Baikal tour "Baikal Adventure"

As part of the program, you will visit the main tourist center of Baikal - Listvyanka village, take a sightseeing train on the Circum-Baikal railwayand do the trekking to the tops of Hamar-Daban. This tour will be remembered for a long time, because you will conquer the mountain top, see a lake that resembles the shape of a heart, enjoy the views of Lake Baikal and the Khamar-Daban mountain range from a big height. The tour ends with an excursion program on the mysterious Island of Olkhon.

Tour features:

• Baikal Museum in Listvyanka village;
• A tour "Circum-Baikal Express";
• Climbing (2090 m) or rafting on the mountain river!;
• Olkhon island excursion;
• A tour "North of Olkhon - Cape Khoboy";
• An excursion "Caves Of the Tazheran steppes" or excursion by ship to the island of Ogoy;
• A bike ride around Olkhon Island.

Dates for groups in 2019:

Tour program “Baikal Adventure”:

Day 1

Today you will meet with one of the most experienced guides that specializes on Lake Baikal, go on comfortable vehicles along the Angara River to Listvyanka village at Lake Baikal. During the trip we will stop to visit 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. After that there will be a delicious and hearty Siberian lunch waiting for you at "the Tavern". We will definitely make a stop at the observation point, from where you can admire the famous Shaman Stone, and hear an exciting legend about Baikal and his beautiful beloved daughter - Angara.

Accommodation at a cozy hotel in Listvyanka village. A little time to relax from the road.

We will visit the Limnological Museum that very clearly presents 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. At the end of the tour you will virtually dive into pure Baikal water. You will have an opportunity to become real researchers!

A small hike 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: supper.

Accommodation: guest house / hotel (Listvyanka village)

Day 2

This day is dedicated to one of the legendary objects on Baikal - the Circum-Baikal railway! We will make a small transfer to the pier and pass the spring of the Angara River on a ship. At the Port - Baikal station we will board on a sightseeing train and go on an exciting ride through the tunnels of the tsarist times, making stops for information blocks and photos. After an exciting trip there will be a small transfer to the tourist base almost on the shore of Lake Baikal, where you will be able to dine and relax.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, super.

Accommodation: tourist base (Slyudyanka/ Arshan village) 

Day 3

Before buying this tour, you can choose from two options (hiking or rafting) - the one that you are most interested in. Your choice will not affect the cost of the tour.

Option 1

The beginning of a trip on a trail, that runs through the forest along the Slyudyanka River. Try not to take a lot of stuff with you, to make your hike more comfortable. Two most important things should be on your list - comfortable boots and a capacious backpack. Gradually getting higher, we will pass few picturesque bridges over the river, marble quarry, fern thickets. We will have delicious pancakes with different fillings at a cozy café in the heart of taiga. After a little rest, we will begin the final ascent to the weather station, located in the place where the Podcomarnaya and the Slyudyanka Rivers divide. Here will be organized our camping. You will be offered an accommodation in a tent camp or in wooden houses with a stove (depending on the chosen accommodation conditions).

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tent camp 

Option 2

Today you will go to the place of rafting on the mountain Irkut River. Moving south from Lake Baikal in the wide Tunkinskaya valley between two mountain ranges (Sayany and Hamar-Daban), you will feel yourself in another reality, in a spatial window, and time will freeze in a smooth flow of bizarre clouds, in an endless circling of a proud eagle, in a sleepy movement of horses on endless expanses of the valley…

You can get acquainted with the of local specials at a cafe.

After arriving in Mondy village we will make our tent camp on the banks of the beautiful mountain Irkut River. A hot dinner cooked on the campfire will be waiting for us, after which you will take part in the assembly of a real catamaran and get safety instructions.

Meals: breakfast, supper

Accommodation: tent camp 

Day 4

Option 1

After breakfast, we will conquer the top. From the weather station starts serpentine, by climbing on which we will come to the edge of the ridge. From here you can enjoy an impressive view of the nearby mountain peaks. Now you will be able to see our aim - the Chersky Peak, which is about 2000 meters’ height (2090). Hidden among the mountain giants, the Heart Lake impresses and pleases the eye. On the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of lake Baikal and peaks of the mountain chain of Hamar-Daban, a daring feeling of a conqueror of mountain peaks, a pleasant fatigue in the muscles and, of course, a delicious snack!

Going down to the camp, making unique photos of the Baikal mountains! If you have the strength, desire and time on the way back, we can visit the waterfalls of the Podkomarnaya River.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: tent camp 

Option 2

After a delicious breakfast cooked on the fire, we carry the catamarans to the starting point of the rafting. The adventure begins! The Upper Irkut River is at our disposal today!

Upper canyon - a training section of the river, which is about 22 km. The participants will have to overcome a three-hour water slalom, a variety of rapids and rifts. The rapid flow accelerates at sharp turns of the river, opening river rocks –you will not be able to relax on the Upper Irkut River, because there will already be a next obstacle!

The end of rafting at the bridge of the Irkut River. Return to the camp, where a hot lunch will be already waiting for us.

After lunch, you can go fishing or rafting in the area again to do more photos and get another dose of adrenaline. Banya (sauna) on the bank of the river may be organized on demand.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tent camp 

Day 5

Option 1

Our active part of the tour ends. Slowly and quietly we will get back to Slyudyanka village. But please, do not hurry! Try to remember the smells and the sounds of the Siberian taiga. It is a pity, but they cannot be captured on camera!

Today we will go back to Irkutsk.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: hostel/hotel (Irkutsk) 

Option 2

Our rafting is over, it's time to continue our tour. Packing, traveling to Irkutsk.

On the way you will visit the hot springs Zhemchug, located in Tunkinskaya valley at the foot of the majestic mountain peaks Sayany.

Visit of thermal bathtubs is paid in addition (about 300 p). A lunch in cafe (at own expense).

We arrive in Irkutsk by 19:00.

Accommodation. Supper.

Meals: breakfast, supper

Accommodation: hostel/hotel (Irkutsk)

Day 6

After breakfast we will go to the legendary and mysterious Island of Olkhon! During the trip you will learn a lot about life and traditions of Buryat people, visit mount Yord, sacred Buryat places, have lunch at a yurt cafe, where you will get acquainted with Buryat cuisine. We will take a ferry through the Olkhon Gates and a small transfer to the camp site.

After accommodation in comfortable rooms, you will go to the famous rock with the mysterious name "Shamanka" (Cape Burhan), learn about shamanism on lake Baikal, perform a ceremony to please the spirits of the island.

The magic of the island cannot be captured on camera, you can only feel it with your soul. Shamans all over the World consider it this place sacred.

Meals: breakfast, supper.

Accommodation: gesthous/hotel (Olkhon Island). 

Day 7

Option 1

A water excursion to Maloye More (the Small Sea) (will take all day, lunch included).

The visit of 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!

A visit to the mineral springs which are located on the West coast. Picnic at a picturesque Bay of Lake Baikal.

You'll also have a hot lunch on the ship.

If you're lucky, you will meet nerpas (Baikal seal) on their favorite "beach rocks".

A small tip: on a water excursion take warm clothes with you: jackets, trousers, comfortable shoes.

Back to the camp site, where you will find a hot dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: gesthous/hotel (Olkhon Island). 

Option 2

"The Caves of Tazheran steppes" excursion (will take all day, lunch included).

Today you will become a real speleologist, an explorer of the underground treasures of nature! The cave is an unusual place. Often caves are called gateways to other worlds. These hidden from the human eye dungeons keep their secrets of the past, the history of the planet Earth. Mysterious labyrinths, absolute darkness and silence...

The program includes visits to caves Large Baginska, Mechta (a dream) and others, lunch on a cliff with stunning views of lake Baikal, a visit to the cave Vologodsky Trap.

The temperature in the cave is about 1 °C regardless of the season! Take warm clothes with you (jacket, pants).

Tourists will be provided with equipment for visiting the caves: protective suits, helmets, flashlights, gloves.

Back to the camp site, where you will find a hot dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: gesthous/hotel (Olkhon Island).  

Day 8

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 fascinating ice caves and hummocks, admire the “Three Brothers Rock”, whose silhouettes were immortalized in stone by the mighty and fair father. You will also learn a lot about the lake and its fascinating legends and will get acquainted with traditions and customs of the local inhabitants. The impressions from today’s trip will be unforgettable!

Back to the camp site, where you will find a hot dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: gesthous/hotel (Olkhon Island). 

Day 9

Our tour is coming to an end. You will have a little free time to take pictures, buy souvenirs to save the memory of Baikal, lie on the velvet sand of the Saraysky Bay and swim in the pure waters of Baikal.

You can take an excursion on mountain bikes to ride on the endless hills of the island of Olkhon. Rental of a bicycle for an additional fee (about 800 rub).

It is hard to imagine a scenery more beautiful than the landscapes of Olkhon Island! 

Packing things. At 12 a.m. vehicles will take us to Irkutsk. You can have lunch on the way back at a café.

Arrival at Irkutsk, accommodation in a hotel. For those wishing and not very tired tourists will be organized a tour around the city. You can dine at a cafe in the historical part of Irkutsk.

Meals: breakfast.

Accommodation: hostel/hotel (Irkutsk)

Day 10

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

Meals: breakfast

Tour price: 60 000 rub/person

The price includes:

• Accommodation: in Listvyanka village, Slyudyanka village, in Irkutsk, on Olkhon Island -  hostels or hotels according to the selected cost of the tour,  and on the active part of the tour (hiking, rafting) – tent camp;
• 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;
• Rental of camping equipment: tents, campfire equipment, gas equipment, rafting equipment;

The price does not include:

• Air tickets;
• Rental of personal equipment: sleeping bag, backpack, mat;
• Vaccination / encephalitis insurance;
• Additional drinks and meals (outside of what was mentioned in the tour program).