Winter wonders of Olkhon. Baikal

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Winter Baikal attracts with its famous variety of ice!

You will see a huge number of ice caves and grottos, visit educational excursions to the historical sites of Irkutsk and Listvyanka, and Baikal will forever conquer your heart!

Location

Russia, Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

The Magic of Shamanic Rocks

Visit the places of power and feel the connection with the local culture and traditions

The icy world of Lake Baikal

Admire the mesmerizing patterns of ice and the crystal beauty of the grottoes

Wanderings on Khivus

Rush through the icy expanses like a whirlwind and get a feeling of absolute freedom

The spirit of the Tagheran steppes

Immerse yourself in the feeling of infinity among the vast expanses of beautiful wildlife

Unique photos

You will have a great opportunity to take photos of incredible beauty that will stand out in your gallery

Fascinating Olkhon

Enjoy the amazing landscapes and purity of Lake Baikal, and perhaps you will meet wild horses

Itinerary

Day 1 - The road to Olkhon Island, Tazheran steppes
The 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.
Olkhon is a truly unforgettable and one of the most famous places on Lake Baikal, which is rightfully called a place of strength and especially powerful energy! 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.
You will leave Irkutsk approximately at 10 a.m. The path will run through an area with picturesque views. The road will partially pass through the Tazheran steppes, decorated here and there with rocky remnants. Guests often refer to this segment of the journey as the "Martian" one. Landscapes really transport you to some kind of alien reality!
Olkhon is an island and they get to it through the Olkhon Gate Strait. After the crossing, you will find about 40 km more along the steppes of Olkhon, and after that you will reach the center of the island – the village of Khuzhir.
In the evening, you have free time, which you can spend exploring the surroundings of the village. Within walking distance from the hotels on Olkhon is the business card of Lake Baikal — Cape Burkhan and Shamanka rock. Shamanka is included in the list of attractions of the Baikal National Park. In January, the ice is already rising at the cliff.
Next to the Shaman are the sacred pillars of Serge. If desired, you can tie a ribbon and make a wish. We will tell you how to do this correctly so that wishes come true.
After enjoying the beautiful views, imbued with the energy of the sacred place, your first day of travel is coming to an end. Tomorrow you will have an even closer acquaintance with Lake Baikal and Olkhon.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, lunch on the way to Olkhon.

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Day 2 - Tour of the south of Olkhon Island (by land)
In the morning, after breakfast, we meet with the group and go on an excursion. It starts at 10.00, the duration is about 5-6 hours.
The route of this excursion runs through the southern steppe part of the island. You will be amazed at how many surprises are hidden in a seemingly homogeneous steppe. Sometimes you can meet a herd of wild horses on the way. At the observation deck "Polevoy Stan" you will have a panoramic view of the village of Khuzhir and all the local beauties.
After that, you will go to Hankhoi Lake, also known as Yalga Lake. It is a small lake separated from the Small Sea by a sandy spit. In winter, the surface of the lake is covered with ice with bubbles.
Very close to the lake there is a "Rock Garden" — a place that attracts tourists with its mysterious atmosphere, a remarkable feature of which is large and small piles of stones protruding from the ground, stacked in a kind of turrets.
Next you will see a lonely birch tree on the Olkhon. At first glance, it's a completely ordinary place. But this is only at first glance! This is a unique natural monument, which is also associated with a legend. You will learn it during the tour, let's keep the intrigue for now!
Further, the tour program includes a visit to high rock formations in the steppe, called "Trident" or "Castle Ruins". Be sure to try to climb them: you will have a view of the steppe, and on the other side of Lake Baikal. You will feel the power of this place, the vastness of space. And here you get especially great photos!
In the middle of the day, you will have a hearty picnic lunch in the fresh air, and the tour will end with a view of the Big Sea and return to Khuzhir.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, breakfast, picnic lunch, excursion, permission to visit the national park.
Important: the tour can be replaced by a tour of the north of the island (Cape Hoboy), provided that the weather conditions allow you to go there.

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Day 3 - The Small sea on Khivus. The road to Irkutsk
In the morning after breakfast, we meet with you and go to explore the Small Sea of Lake Baikal and the winter wonders hidden there. This morning will be the final one on the island of Olkhon, in the evening we will be back in the city of Irkutsk.
The tour will start in the early morning, you will travel on the safest transport for movement on the ice – on Khivus. This is a hovercraft that can move both on ice and on water. In January, Lake Baikal is just getting ready to receive guests who do not travel as much as in February and March, icicles and splashes have recently formed and delight their guests with untouched novelty and beauty.
The Small Sea is a part of Lake Baikal, conditionally separated from the Big Sea by the island of Olkhon. Today you will visit one of the most beloved places by tourists on Lake Baikal – the uninhabited island of Ogoy. Ogoy Island is the largest island in the Small Sea with a length of 3 km, the second largest after Olkhon Island. The most frequently photographed and recognizable place on the island is the sacred Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. Many people come to Lake Baikal only for the sake of visiting this place – to purify themselves and recharge their spiritual energy. And there is also a belief that if you walk around the stupa 3 times and make a wish, it comes true.
Olkhon Island itself is also known for the picturesque Cape Dragon, decorated with ice splashes in winter. We will definitely make a stop here to take a walk and take pictures.
After that, ice caves and rocks decorated with ice floes and splashes await us. This is a real fairy tale, a Baikal winter miracle! We recommend taking a portable charger with you – it will be so beautiful that you will want to take off every centimeter!
After the tour, there will be a picnic lunch when you go back to the city of Irkutsk, where you will stay in a hotel.
The price includes: breakfast, accommodation, excursion, group transfer (Hivus, car), picnic lunch, permission to visit the national park.

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Day 4 - Completion of the tour program
Your tour program ends today.
These eventful days have introduced you to winter Baikal, its legendary ice, which is completely smooth, new and untouched this month! We really hope that during the excursions our region will be able to win your favor, and we know for sure that when you return home, you will feel like you are drawn to Lake Baikal again, imbibe its energy, enjoy the beauties!
The end of the tour program is at 12:00 local time.
The price includes: breakfast.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

or

or

Guest House, Camp Site, Hotel

2 nights
Hotel

1 night

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale
Upscale

The tour includes accommodation on Olkhon Island (2 nights) and in Irkutsk (1 night).

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

Standard		Comfort
Double and triple rooms	Extra charge for a single room	Double and triple rooms	Extra charge for a single room
61 000	15 000	76 000	25 500

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).

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).

"Kopylov Manor"

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

"Olkhon"

Olkhon Camping is located in Khuzhir. You can come here and check in with your pet. Private parking is provided for car owners, which can be booked upon prior reservation.

Comfortable rooms divided into different categories are provided for the accommodation of guests. Each includes comfortable beds, necessary furniture. Some rooms offer magnificent views of the mountain or lake. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Several rooms have TVs.

You can have a delicious and satisfying meal at the local restaurant, which serves various dishes from the menu. There is a barbecue area on site.

Fishing and horse riding are very popular here.

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Another option

Nikita Bencarov's Estate

Nikita Bencarov Manor is located in the village of Khuzhir and has its own bar.

Guests can relax on the terrace.

Room service is available.

Free private parking is available on site.

An airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee.

All rooms at the Nikita Bencarov Manor Hotel have a wardrobe, towels and bed linen.

A buffet breakfast is served.

You can play table tennis at the property, and the area is popular for hiking.

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Another option

"Aldartai"

The recreation center is located 600 meters from the center of the village of Khuzhir and one kilometer from Lake Baikal. It offers a children's playground, internet access, and a parking space.

Each room has a seating area and bed linen is provided. Appliances and furniture are provided with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

There is a snack bar on the territory of the recreation center, where a large selection of soft drinks is provided. Nearby there are several cafes: "Kudesnitsa", "Omulevaya barrel", where dishes of various cuisines are served.

The Khuzhir Museum of Local Lore and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God are within walking distance.

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Another option

"Baikal Terra" 3*

Baikal Terra Hotel is located in the village of Khuzhir on the island of Olkhon.

Cozy double rooms with comfortable beds, a bathroom with a shower cabin, as well as an LCD TV and wireless Internet access are available for check-in.

The hotel has a kitchen area where guests can prepare their own meals.

The location offers vacationers the opportunity to hike and enjoy the beautiful natural views of Lake Baikal. The hotel has table tennis, barbecue facilities and picnic facilities.

A transfer booking service is available.

Another option

"Villa Malina" 4*

The hotel is located on the shore of Lake Baikal. Internet access, car parking, bicycle rental are available at your service. A tour service is provided.

The rooms are standard and family, all have a bathroom with shower and toilet. There is all the necessary upholstered furniture.

A hearty and delicious breakfast is served in the restaurant. Russian and European cuisine is served for lunch and dinner.

There are several attractions nearby: N. M. Revyakin Museum of Local Lore, Shamanka Rock.

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Another option

"Port of Olkhon"

The Port Olkhon Hotel complex is located in the urban-type settlement of Khuzhir, in a place where you can forget about the outside world and enjoy the beauty of nature. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi access and free parking space.

The number of rooms is represented by 48 fully equipped rooms, which are decorated with natural materials.
The hotel has five different room categories: single rooms, art rooms, double attic rooms, family rooms, apartments. Each room has ergonomic furniture, a TV, a table and chairs. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer, slippers, bathrobe and toiletries.

There is a restaurant with original cuisine on site. The menu offers dishes of Buryat and Siberian cuisine. In summer, there is a terrace with beautiful views of Lake Baikal. You can enjoy delicious coffee in the coffee shop.

At a distance of 1.8 kilometers there is one of the nine shrines of Asia – Shamanka Rock. And next to it, along the coast stretches the "Sarai" beach, according to the locals, the most picturesque place on the island.

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Another option

"Inspiration"

Holiday homes "Inspiration" are located on the island of Olkhon in the small village of Khuzhir. Here guests can relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. Parking spaces are provided on site. It offers a sauna, barbecue facilities.

The number of rooms is represented by rooms of various capacities and categories. In each of which the guests will enjoy a cozy atmosphere and modern appliances. The shared or private bathroom is equipped with the necessary plumbing and hygiene supplies.

There are several shops and fast food cafes within walking distance.

The area is popular for fishing, horse riding and cycling. The staff is ready to provide up-to-date tourist information about local attractions. An airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee.

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Another option

«BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa»

BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa is a hotel made of eco—friendly materials and located in the village of Khuzhir, Irkutsk region. The convenient location away from the noise of the city will allow guests to feel peace and unity with the incredible Baikal nature.

The hotel's room stock includes several cozy rooms equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, including serviceable appliances and such pleasant little things as a tea set and a hairdryer. Each room has a private bathroom with disposable toiletries.

Guests can order lunch at the hotel's restaurant: the chef offers the best varied menu of European and local cuisine at reasonable prices. A hearty breakfast is served every morning. Guests can also visit the Russian and French cafes within walking distance from the hotel.

The convenient location of the BaikalWood Eco Lodge & Spa allows vacationers to get to the main attractions of the island: guests can visit the Shamanka Rock, the Revyakin Museum of Local Lore, the Church of the Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God and much more.

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Another option

Baikal Khan

Baikal Khan Olkhon Hotel is located in the village of Khuzhir, Irkutsk Region, on Olkhon Island. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. There is a terrace, a bar, a children's room, and a sauna at guests' disposal. Attractions are located within walking distance: Sarai beach, Shamanka rock, museum.

The spacious and modern rooms are provided with beds, bedside tables, a wardrobe and all the necessary furniture for living. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. From the windows of the room you can observe a magnificent view of Lake Baikal. You can spend a good time on the terrace or on the summer veranda, there is an opportunity to visit the sauna. Children can have fun playing in the children's room with toys.

There is a delicious restaurant and a bar with friendly staff on site. There are grocery stores and cafes within walking distance.

Nearby there is the Sarai beach, the amazing Shaman's rock and the N. M. Revyakin Khuzhir Museum of Local Lore.

Aero Hotel 2*

The Aero Hotel is located in Irkutsk. This hotel is 5 km from the city center. The Volkonsky House Museum, Trud Stadium and Irkutsk State University are located next to the hotel.

You can pass the evening or have a nice time before going to bed in a cozy atmosphere at the bar. You can try new dishes and relax in the restaurant. The hotel's cafe is a convenient place for a snack. Wi-Fi on site will help you stay connected at all times.

The room is comfortably furnished and equipped with everything you need to relax after a long and eventful day.

Another option

"Angara" 3*

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.

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".

Another option

«Matreshka» 2*

The Matreshka Hotel is a hotel in the center of Irkutsk.

It offers comfortable rooms. Each room has a TV and free internet access. Free personal hygiene products are provided in the private bathroom.

A free breakfast is served daily at the hotel.

The Caramel shopping and entertainment center is within walking distance. Kirov Square is just a 10-minute walk away.

Another option

"Listratova's Apartment Building"

The Listratova Apartment House Boutique Hotel is located in Irkutsk, a kilometer from the historical center of the city. With free parking and a paid shuttle service, guests have an easy way to their holiday destination. The hotel also provides WI-FI access.

The room fund contains 15 rooms in the style of wooden architecture. Each is equipped with a desk and a kettle. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower. A set of towels and hygiene supplies is available.

The hotel provides coffee/tea makers and a toaster. Breakfast is served daily for the guests. The nearest cafes are within walking distance, and the hotel has a mini-bar at the reception.

Connoisseurs of cultural entertainment will like this direction — the Irkutsk Drama Theater and the Viktor Bronstein Gallery are located next to the building. Another advantage is the proximity to Irkutsk airport, the distance to it is only 4 km.

Another option

Riverside 2*

Riverside Inn is located in Irkutsk, 4.1 km from Irkutsk Drama Theatre. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi. The reception is open 24 hours a day.

The hotel is 600 m from the Angara River. A bus stop and 24-hour guarded parking are located 150 m from the mini-hotel.

A continental breakfast is served every morning. Guests of the Riverside Hotel can enjoy various activities in the surroundings of Irkutsk, including hiking. Irkutsk International Airport is 3 km away.

Another option

«Irkutsk City Center» 4*

The Irkutsk City Center Hotel is a business hotel with first–class service in the very center of Irkutsk. The hotel is conveniently located in close proximity to the Irkutsk City Administration, within walking distance from Kirov Square and the Drama Theater; and only 70 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world.

The hotel has 208 spacious rooms of eight different categories, modern facilities of which will be convenient for both business trips and family trips.

In the restaurant of the Mesto Vstrechi hotel, open to both hotel guests and residents of the city, you can have a delicious breakfast, choosing your favorite dishes on the Swedish line or on the a la carte breakfast menu, have lunch with colleagues at a business lunch, and in the evening try interesting dishes of the author's local cuisine.

For the convenience of guests, the hotel has a fitness room, a business center, as well as a minimarket with essential goods.

Another option

«Baikal Forest Hotel» 4*

Baikal Forest Hotel is located in the center of Irkutsk.

It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi in all areas. Room service is available.

It offers 73 rooms of various categories: Deluxe, Junior Suite, Suite. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a refrigerator, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. Each room at the hotel has a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Popular attractions such as Block 130, the V. Bronchein Gallery and the Volkonsky House are nearby. Irkutsk International Airport is 5 km from Baikal Forest Hotel.

It takes about 45 minutes to get to Lake Baikal by car; 10 minutes to the airport; 10 minutes to the railway station.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

2 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Irkutsk

Included in price

group transfer according to the program;
meals according to the tour program;
excursions specified in the program;
habitation;
the entrance to the National Park.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back;
meals not specified in the program;
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;
equipment rental.

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: check-out from the hotel before 12:00.
place and time of the group's gathering: from the Angara Hotel (7 Sukhbaatar str., 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.
"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.
the tour operator does not guarantee the Tourist accommodation in a specific hotel selected by the TOURIST from the list.
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), a tourist could not find a 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 room "standard".
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.
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.
at this time of the year, the tour operator does not guarantee that Lake Baikal will be covered with ice.

Dates and Prices

from
$575

3 – 6 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

5 – 8 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

8 – 11 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

10 – 13 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

15 – 18 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

17 – 20 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

22 – 25 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

24 – 27 Jan, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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from
$575

29 Jan – 1 Feb, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

EV
Elena Vyatkina

17 Dec, 2024

about provider

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!

17 Dec, 2024

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A
Alexey

3 Dec, 2024

about provider

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!

3 Dec, 2024
V
Vadim

2 Dec, 2024

about provider

Everything was flawlessly organized, from the airport pickup to the thoughtful follow-up after the tour ended, with the tour team offering recommendations on how to spend time in Irkutsk.

2 Dec, 2024

Winter wonders of Olkhon. Baikal

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews

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