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

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This tour will show you all the beauty of Olkhon Island and share with you its powerful energy. Also, in 4 days you will get acquainted with the city of Irkutsk, and with the Buryat culture, and of course with the great Lake Baikal!

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

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Tour highlights

Sacred Olkhon

We will visit the island, which is the center of shamanism in Central Asia. According to legend, Genghis Khan is buried here.

An ancient Siberian city

Let's get acquainted with an amazing example of the neighborhood of modernity and historical heritage.

The Buddhist Rite

Let's purify ourselves and recharge our spiritual energy on Ogoy Island at the Stupa of Enlightenment

Lunch with a view of Lake Baikal

We will have a picnic lunch in the fresh air surrounded by Baikal beauty.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sightseeing tour of the city, visit to the Buddhist datsan
Upon arrival in Irkutsk, you will be met at the airport or the Angara hotel, after which the trip to Lake Baikal will begin.
Irkutsk is an ancient city that arose on the site of the Siberian prison.
It is called Siberian Paris or Siberian St. Petersburg.
Irkutsk has about 685 historical and cultural monuments.
A tour of the memorable and historical sites of Irkutsk will introduce you to the history of Irkutsk prison, the central part of the city, tell you about architecture and wooden architecture, prominent figures of the history and culture of Russia, whose activities were inextricably linked with Irkutsk.
The duration of the tour is 3 hours, accompanied by a professional guide who knows the history of Irkutsk with a specialized education and many years of experience.
After the tour, you will love the city like your native one, you will want to return to it again and again!
We will also visit the Irkutsk Buddhist datsan, where we will have lunch and a tour of the datsan.
Irkutsk Datsan is one of the 5 holy places in Russia, to which a bronze statue of the Indian figure Kushog Bakula Rimpoche, endowed with sacred relics, was donated by the Government of India!
During the tour, you will be able to touch the Buddhist world, see the shrines of the temple, visit the art gallery, get acquainted with Buddhist paraphernalia, and buy souvenirs.
In the evening, you will have time to walk, buy souvenirs – there are a large number of souvenir shops and shops in the city center.
Included in the price: transfer, guide, 2-star accommodation, lunch at the Datsan.
You will find: Buddhist datsan, museums, churches, Irkutsk sights, Angara embankment.

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Day 2 - The road from Irkutsk to Olkhon Island. Visit to the ethnographic museum
Today, after breakfast, you will embark on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Lake Baikal – the island of Olkhon!
Olkhon is a truly unforgettable and one of the most famous places on Lake Baikal, which is rightfully called a place of power and especially powerful energy!
Olkhon is considered a sacred territory, the concentration of shamanism in Central Asia.
It is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
On the way to Olkhon, you will also visit a village called Ust-Ordynsky, where you will visit a museum where you will get acquainted with the rich history of this place and the culture of the Western Buryats.
The museum has been operating for over 70 years!
Olkhon is an island on Lake Baikal, and people traditionally get there first by highway, then by ice crossing in winter.
Before crossing to Olkhon, the path will run along a road with picturesque views – partly you will go through the Tajeran steppes, decorated here and there with rocky remnants.
Arriving on the island, you will settle in its center – the village of Khuzhir.
In the evening, you have free time to spend exploring the surroundings of the village.
Within walking distance from the hotels on Olkhon is the calling card of Lake Baikal — Cape Burkhan (Shamanka rock).
Shamanka is one of the shrines of Asia.
Be sure to take a walk to the Shaman — you will feel the energy ringing in the air, take a lot of vivid photos.
After enjoying the beautiful views, imbued with the energy of the sacred place, your first day of traveling in Olkhon is coming to an end.
Tomorrow you will get an even closer look at Lake Baikal and Olkhon.
Included in the price: breakfast at the hotel, transfer, guide, standard accommodation, museum ticket.
You will find: the Tajeran steppes, the ice crossing, Cape Burkhan (Shamanka Rock), the ethnographic Buryat Museum.

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Day 3 - Free day on Olkhon island. A walk on the ice of Lake Baikal
This day is free from excursions until the evening.
You can take another walk to the sacred cape Burkhan, along the Sarai beach, buy souvenirs, ride horses (you must inform about your desire in advance before leaving for Olkhon).
You will also have the opportunity to visit the Olkhon Museum of Local Lore – it is located in the center of Khuzhir.
This museum has fully preserved the spirit of history, it features more than 7,000 exhibits distributed in different directions, many of which are unique and presented only in this museum.
A visit to this museum will be an informative way to spend time: you will learn the history of the fish factory, supported by objects from those times, see interior items from past centuries, and so on.
In the morning, we will go to the shore of Lake Baikal near the village.
We will safely descend onto the ice, admire the splashes and prepare for the ice sculpture festival!
*If you wish, you can complement your unforgettable trip to Olkhon and add an excursion to the north of the island. You will visit places such as Cape Sagan-Khushun, Cape Khoboy, the ice of Lake Baikal, grottos and splashes. For more information, you will need to contact your tour organizer.
You can also complement your unforgettable trip to Olkhon and add an excursion to the Buryat village near Khuzhir, where you will get to know the life and people of the island of Olkhon even more closely.
Excursions are not included in the price of the tour, they are paid additionally.
The price includes: breakfast, accommodation, guide.
You will find: splashes, ice of Lake Baikal.

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Day 4 - Excursion to the south of the island Olkhon and O. Wait. Return to Irkutsk
On this day, we say goodbye to Olkhon and leave for Irkutsk, where your tour program is coming to an end.
But before that, you will have a fascinating tour of the south of Olkhon Island and Ogoy Island.
The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about 5 hours.
The trip will take place on the ice of Lake Baikal along the southern part of the island of Olkhon and the islands of the Small Sea.
You will see frozen water splashes in grottos and caves, in which icicles and statues of amazing shapes are frozen in an interesting way.
You will visit one of the most popular tourist destinations on Lake Baikal – Ogoy Island.
Ogoy Island is the largest island in the Small Sea, 3 km long.
The most frequently photographed and recognizable place on the island is the sacred Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment.
Many people come to Lake Baikal just for the sake of visiting this place – to purify themselves and recharge their spiritual energy.
There is also a belief that if you walk around the stupa 3 times and make a wish, it comes true.
Shall we try to check?
On the way, you will stop at Olkhon Island to reach the lake, which is famous for its bubbles in the ice.
In the middle of the day, you will have an outdoor picnic lunch surrounded by Baikal beauty.
Today you will have a lot of photos from the tour – it is impossible to resist and not capture all the icy beauty!
After the tour, you will go to the city of Irkutsk, where your trip will end.
These eventful days have introduced you to winter Baikal, its legendary ice!
We really hope that during the tour our region will be able to win your favor, and we know for sure that when you return home, you will feel like you are drawn to Lake Baikal again, to soak up its energy, to enjoy the beauty!
You will find: Ogoy Island, Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, caves, ice of Lake Baikal.
The price includes: tour of the southern part of the island, lunch picnic, transfer to Irkutsk, guide, national park.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation:

2-3-bed	Surcharge 1-local
43 000	15 000

Types of accommodation:

"Standard" is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with a number of beds according to the number of residents.

Hotel accommodation based on availability, the name of the hotel will be known a few days before the tour.

Children from 0 to 2 years old receive a 25% discount (does not occupy a separate place during the stay, without meals).
Children from 2 to 5 years old receive a 20% discount (everything is included as for an adult: seat, meals).
Children from 5 to 10 years old are given a 15% discount (everything is included as an adult: seat, meals).

The Kopylov Olkhon Manor recreation center is located in the Irkutsk region in the village of Khuzhir.

There are comfortable rooms with a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, a set of towels, personal hygiene items, and wireless Internet.

The shared kitchen is equipped with all appliances and appliances for cooking. Alternatively, there is a cafe within walking distance.

Parking is prohibited on the premises. Nearby are the N.M. Revyakin Museum, Cape Tataisky. The location of the base is located between the Strait of the Small Sea and Lake Baikal. Vacationers can go fishing, skiing, and outdoor recreation.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 5 to 40 tourists

Minimum age

2 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

transfers throughout the tour (except for the khivuses at the ferry to Olkhon Island);
meals according to the tour program (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches);
guided tours listed in the program;
habitation;
tickets specified in the tour program;
entrance to the National Park.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals not specified in the program;
drinks and dishes not included in the main menu according to 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;
crossing on Khivus during the off-season (if the ice crossing does not work).

It's important to know

Warm outerwear (for example, a ski suit);
Comfortable shoes (non-slip boots);
Headdress (warm hat);
Warm clothes (thermal underwear, fleece, hoodies, scarf/buff);
Warm mittens or gloves;
Sunscreen (protection factor of at least 20);
Sunglasses (with at least 2 UV protection);
Bathing accessories: swimsuit, towel and slippers (for visiting the sauna/hot springs, if provided by the program);
Personal first aid kit (if you need specific medicines);
Photo/video equipment (spare flash cards);
Portable charger (power bank);
Toiletries;
Small backpack (for excursions and walks);
The seat (tourist hob);
Thermos (optional);
Binoculars (optional);
Required: Passport, MHI policy.

The tour operator reserves the right to swap excursions according to the tour program, replace them with equivalent ones in situations related to changes in weather conditions, force majeure, or at the discretion of the organizer, but undertakes to complete the entire tour program and provide all the excursions specified in it in full.;
the tour is a group tour, the number of people in the tour can reach 40 people;
The tour program starts in the morning at 11.30. It is necessary to arrive in Irkutsk before 11:00 a.m. local time, if the tourist is late for the appointed time, then he gets to the first point designated by the organizer on his own.;
we recommend purchasing tickets for the return trip after 20:00 local time;
the place and time of the gathering of the group: from the Angara hotel (Sukhbaatar St., 7, Irkutsk) in the period from 10:30 to 11:00 local time and from Irkutsk airport at 11:30;
A day before the start of the tour, a group will be created in the Telegram messenger, where all organizational information about the tour will be provided. Please install the Telegram app on your phone in advance;
The tour operator has the right to replace the hotel listed in the list with a similar one in terms of category and cost.;
check-in involves accommodating up to 3 tourists in a room. Each tourist is provided with a separate sleeping place;
If, for reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator (cancellation or postponement of other tourists' accommodation with check-in on the same dates), a tourist cannot be checked in at any point on the route, the Tour Operator has the right to accommodate the tourist in a single economy room.;
A tourist who has not been accommodated has the opportunity to stay in a standard single room with an additional charge. To do this, the tourist must independently check with the tour operator no later than 14 days before the start of the tour whether there was a check-in for him and inform him of his desire to make an additional payment for accommodation in a standard single room;
Olkhon Island is reached by ice crossing in the winter season and by ferry in the summer. In the off-season on a hivus (hovercraft). If the ice crossing does not work for climatic reasons, then the tourist pays for the crossing on khivus himself. In winter, especially after March 20th, the tour operator does not guarantee that the ice will remain transparent, as it depends on weather conditions, as well as that the rocks and splashes will be safe.;
The composition and size of the group may change during the tour.;
guides may change throughout the tour. Each location is assigned a guide who is an expert on that location. There is always one tour coordinator.

Dates and Prices

$488

26 Feb – 1 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$488

10 – 13 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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$488

15 – 18 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$488

17 – 20 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$488

19 – 22 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$488

22 – 25 Mar 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

D
Dmitry

about provider

19 Dec, 2024

This tour operator is excellent.
EV
Elena Vyatkina

about provider

17 Dec, 2024

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!

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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!

Treasures of the Olkhon land