Acquaintance with Winter Baikal

Tour features:

• A visit to the legendary Olkhon Island;
• Shamanism on Lake Baikal, a visit to the Shaman Rock;
• Travel on the ice of Baikal to the stupa of ENLIGHTENMENT on the island of Ogoy. Caves and frozen waves of the Small Sea;
• A trip to the North of the island to Cape Khoboy. The beauty of the Northern part of Olkhon Island;
• Ice fishing on Lake Baikal;
• Excursion inListvyanka village;
• All accommodation in the STANDARD class.

Dates for groups in 2020:

Tour program “Acquaintance with Winter Baikal”:

Day 1

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

Travel Irkutsk to Olkhon Island by bus.

Lunch at the Yurt-cafe. Introduction to Buryat cuisine.

The tour begins! Now we are about to dive into a fascinating world of winter Baikal.

Only in the winter can you see magnificent caves, bizarre ice hummocks and rocky capes, all rising over the mirrored surface of the Baikal ice!

We will be traveling across the ice of the strait called Maloye More (the Small Sea) (решила тут указать, что Малое Море – это пролив) to Khuzhir village, making stops at the most interesting places along the way.

We will 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!

Meals: lunch, supper

Accommodation: tourist complex "Baikalov Ostrog", double occupancy, economy – facilities on the floor

Day 2

Excursion "Journey to the edge of the Earth!" (for the whole day, lunch included).

Khoboy Cape 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…

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!

Meals: lunch, supper

Accommodation: tourist complex "Baikalov Ostrog", double occupancy, economy – shared facilities (one bathroom per floor)

Day 3

Breakfast.

Today you will be engaged in one of the most exciting winter activities - ice fishing!

Success is guaranteed!

Lunch - traditional Siberian hot fish soup - a real reward for the fisherman!

After fishing we will go to Irkutsk.  Accommodation in a hotel/apartment. Supper.

In the evening you can visit a magical place made of ice called “Khrustalnaya Skaska” (Crystal Fairy Tale). Who knows, maybe behind one of the shining ice sculptures you will meet Santa Claus, who will grant your dearest wish!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: apartment hotel "Fregat" (double occupancy)

Day 4

Travel from Irkutsk to Listvyanka village.

We will visit the one and only Museum of lake Baikal in Russia. The Limnological Museum very clearly presents information about the Great Lake. At the end of the tour you will virtually dive into pure Baikal water.

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

Lunch at a cafe (at own expense).

We are going to visit a sled dog center. You will become acquainted with the strongest and kindest friends of man- sled dogs (huskies and malamutes)!

For an extra charge you will participate in sled driving training which will be an unforgettable trip!  After sled driving training, there will be a lunch with a cup of hot herbal tea, which is so nice after a walk in fresh air!

Travel from Listvyanka village to Irkutsk.

On the way back we will visit the Ethnographic Museum in Taltsy village. Tour around Irkutsk (on foot). Supper at the historical center of the city (at own expense).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel "Fregat "/apartment (double occupancy)

Day 5

Travel to the airport.

Meals: no

Tour price: 52 000 rub/person

The price includes:

• Accommodation in guest houses, tourist complexes, estates double occupancy (within the program);
• Excursions mentioned in the program;
• Meals – three times a day;
• 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;
• Rental of equipment for fishing.

The price does not include:

• Rental of skates;
• Banya (sauna);
• Accommodation in Irkutsk before the start of the tour;
• Additional drinks and meals (outside of what was mentioned in the tour program).