The Baikal wanderer. Excursions to the KBZHD and rest on Olkhon

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Irkutsk, KBZHD, Olkhon – in these three short words, kilometers of endless Baikal expanses, snow-white and pink beaches, an ancient railway, inaccessible cliffs and a meeting with an original merchant city are hidden.

A rich program covering the main attractions, such a combination of days in the route will make your tour to Lake Baikal unforgettable!

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

The history of Irkutsk

We will visit the city's founding site, the Angara River embankment, the Moscow Gate and the historical quarter

The "Golden Buckle" of the Russian steel belt

We will see the most beautiful and most expensive railway in Russia

Olkhon's business card

Take a walk to the famous Shamanka Rock and see the stunning sunset

Itinerary

Day 1 - Getting to know Irkutsk
Meeting at 09:30 with a guide at the airport or train station, acquaintance.
Departure for a sightseeing tour of the city.
Irkutsk is a merchant city with an interesting history, in 2021 it turned 360 years old.
We will visit the city's founding site, the Angara River embankment, the Moscow Gate, and the historical quarter.
After the tour, check–in at the hotels.
Free time. You can visit the Decembrist Museum and the nerpinarium on your own.
Meals: self-catering at your own expense.

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Day 2 - Circum-Baikal Railway
In the morning we leave Irkutsk for the village of Listvyanka.
At the pier, boarding a boat and starting a journey along the famous Circum-Baikal railway.
During the day, we will move along the coastline and make several stops to walk along the shore, see ancient tunnels, stone galleries, bridges and unique engineering structures of the KBZHD.
At each stop, you will have the opportunity to photograph the panoramas of Lake Baikal and learn interesting facts from the guide.
After the tour, we return to Listvyanka and move to Irkutsk.
Meals: breakfast and lunch are included in the price of the tour. Dinner is paid for independently.

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Day 3 - Olkhon Island
In the morning we take minibuses to Olkhon, the largest and most beautiful island of Lake Baikal.
The journey time will take 5-6 hours.
Having sailed by ferry through the Olkhon Gate Strait, we get to the island.
Another 35 km of the way, and we are on the spot – in the village of Khuzhir – this is the tourist capital of the island.
Accommodation at the hotel.
In the evening, a walking tour to the Shamanka rock, which is the hallmark of Olkhon.
Meals: breakfast and dinner. Lunch is paid for independently.

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Day 4 - Excursion to Cape Khoboy
We have breakfast and are going on an excursion.
Today you will have a trip to the northernmost island – Cape Khoboy.
The tour will allow you to see unique natural landscapes: sand dunes and stilt trees, white marble cliffs and steep shores.
Once on Khoboi, you will realize how big and beautiful Lake Baikal is, because around you there will be endless expanses of water that merge with the horizon.
Khoboi has been revered by locals since ancient times and is considered a holy place, so you should not take any objects, move stones and shout loudly here.
After a delicious and satisfying lunch, we go to Cape Shunte or, as it is popularly called, "Cape of Love".
The guide will tell you where the name came from.
Return to the base.
Supper.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner are included in the price of the tour.

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Day 5 - South of the island
After breakfast, we set off to explore the southeast of the island.
We will travel through the spacious steppes with a visit to secluded coves, a turquoise lagoon and a heart-shaped lake.
On warm July and August days, be sure to take swimsuits — there will be an opportunity to take a dip.
We will also visit the Trident rock complex, an excellent viewing point with impressive views of the southern part of the island and the Small Sea.
In the evening we return to the base, where dinner awaits us.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner are included in the price of the tour.

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Day 6 - Return to Irkutsk
Breakfast.
Transfer to Irkutsk by buses and minibuses, the journey time is about 6 hours.
Stop at a roadside cafe (self-catering).
The program ends in Irkutsk (estimated arrival from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kirov Square).
Meals: breakfast is included in the price of the tour. Lunch and dinner are paid for independently.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

5 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation in 2-/3- local rooms in Irkutsk (2 nights) and on Olkhon Island (3 nights) in several options to choose from:

The economy option of the tour includes:

hotel accommodation in Irkutsk – 2-bed comfortable standard room;
accommodation in a hotel on Olkhon – 2-bed economy room, shower and toilet on the floor for 4 rooms.

The standard tour option includes:

hotel accommodation in Irkutsk – 2-bed comfortable standard room;
Accommodation in a hotel on Olkhon is a 2-bed comfortable standard room.

Hotels can be replaced with similar ones.

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

Dates	Economy	Standard
June 13-18, June 27 - July 2	68 700	72 700
July 13-18, July 16-21, July 20-25, July 23-28, July 27 - August 1, August 6-11, August 17-22, August 24-29	69 900	78 900
Surcharge for single occupancy	8 500	13 700

10% discount on the tour for children under 12 years old.

The Angara Hotel is the largest hotel in the center of Irkutsk, ideal for both tourist and business trips. The convenient location allows you to quickly reach the main attractions, restaurants, shops and business facilities of the city. The windows overlook the central square, and the modern atmosphere and comfort make the stay especially pleasant.

The hotel offers more than 300 rooms of different categories, from standard to suites, which allows you to choose an option for any budget. All rooms are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Secure parking, 24-hour service, shuttle service and the possibility of staying with pets are also provided for guests.

The hotel has a well-thought-out gastronomic component. Breakfast is served in a buffet style, and a set menu with daily updates is offered for lunches and dinners. The 3rd Floor restaurant overlooks the central square and the London Pub restaurant, where you can not only have lunch or dinner, but also spend time in a cozy atmosphere.

The hotel's infrastructure is complemented by a sauna with a font, billiards, fitness equipment and karaoke, as well as a billiard club with 11 tables.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 1 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

meeting at 09:30 a.m. (local time) at the airport or at the railway station in Irkutsk;
hotel accommodation in Irkutsk (2 nights);
accommodation in a hotel on Olkhon (3 nights);
day tour by boat along the route of the Circum-Baikal railway;
meals according to the program:
- 1 day – not included;
- Day 2 – breakfast, lunch;
- Day 3 – breakfast and dinner;
- Day 4, 5 – breakfast, lunch, picnic and dinner;
- Day 6 – breakfast;
guided tours according to the program:
- Irkutsk sightseeing tour;
- Cape Burkhan Sightseeing Tour;
- Cape Khoboy Car Tour;
- car tour to the south of the island.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals in Irkutsk, on KBZHD and in roadside cafes, not specified in the program;
transfer at the end of the tour to hotels, railway station, airport, etc.;
additional services not specified in the program or specified in the program for an additional cost;
personal expenses.

It's important to know

We recommend that you have it with you:

personal first aid kit:
- first aid supplies (bandage, cotton wool, patch, analgesics, antiseptics);
- medications needed for gastrointestinal disorders;
- in the presence of chronic diseases – medications that you usually take;
warm clothes (windbreaker, headdress) – for boat trips;
raincoat;
sneakers (waterproof shoes or have a replaceable pair);
swimsuit, lightweight headdress for sun protection;
tick repellent;
sunscreen;
flashlight (optional, for passing the KBZHD tunnel).

Dates and Prices

$937

13 – 18 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$937

27 Jun – 2 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$954

13 – 18 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$954

16 – 21 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$954

20 – 25 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$954

23 – 28 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$954

27 Jul – 1 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$954

6 – 11 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$954

17 – 22 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$954

24 – 29 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

V
Valentina

about tour - The Baikal wanderer. Excursions to the KBZHD and rest on Olkhon

26 Dec, 2024

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Big Country team for organizing the trip of my dreams! From June 12 to 18, thanks to the seamless efforts of their staff, I embarked on the Baikal Wanderer tour. In my opinion, this is the perfect itinerary for exploring the region. It features a guided tour of Irkutsk, a charming historic city, an unforgettable journey along the Circum-Baikal Railway, and an introduction to the crown jewel of Russia, Lake Baikal! The host team managed every detail flawlessly, from the warm welcome to accommodations and the thoughtfully planned excursion program. Our group was accompanied throughout the journey by an exceptional guide, Alexander Domashevsky, a true professional in his field. A highlight of the tour was staying on Olkhon Island, practically on the lake's shore, which allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in its extraordinary atmosphere. Words and photos simply cannot capture the stunning beauty of this place—Baikal is something you need to experience in person! It’s breathtaking in every season and under any weather conditions. Thank you for a fantastic vacation and an abundance of unforgettable memories!
E
Elena

about tour - The Baikal wanderer. Excursions to the KBZHD and rest on Olkhon

24 Dec, 2024

The tour was truly impressive, filled with positive emotions—beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and a friendly team. We took a long time to choose this tour, and it turned out to be the perfect decision.
A
Anastasia

about provider

3 Jun, 2026

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The tour operator was excellent! Safety was clearly the top priority throughout the trip, which gave us great peace of mind. Everything was well organized and ran smoothly from start to finish. There were no issues or delays, and we never had to wait around unnecessarily. Departures, transfers, and crossings were all perfectly on schedule. A truly professional and reliable organization!