Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Special offer! For arrivals from January 3 and from January 5, 10% discount when booking before December 30! The discount is not cumulative.

The "Heart of Lake Baikal" – Olkhon Island – is the most popular place on the lake. And in January, the surface of Lake Baikal is partially covered with the first perfectly smooth ice, as if nature is preparing for guests. And that is why there are not so many tourists in January, and right now you will find the original Baikal, feel its energy.

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Fascinating Olkhon

Enjoy the amazing landscapes and purity of Lake Baikal, and perhaps you will meet wild horses

Unique photos

You will have a great opportunity to take photos of incredible beauty that will stand out in your gallery

Ice skating on the big lake

Enjoy the speed and freedom on the largest frozen lake in the world

The spirit of the Tagheran steppes

Immerse yourself in the feeling of infinity among the vast expanses of beautiful wildlife

Places of power

Visit the shaman rocks and feel the connection with the local culture and traditions

Itinerary

Day 1 - The road to Olkhon Island, Tazheran steppes
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.
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. According to legend, Genghis Khan is buried here.
The path will run through an area with scenic views. Part of the road will pass through the Tajeran steppes, decorated here and there with rocky remnants. Guests often refer to this segment of the journey as the "Martian" one.
The landscapes really transport you to some kind of alien reality!
Olkhon is an island, and they get to it by crossing the Olkhon Gate Strait.
In January, the ice crossing is not yet open (the ice does not freeze enough), so tourists cross to the island on hivuses (hovercraft), which are the safest mode of transport at this time of the year.
After crossing, you will find about 40 km more along the steppes of Olkhon, and then you will reach the center of the island – the village of Khuzhir.
In the evening, you have free time to spend exploring the surroundings of the village. Within walking distance from the hotels on Olkhon is the calling card of Lake Baikal – Cape Burkhan (Shamanka rock).
Shamanka is one of the attractions of the Baikal National Park. Tourists note the energy of the place ringing in the air, you can feel it on your skin and it's hard to find words to express delight!
In January, ice freezes in the Shamanka area until snow falls, it is perfectly smooth and transparent like a mirror. After enjoying the beautiful views, imbued with the energy of the sacred place, your first day of travel is coming to an end.
Tomorrow you will have an even closer look at Lake Baikal and Olkhon.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, lunch on the way to Olkhon.
Day 2 - Tour of the south of Olkhon Island (by land)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will explore the south of the large island of Olkhon. The tour starts in the morning at 10 o'clock.
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. On the observation deck "Polevoy Stan" you will have a panoramic view of the village of Khuzhir and all the local beauties.
After that, you will go to Khankhoi Lake, also known as Yalga Lake. It is a small lake separated from the Small Sea by a sandy spit, and in summer it is a favorite place for fishing. In winter, the lake is covered with ice with amazing frozen bubbles.
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 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 have a view of the steppe, covered with snow in 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!
In the middle of the day, you will have a hearty picnic lunch in the fresh air, and the tour will end with a view of the Big Sea and a return to Khuzhir.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, guided tour, permission to visit the national park, picnic lunch, breakfast.

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Day 3 - The road to Irkutsk. Completion of the tour program
Your tour program is coming to an end today.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will find your way back to Irkutsk via the Baikal ice crossing.
You have got acquainted with winter Baikal, its legendary ice! We really hope that during the tour our region will be able to win your favor, and we know for sure that when you return home, you will feel like you are drawn to Lake Baikal again, to soak up its energy, to enjoy the beauty!
The end time of the program is around 20:00 local time.
The price includes: breakfast, lunch on the way to Irkutsk, group transfer.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

or

or

Guest House, Camp Site, Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale
Upscale

The tour includes accommodation on Olkhon Island (2 nights).

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

Standard		Comfort
Double and triple rooms	Extra charge for a single room	Double and triple rooms	Extra charge for a single room
41 000	10 000	53 000	17 000

Types of accommodation:

"Standard" is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with the 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).

Accommodation in hotels according to availability, please specify the details when booking.

"Kopylov Manor"

The recreation center "Kopylov Olkhon Manor" is located in the Irkutsk region in the village of Khuzhir.

There are comfortable rooms with a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, a set of towels, personal hygiene items, wireless Internet.

The shared kitchen is equipped with all appliances and appliances for cooking. For an alternative, there is a cafe within walking distance.

Parking is prohibited on site. The N.M. Revyakin Museum, Cape Tataysky are nearby. The location of the base is located between the Strait of the Small Sea and Lake Baikal. Vacationers can go fishing, skiing, and outdoor recreation.

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Another option

"Olkhon"

Olkhon Camping is located in Khuzhir. You can come here and check in with your pet. Private parking is provided for car owners, which can be booked upon prior reservation.

Comfortable rooms divided into different categories are provided for the accommodation of guests. Each includes comfortable beds, necessary furniture. Some rooms offer magnificent views of the mountain or lake. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Several rooms have TVs.

You can have a delicious and satisfying meal at the local restaurant, which serves various dishes from the menu. There is a barbecue area on site.

Fishing and horse riding are very popular here.

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Another option

Nikita Bencarov's Estate

Nikita Bencarov Manor is located in the village of Khuzhir and has its own bar.

Guests can relax on the terrace.

Room service is available.

Free private parking is available on site.

An airport shuttle can be arranged for an additional fee.

All rooms at the Nikita Bencarov Manor Hotel have a wardrobe, towels and bed linen.

A buffet breakfast is served.

You can play table tennis at the property, and the area is popular for hiking.

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Another option

"Aldartai"

The recreation center is located 600 meters from the center of the village of Khuzhir and one kilometer from Lake Baikal. It offers a children's playground, internet access, and a parking space.

Each room has a seating area and bed linen is provided. Appliances and furniture are provided with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

There is a snack bar on the territory of the recreation center, where a wide selection of soft drinks is provided. Nearby there are several cafes: "Kudesnitsa", "Omulevaya barrel", where dishes of various cuisines are served.

The Khuzhir Museum of Local Lore and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God are within walking distance.

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Another option

"Baikal Terra" 3*

Baikal Terra Hotel is located in the village of Khuzhir on the island of Olkhon.

Cozy double rooms with comfortable beds, a bathroom with a shower cabin, as well as an LCD TV and wireless Internet access are available for check-in.

The hotel has a kitchen area where guests can prepare their own meals.

The location offers vacationers the opportunity to hike and enjoy the beautiful natural views of Lake Baikal. The hotel has table tennis, barbecue facilities and picnic facilities.

A transfer booking service is available.

Another option

"Villa Malina" 4*

The hotel is located on the shore of Lake Baikal. Internet access, car parking, bicycle rental are available at your service. A tour service is provided.

The rooms are standard and family, all have a bathroom with shower and toilet. There is all the necessary upholstered furniture.

A hearty and delicious breakfast is served in the restaurant. Russian and European cuisine is served for lunch and dinner.

There are several attractions nearby: N. M. Revyakin Museum of Local Lore, Shamanka Rock.

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Another option

"Port of Olkhon"

The Port Olkhon Hotel complex is located in the urban-type settlement of Khuzhir, in a place where you can forget about the outside world and enjoy the beauty of nature. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi access and free parking space.

The number of rooms is represented by 48 fully equipped rooms, which are decorated with natural materials.
The hotel has five different room categories: single rooms, art rooms, double attic rooms, family rooms, apartments. Each room has ergonomic furniture, a TV, a table and chairs. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer, slippers, bathrobe and toiletries.

There is a restaurant with original cuisine on site. The menu offers dishes of Buryat and Siberian cuisine. In summer, there is a terrace with beautiful views of Lake Baikal. You can enjoy delicious coffee in the coffee shop.

At a distance of 1.8 kilometers there is one of the nine shrines of Asia – Shamanka Rock. And next to it, along the coast stretches the "Sarai" beach, according to the locals, the most picturesque place on the island.

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Another option

"Inspiration"

Holiday homes "Inspiration" are located on the island of Olkhon in the small village of Khuzhir. Here guests can relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. Parking spaces are provided on site. It offers a sauna, barbecue facilities.

The number of rooms is represented by rooms of various capacities and categories. In each of which the guests will enjoy a cozy atmosphere and modern appliances. The shared or private bathroom is equipped with the necessary plumbing and hygiene supplies.

There are several shops and fast food cafes within walking distance.

The area is popular for fishing, horse riding and cycling. The staff is ready to provide up-to-date tourist information about local attractions. An airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee.

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Another option

«BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa»

BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa is a hotel made of eco—friendly materials and located in the village of Khuzhir, Irkutsk region. The convenient location away from the noise of the city will allow guests to feel peace and unity with the incredible Baikal nature.

The hotel's room stock includes several cozy rooms equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, including serviceable appliances and such pleasant little things as a tea set and a hairdryer. Each room has a private bathroom with disposable toiletries.

Guests can order lunch at the hotel's restaurant: the chef offers the best varied menu of European and local cuisine at reasonable prices. A hearty breakfast is served every morning. Guests can also visit the Russian and French cafes within walking distance from the hotel.

The convenient location of the BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa allows vacationers to get to the main attractions of the island: guests can visit the Shamanka Rock, the Revyakin Museum of Local Lore, the Church of the Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God and much more.

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Another option

Baikal Khan

Baikal Khan Olkhon Hotel is located in the village of Khuzhir, Irkutsk region, on Olkhon Island. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. There is a terrace, a bar, a children's room, and a sauna at guests' disposal. Attractions are located within walking distance: Sarai beach, Shamanka rock, museum.

The spacious and modern rooms are provided with beds, bedside tables, a wardrobe and all the necessary furniture for living. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. From the windows of the room you can observe a magnificent view of Lake Baikal. You can spend a good time on the terrace or on the summer veranda, there is an opportunity to visit the sauna. Children can have fun playing in the children's room with toys.

There is a delicious restaurant and a bar with friendly staff on site. There are grocery stores and cafes within walking distance.

Nearby there is the Sarai beach, the amazing Shaman's rock and the Khuzhir Museum of Local Lore named after N. M. Revyakin.

Tour conditions

Group

From 5 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

2 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

group transfer throughout the tour;
meals according to the tour program;
excursions specified in the program;
habitation;
the entrance to the National Park.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals not specified in the program;
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

Warm outerwear (for example, a ski suit);
Comfortable shoes (non-slip boots);
Headdress (warm hat);
Warm clothes (thermal underwear, fleece, hoodies, scarf/buff);
Warm mittens or gloves;
Sunscreen (protection factor of at least 20);
Sunglasses (with at least 2 UV protection);
Bathing accessories: swimsuit, towel and slippers (for visiting the sauna/hot springs, if provided by the program);
Personal first aid kit (if you need specific medicines);
Photo/video equipment (spare flash cards);
Portable charger (power bank);
Toiletries;
Small backpack (for excursions and walks);
The seat (tourist hob);
Thermos (optional);
Binoculars (optional);
Required: Passport, MHI policy.

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 fulfill the entire tour program and provide all excursions specified in it in full;
The tour is a combined group, 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 to the first point designated by the organizer on his own;
The end of the tour in Irkutsk: we recommend purchasing tickets for the return trip after 20:00 (depending on the tour) local time.
The place and time of the group's gathering: from the Angara hotel (Sukhbaatar str., 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 on the tour will be provided. Please install the Telegram app on your phone in advance.
"Standard" is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with the 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 terms of category and cost.
The check-in involves the accommodation of up to 3 tourists in the 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 could not find a check-in at any point on the route, the Tour Operator has the right to put the tourist in an economy single room.
The tourist, for whom there was no accommodation, has the opportunity to stay in a single room "standard" with an additional fee. 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 khivus (hovercraft). If the ice crossing does not work for climatic reasons, then the tourist pays for the crossing on Khivus himself.
In winter, especially after March 20th, the tour operator does not guarantee that the ice will remain transparent, as it depends on weather conditions, as well as that the sakui and the splashes will be safe.

Dates and Prices

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

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2 – 4 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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4 – 6 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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7 – 9 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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9 – 11 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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14 – 16 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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16 – 18 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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21 – 23 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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23 – 25 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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28 – 30 Jan, 2026 3 days 2 nights

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Reviews

D
Dmitry

about provider

19 Dec, 2024

This tour operator is excellent.
EV
Elena Vyatkina

about provider

17 Dec, 2024

6 more photos

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!

Olkhon – the snowy heart of Lake Baikal

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews

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