West and East of Lake Baikal. A journey along two coasts

Today is a day for independent recreation. 

After breakfast, you can go for a walk around the city or on excursions (it is advisable to decide on the choice of excursions in advance when buying a tour).

We offer several excursions at your discretion: along the Circum-Baikal Railway (85 km) - you can see the famous road, which was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and runs along the coastline of Lake Baikal.

It is impressive that the path runs past steep cliffs that descend directly into the lake, the road is considered a unique historical and cultural complex and is represented by tunnels, stone galleries, bridges and viaducts! (the meeting place of the group is indicated on the ticket). 

You can go on an equally interesting water excursion to Sandy Bay, learn more about Lake Baikal, its natural monuments and drive around Lake Baikal. 

You can also go on a car tour to the Tunka Valley, see the Great Eastern Sayan ridge, drink healing Arshan and swim in hot springs.

Meals: breakfast.

After an early breakfast, we leave for Olkhon Island (the Heart of Lake Baikal).

Attention! With a small group, the transfer to Olkhon Island is carried out as part of combined groups.

During the move, you have lunch at a cafe (payment at your own expense).

The road to Olkhon is different from the Baikal highway, today you will see the Tazheran steppes, hills, remnants to the Smallest Sea. 

The crossing of Lake Baikal is carried out by cargo ferry through the Olkhon Gate. 

The ferry will have a view of the eastern side of Lake Baikal.

The duration of the transfer from Irkutsk is about 5-6 hours. 

After moving to the island, we drive along a country road to the village of Khuzhir, we stay at a tourist base, depending on the chosen option (approximate camp sites Olkhon, Flagship, Tengeri, etc.). 

In the evening, at sunset, a short walking tour to Cape Shamanka or Cape Burkhan (one of the nine shrines of Asia). 

Have dinner on your own in any cafe in Olkhon village or at the campsite.

A great opportunity to try the local cuisine.

Meals: breakfast.

Breakfast. 

A trip to the southeastern part of the island. 

During the trip we will visit the rock complex "Trident", lake "Heart", secluded bays and lagoons. 

Lunch is a picnic in the fresh air. 

In the evening, return to the base, have dinner on your own.

Meals: breakfast., lunch.

Dedicate today to rest and get new impressions of Lake Baikal. 

When buying a tour or from an accompanying person, specify the excursions. 

On this day, we recommend walking along the shore of Lake Baikal, swimming, sunbathing, cycling, mopeds, visiting the local ethnographic museum of Revyakin, etc. 

We recommend taking a boat trip to Ogoy Island, with a visit to the Buddhist stupa in the Small Sea. 

On this tour you will go through three stages of the past, the future and the present. 

Make one wish that will definitely come true! 

You can visit the caves of the Baikal region or the healing mountain lake, go to the south of Lake Baikal, and also offer a wide range of excursions by ship on the Small Sea. 

In the evening, have dinner on your own, try the local cuisine (bouzas, khushurs, bovas, buchler, etc.), or arrange a picnic on the shore (there are shops on the island where you can stock up on provisions). 

Tomorrow you will go to the Eastern shore of Lake Baikal. 

You can pre-book an excursion to the Ushkany Islands.

Meals: breakfast.

Breakfast.

Sightseeing tour of Olkhon by UAZ to Cape Khoboy.

Khoboy is a place of power, a holy place and just a "super" picturesque place in the north of Olkhon Island. 

From the sea side, the rock looks like a fang and we will see it later, and it also bears a resemblance to the profile of a woman, as in ancient Greek galleys. 

Transfer by ship (extra charge) from fr. Olkhon is across Lake Baikal. 

Arrival in the village of Ust-Barguzin or Turk, or Maximikha. 

Important! The organizers carry out the crossing of the lake only in favorable weather. In case of adverse weather, the head of the group has the right to deliver the group to Ust-Barguzin by road (800 km). Payment for the boat is made to the guide on the spot!

Meals: breakfast.

Early breakfast and go on an excursion to Chivyrkuysky Bay, considered one of the most picturesque bays of Lake Baikal, where unique natural monuments are located (we advise you to take a warm jacket, towel and water with you). 

The depth of the bay does not exceed 10 meters, and therefore in summer, in places, it warms up to 24 degrees Celsius.

Chivyrkuysky Bay is located in the Trans-Baikal National Park.

Entering the park, the Holy Nose itself will appear in front of you.

In the area of Monakhovo, we transfer to a boat and go to Snake Bay.

Here we swim in hot springs, the temperature of which is from 38 to 45 degrees (paid separately).

It is said to be used mainly for the treatment of sciatica, skin diseases and support apparatus. 

Picnic near the springs or on the sandy beach. 

You will also visit the sand spit, thanks to which the Holy Nose is a peninsula!

Lunch is included in the price. 

Return to the base.

Dinner on your own.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

A vacation on Lake Baikal and trips to additional excursions are planned today. 

After breakfast, you can choose from: Barguzin Valley, Ushkany Islands with seals. 

The tour of the Barguzin Valley includes visits to unique sites: Goddess Yanjima, Yining Rock Garden, Suva Castle, etc.

Ushkany Islands - a trip with a visit to the seal rookery (car + boat). Visit the territory of the island reserve, where there is an observation deck and there is an opportunity to observe seals on Lake Baikal. 

For those who stayed at the campsite, we recommend a rest on the sandy beach.

You can walk along the shore of Lake Baikal and take great photos of the Holy Nose. 

The Ushkany Islands consist of 4 islands: Large, Thin, Round and Long. 

The islands got their name from the word "ushkan" — that's how hares used to be called in Siberia. 

But there were no hares on the islands. 

The name came from the north of Russia, where the pomors of the White Sea called sea hares sea seals.

Meals: breakfast.

We have breakfast at the campsite and are going to leave Lake Baikal for the city of Ulan-Ude (combined transfer). 

The road along which we will return runs along Lake Baikal, surrounded by taiga and sandy beaches. 

The journey time is about 4-5 hours. 

Upon entering the city of Ulan-Ude, a sightseeing tour will begin. 

Get acquainted with the historical center of the city and modern buildings. 

Ulan-Ude differs in color from the western side of Lake Baikal. 

Then we go out of town and visit the Center of Buddhism in Russia - Ivolginsky Datsan.

At the foot of the Khamar-Daban ridge, in the steppe expanses, in a quiet tract, 30 kilometers from the city, there is the spiritual capital of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia - Ivolginsky datsan. 

Here you can visit the incorruptible body of Itegilov (additional payment, check with the guide). 

The approximate time of completion of the program in Ulan-Ude is at 16-17 hours.

Meals: breakfast.