Winter ice of Lake Baikal

Today we are going to Buguldeika!  

In the village with such a humorous name, we will again hike on the ice and look into the local bays. 

Let's look at the lake from a different angle and get acquainted with the mystical Mishkin Mountain! 

It is said that there is a special gate on it, from which spirits come out from time to time. 

Also on this day of the hike we will visit another amazing place – the Marble Quarry. 

Once there was mining of a valuable mineral, but today the work has been stopped. 

Therefore, now we will be able to walk around among the huge, snow-white and even slightly futuristic blocks of marble. 

Unusual photos are always obtained here! 

The active part of trekking: 4.5 km on foot, altitude difference of 470-640 m, duration of the hike is 6-7 hours.

After breakfast, let's go on our first winter walk!

Don't be surprised, we will be WALKING on ice during the trip.

In February, the thickness of the ice reaches 100-150 cm, so you can safely walk, run and even drive a car around the lake.

All week we have been living near the Maly Sea – it is a shallow strait separated by the island of Olkhon from the rest of Lake Baikal.

It is connected to the legendary lake by a small strait called the Olkhon Gate.

On this day, according to the plan, we are trekking to Cape Mare's Head, which in profile has an interesting resemblance to a lying horse.

Today we will see the cherished splashes of ice for the first time and take the first dozens of photos!

There are unusual pyramids of Obo on the top of Cape Kobylya Golova, we will definitely go up and take a closer look at them.

The active part of trekking: 17-21 km (depending on the weather) on foot, altitude difference 450-470 m, duration of the hike 6-7 hours.

Cape Khoboy is a mandatory destination for a winter trip to Lake Baikal.

This place is shrouded in ancient legends and legends.

"The Museum of Ice", "The Kingdom of the Snow Queen" – as our tourists do not call this hike!

Today we will visit ice castles and grottoes, look into ice caves and take pictures of bizarre splashes on the rocks.

Also on Cape Khoboy we will see the famous blue ice floes.

It's an incredible sight!

The active part of trekking: 5.2 km on foot, altitude difference 450-510 m, the duration of the hike is 8 hours.

We'll be skating on the ice in the morning.

Everyone can rent skates or even studded bicycles.

Today there will be trekking, we will go out to the Big Sea, to Cape Unshui.

On the Big Sea we will walk around the new, very picturesque surroundings.

We will climb the cliff that is located above Cape Unshui – from its top there will be another stunning view of the ice surface of the lake.

Traveling to these places will give you a new word – sokui.

These are ice splashes of bizarre shapes that appear during storms.

In late autumn, angry waves beat against the rocks and drops of water freeze on them in bizarre icicles.

They look like long plumes or spiraling long needles.

The active part of trekking: 20.1 km on foot, 450-500 m altitude difference, the duration of the hike is 6-7 hours.

We are going to Ogoy Island in the morning. 

Surely you have already realized that when hiking on the ice, we not only walk, but also drive a car!   

Every year, a winter highway is laid in these places for traffic, special markings are made and reflective paint is applied.  

The Ministry of Emergency Situations personally monitors the safety of the road. 

On the island of Ogoy, we will get to a place sacred to Buddhists. 

It is here that the Stupa of Enlightenment is placed, in which relics brought from different parts of the world are embedded. 

According to legend, if you walk three circles around the Stupa and make a wish, it will definitely come true. 

Then we go to the heart of Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island. 

In the village of Khuzhir, we will hike to the Shamanka rock, walk along the Sarai beach, see the port with painted ships and take photos of 13 mysterious, shamanic pillars of Serge. 

If you went on a trip with children, then their vacation will clearly be decorated with a walk into the kingdom of painted ships. 

The formidable sawfish and the alien ship will undoubtedly enliven the photos of this day! 

"Shaman Rock" is a rocky promontory that goes into the emerald water.  

This rock is a symbol of the Great Baikal. 

This place is also called cape "Burkhan".  

Burkhan is the main local deity who once lived in a through cave in Shaman Rock. 

In ancient times, sacrifices were often made here to the owner of the island.

The local history museum houses shamanic objects found in these places. 

What kind of winter tour will do without visiting the souvenir market? 

We will be able to buy souvenirs dear to our hearts today at a local store. 

The active part of trekking: 5.3 km on foot, altitude difference 450-470 m, the duration of the hike is 6-7 hours.

Return to the city of Irkutsk. 

Today we say goodbye to winter Lake Baikal and its amazing ice. 

See you soon! 

Transfer by minibus to Irkutsk.

13:30-14:30 local time (Moscow time+5) arrival in Irkutsk (airport), departure home.

Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route of the winter hike may be changed.