The magic of Baikal Ice

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
from
$554
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 2 – 5 January, 2025
    • 3 – 6 January, 2025
    • 18 – 21 January, 2025
    • 7 – 10 February, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 15 people
Minimum age
5 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

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 meet at Irkutsk airport, get acquainted and go to Olkhon Island. 

    On the way, we will stop at a cafe and dine on 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 Olkhonsky Gate Strait and then transfer to the UAZ to get to the village of Khuzhira. 

    We arrive, 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 on Olkhon. 

    The first ice caves and transparent hummocks are formed. 

    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.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - A trip across the ice to Cape Khoboy
  • Day 3 - Ogoy Island. Departure to Irkutsk
  • Day 4 - Departure
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

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 single accommodation is 9,000 rubles.

The possible placement options are presented below.

Baikal Terra Hotel 2 nights

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.

1 more photo
Ibis Hotel 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up 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

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • 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.
Are plane/train tickets included in the tour price?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Information for tour participants
Are there any discounts?
What are the features of the Baikal ice?

Dates and Prices

  • Individual dates available on request
    1 – 31 Jan, 2025
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $554
    2 – 5 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    No seats left
  • $554
    3 – 6 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    No seats left
  • $554
    18 – 21 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $554
    7 – 10 Feb, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    No seats left

Reviews

  • Y
    Yulia
    1 Dec, 2024
    about provider
    The organization was meticulous, with every detail carefully planned—no overlaps or delays, everything ran smoothly and on schedule. The food was delicious, and the accommodations were excellent. I loved everything!
    1 Dec, 2024
    6 more photos
  • V
    Victor
    25 Nov, 2024
    about provider
    Our guide was Denis Nizhegorodsky. He is a true professional, a master of his craft who clearly loves what he does. His approach to the group was both caring and highly knowledgeable.
    25 Nov, 2024
    2 more photos
  • A
    Anastasia
    30 Oct, 2024
    about provider
    Everything was perfectly organized, and the itinerary was very well planned – from transfers and accommodations to the excursions themselves. I especially enjoyed the trip along the Circum-Baikal Railway, Listvyanka, and the enchanting Olkhon Island. Plus, we were lucky with the weather: we encountered heavy rain only when leaving Irkutsk; the rest of the time was dry and sunny. Our guide Alexander was wonderful and attentive. We learned so many new things and even took a swim in Lake Baikal!
    30 Oct, 2024
    6 more photos