Winter colors of Baikal

Tour features:

• A visit to the Baikal Museum;
• Visits to the most interesting tunnels of the Circum-Baikal railway;
• Travel on the ice of Lake Baikal on Khivus (hovercraft)!
• Visiting beautiful Sandy Bay
• Skating on the biggest skating rink in the world - the mirror of lake Baikal;
• A visit to the sled dogs center, dog sledding, positive vibes from taking pictures of Malamute's puppies;
• Walking tour of the historical part of Irkutsk;
• Jeeping to Tazherans!;
• A visit to one of the most beautiful caves on Lake Baikal;
• A visit to the legendary Olkhon Island;
• Crossing lake Baikal! from west to east shore;
• Bathing in the thermal springs of Zmeinaya Bay;
• A visit to center of buddisme of Russia;
• New acquaintances, a lot of positive emotions!;
• Finding new friends.

 Dates for groups in 2019:

Tour program “Winter colors of Baikal”

Day 1

Nice to meet you!

Group gathering at the station or at the airport in Irkutsk at 10:00.

Transfer from Irkutsk to Listvyanka village (9:00 - 10:00).

Visit to the ethnographic Museum of Taltsy (10:00 - 12:00).

The unique Park-Museum under the open sky, where a collection of architectural artefacts that are subject to flooding during the construction of numerous hydroelectric station on the Angara river.

You will be able not only to get acquainted with the history of the Irkutsk region, but also to admire the landscape of the winter forest, ride on skins from a high mountain, play snowballs, get into the atmosphere of a real fairy tale and magic.

In the restaurant you will find a hot lunch in the Russian style.

Heading to Listvyanka village. On the way, make a stop at the source of the Angara river.

Accommodation in a cozy hotel, a little time to relax (13:00 - 16:00).

16: 00-18: 00 visit to the Baikal Limnological Museum in Listvyanka village (inspection of expositions and virtual immersion in the bathyscaphe at the bottom of lake Baikal).

19: 00-dinner at the hotel.

Meals: lunch, supper

Accommodation: homestead "Usadba Demidova", double occupancy, standard.

Day 2

Breakfast at 9: 00.

After Breakfast at the hotel, we go on a trip on the ice on khivus (hovercraft).

We will cross the source of the Angara river, visit the Circum-Baikal railway, walk through the tunnel of the tsarist times, and then go along the Western shore of lake Baikal to the Sandy Bay!

Along the way – the most impressive panorama of open lake Baikal along the coast, where there are no roads or infrastructure-150 kilometers of stunningly beautiful ice with a web of cracks and bubbles, picturesque bays, cliffs with rock paintings, untouched nature.

Hot lunch in Sandy Bay.

Skating on the biggest skating rink in the world - the mirror of lake Baikal

Completion of the trip in Goloustnoe village. Accommodation in hotel.

Dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation:  homestead "Russkoe podvorie", double occupancy, economy – shared facilities (one bathroom per floor).

Day 3

Nice and fast... Dog sledding races!

We go to the sled dog center in the village of Maloe Goloustnoe.

Acquaintance with the strongest and kindest friends of man - sled dogs (huskies, Malamutes)!

Training in sled management. We are waiting for an unforgettable trip and a lot of new experiences!

A hearty lunch with hot herbal tea is so pleasant after a walk in the fresh air!

We go to Irkutsk. Accommodation in the hotel.

Evening walking tour of the historical part of Irkutsk from 16: 00 to 18: 00 (old churches, wooden buildings of the end of the century before last).

18: 00-dinner at the Siberian Russian cuisine restaurant "Shtof "in the heart of Irkutsk – the quarter of recreated merchant mansions"130 quarter".

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: "Rus", double occupancy, standard.

Day 4

Off-road trip on Tazherans. Welcome ceremony.

7: 30 Breakfast.

8: 00 boarding expedition SUVs for 4 participants in one jeep.

Transfer from Ust-Orda to Elantsy village. On the way-a stop for the ceremony of cajoling the spirits of lake Baikal in the Buryat tradition.

Lunch from 12: 00 to 13: 00. Acquaintance with the national Buryat cuisine.

Off-road trip begins. We are going on a fascinating journey through the Tazheran steppes. Panoramas of lake Baikal from high cliffs above the water, rocky remains of mystical forms.

Visit Aya Cave! Protective overalls, cotton gloves, flashlights and helmets are provided.

You will have a unique opportunity to understand what is real darkness and silence! A lot of interesting things hiding under its vaults the cave. Baikal surprises us with new discoveries again and again! The tour does not require special speleological preparation. Traveling to the cave is affordable to everyone!

Finish our active journey in the modest village of Sakhyurta. Accommodation in the hotel complex.

Dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation:  tourist complex “Altan”, double occupancy, standard.

Day 5

The heart of Baikal is Olkhon island!

Breakfast at 8: 30.

9:00 - boarding a retro car (UAZ-3909 Bukhanka the hallmark of the island, unspoiled by highways).

First of all, we will visit the largest island of Ogoy on the Small sea, where the Buddhist stupa of enlightenment is located. As a sign of respect is not familiar to us culture pass Goroo clockwise. For enlightenment of mind and cleansing of thoughts, need to go through 108 rounds!

After getting acquainted with the Buddhist Shrine go to the main place of power of Baikal – the legendary Shaman rock (Cape Burhan).

Today we will reach the northernmost part of the island - Cape Khoboy. Moving on the ice of lake Baikal! During the trip you can see the impressive ice caves and hummocks, admire the three brothers whose silhouettes immortalized in stone mighty and fair father, you will learn a lot about Baikal, hear fascinating legends, walk on the ice of lake Baikal! Impressions will remain the most vivid and, of course, unforgettable!

During the tour you will find a hot lunch (13:00 - 14:00).

Accommodation in Khuzhir village.

Dinner at the hotel at 19: 00.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

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

Day 6

The Intersection Of Lake Baikal!

Breakfast at 9: 00.

After Breakfast, we leave for the Big sea and head for the lower head of the Holy Nose Peninsula. We are moving to the Eastern shore of lake Baikal on the ice road, making our way through the huge hummocks, rushing through the vast expanses of ice!

During the crossing you will have a hot lunch (13:00 - 14:00).

Arriving in the Barguzin Bay.

Lodging at the hospitable local people (in families). Waiting for you a delicious and easy to make homemade dinner and Siberian sauna.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation:  tourist base, double occupancy, economy – shared facilities (one bathroom per floor).

Day 7

Visit the outdoor hot springs!

Breakfast at 9: 00.

Through the snow-covered taiga forest we go to the Chivyrkuisky Bay.

We were warmly greeted by two of the island's Bald and Hairy. About the Mysterious history of their names you can easily guess just by looking at them. :)

Bathing in the hot springs of Snake Bay.

Thermal hydrogen sulfide baths are very useful for the body, but this is not the main thing: it is impossible to describe the sensations that you experience when diving into an open-air pool filled with natural mineral water at a temperature of about +40 degrees, when there is snow around you and the air temperature is -20!

Unthinkable, frightening, incredibly pleased! You do not want to leave the bath, but be careful: bathing should not exceed more than 15 minutes.

During the tour you will have a hot lunch (13:00 - 14:00).

After the photo shoot on the background of mountains and springs back to the hospitable hosts.

Dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper

Accommodation: tourist base, double occupancy, economy – shared facilities (one bathroom per floor).

Day 8

Hospitable Buryatia!

Breakfast at 9: 00.

We are heading for the center of Buddhism in Russia - Ivolginsky dastan (Buddhist temple).

Lunch in the cafe at your own expense.

The phenomenal appearance of Hambo Lama Itigelov in 2002 aroused great interest in the world community. September 10 that year on the surface of the earth was raised the body of XII Panditarama Lama Dasha Dorji Itigelov, the head of the Buddhists of East Siberia, which was buried on 15 Jun 1927. The Board of medical examiners made the examination and reached the conclusion, which stated that no embalmment and preservation of the body was carried out. How the body of the Hambo Lama survived in this state – remains a mystery.

You have a unique chance to see this incredible phenomenon!

Dinner.

If you have a return ticket from Ulan-Ude, then we return to Ulan-Ude for the night. In the morning transfer to Ulan-Ude airport.

If you have a return ticket from Irkutsk, then take the evening train and go to Irkutsk. In the morning transfer to Irkutsk airport.

Meals: breakfast, supper

Accommodation: hotel “Buriatia”, double occupancy, standard.

Day 9

Breakfast. Travel to the airport/ train station.

Meals: breakfast

Tour price: 82 000 rub/person

The price includes:

• accommodation in hotels and guesthouses: 8 nights (according to the program);
• excursions mentioned in the program including entrance fees;
• meals according to the program - three times a day;
• During the active part of the route (trekking), tourists cook for themselves!;
• all types of transfers in accordance with the program;
• guide service;
• payment for Permission to visit the Baikal National Park;
• Rental of camping equipment: gas equipment, sled, shoes for ice walking (in sizes from 35 to 43), ice drifts, skates, dishes, thermoses.

The price does not include:

• Plane/ train tickets;
• Rental of the shoes for ice walking, if your shoe size is 44--46 or more;
• Skate rental;
• Accommodation in Irkutsk before the start of the tourl;
• russian sauna (banya);
• Accommodation in Irkutsk before the start of the tour;
• Additional drinks and meals (outside of what was mentioned in the tour program).