Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

16 more

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

Contact the tour coordinator

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

Or text us in messengers

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
Guided tours in the tour (priority) can be rearranged by day without changing the volume and quality of services provided.
Our guide will meet you at 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 museum park, which contains architectural exhibits that 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 about Lake Baikal in Russia.
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 wildlife of Lake Baikal, and the history of lake exploration.
Everyone's favorite exhibit is aquariums, where 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 can feel like real researchers!
We return to the hotel.
Accommodation: hotel Legend of Baikal/Demidov Manor, standard room, double occupancy.
Power supply: not included.

1 more photo
Day 2 - Circum-Baikal Railway
Today, after breakfast, we are going on an exciting journey along the Circum-Baikal Railway.
We will certainly drive through the entire KBZHD, walk through the shortest and longest tunnels, plunge into the atmosphere of tsarist times.
The tour will take place on an excursion train.
A hearty hot lunch awaits you on the way.
With new knowledge, emotions and photos, we arrive in Irkutsk and check into a hotel.
Guided 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", stroll along the embankments and hear a lot of useful and interesting information.
Accommodation: hotel Victoria/Rus/Baikal-Alaska, standard room, double occupancy.
Meals: breakfast, lunch.

1 more photo
Day 3 - The road to Olkhon
Breakfast.
We will go to the heart of Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island.
For lunch we will stop at a cafe where you will get acquainted with the national Buryat cuisine.
Accommodation in the village of Khuzhir.
In the evening we will walk along the shore of Lake Baikal.
You will see the famous Shamanka rock (Cape Burkhan).
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.
Dinner in a cafe /restaurant (to your taste).
Accommodation: hotel "Baykalov ostrog", standard, double occupancy (Olkhon).
Meals: breakfast, lunch.

1 more photo
Day 4 - Olkhon Island
Breakfast.
Free day.
You can spend this day in our hotel, which is located on the first coastline, take advantage of free options: kayaks, sup boards, beach.
We offer to visit the excursion "Islands of the Small Sea" for an additional fee.
Let's go conquer the Baikal expanses of the Small Sea.
We will definitely visit Ogoy Island, where the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment is located.
The tour will take place by boat.
It is believed that Buddhist stupas are designed to dissolve all negative obstacles in the world, favorably contribute to the prosperity of the area where they are built, and benefit people, especially those who visit these stupas consciously.
Dinner in a cafe /restaurant (to your taste).
Accommodation: hotel "Baykalov ostrog", standard, double occupancy (Olkhon).
Meals: breakfast.

2 more photos
Day 5 - A journey to the Ends of the Earth
After a hearty breakfast, we will board UAZ SUVs and go to explore the island of Olkhon.
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.
After the tour, a significant event of this trip awaits you – the crossing of Lake Baikal.
In the north of the island, in the town of Uzura, we board a 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.
Dinner on the ship.
Transfer to the hotel in Ust-Barguzin village.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Sindbad Hotel, standard, double occupancy (Ust-Barguzin).
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.
There are many things 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: Sindbad Hotel, standard, double occupancy (Ust-Barguzin).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

1 more photo
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, Chivyrkuysky 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. As well as in many other, less well-known, but no less beautiful coves of this large bay.
Lunch.
The trip is designed for the whole day.
Accommodation: Sindbad Hotel, standard, double occupancy (Ust-Barguzin).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

1 more photo
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.
Accommodation: Buryatia Hotel, standard room, double occupancy (Ulan-Ude).
Meals: breakfast.

3 more photos
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: Irkut Hotel, standard room, double occupancy (Arshan).
Meals: breakfast.
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 in a cafe to your taste.
And then you will relax in the thermal pool.
Transfer to Irkutsk, accommodation.
Accommodation: Air Harbor Hotel, standard room, double occupancy (Irkutsk).
Meals: breakfast.

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

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

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 provides accommodation in hotels along the route.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 35,000 rubles.

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.

1 more photo

Tour conditions

Group

From 6 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 (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners);
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 excursions;
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

$2,042

8 – 18 Jun 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

22 Jun – 2 Jul 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

6 – 16 Jul 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

20 – 30 Jul 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

3 – 13 Aug 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

17 – 27 Aug 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

31 Aug – 10 Sep 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now
$2,042

14 – 24 Sep 11 days 10 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now

Reviews

N
Natalia

28 Dec, 2024

The tour exceeded all expectations. Lake Baikal has truly captured my heart. I witnessed incredible beauty and felt recharged with an energy I couldn't have imagined. In just ten days, you can fully experience the essence of Lake Baikal. If you're looking to reset and rejuvenate, this is the place to go.
O
Olga

about provider

29 Dec, 2024

Everything was top-notch!!! Thank you so much for the excellent organization!!
N
Natalia

about provider

28 Dec, 2024

Everything was impeccably organized, with no hiccups at all. The coordination was seamless. Our group consisted entirely of travelers aged 50 and above, but that didn’t stop us from exploring the most remote and stunning spots around Lake Baikal. We were fortunate to have the wonderful guide Irina Perlova, who made it all possible. Many thanks to the tour operator for an unforgettable experience.

Half of Lake Baikal in 10 days