Ice expanses: the Small Sea and Olkhon. Comfort tour

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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

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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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.

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Day 2 - ice. Excursion "Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal", a kiss of Lake Baikal and tea from a samovar
Breakfast at the recreation center.
For those who wish, an excursion for an additional fee: Baikal space (bay with bubbles) and mirrored ice expanses, Trident and Panoramas of the Small Sea, ice splashes.
Lunch at the recreation center.
After lunch, we go on a car tour "Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal" (included in the price of the tour).
We are going to Big Baikal to watch the hummocks and smooth mirrored ice.
Panoramic views, a cozy bay, endless ice fields.
Stunningly beautiful piles of ice, turquoise, blue transparent, they delight, looking at them you understand what power and strength there is in Lake Baikal.
Here we will taste the Baikal drink and try the famous Baikal liquorice and, of course, tea from a samovar on Baikal water with local herbs.
And we also take skates with us (skate rental is paid additionally), there will certainly be an opportunity to ride around the largest ice rink in the world!

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Day 3 - Ice caves – Ogoy – Cape Burkhan (Ice, Buddhism and shamanism).
Breakfast at the recreation center.
We go on an excursion with our belongings, since after that we already check into another recreation center – on the island of Olkhon.
The ice caves are our first stop.
Ice stalactites and stalagmites: thousands of icicles of different shapes, smooth, fluffy, crystal, droplets and slender crystal.
We admire, take pictures, enjoy, but very carefully – we will leave the beauty for other tourists!
Next, we head to the central part of the Small Sea – to the island of Ogoy.
A Buddhist stupa of Enlightenment is installed here, let's get acquainted with the history of Buddhism in the Baikal region and make a wish, observing all traditions, so that it will definitely come true.
And of course we will take a photo against the background of Cape Dragon.
Next, we are waiting for the most sacred attraction of Lake Baikal – Cape Burkhan.
It is covered with legends and unusual stories.
This cape is one of the most energetically powerful places of Lake Baikal and one of the 9 shrines of Asia.
Cape Burkhan, or as it is also called – Shamanka Rock – has a powerful energy, and since ancient times this place has been treated with reverence.
On an excursion to Cape Burhan, you will learn local legends about how the religion of Shamanism originated and what role nature plays in the life of the local population.
Here you will have the opportunity to walk around the site and admire the cape on one side, and the sandy Sarai beach stretching for 3 km on the other.
Lunch during the tour.
After the tour, check in at the recreation center, before dinner you will have some free time: you can walk on the ice on foot or rent skates.
And there are incredible sunsets and sunrises on Cape Burkhan.
Guide: the guide is a driver.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

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Day 4 - Khoboy – the majestic north of the island
Breakfast.
Today we are waiting for one of the most interesting, amazing and popular excursions on Lake Baikal – an excursion to Cape Khoboy!
Khoboy is the northernmost tip of Olkhon Island, a sacred place, where power and strength are felt.
We have a unique opportunity to see it from the Baikal side, drive up to its foot.
Along the way, we will have several stops, during which we will see ice caves, splashes, sokui, as well as Baikal hummocks and blue ice floes.
If we see the Baikal ice expanses, then why do thousands of people go to Lake Baikal every year!
Lunch is a picnic in the fresh air.
Return to the recreation center, dinner.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner.
Guide: the guide is a driver.

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Day 5 - Transfer to Irkutsk
Breakfast.
Departure to Irkutsk (approximate departure time from Olkhon is 12:00-14:00, information on a specific departure will be provided the day before).
Attention: check-out before 12:00.
The estimated time of arrival in Irkutsk is 19:00-20:00.
Hotel accommodation, free time in Irkutsk.
You can walk around the snow-covered city, take photos against the background of churches, and also visit the Embankment of the Angara River, 130 wooden quarter where there are many cafes and restaurants.
Meals: breakfast.
Guide: No.

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Day 6 - Flight home
Breakfast at the hotel, the end of the tour.
Check-out time at the hotel is 12:00, the room must be vacated before 12:00 or extended on the spot.
Additionally, it is possible to order a transfer to the airport or to the railway station, you can also order a taxi on the spot.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

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-local	1-local
55 100	71 800

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.

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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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

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.

Car excursions (UAZ – loaf) - the price is per tourist.
Panoramas and hummocks of Lake Baikal Duration: 3 hours Ice skating, "Kiss of Baikal", Samovar on ice! Excursion to the Serpentine Bay, it is a beautiful bay in itself: the right shape, framed by high mountains on both sides, but in winter there are its own highlights. Beautiful clean ice - there is no such thing anywhere else. It is here that the amazing, mighty hummocks are located! In words or photos do not show the full power of these Baikal sculptures, they are worthy special attention should be paid to them in person! And the color: white, blue, bright turquoise, blue ... the rays of the sun and the sky inside ice. Hummocks are piles of ice fragments along the cracks or through cracks. When the temperature rises and the cracks narrow, the ice it is squeezed onto the surface and creates hummocks. Since the extension and if the narrowing is repeated, then the hummocks along the gap form a pronounced the ice shaft. Two lines of hummocks are usually formed here. On the way, stop at the observation deck, from which the panorama of Lake Baikal opens, endless fields of ice, the steep Shore of Lake Baikal, and in good weather you can see the East Coast. Baikal is the creator, and you will definitely always remember this creation of his! The famous "Kiss of Lake Baikal" awaits us in the bay, we will also try to get rid of Baikal fish, and the highlight of the tour is the flooded tea from the samovar on Baikal water with local herbs! Everyone can skate on the largest ice rink in the world. Period: January, February, March	3,500 rubles .
Olkhon to Cape Burkhan (4-4.5 hours) Duration: 3 hours Shamanka Rock or Cape Burhan is one of the nine shrines of Asia. This is the place fabulously beautiful, has powerful energy. A place of magical power. It is here that shamans gather to perform all their rituals. Here is the best place to make your most cherished wish! There is also an annual ice sculpture festival – every ice sculpture The figure is an individual creation of masters from all over Russia. A walk through the ice town. On the way to Cape Burkhan, there are mandatory stops at the picturesque ice caves. sightseeing - admire the splashes and look into one of the grottoes – an ice cave, which can only be accessed in winter on ice. Period: February, March (January with additional payment for crossing on Khivus)	3,500 rubles .
O. Ogoy and Cape Dragon Duration: 3 hours The Buddhist stupa erected on the island of Ogoy is officially referred to as a stupa Enlightenment, Subjugation of demons, containing a statue of a female form, the mother of all Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the more often they go around holy places (stupas, Buddhist hills, sacred mountain peaks) the more likely it is that the hidden The good wish will be heard by the gods and will come true soon. The most basic: near stupas need to keep only pure thoughts and pure motivations – for For many people, this is the most difficult thing. It's not really important here, in what exactly do you believe, it is important to keep only kind thoughts here. Let's go up to the Stupa, observing all the rules, make a wish, admire the beauty of the Small Sea from a height and let's go down to take a photo at the cape The dragon. We admire the ice splashes near the island and visit the ice caves. Period: February, March January – Only on Khivus	3500 rubles .
Excursion to the Nuri - Baikal bubbles + hot mulled wine on ice. Duration: 3 hours In one part of the small sea, near the island. Olkhon, there is a place in the bay where dozens Thousands of bubbles froze in the icy universe. We take pictures, bask in hot mulled wine. Then we go to see sokui – the frozen waves of Lake Baikal! Fabulous ice kingdom: splashes, several meters high, Can you imagine with what power the water was beating here? It's like we're on another marshmallow the planet. Next, we will climb the Trident rock, where we admire the rocks overgrown with bright lichen - bright green and orange. The presence of which is an indicator of the purest air. Period: February, March (January is only on Hivus)	3000 rubles .
Aya Bay Duration : 4 hours Aya Bay is translated from Buryat as "cozy". Space landscapes and endless fields of Baikal ice, that's what awaits you at this place. On this trip, we study ancient Petroglyphs, admire on the observation deck the panorama of Lake Baikal, on the fields of ice, we will see hummocks. Ice blocks – the creation of Lake Baikal, its power and strength. Hummocks are piles of ice along the cracks and through cracks. As the temperature rises and the cracks narrow, the ice is squeezed out onto the surface creates hummocks. Since the expansion and contraction are repeated, then hummocks along the gap form a pronounced ice shaft and change every day. During the tour, a samovar with mulled wine will be flooded for you. Period: January,February, March	4000 rubles .
Olkhon Island – Cape Khoboy Duration : whole day (7-8 hours), lunch-picnic – included.Khoboy is the northernmost tip of Olkhon Island, a sacred place, here you can feel the power and strength. You have a unique opportunity to see him from from the side of Lake Baikal, drive up to its foot. We will make our first stop at Cape Burhan. This cape is one of the most energy-strong places of Lake Baikal and one of the 9 shrines of Asia. Cape Burkhan, or as the locals also call it – Shamanka Rock – has a powerful energy, and since ancient times this place has been treated with reverence. On the way to Cape Khoboy, we will make a few more stops at the grottoes and splashes, and at the picturesque Sagan-Khushun rock ("Three Brothers"), which is associated with A beautiful Legend. Khoboy is translated from Buryat as "fang". And indeed, driving up to him closer and closer, you will see the outline of this rock, and the cape itself looks like a virgo in profile – which is also associated with the local belief. Upon arrival in the north of Olkhon, a walk around the Oboe, surrounded by blue ice and hummocks. There will also be an open-air bonfire dinner. We return back at sunset, admiring the delicate shades of the setting sun. Period: February, March (January with additional payment for crossing on Khivus)	5500 rubles .
Buguldeika . Duration - whole day (7-8 hours) - lunch-picnic - included. Buguldeika is a settlement on the western shore of Lake Baikal. Famous in the first place the fact that there is an incredible and unique marble quarry! The marble deposits here are older than Lake Baikal, they are more than two billion years old. Now the quarry is abandoned and no work is being carried out in it. There are scattered everywhere giant pieces of marble. The walls of the marble quarry are perfectly cut to a depth of 10 meters, the snow-white stone shines beautifully in the sun and looks spectacular against the background the blue sky, and in the distance the ice of Lake Baikal shines. Have tea at the quarry, and descend to Lake Baikal, exit to the ice. There are also places where Baikal bubbles appear, While a picnic lunch is being organized, everyone who wants to skate on their own the largest ice rink in the World, walking, taking pictures and enjoying the Baikal space and grandeur. Lunch is a picnic. Period: January, February, March	5500 rubles .
Aya Bay + Buguldika with lunch. Duration : whole day (7-8 hours) lunch-picnic – included. Aya Bay is translated from Buryat as "cozy". Space landscapes and endless fields of Baikal ice, that's what awaits you at this place. Buguldeika is a settlement on the western shore of Lake Baikal. Famous in the first place the fact that there is an incredible and unique marble quarry! The marble deposits here are older than Lake Baikal, they are more than two billion years old. Now the quarry is abandoned and no work is being carried out in it. There are scattered everywhere giant pieces of marble. Access to the ice - there are places where Baikal bubbles appear. While a picnic lunch is being organized, everyone who wants to skate on their own the largest ice rink in the World, walking, taking pictures and enjoying the Baikal space and grandeur. Lunch is a picnic. Period: January, February, March	6500 rubles .
On Khivus (hovercraft) - the price is per tourist.
O. Ogoy with grottoes and splashes Duration : 3 hours The Buddhist stupa erected on the island of Ogoy is officially referred to as a stupa Enlightenment, Demon Conquest, containing a statue of a female form, mother all the Buddhas. Buddhists believe that the more often they go around holy places (stupas, Buddhist hills, sacred mountain peaks) the more likely it is that the hidden The good wish will be heard by the gods and will come true soon. The most basic: near stupas need to keep only pure thoughts and pure motivations – for For many people, this is the most difficult thing. It's not really important here, in what exactly do you believe, it is important to keep only kind thoughts here. Let's go up to the Stupa, observing all the rules, make a wish, admire the beauty of the Small Sea from a height and let's go down to take a photo at the cape The dragon. We admire the ice splashes near the island and visit the ice caves.	5500 rubles
Excursion to the Nuri - Baikal bubbles + hot mulled wine on ice. Duration: 2 hours In one part of the small sea, near the island. Olkhon, there is a place in the bay where dozens Thousands of bubbles froze in the icy universe. We take pictures, bask in hot mulled wine. Then we go to see sokui – the frozen waves of Lake Baikal! Fabulous ice kingdom: splashes, several meters high, Can you imagine with what power the water was beating here? It's like we're on another marshmallow the planet. Next, we will climb the Trident rock, where we admire the rocks overgrown with bright lichen - bright green and orange. The presence of which is an indicator of the purest air.	4,500 rubles .
Dawn on Khivus with a photo shoot Duration: 1.5 hours (props for filming are provided (outfits for girls, skins, small decorative props) , as a result of the photo shoot : 10-15 photos / per person in processing)	4000 rubles .

The price is for 1 person. for a group of 6 people or more; A smaller number of people is calculated individually.
Additional excursions are held according to the schedule of the campsite, during the high season (February – March), most excursions are held regularly;
The duration is approximate (+-) depending on the weather conditions, the ice situation, as well as the number of people in the group;
In each excursion, we reserve the right to change the order or places of visit, without compromising the quality and integrity of the excursion.

Dates and Prices

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$539

4 – 9 Feb, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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$539

11 – 16 Feb, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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$539

25 Feb – 2 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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$539

11 – 16 Mar, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

I
Irina

8 Nov, 2024

about provider

The trip was fantastic and filled with positive experiences. Thank you to the company for its customer focus and excellent organization! Appreciate the wonderful vacation!

8 Nov, 2024
T
Tatyana

2 Nov, 2024

about provider

Excellent organization, a small group, and the guide's full attention.

2 Nov, 2024

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