May on Lake Baikal. Listvyanka, KBZHD, Arshan, Olkhon

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Imagine that you are traveling along the shores of the great Lake Baikal and enjoying its breathtaking beauty. May on Lake Baikal is the time when nature wakes up from hibernation, the lake becomes juicy and blue, and the air is filled with the scent of blooming flowers.

You will see the wonderful nature of Listvyanka and the mountains of the Eastern Sayan, the unique views of Olkhon Island, the engineering wonders of KBZHD and much more!

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

The flowering of the vermilion

We will see how the first spring flowers bloom, creating bright colorful paintings

Gold buckle of the Russian Steel belt

We will learn the history of the construction of the Circum-Baikal railway, about the life and history of the local population

Healing springs of Arshan

Let's try the healing mineral water and get energized in the hot springs

Immersion in culture

Let's get acquainted with the peculiarities of life and culture of the Buryat, Russian, Tofalar and Evenk peoples

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Irkutsk. Sightseeing tour of Listvyanka
The place and time of the gathering of the group: from the Angara hotel (Sukhbaatar St., 7, Irkutsk) in the period from 09.00 to 09.30 local time and from Irkutsk airport at 10.00.
Listvyanka is a kind of tourism Mecca among all visitors to Irkutsk, the starting point of many sightseeing routes around Lake Baikal (gathering place: Angara hotel or airport, the exact time will be sent by the organizer the day before).
This is the closest place to the city where you can see the Pearl of Siberia.
Listvyanka is a village located along the edge of Lake Baikal at the source of the Angara River.
On the way to Listvyanka, you will visit an amazing and interesting place – the Taltsy open-air museum.
Taltsy is an architectural and ethnographic museum, which contains examples of wooden architecture of the past centuries.
The museum is located surrounded by a Siberian forest, which gives it an authentic look and an authentic historical atmosphere.
The guide will conduct an exciting tour, introduce you to the peculiarities of the way of life and culture of the Buryat, Russian, Tofalar and Evenk peoples.
Not far from Listvyanka is the legendary Shaman Stone, which is associated with a beautiful legend.
The Shaman Stone is located at the source of the Angara River, which is almost a kilometer wide!
It almost never freezes, and it is especially interesting to visit this place in winter — on the one hand, Baikal is bound by an ice shell, and on the other, the steadily flowing waters of the Angara River.
During your trip, you will also visit the Limnological museum of Lake Baikal, which not only conducts expositional and educational activities, but also continues to engage in serious scientific research, and therefore you will not find such information about Lake Baikal "first-hand" anywhere.
After the tour, you will return to Irkutsk and check into the hotel.
You will see: Listvyanka, Shaman-kamen, Taltsy, limnological Museum of Lake Baikal.
Included in the price: guide, group transfer, accommodation, guided tour.

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Day 2 - KBZHD tour by train
KBZHD is an architectural monument, the "Golden Buckle of the Russian Steel Belt", considered one of the most beautiful railways in the world.
Early in the morning, you will depart from Irkutsk railway station and drive east to Slyudyanka, where you will have the opportunity to admire the station building — this is the only station in the world built entirely of white and pink marble.
Next, the train departs from Slyudyanka in a westerly direction to the Circum-Baikal Railway.
You will learn about the history of railway construction, about the life and history of the local population.
This unique railway line was created at the beginning of the 20th century and today is an architectural and landscape reserve.
40 tunnels through the rocks and 16 galleries, as well as bridges and viaducts were built here.
As part of the tour, you will be able to explore many tunnels and take memorable photos of interesting locations.
At the port of Baikal, there is a landing on the Khivus in the winter season or on the ferry in the summer season, they will take you to Listvyanka.
While waiting in line for the ferry, you will have the opportunity to visit the museum of the history of the construction of the KBZHD in the station building (admission to the museum is free), drink coffee at the buffet, stroll through the picturesque area, take pictures against the background of an ancient steam locomotive.
The tour will end with a return to Irkutsk.
You will see: Baikal, KBZHD, tunnels.
Included in the price: group transfer, breakfast, accommodation, guided tour.

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Day 3 - One day tour of Arshan
The tour starts early in the morning.
You will go towards the mountains, to the cozy village of Arshan, nestled at their foot.
The way to Arshan will pleasantly surprise you: you will find a picturesque road lined with majestic trees, whose foliage is already beginning to take shape and turn green, and the scent of spring flowers is in the air.
Next, you will pass through the village of Kultuk, located on the shore of Lake Baikal.
The first spring flowers bloom on the sides of the road, creating bright colorful paintings.
After that, we will go along the Tunka valley, which is located 25 km from the village of Kultuk to Arshan.
Along the way, you will see a majestic range of white-capped mountains and a flat valley where you can often find herds of graceful horses, as well as many migratory birds.
The tour in Arshan will be conducted by an experienced guide.
You will go to the famous waterfall together, visit the local Buddhist temple-monastery of Hoimorsky datsan "Bodhidharma", located in a truly magical place called "Holy Glade".
Century-old cedars and blooming rosemary of incredible color create a charming atmosphere of this place.
Along the way, you can visit a local market with Siberian goods (herbs, nuts, souvenirs).
Arshan is famous for its mineral waters, you can try them.
The composition of Arshan water is similar to narzan.
You will also go to the mineral hot springs in the nearby village of Zhemchug.
The healing power of the springs has a beneficial effect on the body.
After enjoying the time spent in the hot springs, you will return to Irkutsk under the impression of an adventure!
Tomorrow you will have a new adventure on Olkhon.
You will see: Tunka valley, Kultuk, waterfall, Buddhist datsan, hot springs in the village of Zhemchug.
Included in the price: group transfer, guided tour, permission to visit the national park, entrance tickets for visiting the springs, breakfast, accommodation.

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Day 4 - One day tour of Olkhon
Today's day will start at 07:00 and will be full of activities and new vivid impressions.
You will go to the heart of Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island.
In spring, Lake Baikal begins to warm up, the first foliage appears on trees and shrubs, rosemary blooms, and the number of vacationers on the island is still small, which will allow you to fully enjoy your vacation.
Olkhon is a truly unforgettable and one of the most famous places on Lake Baikal, which is rightfully called a place of power and especially powerful energy!
Olkhon is considered a sacred territory, a concentration of shamanism in Central Asia.
It is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
The way to Olkhon will run along a comfortable highway surrounded by beautiful scenic nature.
Olkhon is an island, and people get to it through a ferry in the summer (or when the ice melts) and through an ice crossing in winter, in spring, when the ice cover is no longer dense enough and the ferry is not running yet, they move on khivuses.
Hivus is a hovercraft, the safest mode of transport on Lake Baikal in spring.
Before crossing, your path will follow the "Martian Road", as our guests often say about the Tajeran steppes.
Scientists believe that the outlines of the steppe surface formed about 4 million years ago.
Having survived the Ice Age (10-12 thousand years ago) This area has preserved unique species of plants and animals, which are living artifacts of various geological eras.
The Tajeran steppes are kilometers of expanse, in some places picturesquely decorated with rocky remnants.
The landscapes really transport you to some kind of alien reality!
Driving through the steppes, you can sometimes see swans, eagles, and many other migratory birds flying by.
On the island, you will transfer to a passable car on Olkhon, and the tour begins!
The route of this excursion runs through the southern steppe part of the island.
You will be amazed at how many surprises the steppe, which is homogeneous at first glance, hides.
Sometimes you can meet a herd of wild horses on the way.
You will see a lonely birch tree on Olkhon.
At first glance, it's a completely ordinary place.
But this is only at first glance!
This is a unique natural monument, which is also associated with a legend.
You will learn it during the tour, let's keep the intrigue for now!
Next, the tour program includes a visit to the high cliffs in the steppe, called "Trident" or "Castle Ruins".
Be sure to try to climb them: you will see a panorama of the blooming steppe after a long and frosty winter, and on the other hand, Lake Baikal.
You will feel the power of this place, the vastness of the vastness.
And here you get especially great photos!
After that, you will go to Hankhoi Lake, which is separated from the Maloe Sea Strait by a sandy spit of a small lake, a favorite fishing spot in the summer.
Very close to the lake is the "Rock Garden", a place that attracts tourists with its mysterious atmosphere, a notable feature of which are large and small piles of stones protruding from the ground, stacked in a kind of turrets.
Next, you will visit the calling card of Lake Baikal, the most popular, recognizable and at the same time energetically strong location – Cape Burkhan or Shamanka rock.
You will also see the sacred pillars of Serge, they rise directly in front of the Shamanka rock.
Each of the pillars of serge is tied with colorful pieces of cloth designed to convey requests to the gods.
They are also called the "world tree" because each pillar unites three worlds.
In the middle of the day, you will have a hearty picnic lunch in the fresh air, and the tour will end with a return to Irkutsk.
You will see: Tagheran steppes, ferry crossing, Trident rock, Khankhoy Lake, lonely birch, Shamanka rock.
Included in the price: group transfer, tour of the south of Olkhon Island, picnic lunch, breakfast, accommodation.

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Day 5 - Departure
On this day, our amazing journey is coming to an end.
In 5 days you got acquainted with the mountains of the Eastern Sayan, with the Circum-Baikal railway and with the heart of Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island.
You will bring back unforgettable, vivid memories from your trip!
Check-out time at the hotel is at 12:00 local time.
Included in the price: breakfast, hotel until 12:00.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The tour is quite active, you will leave early in the morning every day, around 7:00, and you will return to the hotel around 20:00, take this into account when purchasing a tour.

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel in Irkutsk.

Economy - one-room room with the number of beds according to the number of residents. Bathroom (shower and toilet) It is located on a floor or in an adjacent building and is shared by all hotel guests.
Standard is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with a number of beds according to the number of residents.
Comfort is a more spacious and comfortable room in comparison with the "standard" category, equipped with a modern design (shower and toilet inside).

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

placement	2.3-local	Surcharge for 1-bed
Economy	60 000	8 000
Standard	67 000	14 000
Comfort	75 000	24 000

Children from 0 to 2 years old receive a 25% discount (does not occupy a separate place during the stay, without meals).
Children from 2 to 5 years old receive a 20% discount (everything is included as for an adult: seat, meals).
Children from 5 to 10 years old are given a 15% discount (everything is included as an adult: seat, meals).

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

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Tour conditions

Group

From 1 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

transfers throughout the tour (except for khivuses at the ferry to Olkhon);
breakfast according to the program;
excursions specified in the program;
permits to visit the national park;
habitation;
guide services (if specified);
support of the organizer.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals, if specified in the program independently or at your own expense;
drinks and dishes not included in the main menu according to the program;
additional services specified in the program for an additional fee or not specified in the program;
additional excursions and transfers not included in the program;
equipment rental;

It's important to know

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

We would like to inform you that the tour is quite active, you will leave early in the morning every day, around 7:00, and you will return to the hotel around 20:00, keep this in mind when purchasing the tour.

The tour operator reserves the right to swap excursions according to the tour program, replace them with equivalent ones in situations related to changes in weather conditions, force majeure, or at the discretion of the organizer, but undertakes to complete the entire tour program and provide all the excursions specified in it in full.;

The tour is a group tour, the number of people in the tour can reach 18 people;

The tour program starts in the morning at 10.00. It is necessary to arrive in Irkutsk before 9:30 a.m. local time, if the tourist is late for the appointed time, then he gets on his own to the first point designated by the organizer.;

The place and time of the gathering of the group: from the Angara hotel (Sukhbaatar St., 7, Irkutsk) in the period from 09.00 to 09.30 local time and from Irkutsk airport at 10.00.

A day before the start of the tour, a group will be created in the Telegram messenger, where all organizational information about the tour will be provided. Please install the Telegram app on your phone in advance.

"Economy" is a one-room room with a number of beds according to the number of residents. Bathroom (shower and toilet) It is located on a floor or in an adjacent building and is shared by all hotel guests.

"Standard" is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with a number of beds according to the number of residents.

Comfort is a more spacious and comfortable room in comparison with the standard category, equipped with a modern design (shower and toilet inside).

The presented classification of hotel rooms does not depend on the star rating of the accommodation facility.

The tour operator does not guarantee the Tourist accommodation in a specific hotel selected by the tourist from the list.

The tour operator has the right to replace the hotel listed in the list with a similar one in category and cost.

Check-in involves accommodating up to 3 tourists in a room.

Each tourist is provided with a separate sleeping place.

If, for reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator (cancellation or postponement of other tourists' accommodation with check-in on the same dates), a tourist cannot be checked in at any point on the route, the Tour Operator has the right to accommodate the tourist in a single economy room.

A tourist who has not been accommodated has the opportunity to stay in a standard single room with an additional charge. To do this, the tourist must independently check with the Tour Operator no later than 14 days before the start of the tour whether there was a check-in for him and inform him of his desire to make an additional payment for accommodation in a single room "standard".

Olkhon Island is reached by ice crossing in the winter season and by ferry in the summer. In the off-season on a hivus (hovercraft). If the ice crossing does not work for climatic reasons, then the tourist pays for the crossing on khivus himself.

During the April-May period, we recommend that tourists take care of tick vaccination in advance or take out tick insurance.

The composition and size of the group may change during the tour.

Guides may change throughout the tour.

Each location is assigned a guide who is an expert on that location. There is always one tour coordinator.

Dates and Prices

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

$827

30 Apr – 4 May, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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No need to pay now
$827

8 – 12 May, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

EV
Elena Vyatkina

about provider

17 Dec, 2024

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I would like to say a few words about our tour manager Tamara, who promptly answered all our questions and gave great suggestions on how to make the most of our free time. Thank you so much!
A
Alexey

about provider

3 Dec, 2024

Everything was fantastic! The tours were punctual, and both the accommodations and travel arrangements were comfortable and met all our expectations. The food at the guesthouse was absolutely outstanding. A big thank you to everyone involved in organizing this tour!
V
Vadim

about provider

2 Dec, 2024

Everything was flawlessly organized, from the airport pickup to the thoughtful follow-up after the tour ended, with the tour team offering recommendations on how to spend time in Irkutsk.