The golden ring of Lake Baikal. A shortened route

On this tour, you will find a varied program of a Baikal cruise on a comfort-class ship. You will enjoy hiking in unique natural places, relax on the beach, go fishing, go to the Ushkany Islands to watch the seal rookery and much more.

A delightful journey through the most protected corners of the famous lake-seas, vast expanses of water and pristine nature.

Route: Small Sea (MRS) – Olkhon Island – Chivyrkuysky Bay – Small Sea (MRS).

You can find the extended version of the tour at the link: https://bolshayastrana.com/bajkal/zolotoe-kolco-bajkala-kruiz-17931

Location

Russia, Irkutsk
from
$902
$768
+ 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
    • 25 – 29 July, 2025
    • 4 – 8 August, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
2 years old
Group meet at
Russia, Irkutsk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Fishing on Lake Baikal
For lovers, we will organize fishing for grayling, pike, perch and carp, and the cook will be happy to cook our catch for lunch
Pleasant evenings on deck
Let's make new friends, we will have a delicious table and a pleasant pastime on the deck among the waters of the endless Baikal
Baikal seals
Let's go to the Ushkany Islands to watch the seal rookery

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Islands of the Small Sea

    At about 14:00-15:00, passengers board in the village of Sakhyurt (MRS) on the Small Sea.

    The time of boarding and disembarkation may vary, please specify further when booking a cruise.

    Accommodation in cabins of new cruise members.

    Getting to know the team, safety instructions and rules of conduct on board and on Lake Baikal.

    Lunch on board the ship.

    Crossing the Small Sea from the southern tip of Olkhon Island to the northern one.

    On the way, if time and weather conditions permit, visit Ogoy Island, on top of which a Buddhist temple (stupa) was built in 2004.

    From the top of the island there is a magnificent view of Olkhon and the Small Sea.

    Dinner on board the ship.

    Overnight at the discretion of the captain in one of the bays of the Small Sea.

    The water crossing is 70 kilometers, the journey time is 5 hours.

    5 more photos
  • Day 2 - Wildlife of the Chivyrkuy Bay
  • Day 3 - Hospitable Chivyrkui
  • Day 4 - The mystery of the Ushkany Islands
  • Day 5 - The bays of Olkhon
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    4 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour provides accommodation on a comfort class ship.

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

CABINSDouble cabin
For 2-bed accommodation 
Double cabin
For 1-bed accommodation 
Triple cabinFour-person cabin
Improved
(№ 2 twin, 3 Twin/DBL)
140 000190 00090 00080 000
Twin standard (No.1,4)125 000160 000--
Internal Twin/DBL (No.5)105 000145 000

95 000

 

-

The ship "Vympel".

The Vympel motor ship is a modern and comfortable motor ship for traveling around Lake Baikal. 

A comfort class motor ship with a passenger capacity of up to 15 people. 

Most cabins have a shower, toilet, upholstered furniture, carpet on the floor.

Each cabin has a telephone connection to the captain's cabin.

Spacious cabins provide more comfort and individual space for each passenger. 

There is a comfortable lounge on the second deck, where you can watch movies and listen to music. 

Or just sit for conversations and a cup of tea with the guests of the cruise, because nothing can replace simple human communication. 

Navigation equipment: the ship is equipped with modern navigation equipment and radio communications, an echo sounder, and rescue equipment that meet the requirements of the Russian River Register. 

Life-saving equipment: an inflatable motorboat and an unsinkable lifeboat. Life jackets and lifebuoys.

Cabin No. 1 standard or Cabin No.2 Improved or 4 nights
Cabin No. 1 standard

Cabin No. 1 standard + "TWIN" entrance to the cabin from the corridor, double, separate beds.

The total area of the cabin is 7.8 m2

In the cabin:

  • Bathroom with shower
  • Windows
  • Sockets (2 pcs)
  • Safe, place for clothes, heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 70cm by 1.90m. TWIN
  • Accommodation: 2 people
Another option
Cabin No.2 Improved

Cabin No. 2 improved "TWIN" - Entrance to the cabin from the corridor, four-bed, spacious, separate beds (compartment).

The total area of the cabin is 8.4 m2

In the cabin:

  • Bathroom with shower
  • Windows
  • Sockets (2 pcs)
  • Safe, wardrobe, heater
  • Table
  • Sleeps: 4 beds, TWIN
  • Accommodation: 4 people
1 more photo
Another option
Cabin no.3 Improved

Cabin No. 3 is improved: entrance to the cabin from the mess, quadruple, spacious, 2 separate beds (compartment), large double sofa.

In the cabin:

  • Bathroom with shower
  • Windows
  • Sockets (3 pcs)
  • Wardrobe, safe, heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 70cm by 1.90m. TWIN/DBL
  • Accommodation: 4 people
Another option
Cabin No. 4 Standard

Cabin No. 4: entrance to the cabin from the stern, double, ceiling height 180 cm, beds are separated by stairs.

The total area of the cabin is 6.6 m2

In the cabin:

  • Bathroom with shower
  • Windows
  • Sockets (1 piece)
  • A place for clothes, a safe, a heater
  • Sleeps: 2 beds 65cm by 2 m. TWIN
  • Accommodation: 2 people
Another option
Cabin No. 5 Standard internal

Cabin No. 5 standard: located on the upper deck, spacious, 1 bed and a sofa.

Total cabin area: 5.7m2

Bathroom next to the cabin

In the cabin:

  • Windows on the promenade
  • Sockets (2 pcs)
  • A place for clothes, a safe, a heater
  • Coffee table
  • Sleeps: 1 110cm bed and a sofa. TWIN/DBL
  • Accommodation: 2-3 people

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
2 years old
Duration
5 days 4 nights
Group meets at
Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

  • accommodation on board the ship;
  • accompanying guide;
  • full board;
  • daily excursion program along the entire route with landings;
  • tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water and snacks throughout the cruise;
  • medical insurance;
  • fees for visiting the national Parks (except Ushkany Islands);
  • information material provided before the start of the trip;
  • memorable gifts and souvenirs;
  • optional photos and videos.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
  • hotel accommodation and excursions before and after the expedition cruise;
  • group transfer Irkutsk – Maloe More;
  • Small Sea – Irkutsk group transfer;
  • accident insurance;
  • baggage insurance and travel cancellation risks (recommended);
  • tips for staff and team (recommended).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. Clothes:

  • a fleece jacket and a sweater that will be useful to you in cool weather;
  • windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers (it is windy on the open deck during transitions);
  • a pair of T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt, thermal underwear;
  • shoes – light, comfortable, sporty (sneakers, light trekking boots) (without heels!);
  • headdress – to choose from: a hat with a brim or a panama hat, a cap with a long visor to protect from the blinding low sun, a light fleece or wool cap;
  • socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 1 pair of wool;
  • bathing suit;
  • toiletries and hygiene products, including lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor;
  • sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays;

2. waterproof liner (bag) to protect especially valuable personal items (money, documents, camera, etc.) from water;

3. A small flashlight powered by finger batteries, binoculars (if you have one);

4. Medicines that you may need personally (for allergies, headaches and gastrointestinal disorders) or that you need for regular intake;

5. repellents that protect against mosquito bites and midges (while walking on the mainland);

6. Camera (with spare batteries or charger);

7. Safety pin, needle and thread;

8. Documents: an identity card or a photocopy of the first pages and the page with the registration registration of the passport, a voucher or a document replacing it (voucher, reservation sheet) and a medical insurance policy.

Are plane tickets included in the tour price?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
How is the food organized?
Tour Features
Are there any discounts on the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $768
    25 – 29 Jul, 2025 5 days 4 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $768
    4 – 8 Aug, 2025 5 days 4 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

  • MB
    Maria Barakova
    12 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    Good afternoon! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the organizers of the “Taste of Lake Baikal” tour, which we enjoyed from July 15 to July 18. The entire experience was flawlessly arranged, with every detail thoughtfully considered! Special thanks to manager Kirill, who was always available and took excellent care of us throughout the trip. Our group was small—just five people—which was a real advantage for us as travelers! We felt like VIPs in Irkutsk! Our guides, Alyona and driver Roman Kondratiev, shared so much about the history of Irkutsk and the incredible places we visited. Their laid-back storytelling kept it interesting, giving us insights that most tourists don’t get. The choice to use a car for such a small group was perfect—flexible, comfortable, and easy to hear everything. From the initial greeting to our final departure, we were so well looked after. The program was rich and engaging without a single wasted moment! Irkutsk is a beautiful city, full of amazing people and historic sites, and we were fortunate to have enthusiastic guides who truly love what they do. We highly recommend this tour to everyone! It left us with the very best memories.
    12 Nov, 2024
    5 more photos