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 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.

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 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.

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'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.

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.