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

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Is there no time to explore Lake Baikal at all? Visit the most popular tourist point of the lake – the village of Listvyanka! Here you will get your first impression of Lake Baikal and admire its majestic beauties.

This is an ideal opportunity to explore one of the most unique natural areas. In front of you are the clear depths of the lake, a view of the mountain peaks of Hamar Daban and the vast horizon of the "blue sea". Don't miss the chance to see Lake Baikal!

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

Tour highlights

Baikal Seal

Let's take a look and take a picture with a seal, explore the variety of plants and animals in the lake area

Climbing the Chersky Stone

We will take the cable car up to the observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the expanses of Lake Baikal

Itinerary

Day 1 - Irkutsk – Listvyanka – Baikal Museum – Chersky Stone – Listvyanka
We will meet at Irkutsk airport approximately before 8:30 a.m.
Then we settle down in a comfortable car and drive out to Lake Baikal.
The village of Listvyanka is located near Irkutsk – the place is popular with local residents.
The streets are always busy and crowded with people.
Here everyone enjoys their vacation, thereby slightly complementing the atmosphere of the pre-holiday bustle.
In the Baikal Museum, all expositions are dedicated to the lake.
Features of geology, local flora and fauna, as well as virtual diving on a bathyscaphe to the bottom of the lake (for an additional feepayment) – all this is in the museum.
But the best part is that you will be able to get to know the endemics and inhabitants of Lake Baikal in close proximity!
At one of the exhibitions, you will have the opportunity to watch the seals frolic in their pool.
Then we take the cable car up to the observation deck "Chersky Stone".
From here you can enjoy an incredible panorama of the Khamar-Daban ridges, the Listvyanka water area and the source of the Angara, the only river flowing from Lake Baikal.
Included: lunch.

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Day 2 - Listvyanka. Free day or optional excursion
This day remains free – you can relax on your own.
Take a walk around the village, buy omul and whitefish at the fish market, take a ride on the Ferris wheel.
In our experience, even a simple walk along the coastline of Lake Baikal will be a great pleasure.
We also recommend you a unique experience – the Sandy Bay excursion, which you can go to for a fee.
This is a great opportunity to see the pristine nature of Lake Baikal with white sand, stilted trees typical only for this place and the clear warm waters of Lake Baikal.
You can get to the bay only from the shore, which means complete water transport and beautiful views of the lake.
We will walk along the beach, admiring Lake Baikal and rocky cliffs.
Sandy Bay is sheltered by Large and Small bell towers – pyramidal rocks that protect the bay from stormy winds and rains.
This ensures a unique warm microclimate even when there is bad weather on the lake!
On a walking tour you will see "stilted" trees.
They seemed to freeze in mid-step.
It's all about the roots peeking out from under the ground for several meters!
The way the plants were able to adapt to such difficult conditions is simply amazing!
After reviewing the entire area, if you have free time, you can enjoy sunbathing or swim in the cool Baikal water.
After the tour, we return to Listvyanka.
Included: breakfast.

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Day 3 - Listvyanka – Irkutsk
We settle down in a comfortable minibus and return to Irkutsk.
This is where our tour comes to an end.
Included: breakfast.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in Listvyanka at the Krestovaya Pad Hotel (2 nights) or a similar class in standard rooms, room amenities.

Surcharge for single occupancy: 6,500 rubles.

The Krestovaya Pad Hotel is located just 50 meters from the shore of Lake Baikal and offers scenic views. It offers a sun terrace and a sauna.

Each room is equipped with tea/coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV.

The chalet-style rooms feature wooden paneling, a work desk, a minibar and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available in some rooms.

The colorful bar-restaurant serves European cuisine and a variety of Siberian dishes from the Baikal region. A rich breakfast menu is provided.

Guests can rent bicycles at the hotel and explore the charming unspoilt countryside. You can visit the Museum of Lake Baikal. It is 1.5 km from the Krestovaya Pad Hotel.

There is a bus stop 50 metres from the hotel. Irkutsk International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. An airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

meeting at the airport or railway station;
transfers along the entire route;
the guide's work throughout the entire route;
accommodation in comfortable double rooms of the "standard" category;
meals according to the program:
- Day 1 – lunch;
- Day 2 – breakfast;
- Day 3 – breakfast;
excursion to the Baikal Museum;
excursion to the Chersky stone.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
additional services not specified in the program or specified in the program for an additional cost;
additional meals are not specified in the program or are indicated at an additional cost.

It's important to know

Windbreaker. Must hev is a waterproof windbreaker, preferably with a Gore-tex or Omni-Tech membrane, for example, Columbia or Helly Hansen. The jacket made of light fabric washes well after a hike to the caves and dries quickly.
A warm jacket. It can be cold in the evenings and in rainy weather. If you are cold, choose clothes made of a material marked Windblock – it reliably protects from rain and wind. For example, Bask has them. For those who catch a cold easily, we recommend taking another light jacket and hat.
A baseball cap or a panama hat. In summer, the sun bakes here no worse than in the southern resorts. Without a headdress, it is easy to get sunstroke or heat stroke. Choose a light-colored headdress.
Long socks. In the Baikal region, ticks are most active in May and July. And although there have been no outbreaks of encephalitis in recent years, you should not forget about precautions. Take several pairs of classic long socks so that you can tuck your pants into them before going into the forest.
T-shirts and T-shirts. Take with you some cotton T–shirts and some synthetic ones made of a material with the DryFit system - they remove moisture from the skin and dry quickly. Look in Nike's collections.
Shorts. They will become everyday clothes on hot days. Shorts made of elastic material, such as 4WayStretch, are suitable.
Sweatpants. Any fleece pants, tights or regular sweatpants will do. If you are traveling for more than a week, take two pairs – one that dries quickly and is warm for the evening.
Running shoes. There are no paved roads here, so it is most convenient to move around in light and quick-drying shoes, which are available from Asics, Nike and Salomon.
Trekking boots. You can expect long walks on the rocks, at the foot of the mountains, wet and slippery soil. If you buy shoes before traveling, be sure to carry them in advance, otherwise you will have to glue corns all the way. Shoes should be light, waterproof and well fixed foot. North Face, Keen and Scarpa have such models.
Sandals. It is good if they are with foot fixation or closed toe. Pay attention to the models from Salomon with the Contagrip sole – it provides better grip on the soil.
Flip-flops or slates. They will be useful in the room if there is a cold floor, as well as for going to the sauna or swimming pool. There are no special requirements for them, the main thing is that they do not slip, and it is convenient for you.
A sports bag. Suitcases are too bulky, so they are inconvenient to transport. Choose bags with sturdy handles and the option of cross-body socks. High-quality and indestructible models are made by North Face.
A small backpack. It is convenient for transitions / crossings and is indispensable for hiking. One backpack for two is enough, with a volume of no more than 20 liters and a rain cape. For example, Osprey and Arcteryx produce models with a convenient frame. There you can put a camera, thermos, snack, hat, documents.
Sunglasses. The sun is active at high altitudes, UV rays can damage the eyes. Choose glasses with light polarization – they reduce glare from water and snow, protect your eyes and do not distort color perception. They are useful when skiing or boating on a yacht. In order not to run into a fake, buy an accessory from well-known brands, for example, RayBan and Oakley.
Sunscreen. You can get burned in one day, so you will have to protect your skin daily. Choose a convenient spray format or a compact stick with high SPF.
Medicines. We recommend collecting a universal mini-first aid kit: antipyretics, painkillers, diarrhea remedies, digestive aids, antihistamines, antibiotics, etc. Unusual climate, seafood delicacies – it is unknown how the body will react, so it is better to be safe.
A sports bag. Suitcases are too bulky, so they are inconvenient to transport. Choose bags with sturdy handles and the option of cross-body socks. High-quality and indestructible models are made by North Face.
A small backpack. It is convenient for transitions / crossings and is indispensable for hiking. One backpack for two is enough, with a volume of no more than 20 liters and a rain cape. For example, Osprey and Arcteryx produce models with a convenient frame. There you can put a camera, thermos, snack, hat, documents.
Repellents against ticks and mosquitoes. There are not many insects, but it can be problematic to buy funds on the spot, so count on it to last until the end of the vacation. It is worth taking aerosols to treat clothes and creams that are applied to the body.
Bathing trunks/swimsuit. If you are waiting for spa treatments, bathing in thermal springs, baths, do not take swimsuits with metal jewelry or rhinestones - they burn the body and lose their appearance from external influences. Choose simple sports models.
Clothes for sleeping. While traveling, there are overnight stays in winter quarters or at recreation centers, where it can be cool at night. Warm pajamas will help you stay warm and have a good rest. Many travelers replace pajamas with thin thermal underwear.
A headlamp. It will provide optimal visibility in the dark when you return to the hotel after a long tour or gatherings around the campfire. Don't forget to put a couple of spare batteries with it.

See Lake Baikal