The winter spirit. Two sides of Lake Baikal

Immerse yourself in the winter fairy tale of Lake Baikal and Buryatia! This tour will allow you to explore the two shores of the legendary lake, enjoy the splendor of its frozen surface and discover the culture and traditions of the locals. 

In winter, Lake Baikal becomes different. The ice, which is one and a half meters thick, turns the lake into an endless road that allows you to get to places where no human foot goes in summer. The air is as clear as crystal. The sky is closer. The silence is louder. And in this silence, legends begin to sound: about the daughter of Baikal, who escaped to the Yenisei; about guardian spirits of the steppes and rocks; about sacred places where the earth touches the sky. 

You will enjoy walking on the transparent ice of Lake Baikal, visiting Olkhon Island, the heart of Lake Baikal, admiring frozen waterfalls and ice caves, relaxing in hot springs among the winter taiga. 

Location

Irkutsk
$1,709
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 days
6 nights
Departures
18 - 24 Feb, 2027
2 - 8 Mar, 2027
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
  • or
    Hotel, Camp Site
    2 nights
  • or
    Guest House, Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 18 tourists
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 observation deck is 725 meters!
Take the cable car up to the top of the Chersky Stone. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake.
Hearty local cuisine
You will be served dishes of national Buryat cuisine, warm, sincere, prepared with respect for traditions.
Sunsets, stars and whispers of Lake Baikal
Here, far from the city, is the perfect place to stop, look up and feel like a part of something bigger.
Picnics on ice
It's wonderful to refresh yourself in the fresh air, surrounded by the beauties of icy Lake Baikal.
Bathhouse with font
A hot tub and a real ice bath with a font are waiting for you. Get your swimsuits!
The main Buddhist center of Russia
Visit the Ivolginsky Datsan, surrounded by hills and forests. The datsan impresses with its peaceful aura.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Irkutsk. The road to Lake Baikal – Listvyanka village

    You will be greeted by a comfortable transfer, and the path lies along the Baikal Highway– a scenic road connecting Irkutsk with the closest shores of the largest lake on the planet.

    Each turn opens up more and more new views: pine forests, snow-capped hills and in the distance the shimmering blue of Lake Baikal, as if beckoning.

    After breakfast in Irkutsk, we set off to explore the tourist village on Lake Baikal – Listvyanka.

    Listvyanka is the closest place to Irkutsk where you can see the sacred lake.

    The road to Listvyanka runs along the picturesque Baikal highway, popularly called "Baikal Rublevka" – this is where the elite suburban real estate of Irkutsk is located.

    The track is comfortable and beautiful: There are trees on the sides, as a rule, there are no traffic jams.

    The village is located about 70 km away from Irkutsk.

    After about an hour of travel, you can already see Lake Baikal!

    But first, on the way to Listvyanka, you will stop at the Taltsy Open-air museum.

    Taltsy is an architectural and ethnographic museum, which contains examples of wooden architecture of the past centuries.

    It is located on the picturesque shore of the Angara River surrounded by the Siberian forest, which gives it an authentic look and an authentic historical atmosphere.

    The guide will conduct an exciting tour, after which you will go further to Listvyanka.

    On the way, you will see the legendary Shaman Stone, located at the source of the Angara River, the only one flowing out of Lake Baikal. A beautiful legend is associated with it, which the guide will tell you about.

    Next, you will climb the cable car, which will take you to the top of the Chersky Stone.

    Climbing to the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 725 meters, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake, the source of the Angara, Shaman Stone, Listvyanka and even the Baikal Observatory.

    After that, you will find a road to the village of Listvyanka, where you will walk along the shore of Lake Baikal and take a look at the fish market.

    This day will end in Irkutsk!

    Included: transfer, lunch, guide, accommodation, entrance tickets to the museum and the cable car, guided tour.

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  • Day 2 - The road to Olkhon
  • Day 3 - The Southern Islands of the Small Sea
  • Day 4 - We're going east! Cape Khoboy. Transfer by car across the ice to Ust-Barguzin
  • Day 5 - The Magical Holy Nose. Zmeevaya Bay, Monakhovo
  • Day 6 - The road to Ulan-Ude. Ivolginsky Datsan tour
  • Day 7 - Completion of the tour program
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
  • or
    Hotel, Camp Site
    2 nights
  • or
    Guest House, Hotel
    2 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels and tourist bases along the route in standard rooms.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 30,000 rubles.

The possible accommodation options are listed below. Please specify more details when booking.

The Angara Hotel or The Rus Hotel or 1 night
The Angara Hotel

The Angara Hotel is the largest hotel in the center of Irkutsk, ideal for both tourist and business trips. The convenient location allows you to quickly reach the main attractions, restaurants, shops and business facilities of the city. The windows overlook the central square, and the modern atmosphere and comfort make the stay especially pleasant.

The hotel offers more than 300 rooms of different categories, from standard to suites, which allows you to choose an option for any budget. All rooms are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Secure parking, 24-hour service, shuttle service and the possibility of staying with pets are also provided for guests.

The hotel has a well-thought-out gastronomic component. Breakfast is served in a buffet style, and a set menu with daily updates is offered for lunches and dinners. The 3rd Floor restaurant overlooks the central square and the London Pub restaurant, where you can not only have lunch or dinner, but also spend time in a cozy atmosphere.

The hotel's infrastructure is complemented by a sauna with a font, billiards, fitness equipment and karaoke, as well as a billiard club with 11 tables.

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Another option
The Rus Hotel

The location of the hotel in the historical part of the city and the cozy atmosphere, the comparative proximity to the main attractions of the city are a real godsend for tourists. There are 56 comfortable rooms at the guest's disposal.

Each room is equipped with cable TV, free Wi-Fi, refrigerator, bathroom and all necessary furniture for a comfortable stay. 

Guests can visit the Slavyanka restaurant at the hotel and enjoy a wide range of dishes and drinks. Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 07:00 to 10:00.

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Another option
The Air Harbor Hotel

The Air Harbor Hotel is known to many in Irkutsk as a hotel for accommodating air crews, as it is located near the airport.

The room stock consists of 145 rooms of standard and junior suites categories. It can comfortably accommodate 1 or 2 guests. The rooms are equipped with all the necessary conditions for a relaxing stay: a sleeping place, an electric kettle, a refrigerator, a TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a set of hygiene products. The hotel offers a large number of additional services such as laundry, lobby bar, conference room, hairdresser and more.

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Another option
Irkutsk Hotel

The Irkutsk Hotel is located in a great area of Irkutsk. Accommodation is provided in any of the 163 comfortable rooms of different prices, depending on the taste and preferences of the guests. Each of them is equipped with the necessary soft and comfortable furniture for a comfortable stay. 

Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, 24-hour security and service, daily cleaning, and a souvenir shop. A fitness center, a massage room, a solarium and a spa are also available. There is a children's playground for the youngest. You can walk along Gagarin Boulevard and the Angara River embankment. The N. P. Okhlopkov Drama Theater, the Planetarium and the Epiphany Cathedral are located nearby. The train station is 2.3 km away, and the airport is 7 km away.

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Olkhon Camping Hotel  or Baikal Mini-hotel or 2 nights
Sindbad Guest House or The New Wave Hotel 2 nights
The Buryatia Hotel or Sagaan Morin Hotel or 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 18 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
7 days 6 nights
Group meets at
Irkutsk

Included in price

  • transfers throughout the tour (except for the khivuses at the ferry to Olkhon Island);
  • meals according to the tour program;
  • guided tours included in the program;
  • habitation;
  • entrance to the National Park.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back from Ulan-Ude;
  • meals, if specified in the program independently or at your own expense;
  • drinks and dishes not included in the main menu of the program;
  • additional services specified in the program for an additional fee or not specified in the program;
  • additional excursions and transfers not included in the program;
  • equipment rental.

It's important to know

Are tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

What are the organizational features of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $1,709
    18 – 24 Feb, 2027 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,709
    2 – 8 Mar, 2027 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • EV
    Elena Vyatkina
    about provider
    17 Dec, 2024
    6 more photos
    I would like to say a few words about our tour manager Tamara, who promptly answered all our questions and gave great suggestions on how to make the most of our free time. Thank you so much!
  • A
    Alexey
    about provider
    3 Dec, 2024
    Everything was fantastic! The tours were punctual, and both the accommodations and travel arrangements were comfortable and met all our expectations. The food at the guesthouse was absolutely outstanding. A big thank you to everyone involved in organizing this tour!
  • V
    Vadim
    about provider
    2 Dec, 2024
    Everything was flawlessly organized, from the airport pickup to the thoughtful follow-up after the tour ended, with the tour team offering recommendations on how to spend time in Irkutsk.