Hot springs and ice of Lake Baikal

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. 

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.

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.

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).

Breakfast.

Check-out from the hotel (check-out time at 12:00).

Transfer to the airport.