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

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Take a walk on the first Baikal ice, see incredible ice patterns and splashes, skate and feel the real ice atmosphere!

In early January, the very first Baikal ice, the first ice, begins to appear on the Small Sea. It is a special pleasure to walk on such ice, see how small cracks form and look at the rocks at the bottom, as if through a mirror.

We invite you to become pioneers and feel the magic of the Baikal ice!

It is also possible to arrange a tour on other dates on request.

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The purest Baikal ice

Let's become the discoverers of the Baikal ice and see the untouched ice

Stunning photos of ice caves

One day, a photographer will be with us to take cool photos against the background of the blue ice of Lake Baikal

An unforgettable trip on Khivus

Let's take a ride on the ice of Lake Baikal on a hovercraft ("Khivuse")

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting, Olkhon Island, Khuzhir village
Welcome!
We will meet at Irkutsk airport, get acquainted and go to Olkhon Island.
On the way, we will stop at a cafe and have dinner with dishes of national cuisine.
A little more – and we will see the Baikal ice!
To get to Olkhon Island, we will take a hovercraft ("Khivuse") 10-15 minutes through the Olkhon Gate Strait and then transfer to the UAZ to get to the village of Khuzhira.
We arrive and check in.
After a short rest, we go for a walk to the famous Shamanka rock.
Since the beginning of January, the very first fragile Baikal ice has been freezing along the coast of Olkhon.
The first ice caves and transparent hummocks are forming.
Let's walk on the ice around the Shamanka and meet the sunset.
After a walk, we return to the hotel, warm up with a delicious and hearty dinner, and relax.

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Day 2 - A trip across the ice to Cape Khoboy
The ice adventure begins!
We are going to the north of Olkhon, the road will pass on the UAZ- loaves, which are an integral symbol of the island.
In early January, the route passes through the island itself, we will see the rocky precipitous shores of Cape Khoboy and Three Brothers and look at Lake Baikal from a height.
We'll go out on the ice in accessible places to see caves and take cool photos (a photographer will be with us).
At the end of January, the route passes through the ice of Lake Baikal.
We will see ice caves and grottos at Cape Sagan-Khushun, as well as blue hummocks in the northern part of the island.
Real ice magic and the purest emotions are waiting for us!
In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner.

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Day 3 - Ogoy Island. Departure to Irkutsk
Today we will continue to explore the Baikal ice and drive the Khivus through the Strait of the Small Sea.
We will be looking for beautiful ice locations, steep caves and grottos.
One of our main locations today is Ogoy Island.
The island is a favorite destination for photographers and travelers.
We will walk around the island and also climb to the famous Buddhist stupa.
Here you can feel a special silence and tranquility, and also make a cherished wish!
After the tour, we return to the base and have lunch.
After lunch we leave for Irkutsk.
Arrival in Irkutsk, accommodation at the hotel.
We have dinner at one of the restaurants in the city and share our impressions.
The ice adventures are ending, but the memories remain!

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Day 4 - Departure
We have breakfast and go to the airport.

We wish you bright emotions and new interesting journeys!

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in a standard double room in a hotel on Olkhon and in a hotel in Irkutsk.

The surcharge for a single stay is 11,000 rubles.

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

The possible placement options are shown below.

Accommodation on Olkhon: 2-bed comfortable room.

It is located on the island of Olkhon in the village. Khuzhir, just 150 m from the shore of Lake Baikal. The excellent location allows you to reach the significant attractions of the island – Shamanka Rock and Sarai beach in a few minutes on foot. All necessary infrastructure is also within walking distance: cafes, shops, souvenir shops, etc.

Some rooms have views of Lake Baikal, sandy beach and coniferous forest. The rooms are decorated in a rustic style and made of Baikal pine, so the air in them is saturated with the aroma of pine needles and resins.

Comfortable double rooms are located in wooden buildings and are available: two single beds or one double bed (additional installation is possible. seats), flat-screen TV, table, chairs, wardrobe or closet, private bathroom with shower, towels, mirror.

In the cozy cafe "Ostrov", you will be offered dishes of Siberian and Buryat cuisine, various delicacies from Baikal fish, snacks and fresh pastries. On the second floor there is an art gallery, which presents paintings by regional artists, various books and souvenirs. Barbecue facilities are also available.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 1 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

meeting at 09:30 in Irkutsk at the railway station and at the airport;
Irkutsk – Khuzhir transfer;
accommodation at the hotel on Olkhon: standard double room (2 nights);
Shamanka Rock tour;
excursion by UAZ to the north of Olkhon, Cape Sagan Khushun, Cape Khoboy;
photographer's services on the 2nd day of the tour (or on the 3rd day of the tour, depending on weather conditions);
Khivus excursion on the Small Sea (Ogoy Island, Cape Khorgoy and Mare's Head);
transfer MRS – Irkutsk by minibus;
hotel accommodation in Irkutsk: standard double room (1 night);
meals according to the program:
- Day 1 – lunch and dinner;
- Day 2 – breakfast, lunch, picnic, dinner;
- Day 3 – breakfast, lunch, dinner;
- Day 4 – breakfast;
transfer to the airport;
guide support throughout the tour;
insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
additional services not specified in the program or specified for an additional fee.

It's important to know

boots or boots designed for severe frost;
a hat with the ability to cover the ears;
warm, windproof gloves;
ice floats (rubber, worn on any shoes), or crampons on shoes from slipping;
a warm jacket;
a warm sweater or fleece jacket;
pants (ski pants are available);
socks (thermal socks and woolen ones);
thermal underwear;
sunglasses;
lantern;
lipstick is hygienic.

It is necessary to have an identity document with you. It is forbidden to transfer your documents confirming the right to travel to other persons.
Every tourist is obliged to:

Do not be late for the departure of the train / bus / ship
Do not carry substances that threaten health and life (flammable, narcotic, etc.)
Follow the rules of travel on the bus: it is forbidden to drive drunk and smoke in the cabin
Fulfill the requirements of the group leader, guide
Observe the moral and ethical norms of tourist behavior, be disciplined and polite
Follow the rules of excursion service, take care of historical and cultural monuments
Comply with the rules of nature protection and fire safety
Observe your own safety measures and understand what responsibility the manager bears for you
Take care of property in places of residence, on the bus: in case of breakdown or loss of hotel property (recreation center), rental property, etc., as well as in case of fire due to your fault, you bear all responsibility for the damage caused yourself
Observe the rules of accommodation at the hotel (at the recreation center), do not break the silence after 23.00 h.
Promptly inform the travel director or his deputy about the deterioration of health or injury
Follow the safety rules on ice, avoid hypothermia - keep in mind the low air temperature during this period.

We remind you:

The head oversees the implementation of the excursion program, therefore, adult tourists deviate from
the excursion program of the group should inform the head, inform the time and place of joining the group and leave contact numbers.
Check whether the points of stay under the program are included in the service area of the mobile operator you need at the offices of the relevant companies (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, etc.) before making the trip.
It is not recommended to leave the hotel after 24 hours.
If you are a vegetarian or have strict restrictions on taking a particular food, you must inform us in advance to be able to coordinate a separate menu.
There are no banks or ATMs on Olkhon Island, so take cash in advance.
Local time: Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude +5 hours from Moscow.

Dates and Prices

Individual dates available on request

1 – 31 Jan, 2026

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No need to pay now
$867

2 – 5 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$867

4 – 7 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$867

16 – 19 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$867

1 – 4 Feb, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

TR
Tatiana Rubtsova

about provider

26 Dec, 2024

The organization was excellent—we were warmly greeted right on time, and the hotel was fantastic!
V
Valentina

about provider

25 Dec, 2024

Everything was excellent! The tour arrangement, the preparation of accompanying documents, and the support throughout the process were all top-notch. Thank you!
NK
Natalia Kaloshina

about provider

25 Dec, 2024

We sincerely thank the team at Big Country and the host team for their support during a challenging situation, which made it possible for our trip to happen.

The magic of Baikal Ice