Baikal Tour Winter Fun

Okhotnichya cave (Hunting cave) - is a unique, extremely beautiful cave on Lake Baikal! Cave Hunting is located near Bol'shoye Goloustnoye settlement. The cave has several passages. The length of the passages is over 5 km. We will go on a journey through the cave, where you won't need any speleological experience. The route is accessible for everyone, but the experience will be unforgettable!

Tour features:

• Unforgettable landscapes of winter Baikal;
• Ice skating;
• Russian banya (sauna);
• A walk in the old poplar grove;
• Dog sledding;
• A visit the Hunting cave or a trip on the ice to the Sandy Bay;

Dates for groups in 2019:

Every winter weekend

 Tour program "Winter Fun":

Day 1

Travel from Irkutsk to Bolshoye Goloustnoye by bus (a two hours trip).

Today we will meet the Legendary Lake.

Accommodation at the camp site. Lunch.

A walk to the relict poplar grove. You will be able to skate on the ice of lake Baikal and frozen river. Skates are available for rent. If your shoe size is bigger than 45, please take yours with you.

In the evening there will be a hot dinner and a real Russian Banya waiting for us.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: homestead “Baikalskaya”/ camp cite “Mikhailovich’s” (double occupancy, standard).

Day 2

Breakfast.

Today you can choose between visiting the "Okhotnichya" (Hunting) cave and a trip across the ice to “Peschanaya” (sandy) Bay.

1 An unforgettable excursion to the "Okhotnichya" cave.

We are going to walk through the forest to the cave (about 7 km). There will be a short training session, then the equipment for exploring the cave will be distributed.

The start of our caving tour! Okhotnichya cave includes several wonderful grottoes: the grotto “The Chamberlains” (named after the discoverers of the cave), the grotto of “Skeleton” (because there are several decayed animals bodies - bears, musk deer, or even the remains of ancient people). You will see beautiful arches, decorated with mysterious stains, frightening bats quietly hanging on the walls of the cave and many more interesting and curious things.

You will have the unique opportunity to understand what real darkness and silence are like!

A lot of interesting things hide in the vaults of Okhotnichya cave. Baikal surprises us with new discoveries again and again! This tour does not require special cave exploration preparation or experience, traveling in the cave is available for everyone!

After an exciting experience exploring the Okhotnichya caves you will find a hot supper waiting for you on the surface.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: homestead “Baikalskaya”/ camp cite “At Mikhailovich’s” (double occupancy, standard).

2 Trip across the ice of Baikal to Peschanaya Bay.

We will travel along the west coast to the picturesque Bay with a symbolic name "Peschanaya" which means “Sandy”.

On this day you can get to the observation point, which offers a stunning view of the semi-oval Bay!

Lunch at Peschanaya Bay (ice picnic).

Travel to Bolshoye Goloustnoye village.

Meals: breakfast, supper

Accommodation: homestead “Baikalskaya”/ camp cite “Mikhailovich’s” (double occupancy, standard).

Day 3

We are going to visit a sled dog center in Maloye Goloustnoye village.

You will become acquainted with the strongest and kindest friends of man- sled dogs (huskies and malamutes)!

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 to Irkutsk. Arrival approximately at 4 p.m. Accommodation.

Tour around Irkutsk. Dinner in the historic district of the city (at own expense).

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: apartment/ Hotel “Fregat” (double occupancy, standard).

Tour price: 27 000 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 camping equipment: shoes for ice walking (in sizes from 35 to 43), skates;
• Rental of equipment for the cave: helmet, flashlight, ropes, special equipment.

The price does not include:

• Plain/ train tickets;
• Rental of the shoes for ice walking, if your shoe size is 44--46 or more;
• Insurance (available upon request for an additional fee)