The Valley of Volcanoes. Choigan and Khoito-Gol mineral springs.

TOUR FEATURES:

• Choigan hot springs;
• Khoito-Gol mineral springs;
• Hiking to the Valley of Volcanoes! Visiting Peretolchin volcano and Kropotkin volcano.

Recommendations:

• You need to be physically prepared and understand that you're going to the mountains!
• Be sure to have a sleeping bag, 2 sets of clothes, walking shoes and spare footwear. You can find a full list of necessary equipment in the section EQUIPMENT FOR WALKING AND MOUNTAIN TOURS

Information:

Khi-Gol valley is also called the Valley of Volcanoes where traces of volcanic activity are well-preserved. It is difficult to imagine that long time ago the volcanoes spewed hot streams, and rivers of lava were flowing down the valleys of Khi-Gol and Zhombolok. Today we can see only incredibly beautiful and spectacular consequences of those events: emerald lakes, black fields of solidified lava and fossilized old basalts which are higher than a man. This landscape is impressive!

On the infinite field of fossilized lava there are two impressive for its size volcanoes located opposite to each other. In comparison with the greatest mountains, this two truncated cones don’t seem like high ones, but it is only a visual illusion. Getting closer to the volcanoes you can realize the immensity of the surrounding area and your modest role in all these things. The land covered with solidified lava looks like a fairy kingdom in the middle of which there are Peretolchin and Kropotkin volcanoes. The landscape of the volcano valley reminds some alien movie scenery, so it seems like you are on another planet!

Choigan hot springs. There are about 40 springs with the temperature from 18 to 40 ° C. Hydrocarbonate and carbonic waters belong to Borjomi sort. Also there are radon bathes which are widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal apparatus.

Khoito-Gol hot springs. Powerful waters with hydrogen sulfide and gas content up to 60%. These waters are the perfect treatment for joint and bone diseases. Sodium-calcium-hydrocarbonate waters with a temperature of +30 +34.4 ° C. These springs are used for baths.

According to your preliminary request we can complete this tour with the excursion to Choigan hot springs* (+3 days), whitewater rafting on Irkut river (2nd or 3rd level of difficulty) or whitewater rafting on Oka Sayanskaya river.

Dates of tours "The valley of Volcanoes" in 2019:

We do not gather combined groups on this tour, we will organize a tour individually for groups from 6 people.

ATTENTION! Rules of carrying out rounds!

Tour program "The Valley of Volcanoes. Choigan and Khoito-Gol mineral springs".

1 day

Meeting at the train station or at the airport of Irkutsk in the morning (time and place are specified in the route list).

Accommodation in hotel/hostel.

Trip to Listvyanka settlement to the source of Angara river.

Lunch in a cafe (at own expense).

Visiting the Baikal Museum. Walking up the observation point – Chersky Stone. From this hill you can contemplate the picturesque view of Baikal, the Shaman Rock, and the source of Angara River.

Departure to Irkutsk.

Meals according to the tour program: dinner.

Accommodation: hostel/hotel

2 day

Travel from Irkutsk to Orlik settlement. Distance of about 500 km. Travel time: 7-8 hours. Lunch at a cafe (at own expense).

The road lies through the southern part of lake Baikal and goes to Tunkinskaya valley located between Sayan Mountains and Khamar-Daban Mountain Range. The view from the window is really impressive! We will definitely stop at the observation points and in the sacred places of Buryat people, because we need a good weather and the favor of local spirits!

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

3 day

Travel to Choigan-Daban pass by car with high cross-country ability.

Setting up the campsite.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

4 day

Today we are going to cross Choigan-Daban pass. The climb doesn’t take much time, but it’s quite steep.

Then descent from the pass and we arrive to the place!

Introduction to the mineral springs.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

5 day

Time to relax!

We are going to have a full course of medical procedures: take the mineral baths, enjoy the mountain air, and drink mineral water which treats different diseases!

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

6 day

We leave this wonderful place, but a lot of other interesting things are coming soon.

We follow the same road.

After visiting the mineral spring of health and youth, you will not even notice the way back through the pass!

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

7 day

Travel to Khoito-Gol mineral springs by car with high cross-country ability.

Setting up the campsite and having a rest.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

8 day

Transition through Cherbi pass (2700 m). Downhill to Peretolchin volcano. Setting up the campsite.

Walking to the volcano. Lava fields sightseeing.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

*Peretolchin volcano is named after the explorer of the Eastern Sayan mountain range; famous traveler tragically died here in 1914.

The volcano is partly covered with firs and larches, that shows a significant age of the volcano. It doesn’t take much time to climb to the top of the volcano. In its crater there is a small lake at a depth of 40 m.

9 day

Walking to Kropotkin volcano which is located in the southwest of the valley, 3 km from Peretolchin volcano.

To get to Kropotnin volcano we will have to cross a lava field. During the walk you need to be extremely attentive and careful! Quite deep lava field cracks and sharp lava can be very dangerous.

Kropotkin volcano is impressive with its dimensions. It’s quite young and almost without any vegetation. It takes about one hour to climb the volcano.

Visiting the waterfall located near the volcano.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

10 day

Return to Khoito-Gol mineral springs.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

11 day

Having a rest on mineral springs.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: camping

12 day

Travel to Orlik settlement.

Travel from Orlik to Irkutsk. Accommodation in hostel.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: hostel/hotel

13 day

Travel to the airport.

Meals according to the tour program: breakfast

Tour price: 45 000 rub/person

The price includes:

• All transfers according to the tour program;
• Meals according to the tour program - three meals a day (except food in cafe which is at own expense of tourist);
• Tour guide service;
• Accommodation: camping, hostel/hotel in Irkutsk;
• Excursions mentioned in the tour program;
• equipment rentals: 2,3,4-person tents, open tent, campfire cooking equipment, gas camping equipment

The price doesn't include:

• camping rentals: sleeping bag, backpack, camping mat, dry beg
• vaccination/insurance for encephalitis
• banya (Russian sauna)
• food in a cafe (additional)