Tour Itinerary

Day 1. Irkutsk – Baikalsk (lunch, dinner)
Meeting in Irkutsk, transfer to Baikalsk, city tour, dinner on the shore of Baikal from traditional Baikal dishes.
Meeting at the airport of the city of Irkutsk, railway station of the city of Irkutsk or Baikalsk. Transfer to the hotel in Baikalsk. Dinner. Rest.
You will need a sports uniform, a warm sweater or a light windbreaker.
At 17.00, the group gathers at the hotel. Citytour of the Baikalsk city (ski resort, city center, Baikal shore). On the shore of Lake Baikal, you will have a dinner of traditional Baikal dishes, overlooking the sunset. And also a bonfire, songs of the Baikal bards, and many legends and tales of the sacred lake.

Day 2. Baikalsk – Tankhoy (Baikal Biosphere Reserve) (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Excursion to the village of Tankhoy (Baikal Biosphere Reserve)
Breakfast. Departure for an excursion. Today you are going to visit a beautiful and amazing place – the village of Tankhoy. This is the same village on the shores of Lake Baikal, where the Baikal ferry once moored, which carried out a connection between the western and eastern railways. This is the fishing village for which, at one time, fierce battles between the Bolsheviks and the White Guards unfolded. This is the same village where the Baikal Biosphere Reserve is currently operating. Here we will walk along the trail and get acquainted with the amazing species of the Baikal flora. We will visit an interactive exhibition about Baikal and its inhabitants, watch the Barguzin sable, and organize a lunch with a view of the Baikal expanses. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to swim in Lake Baikal. Return to the hotel. Dinner.

Day 3. Baikalsk – Tunkinsky National Park (Buryatia) – Arshan (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Excursion to the Tunkinsky National Park, Arshan river and Zhemchug village (mineral and thermal springs)
Collection at 10.00; comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as bathing accessories.
On this day, an interesting trip to the Tunkinskaya Valley (Republic of Buryatia) awaits you. The valley is interesting because it is a continuation of the Baikal depression for almost two hundred kilometers! And it boasts an incredible variety of landscapes and a sharp change in vegetation: from small hills to high rocky mountains, from valley calm rivers to treacherous mountain streams, from small steppe vegetation to dense pine forests. We will visit the mountain-climatic village – Arshan resort, which means – Healing water. Where our guides will tell you about the unique properties of the mineral springs, and you can personally taste each of them. Having drunk enough natural mineral water, we will make a short hike along the Kyngyrga mountain river, to the first waterfall. And upon our return we will have lunch prepared according to Buryat traditions. After lunch, in the neighboring village of Zhemchug, you can swim in natural thermal springs with a water temperature of 42-52 degrees or sit on the banks of the Irkut River, one of the largest rivers in the Tunkinskaya Valley. Return to the hotel.

Day 4. Baikalsk – Circum-Baikal Railway (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Boat excursion along Lake Baikal to the opposite shore (Circum-Baikal Railway)
Gathering at 10.30; the beginning of the excursion at 11.00; duration – 6 o'clock; you will need comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as bathing accessories, we recommend taking a warm sweater or jacket with you, a warm blanket will also not be superfluous.
An exciting boat trip on Lake Baikal to the opposite shore awaits you. You are about to plunge into the beginning of the 20th century, when the Circum-Baikal railway was built, now a dead-end part of the Trans-Siberian railway. Since that time, little has changed here, and therefore the most beautiful galleries, unique bridges and tunnels, viaducts and retaining walls will appear before you in the version in which they were designed by both Russian and foreign architects of the beginning of the last century. Steeped in history Circum-Baikal Railway will take you away during its construction. You will find out why it is called the 'golden buckle of the steel belt of Russia'. And why, now it has lost its direct purpose, but has become a truly unique monument of engineering art. After an interesting excursion, a delicious fish soup from fresh Baikal fish awaits you. Prepared according to the traditional, old recipe of Baikal fishermen.
Our boat will dock in one of the most beautiful bays of the coast. After lunch you can swim in the cleanest lake of the planet and sunbathe on its shore. And if we are lucky, the weather and Baikal will be favorable to us, perhaps you will have it will be given to observe the behavior of the Baikal seal in natural conditions. Then we will return back to Baikalsk.

Day 5. Baikalsk – Devil`s finger rock – Khamar-Daban (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Mini – hike to the foothills of Khamar-Daban to the rock "Devil's finger''
Fees at 11.00; the length of the trail is about 4 km one way; the trail is well-trodden, but nevertheless it should be reminded of the need for comfortable clothes and shoes, bathing accessories, if desired. In case of cloudy weather, you must bring a windbreaker or jacket. Lunch will take place on the route and will be a barbecue that will be cooked in your presence.
Today we will take a short hike along the mountain river Solzan, up to the Devil's Finger rock. You will have the opportunity to feel like a real mountain tourist making his way through the dense "Baikal jungle''. You will get acquainted with the unique vegetation of the Baikal taiga. You will feel the harsh temper of Khamar-Daban. Learn what a fucking finger is and for what he received such a name. Everyone will be able to conquer this peak and admire the mesmerizing mountain views, and the intoxicatingly clean, mountainous, Baikal air will awaken in you the desire to return here again. On the banks of the Solzan River, where our halt will be organized, you can dine with meat barbecue prepared in your presence. And after lunch, especially desperate participants of the tour, can swim in the mountain river. Those who have not decided on this feat can simply sunbathe or walk through the forest, picking mushrooms and berries from the Baikal forests. Return to the hotel.

Day 6. Baikalsk – Slyudyanka (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Excursion to the museum of minerals in Slyudyanka
Gathering at 10.00; duration – 4 hours.
We will introduce you to a small settlement on the southwestern coast of Lake Baikal, the town of Slyudyanka. The first mention of which dates back to the end of the 17th century, when it was here, where the modern city stands, that such a mineral as mica was discovered and began to be mined. You will learn why Slyudyanka is recognized as the mineralogical capital of the southern Baikal region, as well as get acquainted with the variety of minerals that were once mined in the local mountains. The collection of the museum contains more than 1200 different gems, about which you will not only learn a lot of interesting things, but you can also buy some of them as a keepsake. You will also be impressed by the railway station located in this city – the only building in Russia entirely built of white and pink unpolished marble. Return to the hotel.

Day 7. Baikalsk – Listvyanka – Taltsy – Irkutsk – Olkhon Island – Khuzhir (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Excursion to the Limnological Museum (p. Listvyanka ) , Museum of Wooden Architecture (Taltsy settlement), city tour of Irkutsk, transfer to island Olkhon .
Gathering at 6.30; departure with luggage.
This day will be very rich in impressions! We have a rather long road ahead of us to island Olkhon . On the way, we will stop at the village Listvyanka , where we will visit a unique museum of limnology telling about history formation and development of Lake Baikal, about its inhabitants, vegetation, problems, and prospects. Here you will not only listen to a fascinating lecture about Lake Baikal, but you can also admire the living inhabitants of its depths in special aquariums. And also make a virtual dive into its depths.
Next, our bus will make a stop in the village of Taltsy, where we will get acquainted with the life of the people who inhabited the Baikal region and Transbaikalia in the 16-19 centuries. The Taltsy Museum is a museum of real wooden architecture. With authentic estates, yurts, winter huts, huts, watchtowers, prison walls, fortresses, etc. By visiting this museum, you will better understand the nature of the indigenous Siberians! Lunch at a tavern on the territory of the museum.
Returning to the city of Irkutsk, we will visit with you: the 130th quarter, with the preserved unique architecture of the 19th-20th centuries. We will walk along the historical center and embankments of the wonderful Siberian city. Let's get acquainted with the main streets and ancient monuments. You will see the very first stone building of Irkutsk, which has survived to this day – Church of the Savior. Find out why the triumphal arch “ Moscow Gate ” got its name. See with your own eyes the place of execution of the legendary th Admiral Kolchak. And you will also visit the Irkutsk Bay, near the coast of which the icebreaker Angara has found its place of honor for many years. Transfer to village Khuzhir (Olkhon island). Accommodation.

Day 8. Olkhon Island – Cape Khoboy (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Excursion to the northern tip islands Olkhon , Cape Khoboy
Gathering of the group at 9.30; in a UAZ you have to cover a distance of about 30 km. one way; you will need comfortable clothes and footwear.
Excursion to Cape “Khoboy”, (in Buryat means “Fang”) – this is the northernmost tip of the island. From the side of the sea, it resembles the head of a woman with a bust. Cape Khoboy is considered sacred by the Buryats. In ancient times, it served as a place for religious rituals. The cape is located near the widest point of Lake Baikal (79 km) and only in good weather one can see the eastern coast from it: the Svyatoy Nos peninsula. The excursion to Cape Khoboy is designed for the whole day. Lunch on the route. Return to the camping hotel.

Day 9. Olkhon Island – Maloye Sea – Khuzhir – Ogoy (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Boat excursion on the Maloye Sea
You will need comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as a windbreaker and a sweater, as the boat may blow cool wind, those wishing to swim can take their bathing accessories with them.
Excursion on a boat along the Small Sea, along the so-called "big triangle" – Khuzhir , Ogoy, Surkhayte. This excursion will give you the opportunity to enjoy the amazing beauties of the bays and bays of the Small Sea, the islands of Ogoy, Zamoga, Izhelkhei. And also visit the holy healing springs, the water of which is saturated with silver ions and does not deteriorate for years. And, of course, Lake Surkhaite, separated from Baikal by a sandy-pebble spit, on which unique Baikal plants grow: Kuril tea, yellow holostem poppies, etc. The excursion is designed for the whole day. Lunch on the route. Return to the camping hotel.

Day 10. Olkhon Island – Irkutsk (breakfast)
Departure from the island Olkhon to Irkutsk (railway station, airport, city center )
Our bus will arrive in Irkutsk no earlier than 14:00 local time. Accordingly, it is advisable to take return tickets for one of the evening flights.

Overview

Visa: citizens of 58 states that hold all types of passports are eligible for visa-free entrance to Russia for a period up to 14 days (you can see the list on the official website), citizens of the 52 countries will be able to obtain a single e-visa of up to 16 days (you can see the list on the official website)

Transport: tourist buses 16-18 seats. (Fiat, Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot)

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in the Baikalsk city. The tourist base on the island of Olkhon.

Accompaniment: Experienced guides, guides

Accommodation on Olkhon Island: private camp site, no shower or toilet in the rooms. Pay attention – Olkhon Island is cut off from the mainland by the waters of Lake Baikal, and is the top of an underwater mountain ridge, which is called the "Academic Ridge", despite the fact that most of this ridge is hidden under water, the island remains part of the mountain system, where to deploy any more or less global construction is technically not possible!

Olkhon is also a rather serious national park, with a huge number of objects recognized as monuments of nature, history, antiquity. Deforestation is prohibited here, cultivation lands without permission of special commissions and other economic activities that harm the ecosystem of Lake Baikal!

Based on all this, remember that the infrastructure on the island is very, very poorly developed, if not to say that it is not developed at all. And therefore, going to the island, be prepared for very sporty living conditions, but we are sure that the nature of the island with its beauty will overshadow and smooth out this minor inconvenience!

Schedule

Fees

Children under 5 without a separate seat are admitted free of charge, under 12 receive a 15% discount.

** These are fully furnished apartments in large-panel apartment buildings. With a good repair, all the necessary equipment, furniture, dishes. With bathroom and toilet. Walking from apartments to the lake about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace. The houses are 2 or 3-storey, no elevator. No one lives in the apartments we offer, they are kept as commercial real estate. The apartment is fully rented, without strangers moving into it. If you arrive as a couple, you will accordingly be provided with a one-room apartment with two sleeping places.

Payment schedule: 5% – at booking, 95% – 15 or 30 days prior to arrival.

Payment methods:
- bank transfer in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AED, ILS, DKK etc.
- credit/debit card online on our website

Fees include

- accommodation in the selected location in the Baikalsk city:
in the hotel (standard, toilet and shower in the room):
mini-hotel « Northern slopes », these are fully landscaped logs cottages, autonomous heating, warm floors
hotel « Summit »
hotel « Space »
in apartment :
fully furnished apartments in large-panel apartment buildings, with good repair, all the necessary equipment, furniture, dishes, with a bathroom and toilet;

- hotel accommodation on the island Olkhon:
hostel "Oasis'', toilet and shower for two rooms

- meals (depending on the type of accommodation, see below)

- transfers specified in the program

- excursions specified in the program

- necessary permits to visit specially protected natural areas

- the language of excursions is Russian but the guides speak English

- escorting tour guides and guides.

When living in apartments, meals – only lunches, when staying at the hotel – 3 meals a day.

The place of residence is determined by the Travel Company, taking into account the wishes of the tourist, subject to the availability of free places in the indicated placements or similar.

Fees exclude

- airfare to Irkutsk city and return

- meals not specified in the program

- insurance of the risk of cancellation or interruption of the trip (we have about 3% of the contract value, if you wish)

- personal spending

- visit to thermal baths

- early check-in or late check-out in hotels

- accommodation in Irkutsk hotels before and after the end of the program

- not included in the program or indicated as additional excursions

- personal English/Spanish guide: 100 USD per required day.

Travel tips

We meet you at the airport or railway station in Irkutsk from 6.00 to 8.00, then from 8.00 to 10.00, from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 12.00 to 14.00.

And, based on your arrival time, we organize a transfer in small groups to the hotel. If you plan to travel by train, consider purchasing a ticket directly to the Baikalsk city, it will be much more convenient for you. If tickets can only be purchased to Irkutsk, then we will definitely meet you!

Map

Irkutsk city

Listvyanka village

Baikalsk city

Olkhon island