    4 nights
  • Guest House
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
  • Premium

The tour provides accommodation in hotels, rooms with amenities.

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

DatesJune, SeptemberJuly, August
Comfort
Irkutsk (Cote d'Azur, Yakovlev, 130 hotel or equivalent), Listvyanka (Breeze, Surf or equivalent), Small Sea (Naratei, Eldorado or equivalent).
2-3-local 66 29069 730
Surcharge for 1-bed20 50020 500
Comfort +
Irkutsk 4* (Marriott, Baikal Forest, Central or analog), Listvyanka (Lighthouse, Legend of Lake Baikal or analog), Maloe More (Bayar, Endemic or analog).
Irkutsk 3* (Empire, Irkutsk or equivalent), Listvyanka (Lighthouse,
Legend of Lake Baikal or equivalent), the Small Sea (Bayar, Endemic or equivalent)
2-3-local74 29077 730
Surcharge for 1-bed22 00022 000

 

Baikal Forest Hotel or Matryoshka Hotel or 1 night
Baikal Forest Hotel

Baikal Forest Hotel is located in Irkutsk, 2.5 km from V. Bronstein Gallery. It offers a bar and private parking. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi, as well as room service. Those who wish can book family rooms.

They are equipped with air conditioning, a desk, a kettle, a refrigerator, a safe and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in each room at Baikal Forest Hotel.

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Another option
Matryoshka Hotel

Matryoshka Hotel is located in the center of Irkutsk, a 5-minute walk from the Central Market. There is a shared lounge at the property. Decembrist Square is 1 km away.
All rooms at the hotel are decorated in bright colors and feature a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Free toiletries are provided in the bathroom.

Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant or visit nearby cafes and restaurants. A free breakfast is served daily.

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Another option
The Empire Hotel

The Empire Hotel, which overlooks the Angara River, is located in the historical part of Irkutsk, a 5-minute walk from Kirov Square. It offers free Wi-Fi, regional cuisine, and a bar.

All rooms of the Empire Hotel are decorated in a modern style. They are equipped with a telephone, a safe and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The private bathrooms are equipped with a hairdryer. Bathrobes are provided upon request.

A hearty buffet breakfast is served every morning at the Empire Hotel. The hotel's restaurant serves Russian and European cuisine.

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The Breeze Hotel or The Mayak Hotel 3 nights
Guest house "Eldorado" or Guest house "Bayar Recreation Center" 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
8 days 7 nights
Group meets at
Irkutsk

Included in price

  • meeting in Irkutsk;
  • transport and excursion services according to the program minibuses / minibuses, Uaz during excursions along the coast;
  • meals according to the program:
    • Day 1 – breakfast, lunch;
    • Day 2 – breakfast, lunch-picnic;
    • Day 3 – breakfast, lunch-picnic;
    • Day 4-6 – breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 7 – breakfast, lunch;
    • Day 8 – breakfast.
  • 2/3-bed accommodation in hotels according to the comfortable rooms program: Listvyanka, Maloe Morye, Irkutsk;
  • guided tours according to the program:
    • sightseeing tour of the city of Irkutsk;
    • Ethnographic museum "Taltsy";
    • Baikal Museum with aquariums;
    • a walk through Listvyanka;
    • trekking on the Circum-Baikal Railway (10km);
    • trekking along the Great Baikal Trail to Big Cats (24km);
  • entrance tickets according to the program: 
    • Taltsy Museum;
    • Baikal Museum;
    • collection of the Baikal National Park.

Paid extra

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

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • comfortable shoes worn for trekking. Not new!
  • Headdress: Panama hat/cap;
  • windproof jacket;
  • backpack for personal belongings during trekking (small);
  • thermos or water bottle (0.5-1L);
  • sunglasses;
  • sunscreen;
  • external battery for phone/camera;
  • bathing accessories;
  • necessary medicines;
  • sticks, optional;
  • other personal items and clothes necessary for the entire rest period.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What additional excursions can be booked on the Small Sea?

Dates and Prices

  • from US$ 792
    19 – 26 Jul 8 days 7 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from US$ 792
    16 – 23 Aug 8 days 7 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from US$ 753
    16 – 23 Sep 8 days 7 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now