The miracle of Lake Baikal. Combined walking Tour

Today we are going to meet Baikal: along the road that runs through the steppes past ancient Buryat villages, through the picturesque foothills of the Baikal range, the Siberian taiga, which then again give way to the Mongolian landscapes of the Tajeran steppe.

The ferry to Olkhon Island is the largest of the 26 islands of Lake Baikal, its geographical, historical and sacred center, even in its shape resembling the outlines of a lake.

The crossing takes about 40 minutes. You will see both the "Small" and "Big" seas – two parts of Lake Baikal, separated by Olkhon, and the famous Olkhon Gate Strait, which runs between the island and the mainland.

From Zagli Bay (Tashkai Bay), next to which the ferry docks, we begin to explore the vast expanses of the island and marvel at this creation of nature: the bay has a record amount of sunlight per year (more than on the Riga coast) and record low rainfall (as in the dry steppes of Kazakhstan).

The bay is connected to Lake Nursky (or Nur), where the water warms up well in summer.

We choose a place to spend the night on the shore of this lake and set up camp.

The length of the crossing: 300 km. Travel time: ~ 6 hours.
Walking distance: ~ 5 km.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.

Hiking has a lot of advantages, as you can see what is not visible from the car window, stop at any place you like and take unique shots.

Today you have a long but interesting journey ahead of you along the west coast of the legendary island.

First, the picturesque Hul Bay, the feeding place for shoals of the famous Malomorsky omul, the Kobylya Golov peninsula, where, according to legend, the warriors of Genghis Khan stayed, then the Khorgoi peninsula with the remnants of defensive fortifications of the ancient Kurykan tribes, the rocky cape Shara–Shulun, opposite which you will see the cleanest island of Lake Baikal – Ogoy with the sacred Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment.

In the evening, a hot dinner over a campfire and a well–deserved rest after a busy day with the soothing sound of the surf.

Walking distance: ~ 20 km.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Back on the road in the morning!

Today, your route will pass along the shore of the Shebetsky Bay, then over Cape Shebetsky, inaccessible from the sea (in the translation from Buryat "shabee" means "wall"), which in ancient times was fenced off from the land by the Kurykan wall, to Togai Bay.

There is an interesting Hanhoi Lake near the bay. From the north it is separated from Lake Baikal by a powerful rocky ridge, and from the east it is connected to it by a narrow channel in a sand spit.

The lake is known for its warm water and abundance of fish, which makes it a mecca for tourists, especially fishing enthusiasts.

In the evening, a hot dinner over a campfire and a well–deserved rest.

Walking distance: ~ 20 km.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The third day of the walking trip will end in the fishing village of Khuzhir, the capital of Olkhon.

Here you can relax from the tents in cozy wooden houses, steam in the Russian sauna (for an additional fee), and if you miss civilization– charge your mobile phones.

Accommodation at the campsite.

Walking distance: ~ 20 km.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We suggest you spend this day on your own or with a guide.

You can explore the local attractions: take a walk around the village. Khuzhir, visit the sacred Cape Burkhan (Shaman Rock), one of the 9 shrines of Asia, equally revered by shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists.

It is also worth visiting the local museum of local lore, which has a collection of antique objects reflecting the life and culture of the islanders (for an additional fee).

In addition, those who wish can take an excursion to the neighboring village, during which you will be introduced to the crafts, folklore and distinctive cuisine of the Olkhon Buryats (for an additional fee).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner.

Well, today, for a change, you will have a car tour.

Despite the fact that Olkhon is an island, there are such distances and roads here that if you go on an excursion, it's for the whole day.

So this day will be spent almost entirely on an excursion to Cape Khoboy, the northern tip of the island, near the widest part of Lake Baikal.

Along the way, you will be able to see all the diversity of Baikal's natural landscapes concentrated on the island: steppes with bays jutting deep into the land, sand dunes, mixed deciduous forests with patches of relict spruce forest, picturesque cliffs on the shore of marble covered with red lichens.

And on the cape itself, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the northern part of Lake Baikal, and in good weather you can see the outlines of the Ushkany Islands and the Svyatoy Nos peninsula – a walk through the surroundings, during which the guide will tell you about the legends, traditions and customs associated with these places.

Recently, at the foot of Cape Khoboy, a unique Baikal seal has often been observed – the only freshwater relative of the seal, which basks in the sun on the Baikal rocks.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, fees and room release.

Transfer by scheduled tourist transport to Irkutsk

On the way, stop for lunch at a roadside cafe (for an additional fee).

The estimated time of arrival in Irkutsk is 18:00.

The length of the crossing is 300 km. Travel time: ~ 6 hours.
Meals included: breakfast.