Spring Baikal and the foothills of the Sayan Mountains

Sayan is a beautiful mountainous country. The mountain hills are covered with dense coniferous forest. And between the glacial and forest belt there is a mountain tundra with sharp temperature changes. Our trip will be short, but it will be remembered for a lifetime!

You will walk along the coast of the Small Sea, reviving after winter, look into the sacred cave of the spirit of Olkhon Island, see the mountain waterfalls of Siberian Switzerland and the spreading cedars of the primordial taiga in the village of Arshan. You will also have a delicious tasting of Buryat cuisine and an introduction to the Buddhist religion.

Location

Irkutsk
from
$446
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
5 Days
4 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 8 – 12 May, 2025
    • 18 – 22 May, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    1 night
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Irkutsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Legends of Lake Baikal
The guide will tell us interesting facts about Lake Baikal, its flora and fauna, and the sacred island of Olkhon
A Place of Power
Let's visit Shamanka Rock – this is a place with powerful energy, and make our most secret wishes!
Buryat flavor
We will get acquainted with the Buddhist religion, the culture of the local population and their customs, visit the Buryat-Mongolian market
Hearty national cuisine
A delicious tasting of Buryat traditional dishes awaits us

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - The road to the Small Sea

    Welcome to Irkutsk! 

    Meeting with the sign "Baikal and the Foothills of the Sayan Mountains". 

    Group gathering:

    • airport – 8-8.30 inside the building at the exit to the city (opposite the baggage claim);
    • railway station – 9-9.30.

    Do not forget to inform about the place of arrival (airport or railway station), flight or train number, arrival time, contact phone number).

    Breakfast.

    Departure to Lake Baikal in the central part – to the Small Sea. 

    Along the way, you will see a variety of landscapes of the Baikal region: the snow-capped spurs of the Baikal ridge, the Tazheran steppe, the mountainous shores of the Maly Sea and the Olkhon Islands.

    After passing the village of Yelantsy, pay attention to the bronze figure of a flying eagle, the patron saint of the steppe expanses of Tazheran and Olkhon. 

    The eagle is a totemic bird of the local Buryat people, the ezhin of Olkhon Island.

    Another interesting monument is installed on the observation deck of the Kurkuta Bay.

    Here, the Tramp hero of the Russian folk song "Through the Wild Steppes of Transbaikalia" was immortalized in bronze. 

    Upon arrival at the Small Sea, accommodation and lunch at the recreation center.

    After you have rested for a while, we will go on a walking tour. 

    This part of the lake (including Olkhon Island) represents all the natural zones of the Baikal coast, replacing one another: these are steppe expanses, gorgeous sandy and pebble beaches, steep cliffs, mountains and taiga ... during our excursions you will see for yourself how beautiful and diverse the nature of the Small Sea is.

    During the tour, you will learn the legends about our Sacred Lake.

    The guide will tell you interesting facts about Lake Baikal, its flora and fauna, Olkhon Island, and the Olkhon Gate Strait. 

    After the walk, return and have dinner. 

    Guide: Yes. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Olkhon Island
  • Day 3 - Free day
  • Day 4 - Siberian Switzerland – Arshan
  • Day 5 - Return to Irkutsk
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Camp Site
    1 night
  • Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in hotels.

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

Double roomSingle room
42 30057 600
Recreation center "Wind of Wanderings" or similar on the Small Sea 1 night

On the Small Sea: Wind of Wanderings, El Dorado, Baikal Lux, Rainbow, Panorama (or similar).

The recreation center "Wind of Wanderings" is a great place to relax. All the buildings of the base are built of wood, an environmentally friendly material. It offers a base, a great beach on the shore of Lake Baikal, excellent views from the windows of all rooms, playgrounds are equipped for children.

1 more photo
Matryoshka Hotel or similar in Irkutsk 1 night
The Irkut Hotel or a similar one in the village of Arshan 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
5 days 4 nights
Group meets at
Irkutsk

Included in price

  • Accommodation: standard, rooms with amenities;
  • meals according to the program:
    • Day 1-2 – breakfast, lunch, dinner;
    • Day 3-4 – breakfast, lunch;
    • Day 5 – breakfast;
  • guide services;
  • excursions and entrance fees: walking tour on the Small Sea, car tour to Olkhon Island, walking tour of Arshan village, waterfalls, Datsan;
  • collection of the national The Park;
  • transfers according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air or railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
  • additional services of hotels and recreation centers;
  • alcoholic beverages.

It's important to know

Are tickets included in the price of the tour?

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

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
  • $446
    8 – 12 May, 2025 5 days 4 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $446
    18 – 22 May, 2025 5 days 4 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now