Summer adventures on Lake Baikal in Buryatia

Today your journey through Buryatia will begin – we are going to Ulan-Ude! 

On the way to Ulan-Ude, you will stop at a place called "Warm Lakes".

Irkutsk region and Buryatia are a land of rivers, lakes and coniferous forests.

The warm lakes on Lake Baikal are distinguished by the incredible beauty of the surrounding area and the warming of the water in summer to 27-31 degrees Celsius due to the shallow depth.

Here you can enjoy the magnificent views, feed the swans and admire the local chapel. 

After visiting the lakes, we will continue the road to Ulan-Ude. 

Upon arrival, your journey through colorful Buryatia begins. 

We are going to explore the capital of Buryatia – the city of Ulan-Ude. 

It is a major cultural, scientific and industrial center of Eastern Siberia. 

It is the center of Buryat culture, Buddhism and Orthodoxy. 

The tour will be accompanied by a guide. 

Today we will visit Sovetov Square, the main square of the city, and see the symbol of the city – an unusual monument to Lenin in the form of a head. 

The height of this sculpture reaches 7.7 meters, and the whole exceeds 42 tons. 

Another recognizable symbol of the city is the magnificent palace, where the opera and Ballet Theater is open.

This is the pride of the republic, because there is no opera house of this level in the Far East anymore.

Classical performances are regularly held here. 

You will see the Arc de Triomphe – it is visible from afar. 

It was erected in the XIX century in honor of the visit of the future Emperor Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich.

The arch has an interesting history – after its destruction in 1936, it was restored in 2006. 

And now the guests of the city like to be photographed against its background.

Arbat, the main pedestrian street of the city, is very close by.

The most beautiful merchant houses have been preserved on it, and here you will see unusual modern sculptures. 

You will visit the large trade center of the XIX century – the living rooms. 

They were first built of wood at the end of the XVIII century. 

You will see the first stone building in Ulan-Ude – the Cathedral of St. Odigitrievsky Cathedral, made in the style of the Siberian Baroque. 

Saint Hodegetria is the patroness of merchants and travelers, it is very symbolic for all guests of Buryatia to visit here!

In the evening you will go to the hotel. 

Tomorrow we will continue our journey, be sure to gain strength.

You will see: Ivolginsky Datsan, Lenin monument, St. Odigitrievsky Cathedral, Sovetov Square, Triumphal Arch, Arbat, living rooms.

Included in the price: guided tour, accommodation, group transfer, breakfast.

After breakfast, we will set off for the village of Maksimikha.

On the way, we will stop at the Sretensky Monastery. 

The village of Baturino, located in the Zabaikalsky district, is home to the Sretensky Convent, the only Orthodox women's monastery in the Republic of Buryatia. 

The monastery is located in the valley of the Itantsa River, among picturesque hills, just 50 km from Lake Baikal. 

In the spring of 2000, Bishop Eustathius of Chita and Transbaikalia founded this monastery. 

Despite its young age, the monastery already attracts many spiritual pilgrims. 

Our path will pass through the village of Turka.

It is located on the east coast of Lake Baikal, 169 km from Ulan-Ude. 

"Turka" in translation from Evenki means "omul road". 

The village is known for its picturesque nature and hot mineral springs, and is part of the Baikal Harbor special economic zone. 

It is planned to build about 45 recreational facilities here: hotels, yacht clubs, cottage settlements, etc. 

On the way to Maksimikha, we will stop at the Turtle boulder, which is located next to the Turk, officially recognized as a natural monument protected by the state. 

The boulder is named for a reason: it really looks like a turtle that has entered the water. 

One of the most famous symbols of Turki is the lighthouse. 

It entered the top 8 most interesting lighthouses in Russia. 

In the evening, you will have free time in Maximikha, if you wish, you can walk along the embankment or relax in a hotel room.  

You will see: Turk, lighthouse, Turtle boulder, Maximikha.

Included in the price: breakfast, group transfer, accommodation, guide.

In the morning, after breakfast, we set off. 

The first point of our trip today is Monakhovo, where we will transfer to a boat and go towards the Ushkany Islands. 

The Ushkany Islands are an archipelago, a very special place, because here is the largest seal rookery 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 is equipped for observing 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 observation point, it is necessary to observe silence – seals can be very timid! 

But it is here that they like to bask on the rocks, bask, because 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 back to Maximikha. 

You will see: Ushkany Islands, the Holy Nose Peninsula, Chivyrkuysky Bay, Zmeevaya Bay, Monakhovo, Barguzin Bay.

Included in the price: breakfast, accommodation, visit to the observation deck on the Ushkany Islands, guide, boat, picnic lunch, group transfer.

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 go to Ust-Barguzin, where we will stay for the night. 

You will see: the mountains of the Barguzin range, the datsan of the goddess Yanzhima, the stone with the face of the goddess Yanzhima, the Shamanic Threshold, the stone Garden, Buhe Shulun, Suva Saxony.

Included in the price: guide, group transfer, breakfast, accommodation, excursion.

Today will be the final day of the tour.

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. 

We believe that during the days of the tour you have fully experienced the energy of Lake Baikal.

Now you have an idea of the two Baikal shores – you can say that you have completed a real Baikal circumnavigation! 

Upon request, we can help you get to Irkutsk, where your journey began. 

Included in the price: breakfast.