Our difference

We welcome you to experience the wonders of Lake Baikal and Buryatia for yourself through the tourist company Firn Travel!
Firn Travel is committed to providing high-quality tours that meet and exceed client expectations, benefit local communities, and are environmentally responsible. Since our founding, we have developed our tours and programs to protect the fragile environment of Lake Baikal, all while giving the tourist a maximum range of options and the unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

With over 8 years working together and over 12 years in eco-tourism, the Firn Travel team is thoroughly skilled in all aspects of conducting tours and excursions. Our staff has received training in the United States, the U.K., Hungary and Germany on tourism development.
We believe that tourism and environmental protection should go hand in hand.
Our tours support national parks and protected areas in sustainable development. We always observe minimum impact practices such as responsible waste disposal, using established trails and camping sites in fragile areas, and respecting carrying capacity for the sites. Our tours and activities provide an enjoyable way for tourists to experience the natural beauty of our region in a low-impact way.

Vyacheslav (Slava) Gankin:
is an expert of conducting outdoor activities and sightseeing tours in the Baikal region, author of our site. He has worked since 1996 as a manager of eco-tourism programs. In addition to being a tour guide, he has participated in and organized a number of international ecological programs in Buryatia such as the International Green Walk, the creation of eco-trails on Baikal program, and the Shumak-Gol eco-tourism program. He is an avid mountain climber and has climbed peaks of over 7000 meters. He holds a degree in museumology and ecology and is working towards a degree in tourism management at the Eastern Siberian State Academy of Culture.

Igor Sysuev:
Is thoroughly skilled in all aspects of conducting tours and excursions in the Baikal region. He holds a degree from State University of St. Petersburg with specialization in Economy of Tourism. Igor is lecturer of department of Service, Tourism, and Recreation at the Eastern Siberian State Academy of Culture (ESSACA), and has many years' experience of outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, rafting.

Julia Gankina:
is our relationship manager and German- and English-language interpreter and guide. She joined our team five years ago and regularly guides foreign groups on our large sightseeing tours for their full duration, from Moscow to Lake Baikal. Her dedication and care regularly earn her high praise from our clients. She is completing her degree in foreign languages from the Buryat State University.

Larisa (Lara) Batotsyrenova:
brings eight years of experience leading tour groups throughout the region and serves the primary liaison with international partners and clients. Larisa is an expert of environmental program management. This role allows her to integrate the principles of our non-profit parent into the operation of our business. She is a scholar of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Federal Chancellor Scholarship program.

Anastasia (Nastya)Tyukavkina:
joined our team in 2007 as manager of environmental program. She is a student at the Eastern Siberian State Academy of Culture (ESSACA).

Alexander (Sasha) Togocheev:
is the Director of Firn Travel, a post he has heldsince the firm`s founding in 2000. He oversees business operations and finances and provides leadershipin developing innovative new tours and projects.