Baikal circumnavigation: two shores of Lake Baikal

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The two shores of Lake Baikal are not just places, they are different cultures: shamanism and Buddhism, it is an original nature that looks new everywhere. These are two regions – the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. You will be immersed in the world of Baikal beauties and get acquainted with the endemic fauna. A tour, after which you will have the most complete picture of Lake Baikal.

Location

Irkutsk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

The legendary sunset on Shamanka

We will see how the rays of the setting sun with burning shades color Lake Baikal and the most famous Place of Power

The majestic "Guardian of Lake Baikal"

Let's consider an eight–meter bronze sculpture in the form of an unusual tree - the creation of the famous sculptor Dasha Namdakov

The Face of the Goddess Yanzhima

We will visit the Buddhist datsan and walk along the ecotrope to the boulder, where you can contemplate the face of the goddess, calming your mind and relaxing.

Healing hot springs

Let's relax at the mineral springs and fill the body with strength

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Irkutsk. Sightseeing tour to Taltsy and Listvyanka village
After arriving in Irkutsk, your summer adventure to Lake Baikal begins! (meeting place: Angara hotel or airport, the organizer will send the exact time the day before).
As soon as the group gathers at the agreed time, you will go to Lake Baikal to a popular tourist village on the shore – Listvyanka.
Listvyanka is the closest place to Irkutsk where you can see the sacred lake.
The road to Listvyanka runs along the picturesque Baikal highway, popularly called "Baikal Rublevka" — this is where the elite suburban real estate of Irkutsk is located.
The track is comfortable and beautiful: There are trees on the sides, as a rule, there are no traffic jams.
The village is located about 70 km away from Irkutsk.
After about an hour of travel, you can already see Lake Baikal!
But you will arrive a little later, because on the way to Listvyanka you will stop at the open-air museum "Taltsy".
Taltsy is an architectural and ethnographic museum, which contains examples of wooden architecture of the past centuries.
It is located on the picturesque shore of the Angara River surrounded by the Siberian forest, which gives it an authentic look and an authentic historical atmosphere.
The guide will conduct an exciting tour, after which you will go further to Listvyanka.
On the way, you will see the legendary Shaman Stone, which is associated with a beautiful legend.;
Visit the Baikal Museum, which not only conducts expositional and educational activities, but also continues to engage in serious scientific research, and therefore you will not find such information about Lake Baikal "first-hand" anywhere.
And also take the cable car, you will admire the surrounding views throughout the ascent, at the top you will find yourself on an observation deck at an altitude of 725m, where you can see a beautiful panorama of the lake.
The day will end with a return to Irkutsk and check-in at the hotel.
You will have a free evening to spend relaxing and walking around the city.
You will see: Taltsy Architectural and Ethnographic Museum, Baikal Limnological Museum, Shaman-Kamen, Listvyanka, cable car.
Included in the price: group transfer, guide, museum entrance tickets, accommodation, cable car tickets (ascent and descent)

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Day 2 - The road to Olkhon Island. Shamanka Rock. Golden Horde Ethnic Park
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive towards the most popular place on Lake Baikal – Olkhon Island.
Olkhon is a truly unforgettable and one of the most famous places on Lake Baikal, which is rightfully called a place of power 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.
There will be a stop at the Golden Horde Ethnic Park on the way.
Here you will get acquainted with the ethnocultural identity of the indigenous population of Lake Baikal, and you will be presented with an exciting program.
The road to Olkhon will run along a comfortable highway surrounded by beautiful scenic nature.
Olkhon is an island, and it is accessed via a ferry crossing.
Your way to the ferry crossing will be along the "Martian Road", as our guests often say about the Tajeran steppes.
These are kilometers of expanse, in some places picturesquely decorated with rocky remnants, where the road winds like a snake between hills and hills.
After crossing to the island, you will find a road to the center of Olkhon – the village of Khuzhir, where you will check into a recreation center.
In the evening, you will have free time to spend exploring the surroundings of the village.
Within walking distance is the calling card of Lake Baikal, the most popular, recognizable and at the same time energetically strong location – Cape Burkhan, Shamanka rock.
We will go for a walk there at sunset – the rays of the setting sun color the waters of Lake Baikal with burning shades. It's an incredibly beautiful and enjoyable sight and pastime!
This is the end of your first day in Olkhon.
You will have a rest before tomorrow's active and eventful day!
You will see: The Tajeran steppes, the ferry crossing, the road through the steppes of the south of Olkhon, Cape Burkhan, Shamanka Rock, the Golden Horde Ethnic Park.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, breakfast, lunch on the way to Olkhon, guide, Golden Horde Ethnic Park.

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Day 3 - Excursion to the north of Olkhon Island to Cape Khoboy. Crossing Lake Baikal to Ust-Barguzin
Today you will immerse yourself even more in the atmosphere of Olkhon Island.
After breakfast, you will go on an excursion to the picturesque part of the island – to the north, to Cape Khoboy.
The cape is located in the very north of the island.
Its name translates from the language of the local population as "fang", and indeed, the rocky steep shores in these places resemble animal fangs.
And together with the amazingly blue water surface, they create beautiful vivid natural paintings.
Being near the edge of the cape, Lake Baikal seems endless, its grandeur and vastness are felt!
You will also visit Cape Lyubov (or Cape Shunte-Levy).
Locals say that childless couples used to come to the cape, and after rituals and prayers, they would soon have children.
It is believed that the cape has not lost its magical power to this day.
The cape is distinguished by the characteristic shapes of the rocks, and the views from there are fascinating!
As part of the tour, you will capture Cape Sagan-Khushun (or "Three Brothers"), a sheer cliff of snow–white marble.
The beautiful legend of the three brothers is associated with this cape – they will definitely tell it to you, and being there, listening to the legend, you feel like a participant or at least a witness of the events described.
After that, you will travel further along the island: there are picturesque steppes around and suddenly an almost eight–meter bronze sculpture in the form of an unusual tree appears in front of your eyes - this is the creation of the famous sculptor Dasha Namdakov "Keeper of Lake Baikal", his gift to Lake Baikal.
The sculpture is located at some distance from the roads, on a hill.
It looks extremely authentic and majestic!
In the middle of the day, you will refresh yourself by eating a fragrant lunch against the backdrop of the beautiful Baikal nature!
The tour takes place with stops in the most beautiful places where you can take wonderful photos for memory.
After an exciting tour, you will go to the village of Uzury in the east of Olkhon, where you will transfer to boats, after which you will cross the blue surface of Lake Baikal straight to Ust-Barguzin on the eastern side of Lake Baikal!
In the evening in Ust-Barguzin you will have free time, if you wish, you can walk along the embankment or relax in a hotel room.
You will see: Cape Sagan-Khushun; Cape of Love; Cape Khoboy; sculpture by Dasha Namdakov "Keeper of Lake Baikal", Ust-Barguzin.
Included in the price: accommodation; breakfast; excursion; picnic lunch; group transfer; Uzura– Ust-Barguzin crossing; permission to visit the national park.

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Day 4 - Guided tour to choose from: Ushkany Islands or Chivyrkuy Bay
The tour is selected upon purchase of the tour.
1. Excursion to the Ushkany Islands.
A guided tour awaits you in the morning after breakfast.
The first point of our trip today is Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a boat and go to the Ushkany Islands.
The Ushkany Islands are the largest seal rookery on Lake Baikal.
The rocky shores are an ideal place for seals to rest, as they are far removed from the mainland.
Upon arrival at the Ushkany Islands archipelago, we disembark on the island and, accompanied by an inspector of the national park, proceed to the Baikal seal rookery.
After watching the seals in a specially equipped place, unforgettable photos, we return to Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a car that will take you to Ust-Barguzin.
Important! The cost of visiting the nerpa center is 2500 rubles. It is not included in the price of the tour and must be paid separately at the checkout (cash only).
2. Tour "Chivyrkuy Bay" along the route: Holy Nose – Snake Bay – Monakhovo.
A guided tour awaits you in the morning after breakfast.
The first point of our trip today is Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a boat and set off towards Chivyrkuy Bay.
We are going to the Holy Nose Peninsula.
It is the largest peninsula on Lake Baikal.
Once the Holy Nose was an island, but gradually the sandy isthmus that connected it to the land was washed away by water.
This isthmus divides two large bays – Barguzinsky and Chivyrkuysky.
The Chivyrkuysky Bay has a shallow depth of 9 to 11 meters, so it warms up well.
Here we will reach the Serpentine Bay, which is known for its healing hot springs, similar in composition to the Pyatigorsk water.
We will make a stop in the bay, if you wish, you can visit the springs.
The recommended total time spent in the water is no more than five minutes.
A trip along the Chivyrkuy Bay is a real "exhibition" of incredibly beautiful natural objects along the way.
Many picturesque islands, shores, and the water surface amaze with their colors and picturesqueness!
In the evening we will return to Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a car that will take you to Ust-Barguzin.
You will see: Ushkany Islands or Zmeevaya Bay Included in the price: breakfast, accommodation, permission to visit the national park, picnic lunch, group transfer, excursion.

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Day 5 - Free day in the Barguzin Bay
You have a free day planned today according to the program.
You can spend your time relaxing on the hot beach, basking in the golden rays of the sun, and swimming in the waters of the picturesque Barguzin Bay!
Included in the price: breakfast, accommodation.

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Day 6 - Yanzhima Goddess Datsan and Barguzin Valley Tour
In the morning, after breakfast, we go on an excursion to the datsan of the Goddess Yanzhima.
We will dedicate this day to exploring the mysterious and beautiful Barguzin Valley.
It is a land of healing springs and lakes, wild nature and majestic mountains, the sacred land of Genghis Khan's mother.
It takes about 2.5 hours to drive 175 km.
You won't notice how quickly time passes – you will be so enchanted by the views outside the car window!
The datsan is located in a picturesque place among the forest at the foot of the Barguzin range.
It is very harmoniously combined with the beauty of nature around.
Goddess Yanjima is the patroness of arts, sciences, crafts, family and wisdom, the creator of the ancient Indian language – Sanskrit.
It is said that the goddess Yanjima has the ability to bring happiness to motherhood.
You can see her face on a boulder stone, discovered in 2005.
An eco-trail leads to the stone, from which Mount Uulzakha is visible.
It is necessary to visit this place with pure thoughts and an open heart.
To see the face, try to calm your mind, relax, and immerse yourself in a state of flow.
Around the stone you will see a large number of offerings in the form of children's toys – they are brought when they ask for children.
If desired, you can leave your gift.
In the Barguzin Valley, you will find many more interesting sights – the Russian village of Adamovo, the Barguzin River observation deck, lunch and an excursion with a Buryat family, the datsan of the goddess Yanzhima, the Golden Horseshoe of Argada.
After the tour, we return to Ust-Barguzin.
You will see: the mountains of the Barguzin range, a stone with the face of the goddess Yanzhima, the Datsan of the Goddess Yanzhima, the Historical center of the village of Barguzin, a visit to the Buryat yurt with an excursion (Ulyun), the Argada Golden Horseshoe viewing platform.
Included in the price: group transfer, breakfast, accommodation, guided tour, traditional Buryat lunch (vegetable salad, buzy, boovy, tarasun, shulen, urme).

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Day 7 - The road to Ulan-Ude
Today will be the final day of the tour.
In the morning, after breakfast, we set off for the capital of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude.
This is the largest city in Buryatia, the name literally translates from the Buryat "Krasnaya Uda" ("Uda" is the name of the river).
The road is more than 260 km, it will take approximately 3 hours.
On the way, we will make a stop at the Goryachinsk sanatorium, where you can visit the thermal pool, which has a temperature of +34 °C. (for an additional fee).
For those who do not want to visit the pool, you can walk around the sanatorium, warm your feet in the natural thermal spring, buy fish at the local market, eat an oxygen cocktail or drink cedar coffee at the first coffee shop on the eastern shore of the Taiga.
If you wish, you can take a walk around the city – there is a lot to see in Ulan-Ude.
Here we say goodbye to you.
We believe that during the days of the tour you have fully experienced the energy of Lake Baikal. Now you have an idea of Lake Baikal from Buryatia!
You can complete your trip with a guided tour of Ulan-Ude and Ivolginsky Datsan.
Upon request, we can help you get to Irkutsk, where your journey began.
Included in the price: breakfast, guide, group transfer.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

6 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in hotels in Irkutsk, Ust-Barguzin and Olkhon Island.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the selected accommodation and the selected excursion on the 4th day, RUB.:

The cost of an excursion to the Ushkany Islands:

economy		standard		comfort
2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1-local placement	2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1- local placement	2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1- local placement
103 000	10 500	118 000	24 000	166 000	45 000

The cost of an excursion to the Serpentine Bay:

economy		standard		comfort
2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1-local placement	2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1-local placement	2.3-local placement	additional payment for 1-local placement
98 000	10 500	112 500	24 000	160 000	45 000

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 (everything is included as for an adult: seat, meals).
Children from 5 to 10 years old are given a 15% discount (everything is included as an adult: seat, meals).

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

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Another option

Hotel

Tour conditions

Group

From 1 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Irkutsk

Included in price

transfers throughout the tour;
meals specified in the tour program;
guided tours included in the program;
permits to visit the National park;
habitation;
guide services (if specified);
accompanying the organizer.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Irkutsk and back from Ulan-Ude;
meals, if specified in the program independently or at your own expense;
drinks and dishes not included in the main menu of 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

required: passport, compulsory medical insurance policy;
headdress (cap / hat/ bandana);
sunscreen (protection factor not less than 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);
mosquito and tick repellents (we recommend purchasing in Irkutsk);
personal first aid kit (if you need specific medicines);
rain cape (raincoat);
photo/video equipment (spare flash cards);
portable charger (power bank);
comfortable shoes (athletic shoes / sandals);
bathroom accessories;
small backpack (for excursions and walks);
sealed packaging for documents;
insulated clothing (jacket / light hat / hoodies / thin gloves);
binoculars;
a tourist car seat.

Dates and Prices

$1,351

24 – 30 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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$1,351

9 – 15 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,351

17 – 23 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,351

21 – 27 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,351

5 – 11 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,351

15 – 21 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

EV
Elena Vyatkina

about provider

17 Dec, 2024

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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!
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!
V
Vadim

about provider

2 Dec, 2024

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.

Baikal circumnavigation: two shores of Lake Baikal

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews Leave a review

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