Hiking to Shumak. Sacred springs

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Do you want to conquer the eastern Alps? Then go hiking with backpacks on the Tunka loaches. Enjoy the clean mountain air and unforgettable landscapes, try the healing springs of the Shumak River.

Location

Irkutsk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Unity with nature

Let's go on a real camping trip

Walking trip

We will enjoy the beauty of mountain landscapes, rivers and lakes on the way

Itinerary

Day 1 - Irkutsk – Tunka valley – village The Nile Desert
Meeting at the Irkutsk airport at the information desk at 10:00.

Departure to the Tunka Valley.

Along the way you will see the beautiful peaks of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, many still have snow on them.

The Eastern Sayan is a mountain system that stretches from Lake Baikal to the Yenisei, about 1000 km.

Previously, it was supposed to be the bottom of the ocean.

Lunch at the cafe (self-paid).

Arrival in the village of Nilov Deserts (about 15:00).

The main part of the village is occupied by the resort of the same name, using the Nile hot springs.

We will stop near a mountain river.

Distribution of products by participants.

The participants take an active part.

We cook dinner together.

In the evening – acquaintance, rest.

We recommend arriving the day before the start of the tour. The products are distributed among the participants. The distribution of duty. In case of delay for any reason, tourists catch up with the group on their own.
Day 2 - Transparent mountain lakes and mountain rivers
Breakfast.
Preparation for the campaign and distribution of products.
For those who took horses (paid in advance), packing of equipment.
Each participant takes with him a warm jacket, a rain cape and dishes for a snack.
The guide takes the cauldrons and food for lunch.
Those who do not take horses go with their belongings, as well as distributed food and group equipment.
Transfer to the picturesque lake.
Lunch.
From the lake, in the distance, the peaks of the Eastern Sayan Mountains will be visible.
If possible, go to the river.
Supper.
Day trip: 3 – 5 hours.
Day 3 - Majestic mountains of the Eastern Sayan Mountains
After breakfast (around 9 a.m.), having packed our tents, we set off for the mountains.

There is a slight climb and our path lies along a picturesque path. Occasionally we get a view from above of the valley of the Ehe-Ger River.

The panorama of the mountains and surroundings is so beautiful, especially at dawn, when the sun shines on the very peaks.

Rest, dinner by the campfire.

A night in the mountains, near huge peaks and a surprisingly clear river.

Day trip: 8 – 9 hours.
Day 4 - Crossing the Shumak pass, descent to the waterfall
Early breakfast.
Today we have to cross the Shumaksky pass (2870m.).
In the morning, our path will lie along a mountain valley, with a minimum climb.
When approaching the pass, a ferry awaits us, after which the trail begins to climb up.
The beauty surrounding the neighboring peaks, mountain lakes, all this opens up to the one who ascends the pass.
Mountains are mountains, we move to the top with caution.
Lunch or snack.
The descent goes along a narrow path at the beginning, and then over the rocks to the lake and then to one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the Shumak River (3-4 hours).
The water falls in a huge stream from a great height and the noise of the waterfall can be heard from afar.
Dinner at the waterfall of the tributary of the Shumak river.
Day trip: 12-16 hours.
Day 5 - The transition to the Shumak sources
After breakfast, walk along the river along the trail to the Shumak springs.

More than 100 mineral springs with different temperatures and mineralization attract many people from different countries every year both for treatment and for viewing these amazing places.

There are many handmade crafts on the sources and left as a gift to Shumak.

According to legend, once a hunter brought two daughters Dolzhon and Molzhon to Shumak to cure them.

But a tragedy happened, and the girls died.

The spirits of the sisters became the mistresses of the area.

They get angry when people quarrel, pollute their "house" and destroy the forest, and love when their guests sing and have fun.

There are places of worship for the sisters throughout the trail.

An offering must be made to every girl.

Lunch.

Free time, excursion to the springs.

Rest, dinner by the campfire.

Day trip: 5-6 hours.
Day 6 - A walk to the Marble Waterfalls
Dawn is the best time to visit the springs.

You will be able to visit the mineral springs, try each source and make sure that they are all different in both temperature and mineralization.

After lunch, a walk to the Marble Waterfalls.

The river has created an amazing cascade of waterfalls in the rocks, where there are large deposits of marble.

At the same time, we will visit only a small part of them, since it will take all day to visit all the waterfalls.

Supper.

Recreation, entertainment, gatherings around the campfire.
Day 7 - Walking-trekking "Sacred pillars"
Breakfast.

Walking-trekking "Sacred pillars" ("Huuheyin-hada" or "Mountain-child").

The pillars are located 6 km downstream of the Shumak River.

It is believed that the guardian spirit of Shumak lives in this place.

Here people leave their requests, wishes, and bring souvenirs.

The place has healing power.

It is believed that if you sit with your eyes closed, you can see your future.

Lunch.

Return to the sources.

Day trip: 7 – 9 hours.
Day 8 - Crossing to the waterfall
Breakfast.
Fees.
Backpacks have become lighter.
Today we are going back, but first we will definitely visit the springs again.
Let's walk along the picturesque trails that people have made bypassing each source.
Perhaps someone will leave their offerings here as a sign of gratitude to this amazing place in the Eastern Sayan Mountains.
Lunch.
The transition to the waterfall we know.
The trail goes along the river and opens up many amazing and picturesque places during trekking.
The group goes together, no one lags behind or runs ahead.
Together, we climb up to the pass.
Installation of tents.
We are preparing for the night.
Supper.
Rest.
Those who have agreed with the horses, let's load up again.
Do not forget to bring a jacket, raincoat and dishes.
Day 9 - Return to the Nile Desert
Breakfast.
Return by the same route to the Nile Desert.
Crossing the Shumaksky pass is 2760 meters.
Horses also go to Shumak through this pass.
From a distance, it looks like a deep oval saddle with a greenish scree on the slope.
We overcome the descent and descend into the valley we already know.
The crossing.
Lunch.
Transition to the forest area.
On the way back along the same path, the road seems easier, and nature never ceases to amaze.
It feels like you're walking this route for the first time.
We put up tents and stop for the night.
At a good pace, it is possible to spend the night closer to the lake.
Day 10 - Transfer to the parking lot near the Yehe-Ger River
Breakfast.
Today there is time to get up a little later, sleep it off.
We prepare breakfast, assemble tents.
We walk along the forest path down to the lake, where we spent the night for the first time.
The lake again surprises with its beauty, at different times of the year it is beautiful in its own way.
Its color changes with the change of the weather, as well as during the day.
Lunch by the lake.
Rest.
And then we go down to the parking lot near the Yehe-Ger River.
We're setting up camp.
We are preparing dinner.
Rest.
Day 11 - Buddhist Datsan "Burhan-Baabai"
Breakfast.
Today we go out as close as possible to the country road and stop not far from the tourist shelter.
By agreement, you can stand a little further by the river, where there are fewer people.
The guide makes the final decision.
With a good pace and early arrival, it is possible to go to the local Buddhist Datsan "Burhan-Baabai".
In the Buryat language, the name means "White Sandy".
The only religious Buddhist building in Russia, Zhalsan, is located on the territory of the Datsan.
It is a pillar and a barrel with Buddhist books, relics and coins fixed on it.
Lunch.
Installation of tents.
Rest.
We cook dinner on our own.
Day 12 - Departure to Irkutsk. Completion of the program
Breakfast.
Free time for packing.
After lunch, departure to Irkutsk.
Arrival time is usually in the evening after 19:00.
Completion of the program.
On request, accommodation in a hotel with facilities on the floor (paid separately).

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

Physical training and experience of active hiking are required.

Accommodation

Tent

11 nights

Comfort

Basic

On the active part of the route, overnight stays in 4-5-person tourist tents.

Single and double occupancy is possible for an additional fee and subject to availability:

extra charge for a double room – 3,000 rubles/person;
the surcharge for a single room is 4,000 rubles/person.

Overnight stays in 4-5-person tents on the route. Accommodation in tents is common, there is no gender separation, when making an application, be sure to clarify to the manager your wishes for accommodation in a tent (for example, if you have a married couple, you want to live alone and other basic wishes for settlement).

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

12 days 11 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

meals according to the program (from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12, we cook together), as well as grocery shopping and dropping them off at the beginning of the route;
meeting in Irkutsk, transfers according to the program;
accommodation in tents;
guide services;
group boiler equipment and first aid kit.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
translation services. Booked in advance;
cook's services (on request). Booked in advance;
bathhouse. Payment on the spot;
horses (for carrying food and equipment. We remind you that food bookmarks are made on the route for the return trip);
accommodation before and after the start of the route.

It's important to know

A passport (birth certificate for the child), an MHI policy, a certificate from a therapist if there are chronic diseases (the tourist assumes responsibility for his health on the tour).
Backpack for women with a volume of at least 70-80 liters, for men 80-90 liters.
The mat is polyurethane.
A plastic bag or a hermetic bag (inserted inside the backpack to protect against moisture).
The headlamp.
Sunglasses.
Sleeping bag – temperature regime depending on the time of year and place of travel.
A spoon, a mug, a knife.
A rain cape is only for routes where the temperature stays above zero.
Matches sealed in polyethylene or plastic packaging or a lighter.
Individual first aid kit (with the necessary set of personal medicines, no more than 200 grams).
Photo camera.
A thermos or a plastic bottle.
Protective equipment against bites of blood-sucking insects (mainly on routes where the temperature does not drop below zero).
Sunburn products (required in the mountains and traveling by water).
Underwear - at least 2-3 sets.
Thermal underwear (set, depending on the time of year. Jacket + tights) - 1-2 pcs.
Trousers are lightweight, sporty, for daily wear, depending on the time of year.
Jacket, fleece, etc. 1-2 pcs. (preferably made of modern materials).
Storm suit – jacket + trousers. Availability is mandatory (In summer – protection from wind and rain. The jacket is better insulated with a hood (according to the time of the year). As a rule, it must be available in the mountains and on Lake Baikal. Trousers – protection from wind and moisture.
Socks are simple (or trekking) – 2-4 pairs.
Wool socks (trekking, insulated) – at least 2 pairs.
Shoes, 2 pairs – trekking boots and sneakers with thick soles or sneakers + rubber boots with a liner and a warm insole. During the day in the mountains, the sun is active and snowmelt is possible, so shoes should have good water-repellent properties.
Light sneakers on request (for crossings, recreation centers, on trains, etc.).
Tracking sticks.
Warm sports hat – 2 pcs (in summer a cap with a visor + a cap);
Personal hygiene products (toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, etc.);
Gloves in summer are a simple 2 pairs. In winter and climbing – insulated gloves – 1 pair and very warm mittens – 1 pair.

In case of delay for any reason, tourists catch up with the group on their own. We recommend arriving the day before the start of the tour! The products are distributed among the participants. Distribution of duty!

The company reserves the right to change the program without changing the volume and quality of the services provided. (The program may be changed due to natural and climatic conditions, force majeure, disruption of public transport, etc.)

We inform you that the national teams include participants of different ages and physical fitness. Therefore, we ask you to take this into account when buying a tour.

Participants independently take turns cooking along the entire route, set up tents, harvest firewood and carry out the transfer of all necessary equipment (including kayaks). They help the guide in every possible way in creating a favorable psychological environment in the group.

The guide guides along the route, distributes duties among the participants, but does not play the role of a guide, animator, psychologist, etc. If you want to get more information about Lake Baikal, then perhaps you should purchase an excursion tour, since, in an active tour, the main goal is still a safe and comfortable passage of the route from start to finish as well as the opportunity to visit picturesque places where tour groups never go, to acquire certain skills that may be useful in further travels.

The guide (instructor) coordinates all the movements of the group along the route, according to the tour program. If you have any questions about equipment, overcoming certain obstacles on the route, immediately contact the guide. Tourists receive all information about the area, history, and culture when visiting museums and excursions.

Tourists are required to familiarize themselves with the rules of conduct on the route before buying a tour. Of course, all our guides live on Lake Baikal and they will be happy to tell you about their lives, the way of life of the local population, customs, local cuisine (what to try and what to buy with you home), etc. They will share with you the stories they know about Lake Baikal. They are also always happy to play various games with tourists if the tour participants support the guide in all his initiatives.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$497

28 Jun – 9 Jul, 2025 12 days 11 nights

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$497

2 – 13 Aug, 2025 12 days 11 nights

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$497

30 Aug – 10 Sep, 2025 12 days 11 nights

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No need to pay now