Tour "Baikal circle"

This exciting tour combines classical excursions and active parts in one program. You will travel to Listvyanka village to the source of the only river that flows out of Lake Baikal, visit the unique museum dedicated to Baikal, have a trip on a sightseeing train on the Circum-Baikal Railway, conquer a mountain peak and have fun, rafting on the mountain river. Positive impressions are guaranteed!

Tour features:

• Rafting on the mountain river (for beginners);
• Hiking (2090 m);
• Excursions to museums of Listvyanka village;
• Circum-Baikal Express.

Dates for groups in 2020:

Tour program "Baikal circle"

Day 1

Gathering of the group at the train station or airport in Irkutsk from 8 to 9 a.m.

Travel to Listvyanka village (65 km from Irkutsk), situated on Baikal shore, near the source of 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.

We will make a stop to admire the legendary Shaman Stone and a famous legend connected to it.

Accommodation.

Visit to 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.

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: supper.

Accommodation: tourist base/guest house/hotel.

Day 2

Travel to the starting point of our tour - the Circum-Baikal railway.

The beginning of an exciting ride around the Circum- Baikal railway (with stops in all the

interesting places.)

Lunch in a carriage of the train.

The excursion ends in Slyudyanka village.

Accommodation.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tourist base/guest house.

Day 3

After breakfast we will visit the Museum of Minerals.

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: campsite / tourist base.

Day 4

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: tourist base /campsite.

Day 5

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!

Travel to the starting point of the rafting (40 minutes).

Organization of the tent camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: campsite.

Day 6

Assembling of catamarans and rafts.

Safety instructions. Studying the map of the rafting - Anouk - Shamanka. Irkut is waiting!

Rafting on the Irkut river starts from the the Bystraya (Fast) river - the right inflow of the Irkut river.

Beginning the first part of the rating (3-4 hours). This will be a training part without any difficult obstacles.

Moving to Zirkozunskoye Gorge. Conquering the rapid of "Kulik", Zubkogansyie riffles, "Small rapid" riffles.

We will stop for the night at the beach on the left bank of the river. Organization of the camp. Supper.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tent camp.

Day 7

Today will be the most interesting day of rafting, because  there is a "Big Rapid" ahead of us - the most difficult obstacle in the lower Irkut. The rapid is not visible, but you can hear it from far away.

The water flows with roar through the huge stones, forming powerful foam waves. It is best to make a video of this rapid from the left bank of the river.

After the rapid we will make a stop for lunch.

Another several obstacles are ahead of us! After conquering "Oblique Shiver" and "Bull" rapids "Oblique riffle" and "Bull", we will leave the gorge.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper.

Accommodation: tent camp.

Day 8

We continue our journey. Today we will conquer "Motsky" and "Dog rifts" rapids.

From that point our active rafting will transform into a "beach rest". Warm water, sun and hot sides of the raft instead of a sandy beach…

Rested and tanned, we will go to Shamanka village - the last part of our rafting adventure. From the river bend, before us will open the famous Shamanic Cliff in all its glory.

Drying and packing of the equipment. There will be a little festive lunch waiting for us.

Travel to Irkutsk (about 1 hour).

In the evening there will be a small walking tour around Irkutsk, dinner in the historic center of the city.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Accommodation: hostel/hotel.

Day 9

Travel to the airport.

Meals: - 

Tour price: 47 000 rub/person

The price includes:

• Accommodation: at camp sites / hostels or hotels according to the selected cost of the tour, on the active part of the tour – tent camp or tourist base according to the selected cost of the tour, rafting - only tent camp;
• Entrance tickets to museums, excursions mentioned in the program;
• Meals according to the program;
• During the active part of the route (trekking), tourists cook for themselves! Chef services are available upon request: 3000 rub per day! For groups of 10 people and more chef services are included.
• 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;
• Payment of entrance fees to visit Pribaikalsky National Park;

The price does not include:

• Plane/train tickets;
• Rental of personal equipment: sleeping bag, backpack, mat;
• Vaccination / encephalitis insurance;
• Banya (sauna);
• Accommodation in Irkutsk before the start of the tour;
• Additional drinks and meals (outside of what was mentioned in the tour program).