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

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The end of winter and the beginning of spring are the best time to travel to these places. During this period, the weather becomes favorable, the sun shines brighter and the winds subside. The main winter attraction of Lake Baikal is its ice! It is delightful and amazingly beautiful in any weather, striking with its many shades of gray, blue, blue, azure.

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

from

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booking

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

The incredibly transparent ice of Lake Baikal

Let's watch the fascinating underwater life: we will see how at great depth, right below us, nimble gobies and omuli scurry between the rocks

Unusual art objects

Let's take a walk into the realm of abandoned ships

Exotic bike riding on ice

Everyone can rent skates or even studded bicycles

Invigorating hiking in picturesque places

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

The Sacred Stupa of Enlightenment

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

Itinerary

Day 1 - Irkutsk city – Sakhyurt village – Lake Baikal
At 11:00 local time (Moscow time+5), the group gathers at Irkutsk airport (near the entrance marked VIP).
Transfer by minibus to the village of Sakhyurta (about 4-5 hours).
Irkutsk city – Sakhyurta village – Lake Baikal.
A few hours later, a comfortable transfer will take us to the deepest freshwater lake on our planet, Lake Baikal.
Today, for the first time, we will see and touch His Majesty the Ice, which is different here every day.
Its color and transparency are affected not only by sunlight, but also by air temperature.
The ice here is incredibly transparent, which allows you to observe the fascinating underwater life: you can see how at great depth, right below us, nimble bulls and omul scurry between the rocks.
During the week we will live in this fairy tale, go hiking and admire the famous ice caves and sculptures created by Lake Baikal!
In the evening, we will settle at the campsite in the village of Sakhyurta.
Active part on foot: 2 km.

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Day 2 - Buguldike, trekking in the Marble quarry
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 it was used for mining a valuable mineral, but today the work has been stopped.
Therefore, now we can walk around among the huge, snow-white and even slightly futuristic blocks of marble.
Unusual photos are always obtained here!
Active part of trekking: 4.5 km on foot, altitude difference 470-640 m, hike duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 3 - Small Sea, hike to Cape Kobylya Golova, Olkhonsky Gate Strait
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.

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Day 4 - Olkhon Island, Cape Khoboy, blue ice floes
Cape Khoboy is a mandatory destination for winter trips to Lake Baikal.

This place is shrouded in ancient legends and traditions.

"Museum of Ice", "Kingdom of the Snow Queen" – whatever our tourists call this hike!

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

We will also see the famous blue ice floes at Cape Khoboy.

It's an incredible sight!

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

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Day 5 - Big sea, Olkhon Island, hike to Cape Unshui
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.

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Day 6 - Ogoy Island, Buddhist Stupa of enlightenment. Olkhon Island, Shamanka rock, Sarai beach, painted ships, 13 shamanic pillars of Serge
We're 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 Ogoy Island, we will get to a sacred place for Buddhists.
It is here that the Stupa of Enlightenment is placed, which contains relics brought from different parts of the world.
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 very heart of Lake Baikal – to the island of Olkhon.
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 a walk to the kingdom of painted ships will clearly decorate their vacation.
The formidable sawfish and the alien ship will surely enliven the photos of this day!
"Shaman Rock" is a rocky promontory extending 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 pass-through cave in the Shaman Rock.
In ancient times, sacrifices were often made here to the island's master.
The museum of local lore contains shamanic objects found in these places.
What kind of winter tour can do without visiting the souvenir market?
We will be able to buy souvenirs dear to our hearts today at a local store.
Active part of trekking: 5.3 km on foot, 450-470 m altitude difference, 6-7 hours hike duration.

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Day 7 - Departure
Return to 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.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The route is trekking and provides for walking through the area.

The route runs on ice, on dirt roads. The routes will have an altitude difference of 20 to 70 m per day. Climbing up 70 m is about like climbing 20 floors. The route runs at an altitude of: 450-510 m . Route length: 58.1 km.

Accommodation

Camp Site

6 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in the village of Sakhyurt at the Naratei recreation center or similar.

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

double, Triple (Standard room)	extra charge for a single room (Standard room)
89 900	19 000

The Naratei recreation center is located in the village of Sakhyurt. There is a bar and a restaurant on site. Guests can visit the private beach, enjoy karaoke and order room service. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge and a children's playground. Double and triple rooms "Standard". Room amenities, TV, towels are provided. You can ask the administrator for a hair dryer (there is one for the entire hotel, we recommend taking your own). Wi-Fi is available only in the restaurant, not in the rooms.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 4 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

road crossings along the route by minibus;
UAZ crossings along the route;
accommodation in the village of Sakhyurta at the Naratei hotel: double and triple rooms "Standard";
three meals a day: breakfast (day 2-7), lunch (day 2-5), dinner (day 1-6);
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
entrance tickets to Zabaikalsky National Park;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals during the transfer: lunch on the 1st and 6th day;
skate rental (150-250 rubles/hour), bicycles (350-500 rubles/hour).

It's important to know

Thermal underwear - long sleeve T-shirt and long johns.
Fleece jacket and trousers.
Windproof, insulated jacket (with hood) and pants.
Warm, waterproof walking shoes.
Wool socks, trekking socks with the addition of wool or thermal socks.
Ice shoes, ice crampons or ice lanterns (gaiters, gaiters, shoe covers).
Hat.
Balaclava, fleece tube scarf or fleece half mask for the lower part of the face.
Gloves - 2 pairs.
Mittens with down, wool or synthetic insulation.
Sunglasses are REQUIRED. On clear days, the glasses protect the eyes from sunlight, which can burn the outer layers of the eye. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun's rays. When sunlight reflects off snow, it becomes very bright and is accompanied by an intense glare, which makes it difficult to look.
Sunscreen, hygienic lipstick.
Backpack for walking (volume 20-25 liters). In the backpack there are personal belongings of the tourist, as well as public products for lunch, which are issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams).
Podpopnik.
Thermos (volume of at least 1 liter per person).
Mug, spoon.
Lantern.
Toilet paper.
For walking at the campsite: sweatpants, T-shirt, flip-flops.
Lingerie.
Passport / birth certificate of the child.
Camera/video camera.
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, razor).
Hairbrush.
Thread, needle.
Shoe dryers. Since we spend almost the whole day outside, by the evening the shoes become wet, they need to be dried.
Individual first aid kit.

Dates and Prices

from
$981

8 – 14 Feb, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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from
$981

15 – 21 Feb, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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from
$981

22 – 28 Feb, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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from
$981

1 – 7 Mar, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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from
$981

8 – 14 Mar, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews

E
Elena

about provider

8 Jul, 2025

5 more photos

The tour was exceptionally well organized! Thank you for that! A special thanks to Karina for the engaging walks, fascinating stories, and for making sure there was never a dull moment!!!
D
Damira

about provider

19 Jun, 2025

The accommodation was warm and cozy, with a shower and toilet in every room The instructor was absolutely outstanding — special thanks for the fun games ❤️ The route was perfect, with something new to experience every day.
AI
Andrey Ivlev

about provider

17 Jun, 2025

6 more photos

The welcome, overall organization, instructor’s work, and daily support were all excellent. Some items on the packing list were unnecessary, but that’s just a minor detail. Overall, a great experience.

Winter ice of Lake Baikal