Rendezvous with Baikal

This tour will take you to hidden corners of Lake Baikal and give you a fascinating introduction to the Baikal culture, history, and people. See for yourself Siberians cities Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, Listvyanka settlement, Circumbaikal railroad - "the Golden Buckle of the Great Siberian Trail", the stunning Olkhon Island, observe Baikal Seals - nerpa - on the Ushkany Islands, enjoy the pristine bays of Chivirkuisky Gulf, and discover the Sacred Barguzin valley.

1st day: Irkutsk
Arrival in Irkutsk. Accommodation at hotel. According to arrival time, refreshment followed by city guided tour. Visit to museum of Regional Studies. Free time to explore ( L, D)
2nd day: Irkutsk - Listvyanka
After breakfast depart for Listvyanka (68 km), located on Lake Baikal in the mouth of the Angara River (the lake's only outlet). Visit to Baikal Limnological Museum which has one-of-a-kind collection of exhibits about the origin of the lake, historical investigations, nature, surrounding area. Accommodation at guest houses. Afternoon four-hour motor boat excursion to the old Circumbaikal railroad. Free time. (B,L,D)
3rd day: Listvyanka - Olkhon Island
Cruise to Olkhon Island. Lunch and Dinner shall be served on board. Accommodation at guest houses in Khuzhir settlement. (B,L,D)
4th day: Olkhon Island
After breakfast visit the famous Shamanka rock (Burkhan cape), one of Holy of Hollies of shamanists and Buddhists alike. Visit a Local Lore museum of Khuzhir. Trip by mini-bus (off-road) to the northern part of Olkhon Island (40 km Khoboy cape, Sagan-Khushun cape, Uzury cape). Overnight like previous day. (B,L,D)
5th day: Olkhon Island
A day to explore the island or relax on the sand beach. We have various interesting programs (extra) to offer you, as you prefer, such as excursions, cycling, horseback riding etc. Overnight like previous day. (B,L,D)
6th day: Olkhon Island - Ushkany Islands - Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Zmeinaya bay
After breakfast board motorboat to Chivyrkuisky Gulf (Zabaikalsky National Park) with an excursion to the Ushkany Islands with the biggest rookery of Baikal Seals (nerpa). Accommodation at floating hotel in Zmeinaya bay (Svyatoy Nos peninsula). (B,L,D)
7th day: Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Zmeinaya bay
At leisure in Zmeinaya bay with opportunities to try the thermal mineral baths, to make a walking, to swim in Lake Baikal, or to fishing. Overnight like previous day. (B,L,D)
8th day: Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Zmeinaya bay - Monakhovo bay - Ust-Barguzin
Afternoon departure to Monakhovo bay by motorboat. Drive to Ust-Barguzin settlement (40 km). Accommodation at homes of local families (homestay). Enjoy real country cooking and experience Siberian banya. (B,L,D)
9th day: Ust-Barguzin - Barguzin valley
After breakfast an excursion to the famous Barguzin valley (90 km). Excursion to the landscape significant site Suvo "Saxon". Visit to the sacral place "Bukhe-Shulun" (bull-stone). Overnight like previous day. (B,L,D)
10th day: Ust-Barguzin - Ulan-Ude
Morning departure to Ulan-Ude (264 km). Accommodation at hotel. Free time. (B,L,D)
11th day: Ulan-Ude - Ivolginsky Datsan - Buryat village
After breakfast a guided city tour. Visit to the History Museum. Excursion to the Ivolginsky Datsan, the most important Buddhist temple in Russia (40 km from Ulan-Ude). Visit to the Buryat village to enjoy folklore entertainment and traditional Buryat dinner. Return to the hotel. (B,L,D)
12th day: Ulan-Ude - Old Believers` village - Ulan-Ude
After breakfast visit the Ethnographic Museum and see collections of traditional dwellings, clothes and furnishings of all ethnic groups of the region. Visit to the Old-Believers' village (a Russian religious group that split off from the Russian Orthodox Church in the seventeenth century) and introduction to the original folklore and cuisine of Transbaikalian Old Believers. Return to the hotel. Gala Dinner. (B,L,D)
13th day:
Transfer to airport.(B)

Baikal week
This tour will take you to hidden corners of Lake Baikal and give you a fascinating introduction to the Baikal culture, history, and people. See for yourself "the Siberian Paris" - Irkutsk and "the Eastern Gate of Russia" - Ulan-Ude, the stunning Olkhon Island, observe Baikal Seals - nerpa - on the famous Ushkany Islands, enjoy the pristine bays of Chivirkuisky Gulf. You will get acquainted with the history and culture, customs and way of living of local people.

1st day: Irkutsk - Listvyanka
Arrival in Irkutsk. Accommodation at hotel. According to arrival time, refreshment followed by city guided tour. Visit to museum of Regional Studies. Afternoon depart for Listvyanka (68 km), located on Lake Baikal in the mouth of the Angara River (the lake's only outlet). Visit to Baikal Limnological Museum which has one-of-a-kind collection of exhibits about the origin of the lake, historical investigations, nature, surrounding area. Free time to explore. Return to Irkutsk. (L, D)
2nd day: Irkutsk - Olkhon Island
After breakfast depart for the Olkhon Island (320 km). Accommodation at guest houses in Khuzhir settlement (the main settlement of Olkhon). (B,L,D)
3rd day: Olkhon Island
After breakfast visit the famous Shamanka rock (Burkhan cape), one of Holy of Hollies of shamanists. Visit a Local Lore museum of Khuzhir. Trip by mini-bus (off-road) to the northern part of Olkhon Island (40 km Khoboy cape, Sagan-Khushun cape, Uzury cape). Overnight like previous day. (B,L,D)
4th day: Olkhon Island - Ushkany Islands - Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Zmeinaya bay
After breakfast board motorboat to Chivyrkuisky Gulf (Zabaikalsky National Park) with an excursion to the Ushkany Islands with the biggest rookery of Baikal Seals (nerpa). Accommodation and meals on board in Chivyrkuisky Gulf. (B,L,D)
5th day: Chivyrkuisky Gulf, Zmeinaya bay
At leisure in Zmeinaya bay with opportunities to try the thermal mineral baths, to make a walking, to swim in Lake Baikal. Afternoon departure to Monakhovo bay by motorboat. Drive to Ust-Barguzin settlement (40 km). Accommodation in homestay. Enjoy real country cooking and experience Siberian banya. (B,L,D)
6th day: Ust-Barguzin - Ulan-Ude
Morning departure to Ulan-Ude (264 km). Accommodation at hotel. Free time. (B,L,D)
7th day: Ulan-Ude - Ivolginsky Datsan - Buryat village
After breakfast a guided city tour. Visit to the History Museum. Excursion to the Ivolginsky Datsan, the most important Buddhist temple in Russia (40 km from Ulan-Ude). Visit to the Buryat village to enjoy folklore entertainment and traditional Buryat dinner. Return to the hotel. (B,L,D)
8th day: Ulan-Ude - Old Believers` village - Ulan-Ude
After breakfast visit the Ethnographic Museum and see collections of traditional dwellings, clothes and furnishings of all ethnic groups of the region. Visit to the Old-Believers' village (a Russian religious group that split off from the Russian Orthodox Church in the seventeenth century) and introduction to the original folklore and cuisine of Transbaikalian Old Believers. Return to the hotel. Gala Dinner. (B,L,D)
9th day: Ulan-Ude
Transfer to airport.(B)

Rendezvous with Baikal: General info

Rendezvous with Baikal: map of route