Ice expanses: the Small Sea and Olkhon. Comfort tour

Let's go to the central part of the lake – to its very heart – to the Small Sea, it is here that everything is most incredible on winter Lake Baikal: mirror ice, hummocks, ice caves and grottos, and amazing panoramas of Lake Baikal – the very Baikal ice dotted with a spider web of cracks. 

Let's admire the Siberian expanses – fields, taiga, the Martian landscape of the Tagheran Steppes.

Location

Russia, Irkutsk
from
$565
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 Days
5 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 4 – 9 February, 2025
    • 11 – 16 February, 2025
    • 25 February – 2 March, 2025
    • 11 – 16 March, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    2 nights
  • Guest House
    2 nights
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Russia, Irkutsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Baikal tea from a samovar
Let's try the famous Baikal liquorice and tea from a samovar on Baikal water with local herbs
Legends of shamans
We will learn local legends, and how the religion of shamanism originated
The very Baikal ice
We will see the endless ice fields and skate

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Irkutsk – Tagherany – Small Sea

    Welcome to Irkutsk! 

    The meeting takes place in 2 stages: 

    • at the airport 8-8:30 (inside the building at the exit to the city with a sign "Ice expanses"). 
    • At the railway station 9-9:30 (meeting with a sign at the exit to the city inside the railway station building – suburban ticket offices).

    After gathering the group, we go to breakfast. 

    Tea, coffee, delicious breakfast, get acquainted, switch to rest and hit the road! 

    You probably can't wait to be on that very magical ice of Lake Baikal! 

    We are going to the central part of the lake – to its very heart – to the Small Sea, it is here that everything is most incredible on winter Lake Baikal: mirror ice, hummocks, bubbles, splashes, ice caves and grottos, and amazing panoramas of Lake Baikal from a height – the very Baikal ice dotted with a spider web of cracks. 

    A scenic route. 

    We admire the Siberian expanses – fields, taiga, the Martian landscape of the Tagheran steppes. 

    We will have several stops along the way, during which you will learn: what is burhanit, why is the monument to the Eagle located in the Tazheran Steppe, what is the Tramp singing about. 

    Arrival at the recreation center. 

    Check in to warm comfortable rooms. 

    A hearty lunch and an information meeting. 

    After that, you will have free time, you can relax or take a walk on the ice of Lake Baikal. 

    And you can also skate (rental point, on your own). 

    A delicious dinner awaits you in the evening. 

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

    Guide: Yes.

    3 more photos
  • Day 2 - ice. Excursion "Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal", a kiss of Lake Baikal and tea from a samovar
  • Day 3 - Ice caves – Ogoy – Cape Burkhan (Ice, Buddhism and shamanism).
  • Day 4 - Khoboy – the majestic north of the island
  • Day 5 - Transfer to Irkutsk
  • Day 6 - Flight home
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    2 nights
  • Guest House
    2 nights
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels, comfortable rooms.

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

2-3-local1-local
55 10071 800

The possible accommodation options are presented below, accommodation in other facilities is possible according to availability (i.e. at the discretion of the tour operator), not lower than the class.

Recreation center "Naratei" or similar 2 nights

The Naratei recreation center is waiting for its guests in the village of Sakhyurt. Parking, billiards, children's playground, sauna, shuttle service and more are at your disposal.

Wonderful cozy rooms have been created for you here so that you can get a quality rest and recharge with a lot of pleasant emotions from living in this place.

There is a restaurant on site where you can have a delicious meal and have a great time.

Shops and cafes are within walking distance. There are ample opportunities for tourism. Everyone here stays in solitude with the incredible nature of Lake Baikal.

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LakePlace Guest House or similar 2 nights
Yakovlev Hotel or similar 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
6 days 5 nights
Group meets at
Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

  • meeting at the railway station/airport;
  • accommodation specified in the program;
  • nutrition:
    • Day 1: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 2: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 3: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 4: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 5: Breakfast;
    • Day 6: Breakfast;
  • group transfers according to the program;
  • guided tours according to the program:
  • car tour in Zmeinaya Bay. Mirrored ice and hummocks.
  • car tour south of the island of Olkhon and O. Ogoi.
  • ice caves, Dragon Rock
  • auto excursion to Cape Khoboy (grottoes, splashes);
  • payment for a permit to visit the Baikal National Park.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
  • food and alcohol not specified in the program;
  • additional excursions and activities;
  • personal expenses. 

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Necessary clothes and shoes

  • warm and stable shoes;
  • a warm windproof jacket (preferably with a hood);
  • trousers with the same qualities as the jacket;
  • the hat is better synthetic, with a non-blown membrane;
  • warm two-layer scarf;
  • non-blown gloves and mittens (gloves can be made of fleece, mittens must be with protective material) it is better to take both;
  • thermal underwear;
  • fleece;
  • sweater, T-shirt;
  • trekking winter socks (moisture-absorbing) + wool socks (and light cotton ones).

Camping equipment

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

Also, 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).

Documents

  • passport;
  • a compulsory medical insurance policy.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
How much do additional excursions cost?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • $565
    4 – 9 Feb, 2025 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $565
    11 – 16 Feb, 2025 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $565
    25 Feb – 2 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $565
    11 – 16 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • T
    Tatyana
    2 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    Excellent organization, a small group, and the guide's full attention.
    2 Nov, 2024
    6 more photos