Through the mountains, through the forest. Hiking with excursions

Day of crossings by various types of transport: water, rail, automobile.

And all this day, Baikal will be on your left, so different, so big.

First, you will cross the source of the Angara River on a large steamship ferry and find yourself in the port of Baikal, a large railway and river port that cannot be reached by car.

But from here begins the transfer by a special tourist train along the Circum–Baikal Railway - the "Golden Buckle of the Transsib", a stunning engineering and architectural monument of the early 20th century.

The trip is accompanied by a story about the history of construction, the unique features of the road.

The number of tunnels and bridges on a fairly short stretch of the road is impressive when you remember the level of technology development at that time – everything was built manually, thoroughly, for centuries. 

By evening, you will find yourself at the southernmost point of Lake Baikal, at the very foot of the majestic Khamar-Daban mountains.

Transfer to the marina (~10 min.). Ferry crossing to the port of Baikal (~ 40 min.). Transfer by tourist train to the village of Slyudyanka (~8 hours). Upon arrival in the village. Slyudyanka, transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the train, dinner at the hotel.

A tour of the Circum-Baikal Railway.

Exit up the Slyudyanka river to the peaks of the ridge. The trail constantly winds from one bank to the other, crossing the river with bridges made of poles and logs 15 times, passes by the marble quarry, Gorelaya and Kazachaya glades, gradually gaining more and more height. Crystal waters of rivers, small waterfalls, rocky cliffs, lush vegetation – all this is a real Hamar Daban.

Climbing the foothills is not difficult, and the surrounding landscapes make you grab the camera every now and then, delaying the already low pace of movement. The day trip is about 24 km.

Stop for the night at the weather station, where there are places to set up tents, and for comfort lovers there is an opportunity to spend the night under the roof of the campsite houses and relieve fatigue in the sauna (extra charge).

Transfer to the beginning of the walking route.

Overnight in tents.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, camping lunch, hot dinner at the campfire.

Leaving heavy equipment at the base camp, we make a radial exit to the top light. From the weather station there is a fairly steep climb along the serpentine to the alpine meadows, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Khamar-Daban and Eastern Sayan ridges. Having risen above the borders of the forest, we go through the loaches to a narrow rocky isthmus (Gendarmes Pass).

Then there is a fairly simple path along the rocky ridge to the peak (2090 m).  In good weather, Lake Baikal is clearly visible from the peak, and Lake Heart, named so for its shape, lurks at the foot.

Descent to the camp. For those who still have the strength and desire, there is an opportunity to go down to the Heart Lake, visit the Visitor's creek, enjoy the picturesque views of the cascade of waterfalls of the Komomarnaya River.

Overnight in tents.

Meals included: breakfast at the camp, hiking lunch, hot dinner at the campfire.

The descent from the base camp along the familiar path is much easier and faster. After the mountainous landscape and the air, even the sparsely populated Mica seems fussy and smoky.

And again, moving along the hot asphalt of the road passing through a wide valley between two mountain ranges: on the left – Khamar-Daban, on the right – the Eastern Sayans.

In this unique Tunka valley, you can see young volcanoes and old Buryat yurts, the gray peaks of the Tunka Loaches against the piercing blue sky.

After driving 120 km, we get to the village of Arshan, located at the foot of towering mountain peaks, fascinating to the eye.

After accommodation at the hotel, you will be able to explore the village on your own or with a guide (extra charge).

Visit the healing mineral springs (take a mug or even a plastic bottle with you), the picturesque mountain river Kyngarga, stroll through the park of the Arshan resort with its natural monuments, pick up a souvenir in an entertaining market, where souvenir rows side by side with sellers of local medicinal herbs for literally all diseases.

Transfer to Arshan (~ 3 hours).

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast at the camp, hiking lunch, dinner at the hotel.

Today we continue to explore the picturesque surroundings and get acquainted with the amazing Tunka Valley. 

You will also visit the crater of the extinct volcano Talskaya Vershina, see the cone of the Chersky volcano and Kovrizhka.

You will hear about the distant past of the Tunka Valley since the Jurassic period, as well as exciting legends about the ancestor of the Buryat tribes of Bukha-noyon, the beautiful Kyngyrga. 

The Tunka Valley is often called the "Land of healing narzans" because of the abundance of mineral springs, which in their healing properties are not inferior to the famous waters of the Caucasus and the Carpathians. 

The methane baths of the Pearl spring are unique in their chemical composition. 

The hospital is located in a picturesque place on the right bank of the Irkut River.

You can swim in the pool with mineral water (for an additional fee), drink healing phyto tea, and taste Buryat cuisine (for an additional fee).

And in the late afternoon, before returning to Arshan, we will have an excursion to the maral farm. 

Marals are primarily known for their horns, from which various medicines, vitamins, cosmetic products, etc. are made. 

You will be told about the features of harvesting antlers and their benefits for the body. 

The deer on the farm are mostly wild, but some individuals have already been tamed, and everyone can pet them and even feed them.

Return to the hotel.

The excursion program.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, dinner at the hotel.

Tour of the Tunka Valley.

We continue to explore the surroundings of the village of Arshan. 

Those who wish to explore the natural sights and beauties of the Tunka Valley can go hiking with a guide to the "Peak of Love", located at an altitude of 2124 m.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

I really don't want to return to the usual city life, the hustle and bustle, so the fees are delayed. 

But the time is coming, the bus is waiting, it's time to leave.

The road to Irkutsk passes in memories of the time spent, funny and funny incidents, interspersed with exclamations of surprise from the views outside the bus window. On the way, stop for lunch at a roadside cafe (for an additional fee.payment).

And then to the very suburbs of Irkutsk – the Kultuksky tract with its serpentine mountain road, which inspires admiration and horror at the same time.

Upon arrival in Irkutsk, the end of the program at the railway station.

Transfer to Irkutsk by bus or minibus (210 km, ~ 5 hours).

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel.

The end of the program is at ~13:00.