Baikal. Places of power of Buryatia

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Special offer! 15% discount when booking from January 4 to January 31, 2025!

We invite you to our new winter Baikal tour! This time we are going to Buryatia. There will also be a lot of ice, transparent hummocks, splashes and riding UAZ trucks on the ice of the lake.

In addition: we will swim in the thermal springs, walk along the ancient streets of Ulan-Ude, take pictures of the white Buddhist stupa and see the famous Buddhist datsans.

Location

Russia, Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Ivolginsky datsan

Let's admire the spectacular Buddhist monastery and feel the atmosphere of peace and tranquility

Bathing in thermal springs

Enjoy the warmth of the hot springs surrounded by winter landscapes

Places of power

Let's go to Suva Saxony and to the datsan of the goddess Yanzhima

The charm of the Baikal ice

Let's look for frozen air bubbles and touch the ice with our hands

Open-air Ethnographic Museum

Let's plunge into a real fairy tale, looking at the exhibits of the Museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia in the fresh air

On UAZs on ice

We will see the frozen Chivyrkuysky Bay and ride through the ice on UAZ trucks

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia. Pykhta Pass, lighthouse in the village of Turka, Turtle stone, Barguzin Bay
At 09:30 local time (Moscow time+5), the group gathers at Ulan-Ude airport (Baikal Airport).
The winter tour to Buryatia begins with moving to the village of Ust-Barguzin.
But first we will visit the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia.
The museum is located in the village of Verkhnyaya Berezovka.
This is a huge park complex, not just modest halls with exhibits.
The peculiarity of the museum is that almost the entire exposition is located in the open air.
Here we will see not only traditional, colorful Buryat buildings, but also stone pillars covered with mysterious writings.
Next, we'll see the local attractions: climb the Pykhta Pass and admire the Turtle stone.
The Pykhta pass of the Ulan-Bourgasi ridge is a kind of weather cuisine in Buryatia.
The winter tour program could not ignore this iconic place.
There are several holy places here, marked with colorful ribbons on trees and various pillars.
The next point of the winter tour to Buryatia is a leisurely admiring of a picturesque lighthouse and a stone that looks very much like a huge turtle from afar.
To do this, we will go to the northern outskirts of the village of Turka.
The turtle stands in the water of Lake Baikal, a few meters from the shore, and it is rumored that during the full moon the reptile comes to life.
There is a story about a Black Shaman who was defeated by a turtle, which saved all the locals.
But she had the misfortune to smash the villain's main artifact, the black pearl, after which she was petrified forever.
There is only one night of the year – the spring full moon – when the reptile throws off its stone shackles.
Arriving at the shore of the Barguzin Bay, we will check into a hotel in the village of Ust-Barguzin.
We will spend the next 4 nights here.
Active part of the tour: 5.8 km, route duration 7-8 hours.
Day 2 - The thermal springs of Gusikha. Skiing
We continue to explore the expanses of Buryatia!
There is always a lot of snow in these places, which we will take advantage of today.
Let's take skis and ride them through the winter forest.
Skiing skills are not required, the instructor will teach you everything on the spot.
Then we go to the village of Gusikha, which boasts its own thermal springs.
After a forest walk, we will enjoy relaxing in the thermal baths.
Active part: 3 km on foot, duration 5-6 hours.
Day 3 - Holy Nose Peninsula, Chivyrkuysky Bay, Serpentine thermal spring
On this day, we will admire the Holy Nose, the largest peninsula of Lake Baikal. The Barguzin Bay stretches on one side, and the Chivyrkuysky Bay on the other.
Chivyrkuysky Bay is the second largest bay of the great Lake. And it is on its ice that we will be happy to ride UAZ trucks. At this time, the thickness of the ice reaches about 1.5-2 m! We will definitely stop at the most interesting locations to take beautiful photos.
After skirting the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula, we will arrive at Zmeinaya Bay. There is a thermal spring here, the water temperature of which varies from 38 to 45 degrees Celsius.
We swim in the spring against the background of sparkling ice like sapphires.
Active part: 6.7 km, route duration 7-8 hours.
Day 4 - Suva Saxony, Bull Stone, ecotrope to the palace of the goddess Yanzhima
Today we have a long and very busy day!
We're leaving early to get everything done.
First, we will go to Suva Saxony, an area with very picturesque cliffs.
According to legend, these places have long been home to the Barguts, the ancient inhabitants of the valley.
Buryats believe that local spirits live here.
Our instructor says that these places have amazing energy!
Next, we will look at an unusual Bull Stone in the Barguzin Valley, after which we will go to the palace of the goddess Yanzhima!
Yanzhima Datsan is located at the foot of the mountain, the name of which translates as "date" or "meeting".
The places here are wild and very picturesque, the Barguzin ridge is visible from everywhere.
The deity Yanjima is considered responsible for the birth of children, so there are many children's toys, cradles, ribbons and other attributes near the temple.
People who dream of having kids in their family come here very often.
Not far from the place where the temple was built, one of the lamas once discovered the face of the goddess Yanzhima, which appeared on a stone.
An ecological trail now leads to this stone, and you can walk along it in any weather, since the road is equipped and covered with wooden flooring.
According to many tourists, there is an unstoppable energy near the boulder with the face of the goddess.
Therefore, here you can make wishes and fulfill dreams, having previously passed through the sacred circle – goroo.
Active part: 5.5 km, route duration 7-8 hours.

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Day 5 - Cape Kholodyanka and bathing in vats on the shore of Lake Baikal
On this day we go for a walk to Cape Kholodyanka. The road will pass by a coniferous forest and lead to the shore of Lake Baikal.
Here we will touch the most beautiful ice with our palm and admire those famous frozen bubbles.
The highlight of this place is a huge vat of hot water heated by firewood.
We swim, we take beautiful pictures.
Then we will move to the city of Ulan-Ude, where we will stay in a hotel.
Active part: 4.2 km on foot, the duration of the trip is 4-5 hours.

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Day 6 - Ivolginsky Datsan, Badma Seseg stupa, walk in Ulan-Ude
Excursion to Ivolginsky datsan.
What is not here: suburgans, temples-dugans in honor of the incarnation of the Buddha and prayer wheels called khurde. Let's admire the unusual architecture of all these structures and plunge into the extraordinary atmosphere of peace and tranquility that reigns on the territory of the datsan.
Excursion to the Badma Seseg stupa. It is a snow-white memorial with a pointed roof, decorated with ornate ornaments, the plots of which tell about religious events of Buddhists.
A walk through the ancient part of Ulan-Ude.
Residents of the city are very sensitive to their history, so in the center you can sincerely admire the architectural monuments, ancient buildings related to wooden architecture, as well as the famous Arc de Triomphe.
Also today we will see a colorful Soviet legacy — the world's largest monument to Lenin in the form of a huge head.
Active part: 9.8 km.
Overnight at a hotel in Ulan-Ude.
Day 7 - Departure
Farewell to Buryatia.
Today we say goodbye to hospitable Buryatia and its capital.
Check-out from the hotel before 11:00, independent departure to the airport.
The Yandex.Taxi service operates in the city.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route of the tour of Buryatia may be changed.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

The route is trekking and provides for walking through the area. The path goes through the ice, along dirt roads. Part of the time on the tour is driving UAZs to the sights and hiking.

Accommodation

Hotel

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in two or three Standard rooms (room amenities) at the Buryatia Hotel or a hotel of a similar class in Ulan-Ude - 2 nights and at the Baikal Breeze or Barguzhin Tokum Hotel in the village. Ust-Barguzin — 4 nights.

Additional payment for a single room in a hotel room: 17,000 rubles for the entire rest period.

The hotel is located in the heart of Ulan-Ude, a 10-minute walk from Ulan-Ude Main Train Station. It offers a sauna, a gym, a beauty salon and ticket offices.

Rooms at the Buryatia Hotel are equipped with cable TV, a refrigerator and a seating area. Toiletries are provided in the bathroom.

The cafe "Cup" serves traditional Buryat and European cuisine, and breakfast is served every morning.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 4 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude

Included in price

motor transport crossings along the route by minibus according to the program;
UAZ crossings along the route;
hotel accommodation specified in the program;
Meals: breakfast (day 2-7), lunch (day 2, 3, 4, 5), dinner (day 1-4). Ready-made breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotel according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!). Meals in the form of dry rations (sausage, cheese, biscuits, chocolate, sweets);
entrance tickets to the Ivolginsky Datsan;
entrance tickets to the Ethnographic Museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia;
thermal springs Serpentine, Gushikhinsky, bathing in vats;
tickets to the Trans-Baikal National Park;
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to the beginning of the route and back (Ulan-Ude);
travel on day 7 to the airport or to the Ulan-Ude railway station;
lunches (day 1, 6, 7), dinner on day 5,6. The cost of lunches / dinners starts from 500 rubles.;
insurance.

It's important to know

Passport / birth certificate of the child.
Thermal underwear — long sleeve T-shirt and long johns.
Fleece jacket and trousers.
Windproof, insulated jacket (with hood) and pants.
Warm, waterproof walking shoes.
Wool socks, trekking socks with the addition of wool or thermal socks.
Ice shoes, ice crampons or icers.
Flashlights (gaiters, gaiters, shoe covers).
Hat.
Balaclava, fleece tube scarf or fleece half mask for the lower part of the face.
Gloves — 2 pairs.
Mittens with down, wool or synthetic insulation.
Sunglasses are a MUST! On clear days, the glasses protect the eyes from sunlight, which can burn the outer layers of the eye. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun's rays. When sunlight reflects off snow, it becomes very bright and is accompanied by an intense glare, which makes it difficult to look.
Sunscreen, hygienic lipstick.
Backpack for walking (volume 20-25 liters). In the backpack there are personal belongings of the tourist, as well as public products for lunch, which are issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams).
Tourist foam.
Thermos flask (volume of at least 1 liter per person).
A mug, a spoon.
Lantern.
Toilet paper.
For walking around the campsite: sweatpants, T-shirt, flip-flops.
Lingerie.
Swimsuit (for visiting thermal springs).
Camera/video camera.
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, razor).
Hairbrush.
Thread, needle.
Shoe dryers. Since we spend almost the whole day outside, by the evening the shoes become wet, they need to be dried.
Individual first aid kit.

Dates and Prices

from
$982

15 – 21 Mar, 2026 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews

E
Elena

about provider

8 Jul, 2025

5 more photos

The tour was exceptionally well organized! Thank you for that! A special thanks to Karina for the engaging walks, fascinating stories, and for making sure there was never a dull moment!!!
D
Damira

about provider

19 Jun, 2025

The accommodation was warm and cozy, with a shower and toilet in every room The instructor was absolutely outstanding — special thanks for the fun games ❤️ The route was perfect, with something new to experience every day.
AI
Andrey Ivlev

about provider

17 Jun, 2025

6 more photos

The welcome, overall organization, instructor’s work, and daily support were all excellent. Some items on the packing list were unnecessary, but that’s just a minor detail. Overall, a great experience.