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

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During the tour you will see Lake Baikal from two sides! First, you will visit the heart of Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island, as well as the most cozy and picturesque bay of Lake Baikal – Peschanaya Bay, where you will see the legendary Baikal ice with amazing methane bubbles frozen in it.

After that, you will have an adventure in the mountains of Eastern Sayan, visit Buddhist datsans and walk along frozen waterfalls!

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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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.

Wooden architecture in the Taltsy Museum

Let's plunge into the authentic historical atmosphere of a 19th century Siberian village

Hot springs

Swimming in the thermal waters when the winter cold reigns around is an especially pleasant pleasure!

A healing corner at the foot of the Eastern Sayan Mountains

We will look into a Buddhist temple, try mineral water, walk to the waterfalls in Arshan

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Irkutsk. Sightseeing tour to Listvyanka, Taltsy Museum
Place and time of the group gathering:
the Angara Hotel (Sukhbaatar str., 7, Irkutsk) in the period from 09:00 to 09:30 local time;
Irkutsk airport at 10:00.
You will be met and picked up on a group transfer, and you will go towards Listvyanka along the picturesque Baikal highway.
Listvyanka is the closest place to the city where you can see Lake Baikal.
On the way we will visit an interesting place – the open-air museum "Taltsy".
We will learn a wonderful legend about Lake Baikal and Angara, we will see the mythical Shaman Stone.
After the tour, you will check into a hotel in Listvyanka, and you will have time to walk along the embankment, there is a fish market within walking distance — we recommend going there, there is a wide variety of not only fish, but also local herbs, teas, berries, as well as souvenirs.
Tomorrow you will go to the hidden pearl on Lake Baikal, a place of incredible beauty!
Accommodation in Listvyanka.
Rest.
Included in the price: group transfer, guide, excursions, accommodation.

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Day 2 - Excursion to Sandy Bay
Breakfast.
Departure by hovercraft "Khivus" to Sandy Bay.
On the way, we will enjoy the bright views: on the left side the path is framed by the mighty mountains of the Primorsky Ridge, and on the right – the endless ice of Lake Baikal.
The stop at the village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe is a place where you can find a huge accumulation of methane bubbles in the ice of Lake Baikal!
It's an incredible sight – we've been provided with a lot of wonderful photos!
Stop at the Cormorant Stone – the southern border of the vicinity of Sandy Bay, 3 km from it.
In winter, the island is a granite monument, resembling a tower on the east side.
The Cormorant Stone is just a stone's throw from the Sandy Bay.
We will walk between the bays, each of which has its own charm, you will see fabulous stilted trees – bizarre-looking pines and larches, from the bases of which the wind blew out the soil and sand, exposing the roots.
Sandy Bay is sheltered by the capes of the Large and Small Bell Towers, which stand out picturesquely against the background of the surrounding nature.
Lunch is a picnic in nature.
The end of the walk and the way back on the khivuses to Listvyanka.
Included in the price: breakfast, group transfer (on Khivuses), picnic lunch, guide, excursion, accommodation, permission to visit the National Park.

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Day 3 - Listvyanka – Olkhon
Breakfast.
Group transfer to Olkhon Island.
Olkhon is considered a sacred territory, a concentration of shamanism in Central Asia.
It is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
According to legend, Genghis Khan is buried here.
Departure from Listvyanka early in the morning.
The road will run through picturesque places.
Before the ferry crossing, we will drive through the unearthly landscapes of the Tazheran steppes.
Accommodation in the village of Khuzhir.
Free time to explore the surroundings of the village.
Within walking distance from the hotels on Olkhon is the business card of Lake Baikal – Cape Burkhan (Shamanka rock).
Shamanka is included in the attractions of the Baikal National Park.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, breakfast, lunch on the way to Olkhon.
Day 4 - Cape Khoboy
Breakfast.
Departure by a real local landmark – the most passable transport on the island of Olkhon – a UAZ or GAZ car.
The tour starts at 10:00 and lasts 5 hours.
A real adventure awaits us on the famous Baikal ice.
A trip to the northern part of Olkhon.
We will see the outlines and amazing images of the Olkhon capes from the ice (Cape of Love, marble cliffs of Cape Sagan-Khushun).
Let's stay at Cape Khoboy – its rocky, steep shores in these places resemble animal fangs, which exactly emphasizes the name (from the language of the local population, the name translates as "fang").
From the water, the outline of the cape resembles the figure of a woman – an interesting local legend is connected with this, which you will be told about during the tour.
Lunch is a picnic in nature.
We will make stops in the most beautiful places for wonderful keepsake photos.
Today we will take pictures of icy grottos and caves, bizarre views of amazing statues!
If you wish, you can go ice skating, be sure to take them with you.
If necessary, you can rent skates (check with the organizer of your tour, skate rental is not included in the price).
The time on the tour allocated for skiing is about 20 minutes.
Return to the hotel.
Free time.
Depending on the ice situation, the excursion to the north of Olkhon on the ice will be replaced by an excursion on land, that is, the movement will be on the ground without going out on the ice. All the locations announced on the tour will be visited. The only difference is in the overview – from the ice, tourists observe the capes from below, walk on the ice, on land – before the eyes of tourists, pictures of the vast Baikal open from above.
Included in the price: breakfast, accommodation, excursion, group transfer, picnic lunch.

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Day 5 - Return to Irkutsk
On this day, our amazing journey through Olkhon is coming to an end.
Breakfast awaits you in the morning and you will have the opportunity to take a last walk around Olkhon.
In the afternoon, departure to Irkutsk, from where your adventure to the mountains of the Eastern Sayan will begin tomorrow.
Included in the price: breakfast, group transfer, accommodation, lunch on the way to Irkutsk.

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Day 6 - The road to the mountains of Eastern Sayan. Visiting hot springs
An exciting journey to the mountains of the Eastern Sayan begins today.
You will travel in the morning from Irkutsk to the Republic of Buryatia to the mountains of the Eastern Sayan and the village of Arshan nestled at their foot.
The path will run along a picturesque road, framed on the right hand by a string of mighty and majestic mountains, at the foot of which lies a plain, decorated with villages here and there.
To relieve fatigue after the road, on this day you will be offered a visit to the hot springs in the village of Zhemchug, which is located very close to Arshan.
These thermal springs were discovered in the middle of the last century, and experts from the biological Institute proved that the water there has healing properties.
The unique properties of water have a beneficial effect on the body and health, because visiting hot springs is one of the favorite ways for tourists to relax and fill the body with strength.
Hot healing springs welcome guests all year round, but in winter it is especially pleasant to swim in them: there is a winter cold around, but it is comfortable and pleasant in the hot springs.
After swimming, you will go to Arshan to check in and relax, and tomorrow you will have a tour of the sights of Arshan.
The price includes: breakfast, group transfer, accommodation, visit to the hot springs in Zhemchug.
Day 7 - Sightseeing tour of Arshan, waterfalls, springs. Return to Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will go on a tour of Arshan, which will be guided by an experienced guide.
You will go to the waterfalls comfortably hidden in the mountains, artistically frozen in winter, take a walk along the trail along the picturesque gorge.
Visit the local Buddhist temple-monastery of Hoimorsky Datsan "Bodhidharma", located in a truly magical place called "Holy Glade" among century-old cedars with spreading branches: snow-capped peaks of mountains flaunt against the background, and snow-covered trees give the feeling of falling into a fairy tale.
Also today you can visit the local market with Siberian goods (herbs, nuts, souvenirs) — here they are presented in great abundance.
After the tour, you will go to Irkutsk, where the program of your tour of winter Baikal and the mountains of the Eastern Sayan will end.
The price includes: breakfast; group transfer; sightseeing tour; guide services, permission to visit the national park.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

or

Camp Site, Hotel

3 nights
Hotel

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

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

Standard – 106 000 rubles;
The surcharge for single occupancy is 30,000 rubles;
Comfort – 137 000 rubles;
The surcharge for single occupancy is 51,000 rubles.

Types of accommodation:

"Standard" is a comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with the number of beds according to the number of residents;
"Comfort" is a more spacious and comfortable room in comparison with the "standard" category, equipped with a modern design (shower and toilet inside).

The presented classification of hotel rooms does not depend on the star rating of the accommodation facility.

Accommodation in hotels according to availability, please specify the details when booking.

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 (all inclusive, as an adult: seat, meals).
Children from 5 to 10 years old inclusive receive a 15% discount (all inclusive, as an adult: seat, meals).

Recreation center "Kopylov Manor" or similar (standard rate)

The recreation center "Kopylov Olkhon Manor" 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, wireless Internet.

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

Parking is prohibited on site. The N.M. Revyakin Museum, Cape Tataysky are nearby. 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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Another option

Villa Malina Olkhon Baikal Hotel or similar (comfort rate)

Villa Malina Olkhon Baikal Hotel is located in Khuzhir, 1.6 km from Khuzhir. It offers a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. All rooms at this four-star hotel offer free Wi-Fi and lake views. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Currency exchange and luggage storage are available. Each room here will provide you with a seating area. Some rooms at Villa Malina Olkhon Baikal Hotel have views of the patio and pool. All rooms have a private bathroom and a wardrobe. Towels and bed linen are provided.

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Angara Hotel or similar (standard rate)

Angara Hotel is located in the historical center of Irkutsk: on Kirov Square.

The rooms are comfortable and cozy, decorated in a modern style and equipped with everything you need. The windows offer a magnificent panorama of the central square. Guests can visit the VIP billiard club. Guests of the hotel can also use the sauna and beauty salon services. Additional services: laundry, meeting room, conference room with 55 seats, luggage storage, parking, souvenir kiosk. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

The Angara Hotel has restaurants: 3rd Floor, Peking Duck and London Pub. A buffet breakfast is served in the hotel's restaurants in the morning, and in the evening you can order various dishes of European and Siberian cuisine.

Spacious conference rooms with modern equipment are suitable for business negotiations, meetings, seminars, etc.

Staff at the 24-hour front desk at Angara Hotel can arrange trips to Lake Baikal, which is just a 45-minute drive away. An airport shuttle service is available upon request. Kirov Square is located across the street from the Angara Hotel. The main sights of the city are located within walking distance: the Lower Embankment, the square by the Eternal Flame, the Gothic Polish Church, the Church of the Savior and the Cathedral of the Epiphany. Karl Marx Street with old merchant houses is an 8-minute walk away. There is a public transport stop next to the hotel, and in the building itself there is a pharmacy and a supermarket "Slata".

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Another option

Irkutsk Hotel or similar (comfort rate)

This hotel is located in the center of Irkutsk, on the banks of the Angara River. It offers rooms with river or city views. There is also a spa and solarium. Each room has heating and air conditioning, and carpeted floors. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer. In addition, the rooms are equipped with a refrigerator and a telephone. Free drinking water is provided. The Irkutsk Hotel has a modern gym and a spa with a solarium. Guests can enjoy a massage at the health club.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 5 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

accommodation according to the program;
meals specified in the program (6 breakfasts, 4 lunches: 2 of them are picnic lunches);
all types of transfers in accordance with the program (except for khivuses at the ferry to Olkhon);
guide services;
permission to visit National Park;
guided tours according to the program;
support of the organizer.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals, if specified in the program independently or at your own expense;
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;
rental of equipment, skates;
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 fulfill the entire tour program and provide all excursions specified in it in full;
the tour is a combined group, the number of people in the tour can reach 18 people;
The tour program starts in the morning at 10.00. It is necessary to arrive in Irkutsk before 9:30 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;
the end of the tour in Irkutsk: we recommend purchasing tickets for the return trip after 20:00 (depending on the tour) local time;
place and time of the group's gathering: from the Angara Hotel (Sukhbaatar str., 7, Irkutsk) in the period from 09:00 to 09:30 local time and from Irkutsk airport at 10:00;
a day before the start of the tour, a group will be created in the Telegram messenger, where all organizational information on 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;
the check-in involves the accommodation of up to 3 tourists in the 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), there was no check-in at any point on the route, the Tour Operator has the right to put the tourist in a single economy room;
the tourist, for whom there was no accommodation, has the opportunity to stay in a single room "standard" with an additional fee. 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 single standard room;
Olkhon Island is reached by ice crossing in the winter season and by ferry in the summer. In the off-season on khivus (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 juices and splashes will be safe;
the composition and size of the group may change throughout the tour;
guides may change throughout the tour. Each location is assigned a guide who is an expert of this location. The tour coordinator is always alone.

Dates and Prices

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23 Feb – 1 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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25 Feb – 3 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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1 – 7 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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3 – 9 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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5 – 11 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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11 – 17 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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16 – 22 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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21 – 27 Mar 7 days 6 nights

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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!

Winter nomads of Lake Baikal