Wind of Wanderings

Insanely interesting tour with a visit to the Western and Eastern shores of Lake Baikal!

Tour features:

• Baikal Museum in Listvyanka;
• A tour "Circum-Baikal Express";
• A visit to the mountain village in Arshan;
• Thermal springs;
• A visit to Khomorsky datsan;
• An excursion to the old believers (Tarbagatay);
• A tour around Ulan-Ude;
• A visit to the Ivolginsky datsan;
• An excursion to Barguzin valley;
• Chivyrkuy bay. Bathing in thermal springs of Snake Bay;
• Crossing Baikal on the ship;
• Olkhon Island;
• Rock Shaman. Shamanism at Lake Baikal;
• A water excursion to the Buddhist stupa of ENLIGHTENMENT;
• A tour around Irkutsk.

Dates for groups in 2020:

Tour program "Wind of Wanderings":

Day 1

Gathering of the group at the train station or airport in Irkutsk at 9 a.m.

Travel to Listvyanka village (65 km from Irkutsk), located on the shore of Lake Baikal at the source of the Angara River.

We will visit the Ethnographic Museum in Taltsy village. The unique park-museum under the open air, where you can see a collection of architectural artefacts that were doomed to drown during the construction of numerous hydroelectric stations on the Angara River.

A Russian lunch at the “Tavern”.

We will make a stop at the Shaman Stone, admire the beauties and recall one of the most famous Baikal legends about the Angara River.

Accommodation.

We will visit the only Museum of Lake Baikal in Russia.

The Limnological Museum presents very clearly all the information about the Great Lake. Exhibitions are devoted to the history of the lake, the specifics of natural landscapes, seismic environment, the animal world of Baikal and the history of its studying.

The aquarium in which tourists can study Baikal fish, crustaceans and even cute and modest nerpas (Baikal seals) is everyone’s favorite exhibition.

On the second floor you will get acquainted with the tiniest inhabitants of Baikal. With the help of electric microscopes, it is possible to study tiny crustaceans, worms, fish eggs etc. in detail.

At the end of the tour you will virtually dive into pure Baikal water. You will have an opportunity to become real researchers!

The climb to the observation point "Chersky Stone" which offers a beautiful view: entire Listvennichny (Larch) Bay, famous source of the Angara River and the legendary Shaman Stone.

Meals: lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tourist base/guest house/hotel

Day 2

Travel to the pier, a trip by ferry along the source of the Angara River to Baikal Port.

The beginning of a fascinating trip on the sightseeing train on the Circum-Baikal Railway (with stops at the most interesting places). There is a possibility of a boat ride at the discretion of the tour operator.

Lunch on a train (at own expense).

The tour ends in Slyudyanka village.

Travel to Arshan mountain village (about 2 hours). Accommodation. Supper.

Meals: breakfast, supper.

Accommodation: tourist base/guest house/hotel

Day 3

Breakfast.

A walk to the drinking water well.

On Buryat land there is a law: if you took something, you should give something else in return. If a person drank the healing water, that was given by the spirits (ezhyn) of the sacred place, he should leave something as a sign of gratitude. As guests, we will perform a gratitude ceremony, treat ezhyn with wine, tie up satin ribbons as a sign of great respect and continue our tour. On the departure day, we will honor the spirits of Arshan, pray for health and longevity, and thank the spirits for a wonderful stay.

Walk around the waterfalls of the Kyngarga River.

The mineral waters of Arshan are good for the gastrointestinal tract. Pure mountain air combined with mineral water has a wonderful healing effect for tired citizens, and a path to the waterfalls of Kyngarga River according to ancient beliefs prolongs human life for as many years, as many times he has been to Arshan.

We will definitely visit Khoymorskiy datsan, located in a quiet and peaceful place near Arshan village.

A traditional building in oriental style with observance of all the Buddhist rules. As a sign of respect, we will go through the Goroo (circle) clockwise for purification from bad acts that were committed in current and past lives, then spin the prayer cylinders to activate mantras within them, and only after that we will go inside the temple (optional).

We will get a great amount of energy, visiting the hot springs and curative mud of Zhemchug village. There is nothing like a nice hot mineral outdoor shower! Methane baths relax, restore our nervous system and have an anti-aging effect. Mineral mud is used for musculoskeletal system treatment. The healing springs of Zhemchug village are recommended as a treatment of male and female diseases.

Meals: breakfast, supper.

Accommodation: tourist base/guest house/hotel

Day 4

In the morning travel to Slyudyanka village.

Boarding on train. Going to Ulan Ude on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

After lunch in the train, we will visit the Old Believers village Tarbagatai,

The opportunity to try Russian national dishes.

Trip back to the city.

An evening tour around Ulan Ude (places to visit: Holy Trinity Church, Revolution Square, “Arbat”, Lenin monument). Back to the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, supper.

Accommodation: hotel "Buryatia" (Ulan-Ude)

Day 5

We will visit Ivolginsky datsan, the center of Buddhism in Russia. An excursion around the datsan.

Trip back to the city, lunch (at own expense).

A trip to Ust-Barguzin. On the way we will visit Stretensky Monastery and make stops in picturesque places.

Accommodation at the guest house, a dinner with Buriat dishes.

Meals: breakfast, supper.

Accommodation: private estate (Ust-Barguzin)

Day 6

Excursion to the Barguzin River Valley. This is a unique and very beautiful place!

We will make stops and visit places with rock paintings and ancient petroglyphs.

We will also visit the Inninsky Stone Garden - a unique phenomenon of nature and pay a special attention to the Barguzin Valley Shrine - Buhe-Shulun Stone (Bull Stone).

A family lunch in Suvo village.

A small hike to the remains of "Suvinsky castle", which reminds of an ancient knight's castle.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: private estate (Ust-Barguzin)

Day 7

Breakfast. Excursion to Chivyrkuisky Bay.

Bathing in thermal springs of Zmeinaya (Snake) Bay.

Trip back to Ust-Barguzin.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: private estate (Ust-Barguzin)

Day 8

After breakfast, travel to the pier on the Barguzin River. A boat to Khuzhir village. We should be there by evening. Accommodation at a camp site, supper.

After a short rest, we will go for a walk to the sacred place - Shaman Rock, where, according to the legend dwells a mighty owner of Olkhon Island!

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: the hotel complex (Khuzhir village)

Day 9

Excursion "Journey to the edge of the Earth!" (will take all day, lunch included).

Cape Khoboy is the northernmost Cape of Olkhon Island.

When you stand on a rock at the very edge and below there are miles of water, it seems that this is the edge of the Earth, that brave explorers and fearless characters of Russian tales were looking for…

There our path lies. To get to the north of the island, you need to overcome: a steppe landscape with incredible ascents and descents, very similar to a roller coaster, a sandy tract and impassable taiga. During the trip you will be able to see the face of the wise father Baikal on the slopes of Primorsky ridge, fascinating ice caves and hummocks, admire “three brothers” (the Three Brothers Rock), whose silhouettes were immortalized in stone by the mighty and fair father, see the edge of the Earth, make a wish at the Love Stone, learn a lot about the lake and its fascinating legends, get acquainted with traditions and customs of the local inhabitants. The impressions will be unforgettable!

Return to the camp site. Supper.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: the hotel complex (Khuzhir village)

Day 10

Breakfast.

Landing on the ship.

Water excursion on Maloye More (the Small Sea) (designed for the whole day, lunch included).

After breakfast, we will go to the port where we will land on a ship. We will visit the biggest island on Maloye More called Ogoy, where you can see the Buddhist stupa of enlightenment. As a sign of respect, we will go through the Goroo (circle) clockwise for purification from bad acts that were committed in current and past lives. The Goroo needs to be competed without any thoughts, doubts or anxieties. For full enlightenment and clarification of thoughts, a person needs to go around 108 times!

The tour ends after lunch at Sakhyurta village.

Transfer to Irkutsk.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: apartment / hotel (Irkutsk)

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Day 11

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour in Irkutsk. Time to buy souvenirs.

Today’s meals are at your own expense.

It is possible to take an evening flight upon your request.

Meals: breakfast

Accommodation: apartment / hotel (Irkutsk)

 Day 12

Travel to the airport (by taxi at own expense, about 200 rubles).

Meals: -

Tour price: 80 000 rubles/person.

The price includes:

• Accommodation: economy or standard, according to chosen class – 8 nights;
• Entrance tickets to museums, excursions mentioned in the program;
• Meals according to the program;
• All transfers to and from various points on the tour, according to the program;
• Guide services;
• Payment of entrance fees to visit Pribaikalsky National Park;

The price does not include:

• Plane/ train tickets
• Additional drinks and meals (outside of what was mentioned in the tour program).
• Vaccination / encephalitis insurance