The charm of the Small Sea. Winter trip to Lake Baikal

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In just 5 days you will see legendary splashes, transparent ice with methane bubbles, visit interesting historical places in Irkutsk and Listvyanka, take a lot of memorable pictures, and also bring delicious fish delicacies with you.

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Marble Quarry

We will see a huge marble deposit 2 billion years old, it is older than Lake Baikal itself!

Buddhist Shrine

Let's purify ourselves and recharge with the spiritual energy of the Sacred Stupa of Enlightenment on the island of Ogoy

Irkutsk Baroque

Let's get acquainted with the interesting architecture of the ancient city, which has largely preserved the historical buildings

About Lake Baikal "at first hand"

We will visit the unique museum of Lake Baikal, where unique facts about the lake will be shared with us

Itinerary

Day 1 - The road to the Small Sea. Buguldeika
Upon arrival in Irkutsk, the journey to Lake Baikal begins, or rather to the Small Sea.
You will leave Irkutsk approximately at 10 a.m.
The path will run through an area with picturesque views.
The road will partially pass through the Tazheran steppes, decorated here and there with rocky remnants.
Guests often refer to this segment of the journey as the "Martian" one.
Landscapes really transport you to some kind of alien reality!
On the way to the Small Sea, we will stop at the famous marble quarry in Buguldike!
Buguldeika is a small Baikal village with a population of about 1,000 people.
It stands at the mouth of the Buguldeika River flowing down from the Primorsky Ridge in the Olkhonsky district of the Irkutsk region.
The territory of the village is included in the Baikal National Park and is specially protected.
The name of the village in the Evenk language means “deer place”, according to another version it is the name of a local prince.
Buguldeika is also called a powerful north-westerly wind blowing in the surrounding mountains.
Buguldeika attracts primarily with its beautiful landscapes — mountains, caves, forest paths, a river and the Baikal coast.
This is an excellent place for eco-tourism with equipped hiking, horseback riding and automobile routes.
If you leave Buguldeika towards the village of Elansi, you will see a huge deposit of marble.
White stone blocks are visible from afar, marble reserves in Buguldike occupy about 10 million cubic meters.
The age of the deposit is 2 billion years old, it is older than Lake Baikal itself.
The local marble is characterized by high density, uniformity and whiteness, it is ideal for sculptures and decoration.
Buguldean marble belongs to the highest grade, with a small thickness, pieces of rock are translucent in the sun.
Marble mining was carried out in the 1970s, but today it has been suspended due to the special protected status of the territory.
Therefore, tourists can safely walk around the quarry and take pictures.
The field offers magnificent views of Lake Baikal and the Buguldeika River.
After that, we will drive to the Small Sea, where, after checking in, you will have free time that you can devote to rest or walking.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, lunch on the way to the Small Sea.
You will find: the Tazheran steppes, the marble quarry, Buguldeika, Lake Baikal, the Small Sea.

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Day 2 - Tour of the south of Olkhon Island and the islands of the Small Sea
Today you will see frozen water splashes in grottos and caves – amazing shapes of icicles and statues will not leave you indifferent!
You will visit one of the most popular tourist spots on Olkhon – on the island of Ogoy.
Ogoy Island is the largest island in the Small Sea with a length of 3 km.
The most frequently photographed and recognizable place on the island is the sacred Buddhist stupa.
Many people come to Lake Baikal only for the sake of visiting this place – to purify themselves and recharge their spiritual energy.
And there is also a belief that if you walk around the stupa 3 times and make a wish, it comes true.
You will find a lake in the south of Olkhon, which is famous for methane bubbles frozen in ice — they look very interesting!
In the middle of the day you will have a picnic lunch in the fresh air surrounded by Baikal beauty.
Today you will have a lot of photos from the tour – it is impossible to resist and not capture all the icy beauty!
In the evening, you will return to the hotel, where you will have the opportunity to relax or spend your free time at your discretion.
The tour can be replaced due to the ice conditions.
Alternatively, a car tour "To the south of Olkhon Island" is offered.
An excursion to the south implies a visit to Lake Heart, the Trident rock, the lonely birch, the Khalzana paddy.
A detailed tour program will be provided upon replacement.
The price includes: accommodation, breakfast, excursion, group transfer, picnic lunch, permission to visit the national park.
You will find: Ogoy Island, Cape Dragon, Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, grottoes, Baikal ice.

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Day 3 - Return to Irkutsk
On this day, our amazing journey through the Small Sea is coming to an end.
Breakfast awaits you in the morning and you will have the opportunity to take a last walk.
In the morning, departure to Irkutsk, where a sightseeing tour of the city will begin tomorrow.
The price includes: group transfer, breakfast, lunch on the way to Irkutsk, accommodation.
Day 4 - Sightseeing tour of the city of Irkutsk
Irkutsk is called the capital of Eastern Siberia, it is an ancient city with interesting architecture in the style of Irkutsk Baroque.
The settlement on the Irkut River was founded in 1661 and was named after the Tuvan leader Yandash.
Already in 1701, the city of Irkutsk was marked on the map.
Due to its location on the way between Europe and the Far East, the city is developing rapidly.
In the 19th century Irkutsk became the center of gold mining.
Today it is a center of tourism and science, there are a lot of students in the city, so the average age of Irkutsk residents is only 30 years old.
The center of Irkutsk is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city has largely preserved its original historical buildings.
There are about 685 historical and cultural monuments in Irkutsk.
A tour of the memorable and historical places of Irkutsk will acquaint tourists with the history of the Irkutsk prison, the central part of the city, tell about architecture and wooden architecture, outstanding figures of the history and culture of Russia, whose activities were inextricably linked with Irkutsk.
After the tour, you will love the city like your native one, you will want to return to it again and again!
In the evening, you will have free time to visit local shopping malls, cafes or restaurants, as well as gain strength before tomorrow's trip to Listvyanka.
Included in the price: breakfast, group transfer, guide, excursion, accommodation.
You will find: Churches, Museums, Monuments, A Square, the Angara Embankment.

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Day 5 - Sightseeing tour of Listvyanka. The road to Irkutsk. Completion of the tour
Today you will go towards Listvyanka along the picturesque Baikal highway.
Listvyanka is a village located along the edge of Lake Baikal at the source of the Angara River, a kind of Mecca of tourism among all visitors to Lake Baikal, the starting point of many sightseeing routes along the lake.
This is the closest place to the city where you can see the Pearl of Siberia.
On the way to Listvyanka, you will visit an amazing and interesting place – the open-air architectural and ethnographic museum "Taltsy", where monuments of history, architecture and ethnography of the XVII-XX centuries are concentrated.
At the source of the Angara River, the only one flowing from Lake Baikal, the guide will tell you a fascinating and beautiful legend about Lake Baikal and Angara, here you will see the legendary Shaman Stone.
After that, you will 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 out such information about Lake Baikal "first-hand" anywhere.
In the evening you will go to Irkutsk.
Today your trip to Lake Baikal ends.
These eventful 5 days have introduced you to winter Lake Baikal, local entertainment, and historical heritage.
The price includes: group transfer, accommodation, guide, excursion, breakfast.
You will find: the Taltsy Architectural and Ethnographic Museum, Shaman Stone, the Limnological museum of Lake Baikal, the fish market in Listvyanka, Lake Baikal.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

or

Camp Site, Hotel

2 nights
Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation at a recreation center and in a hotel.

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

Double room	Extra charge for a single room
49 000	18 000

Accommodation is based on availability, please specify the details when booking. The possible options are presented below.

Recreation center "Wind of wanderings"

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. Cozy rooms of various classes from economy to luxury. Excellent chefs work at the base, who will gladly feed everyone. The cuisine is delicious, homely. The friendly staff will do everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

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Another option

Naratei Recreation Center

The Naratei recreation center is waiting for its guests in the village of Sakhyurt. Parking, billiards, children's playground, sauna, shuttle service and more are at your disposal.

Wonderful cozy rooms have been created for you here so that you can get a quality rest and recharge with a lot of pleasant emotions from living in this place.

There is a restaurant on site where you can have a delicious meal and have a great time.

Shops and cafes are within walking distance. There are ample opportunities for tourism. Everyone here stays in solitude with the incredible nature of Lake Baikal.

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Another option

Recreation center "Baikal rainbow"

On the picturesque shore between the Bays of joy there is a recreation center “Baikal rainbow”, 3 km from the village of Sakhyurt, Irkutsk region. This place is ideal for relaxing with both the whole family and a group of friends. Free high-speed Internet is available far from urban civilization. For convenience, the reception is open 24 hours a day. The number of rooms is represented by hotel rooms of various capacities. There is functional furniture everywhere. There is a bar and a cafe on site with views of Lake Baikal. Where delicious dishes of Russian cuisine are served. It is possible to hold a small celebration.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 20 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

transfers throughout the tour;
meals according to the tour program;
excursions specified in the program;
habitation;
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;
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.

Dates and Prices

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

$546

16 – 20 Feb, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

18 – 22 Feb, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

21 – 25 Feb, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

23 – 27 Feb, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

25 Feb – 1 Mar, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

26 Feb – 2 Mar, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

28 Feb – 4 Mar, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

2 – 6 Mar, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$546

4 – 8 Mar, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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