Half of Lake Baikal in 10 days

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An incredibly interesting tour with a visit to the western and eastern shores of Lake Baikal!

You will explore the Baikal Museum in Listvyanka, drive along the grand Circum-Baikal Railway and find yourself at the station, completely made of marble. From there you will go to the foot of the Sayan Mountains to the cozy village of Arshan, where you will taste mineral water, walk to waterfalls, get acquainted with Buddhism and relax in thermal baths.

You will also find a road to Transbaikalia, the hospitable Chivyrkuy Bay with sandy coves, a boat trip and swimming in thermal springs in Zmeinaya Bay with lunch at the campfire.

The highlight of the trip will be crossing Lake Baikal by ship, and anchor off the mystical island of Olkhon. Here you will meet the legendary sunset overlooking Shamanka, visit the "edge of the earth", hear fascinating legends, get acquainted with the traditions and customs of local residents.

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

US$ 1 589

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Circum-Baikal Railway

We will see more than 200 tunnels, bridges, galleries from the time of tsarist Russia

The magic of Olkhon

We will see the famous Shamanka rock and visit the "edge of the earth"

Healing springs of Arshan

Let's go to taste the mineral waters of Arshan

Ivolginsky datsan

We will visit the center of Russian Buddhism, where you can learn everything about the teachings of the Buddha

Barguzin Valley

We are waiting for an off-road adventure along the picturesque mountain valley of the Barguzin River far from civilization

Hospitality of Buryatia

Let's go to Ulan-Ude to visit the Old Believers — people who have preserved the customs and way of life in their villages three hundred years ago

Itinerary

Day 1 - Listvyanka is the business card of Lake Baikal
Our guide will meet you at the Irkutsk airport.
It is best to arrive in Irkutsk from 09:00 to 10:00 (local time).

At the airport, you get into a comfortable minibus and go with a guide to the village of Listvyanka, located on the shore of Lake Baikal (67 km from Irkutsk).
On the way, we will make a stop and visit the ethnographic museum of Taltsy.
A unique open-air park-museum, where architectural exhibits are collected, which are subject to flooding during the construction of numerous hydroelectric power plants on the Hangar.
You will have the opportunity to have a snack in a real "Tavern".
Upon arrival — accommodation in comfortable double rooms.
Visit to the only museum in Russia about Lake Baikal.
The Limnological museum provides very accessible and understandable information about the great lake.
The expositions are devoted to the history of the lake's origin, the peculiarities of natural landscapes, the seismic situation, the fauna of Lake Baikal, and the history of studying the lake.
Everyone's favorite exposition is aquariums, in which Baikal fish, crustaceans and even cute and modest seals are eagerly awaiting tourist guests.
At the end of the tour, you will have a virtual dive into the purest Baikal waters. You will be able to feel like real researchers!
We return to the hotel. Supper.
In the evening, you can walk on your own to the Chersky Stone observation deck, which offers a picturesque panorama: a view of the entire Larch Bay, the famous source of the Angara and the legendary Shaman stone.
Accommodation: hotel "Legend of Baikal"/"Demidov Manor", standard room, double occupancy.
Meals: dinner.

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Day 2 - Circum-Baikal Railway
Today, after breakfast, we are going on an exciting journey along the Circum-Baikal Railway.
First, by boat, we will admire from the side, then we will visit the tunnels on foot and have lunch in a picturesque place, and then we will travel by train along the KBZHD.
We will walk through the shortest and longest tunnels, plunge into the atmosphere of tsarist times.
With new knowledge, emotions and photos, we return to Irkutsk and check into a hotel. Supper.
Accommodation: Angara Hotel, standard room, double occupancy.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 3 - Irkutsk. The road to Olkhon
Breakfast.
A tour of the historical center of Irkutsk (duration about 2 hours).
You will visit the places where the history of the city originates, see the first churches, merchant houses, get acquainted with the unique architectural style "Siberian Baroque", walk along the embankments and hear a lot of useful and interesting information.
After the tour, we will go to the heart of Lake Baikal — Olkhon Island.
For lunch, we will stop at the Yurt cafe, where you will get acquainted with the national Buryat cuisine.
Placement.
You will meet the sunset while contemplating the famous Shamanka Rock.
Accommodation: hotel "Bencharova Manor", standard, double occupancy (Olkhon).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 4 - Olkhon Island
After a hearty breakfast, we will board UAZ SUVs and go to Olkhon Island.
Photos will not be able to convey all the magic of Olkhon, which can be felt only by visiting here.
Shamans all over the world consider this revenge sacred.
You will visit the "Edge of the Earth". This is the northernmost cape of the island — Khoboy.
The coast is cut off all along by steep rocky ledges in the sea.
But the cliffs rise above all in the north of Olkhon. To get there, you need to overcome the steppe landscape with incredible ascents and descents, very similar to roller coasters, sandy tract and impassable taiga.
Beautiful views will accompany you the whole trip. We will make many stops for photo shoots and walks.
Lunch cooked over a campfire will complement the feeling of unity with nature.
You will learn a lot about Lake Baikal, hear fascinating legends, get acquainted with the traditions and customs of local residents.
Accommodation: hotel "Bencharova Manor", standard, double occupancy (Olkhon).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 5 - Crossing of Lake Baikal
The significant event of this trip is the crossing of Lake Baikal.
After a good breakfast, we board the ship and set sail.
Baikal is only called a lake. But by nature it is a real sea.
We have about 80 km to go. by water.
On the way we will admire the beauty of Lake Baikal.
And we will "anchor" in the evening of the same day on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal.
We will stay in the village of Ust-Barguzin. Supper.
Accommodation: guest house in Ust-Barguzin village (cottage), double occupancy.
Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Day 6 - Barguzin Valley
Breakfast.
We are waiting for an excursion to the Barguzin Valley*.
This is an off-road adventure through the picturesque mountain valley of the Barguzin River far from civilization.
What is not here: stone gardens, a lake-marsh complex — the kingdom of cranes, ancient rock paintings. The pristine nature framed by mountains will be remembered for a long time.
Lunch with a family of local residents in the village of Suvo.
The trip will last until the evening, when the jeeps, tired but full of impressions, will take you back to Lake Baikal.
*A full circular tour of the Barguzin Valley is only available for a group of 15 people. If the group is not recruited, then an excursion to the Barguzin valley will be conducted only to the temple of the goddess Yanzhima.
Accommodation: guest house in Ust-Barguzin village (cottage), double occupancy.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 7 - Chivyrkuysky Bay
Breakfast.
The exploration of the eastern shore of Lake Baikal continues.
And the hero of this day is Chivyrkuy Bay, a habitat for many birds.
The second largest on Lake Baikal, Chivyrkuy Bay, is picturesque with sandy coves, rocky cliffs and islands.
You will be taken by car to the shore of the bay, where you will be transferred to a boat to get to the most secluded places.
You will visit the Serpentine Bay, where you will swim in the thermal springs of X. As well as in many other, less well-known, but no less beautiful bays of this large bay.
We cook lunch over a campfire.
The trip is designed for the whole day.
Accommodation: guest house in Ust-Barguzin village (cottage), double occupancy.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 8 - Ivolginsky datsan. Ulan-Ude
After breakfast, we will head to Ulan-Ude.
The scenic road runs first along the shore of Lake Baikal, and then passes through the pass.
You can have lunch at the cafe to your taste.
The afternoon is devoted to Buddhism.
You will visit the Ivolginsky Datsan, the center of Russian Buddhism. This is a huge complex where you can learn everything about the teachings of the Buddha.
Transfer to Ulan-Ude. Accommodation at the hotel.
Evening walk-tour of Ulan-Ude.
Transbaikalia is interesting not only by nature, but also by its rich history.
Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Buryatia Hotel, standard room, double occupancy (Ulan-Ude).
Meals: breakfast, dinner.

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Day 9 - The south of Lake Baikal. Tunka Valley
Breakfast.
Transfer along the scenic road along the southern part of Lake Baikal (by transport or by train).
We arrive in Slyudyanka, a village on the southern shore of Lake Baikal. Here you will be greeted by a train station made entirely of marble.
Today we will go along the Tunka valley to the mountain village of Arshan.
And for the night we will stay at a hotel at the foot of the majestic Sayan Mountains.
Accommodation, dinner.
Accommodation: Irkut Hotel, standard room, double room (Arshan).
Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Day 10 - Arshan — healing springs
After breakfast, breathing in the mountain air with a full chest, we will go to taste the mineral waters flowing directly from the bowels.
The springs are located close to each other, but the water in each of them is completely different in taste.
Next to the mineral springs, the mountain river is noisy with a ten-meter waterfall.
And to the side there is a Buddhist temple — datsan.
We will visit all this splendor before lunch.
You can have lunch at the cafe to your taste.
And then you will relax in the thermal pool.
Transfer to Irkutsk, accommodation, dinner.
Accommodation: Angara Hotel/Air Harbor, standard room, double occupancy (Irkutsk).
Meals: breakfast, dinner.

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Day 11 - Departure
Breakfast.
Self-service transfer to the airport.

Difficulty

For any person

Tour organizer's comments

We need to be ready to change hotels frequently and move up to 300 km per day

Accommodation

Hotel

6 nights
or

Guest House, Hotel

1 night
Guest House

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes hotel accommodation.

Standard + economy accommodation. Double accommodation in standard rooms — 7 nights, visiting locals — 3 nights.

The surcharge for single occupancy is from 2,000 to 2,500 rubles / day (since the places of residence are of different levels, specify the exact calculation when booking).

The three-star hotel is located in Irkutsk, next to the City Hall building on Kirov Square. It offers a beauty salon and 3 international restaurants. Free Wi-Fi is available. All rooms are decorated in bright colors.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

accommodation in hotels, tourist complexes, estates — double (according to the program);
excursions announced in the program;
meals specified in the program:
- breakfast in hotels;
- dinners in hotels;
- lunch on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th day;
all types of transfers according to the program: minivan/minibus on the highway, UAZ off-road;
guide services;
payment for a permit to visit the Baikal National Park.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals not specified in the program;
accommodation in Irkutsk before the start of the trip;
additional drinks and food (except as indicated in the program);
bathhouse.

It's important to know

Clothing and shoes:

Shoes: comfortable shoes for the season.
Removable shoes — slippers.
Socks — 2 pairs.
Change of underwear.
Swimsuit (for visiting thermal springs and baths, if they are in the program).
Warm jacket/ windbreaker — with hood.
Sweater/jacket.
Comfortable clothes for staying indoors.
T—shirts/turtlenecks - the quantity is at your discretion.

Personal items:

Suitcase /bag / backpack + small backpack for active excursions.
Individual first aid kit: medicines for you personally, Band-Aid, elastic bandage, cream....
Documents: passport, MHI insurance policy — packed in an airtight package.
Flashlight (with a spare set of batteries).
Photo camera.
Toiletries.
Towel (for visiting thermal springs).
Raincoat or umbrella.
Sunglasses.
Sunscreen.
A water bottle.

Dates and Prices

US$ 1 589

14 – 24 Jul 11 days 10 nights

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14 – 24 Sep 11 days 10 nights

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