Hot springs and ice of Lake Baikal

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How to make the dream of Lake Baikal come true? Go on a tour where the beauty of nature is diluted with a cultural program. Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Olkhon Island, Cape Burkhan are just some of what is to be seen.

And there is still a lot of Lake Baikal in all its manifestations: a bird's-eye view and a sip of clean water from the lake. We will try the signature Baikal cocktail and go to the thermal springs. We will visit caves, grottoes, see the splashes on the rocks and hummocks. And in the evenings we will warm up with tea with local herbs.

Location

Russia, Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

The Center of Buddhism in Russia

We will visit the most famous datsan of Buryatia – a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world

Hot baths on the shore of Lake Baikal

Let's gain strength in the warming healing springs in the middle of the snowdrifts of the Snake Bay

The largest ice rink in the world

Let's go ice skating and take memorable photos on the ice

Let's taste the water from the lake

You didn't imagine it! We will drink crystal clear, icy Baikal water directly from the hole

A rock with powerful energy

The shaman keeps secrets and legends of the Buryat shamanists. And you can also slow down and enjoy the most popular view of Lake Baikal

An exotic trip on Khivus

The safest and most comfortable transport for moving on ice. You will definitely like it!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Ulan-Ude – excursion to Ivolginsky Datsan
Our guide will meet you at Ulan-Ude airport, with a sign "Tour: Hot springs and Ice of Lake Baikal" (meeting time 08:30-9:00).
*If you are arriving at the railway station, please inform us in advance to arrange a meeting.
Breakfast.
Excursion to Ivolginsky Datsan, the center of Buddhism in Russia.
Ivolginsky datsan is the most famous datsan in Buryatia and an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists not only in Russia, but also around the world.
The tour route starts from the main gate of the datsan and goes in a circle along the movement of the sun (from left to right), during which the guide will tell the story of the creation of the datsan, about rituals, traditions, about daily life in the datsan and about the main deities worshipped by Buddhists.
On the way, tourists spin "Khurde" – prayer drums, inside of which Buddhist mantras are embedded, when the drums rotate, prayers are virtually read for the well-being and health of pilgrims and guests of the datsan.
Return to Ulan-Ude.
Check-in at the hotel.
Free time, an independent walk around Ulan-Ude and dinner (not included in the program).
Day 2 - Barguzin Bay – hot springs in Zmeevaya Bay – Chivyrkuysky Bay
Early breakfast (lunch box).
Departure to Lake Baikal – to the Barguzin Bay, the village of Maksimikha.
This is the largest bay on Lake Baikal, with gorgeous sandy beaches and beautiful pine trees.
Arrival, accommodation at the recreation center (comfortable rooms).
We are going to the hot springs in the Serpentine Bay. Through the snow-covered taiga forest we will get to the Chivyrkuysky Bay. Here we will visit the islands, caves and grottoes, which are accessible to us only at this time of the year.
And we will also take hot baths right in the fresh air. Just imagine: there are snowdrifts around you, Lake Baikal is in ice, and you are immersed in thermal natural mineral water, the temperature of which is 40 degrees. It's an indescribable feeling!
Return to the recreation center, dinner.

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Day 3 - Crossing Lake Baikal on ice – Olkhon Island – Cape Burkhan (Shamanka Rock)
Breakfast.
There are endless ice fields around us, shimmering in the sun. Here is Baikal in all its winter glory!
Our goal for today is Olkhon Island. We are in the heart of Lake Baikal. On the way, we will make several stops, look at ice caves and grottoes, splashes on the rocks.
We will visit Cape Burkhan.
Cape Burhan or Shamanka Rock is one of the nine shrines of Asia. It is here that shamans gather to perform all their rituals.
*The Olkhon Ice Fest takes place in February and March, you will see amazingly beautiful ice figures – real works of art!
We move to the mainland and stay in cozy rooms of the recreation center.
Depending on the ice conditions, the transit route can be adjusted.

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Day 4 - Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal – Baikal ice
Breakfast.
Excursion: Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal.
First, we go by khivus (hovercraft), the safest and most comfortable transport for traveling on the ice of Lake Baikal.
We reach the place. Our cars are already waiting for us here.
The transparency of the ice near the rocks is amazing, you can see every pebble, despite the depth of 20-40 meters, we drive a little further and there is a black abyss under our feet (the depth in this place is about 1,000 m), you step on the ice and your heart freezes.
We will drill a hole, each of our own, and drink crystal clear, icy Baikal water directly from Lake Baikal.
Here we will see hummocks. Ice blocks, piles of ice are the creation of Lake Baikal, its power and strength.
We try our signature Baikal cocktail, split, drink tea with Baikal herbs.
We'll have lunch right on the ice.
And we also take skates with us, so you will have the opportunity to ride around the largest ice rink in the world!
After walking around a lot, we get into the cars, go to the mountain, which offers a stunning bird's-eye view of Lake Baikal.
We return to the recreation center, dinner.
And then we go to bask in the Russian bath.

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Day 5 - Sightseeing tour of Irkutsk
Breakfast.
Transfer to Irkutsk.
Sightseeing tour of Irkutsk.
We will visit the Znamensky Monastery, next to which there is a monument to Admiral Kolchak.
Next, we will go to the place where in 1661 Yakov Pokhabov founded the Irkutsk prison, here we will see the most memorable and ancient shrine of Irkutsk – the Church of the Savior, next to the colorful Epiphany Cathedral, the Polish Church, the Eternal Flame, the Moscow Gate, a monument to the Pioneers.
Then we head to Gagarin Boulevard. Here are located: the monument to Emperor Alexander III, erected in honor of the completion of the Great Trans–Siberian Railway, the only Moorish Castle in Siberia - the building that now houses the Irkutsk Museum of Local Lore, the White House (or Sibiryakovsky Palace) – the house that belonged to the merchants Sibiryakov, and then for a long time served as the residence of the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia.
After the tour, check-in at the hotel.
Free time, an independent walk around Irkutsk and dinner (not included in the program).

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Day 6 - Returning home
Breakfast.
Check-out from the hotel (check-out time at 12:00).
Transfer to the airport.

Difficulty

For any person

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights
Camp Site

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in 2/3-bed comfortable rooms in hotels and at the campsite. The exact place of accommodation will be known a few days before the start of the tour.

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

2-3-local	1-local
75 500	93 715

The hotel is located in the very center of Ulan-Ude, a 10-minute walk from Ulan-Ude Main Train Station. It offers a sauna, a gym, a beauty salon and ticket offices. Rooms at the Buryatia Hotel are equipped with cable TV, a refrigerator and a seating area. Toiletries are provided in the bathroom.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude

Included in price

transportation services;
meals according to the program:
- Day 1 – breakfast, lunch;
- Day 2-4 – breakfast, lunch, dinner;
- Day 5 – breakfast, lunch;
- Day 6 – breakfast;
accommodation according to the program in rooms with amenities;
collection of the nationalthe park;
excursions and entertainment according to the program:
- Ivolginsky datsan;
- Chivyrkuysky Bay;
- hot springs in the Serpentine Bay;
- auto-transfer to Olkhon Island (Holy Nose, the deepest place, Khoboy, Three Brothers rock, Shamanka rock, ice caves);
- auto tour “Panoramas of Lake Baikal and ice hummocks”;
- lunch on ice;
- sightseeing tour of Irkutsk;
- bathhouse.

Paid extra

air or railway tickets to Ulan-Ude and back from Irkutsk;
dinners in Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk (1st and 5th day);
skate rental;
personal expenses.

It's important to know

Documents

passport;
for children, a birth certificate;
a compulsory medical insurance policy.

Camping equipment

sunscreen;
sunglasses (you can take a ski mask);
thermos (at your discretion);
personal hygiene products;
first aid kit (personal).

For the convenience of moving with personal belongings, you can take a backpack up to 40 liters or a small bag (in addition to a suitcase / bag that will be located at the hotel).

Necessary clothes and shoes

warm and stable shoes;
warm windproof jacket (with hood);
warm windproof trousers;
the cap is windproof, with a membrane;
warm two-layer scarf;
windproof gloves and mittens (gloves can be made of fleece, mittens must be with protective material);
thermal underwear;
fleece;
sweater, T-shirt;
trekking winter socks (moisture-absorbing), wool and cotton socks;
change of underwear;
bathing accessories (for visiting thermal springs).

Dates and Prices

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

$883

18 – 23 Feb, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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$883

25 Feb – 2 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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$883

1 – 6 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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