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

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 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

Seal watching

We will go by boat to the Ushkany Islands to see what seals are like in their natural habitat

The Face of the Goddess Yanzhima

We will visit the Buddhist datsan and walk along the eco-trail to the boulder, where you can contemplate the face of the goddess, calming the 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!
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" — here is the elite suburban real estate of Irkutsk.
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 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, where examples of wooden architecture of the past centuries are collected.
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 out such information about Lake Baikal "first-hand" anywhere.
This day will end with a return to Irkutsk and check-in at the hotel.
You will have a free evening, which you can devote to rest, walking around the city.
You will see: the architectural and ethnographic museum "Taltsy", the limnological museum of Lake Baikal, Shaman Stone, Listvyanka.
Included in the price: group transfer, guide, entrance tickets to museums, accommodation.

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Day 2 - The road to Olkhon Island. Shamanka Rock
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go 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 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.
The way to Olkhon will run along a comfortable highway surrounded by beautiful picturesque 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 Tagheran steppes.
These are kilometers of open space, 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, which you can spend exploring the surroundings of the village.
Within walking distance is the business 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.
This is an incredibly beautiful and pleasant sight and pastime!
This is where your first day on Olkhon comes to an end.
You will have a rest before tomorrow's active and full of new impressions day!
You will see: Tazheran steppes, ferry crossing, the road through the steppes of the south of Olkhon. Cape Burkhan, Shamanka rock.
Included in the price: group transfer, accommodation, breakfast, lunch on the way to Olkhon, guide.

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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 is translated 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 bright natural paintings.
Being near the edge of the cape, Lake Baikal seems endless, its greatness and spaciousness are felt!
You will also visit Cape of Love (or Cape Shunte-Left).
Locals say that childless couples used to come to the cape, and after the rituals and prayers, they soon had 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.
A beautiful legend about 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 go 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 strengthen your strength by eating a fragrant lunch against the backdrop of 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 excursion, 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 expanse 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 - Holy Nose – Snake Bay – Monakhovo
In the morning, after breakfast, a guided tour awaits you.
The first point of our trip today is Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a boat and head towards the Ushkany Islands.
The Ushkany Islands are an archipelago, a very special place, because here are the largest clusters of seals on Lake Baikal, in summer you can see hundreds of these animals here.
It consists of 4 islands, namely Large, Thin, Long and Round.
An eco-trail has been laid to the rookery near the island of Tonkiy and a camouflaged observation deck has been equipped to observe Baikal seals.
Before that, we'll listen to the story for 15 minutes, and then we can go watch them.
You need a special permit to visit the island, you just can't get here!
Upon reaching the place of observation, it is necessary to observe silence – seals can be very timid!
But it is here that they like to bask on the rocks, bask, that's why this is the perfect place to see what seals are like in their natural habitat.
The total time spent on the island is about an hour, after which we go further to the Holy Nose Peninsula.
This is the largest peninsula on Lake Baikal.
Once the Holy Nose was an island, but gradually the sandy isthmus was washed away by water, connecting it with the land.
This isthmus separates two large bays – Barguzinsky and Chivyrkuysky.
Chivyrkuy Bay has a shallow depth – from 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 Pyatigorsk water.
We will make a stop in the bay, if desired, you can visit the springs.
The recommended total time 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, the Holy Nose Peninsula, Chivyrkuysky Bay, Serpentine Bay, Monakhovo.
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 according to the program today.
You can devote your rest to him, sunbathing on the hot beach, warming up in the golden rays of the sun, swimming in the waters of the picturesque Barguzin Bay!
Included in the price: breakfast, accommodation.
Day 6 - Excursion to the datsan of the Goddess Yanzhima
In the morning after breakfast we go on an excursion to the datsan of the Goddess Yanzhima.
To drive 175 km, it's about 2.5 hours.
You will not notice how quickly time will fly by – the views outside the car window will fascinate you so much!
The Datsan is located in a picturesque place among the forest at the foot of the Barguzin ridge.
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 give 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 Uulzaha 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, such as the Ininsky Stone Garden, picturesque rocks called Suva Saxony, where the worship of spirits takes place, and many others!
After the tour, we return to Maximikha.
During the day, you will have a hearty lunch and a snack on the way.
You will see: the mountains of the Barguzin ridge, a stone with the face of the goddess Yanzhima, the Datsan of the Goddess Yanzhima, the Ininsky Stone Garden, Suva Saxony, the Shamanic and Buddhist shrine "Bull Stone", the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Historical center of the village of Barguzin, the Viewport "Golden Horseshoe of Argada".
Included in the price: guide, group transfer, breakfast, accommodation, excursion, lunch.

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Day 7 - The road to Ulan-Ude
Today will be the final day.
In the morning, after breakfast, we set off for the capital of Buryatia.
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.
If you wish, you can take a walk around the city – there is something to see in Ulan-Ude.
Here we say goodbye to you.
Included in the price: group transfer, breakfast, lunch.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

5 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels in Ust-Barguzin and Olkhon Island.

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

Placement	2-3-local	Surcharge for 1-bed
Standard	103 000	24 000
Comfort	139 000	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 (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).

Standard hotels in Ust-Barguzin

Cultural and tourist complex "Bargujin Tokum", GD Baikal breeze, hotel "Barguzinsky surf", GD "New wave".

A comfortable room equipped with its own bathroom (shower and toilet), with the number of beds according to the number of residents.

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Another option

Comfort rate hotels in Ust-Barguzin

State Enterprise "Ustye", BO "Houses on Lake Baikal in the Scandinavian style".

A more spacious and comfortable room in comparison with the "standard" category (shower and toilet inside), made in a modern design.

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Tour conditions

Group

up 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 according to the tour program;
excursions specified in the program;
permits to visit the national park;
habitation;
guide services (if specified);
support of 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 according to the program;
additional services specified in the program for an additional fee or not specified in the
the program;
additional excursions and transfers not included in the program;
equipment rental.

It's important to know

Required: passport, MHI policy;
headdress (cap / hat / bandana);
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);
mosquito and tick repellents (recommended to purchase 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);
toiletries;
small backpack (for excursions and walks);
sealed packaging for documents;
insulated clothing (jacket / light hat / hoodies / thin gloves);
binoculars;
a seat (a tourist hob).

Dates and Prices

$962

24 – 30 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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No need to pay now
$962

21 – 27 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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$962

15 – 21 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

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
G
Galina

21 Oct, 2024

about provider

Excellent work!

21 Oct, 2024
A
Alexandra

21 Oct, 2024

about provider

The tour is organized perfectly.

21 Oct, 2024