(Duration: 9 days, 8 nights, availability: June,1 – September,15 )
Indigenous Siberians have a mystical feeling for Lake Baikal. They believe that this is not merely 23 thousand cubic km of water in an enormous stone bowl that contains over 20 % of the world fresh water, but a wizard and healer who should be neither jested with nor enraged. This is why they never call Baikal a lake, only - The Sea, or The Old Man.
Scientists claim that lake Baikal, the oldest lake of our planet, which water basin was formed over 20 mln years ago, once was a part of an ocean. They also argue that the shores of this lake gradually move apart, thus, making the lake 2 cm wider every year. And we can figure that lake Baikal someday will become an ocean again!
So, we invite you to undertake a sailing trip across the waters of the youngest ocean of the world! Cruising Lake Baikal accompanied with gentle rustling of Baikal waves and being moved by the wind will make your trip free of urban stress while relaxing on beaches of fine sand and bathing in the warm waters of picturesque and pristine bays that can be accessed only by water.
Apart from a cruising portion, the below suggested itinerary offers a great inland program on the sacral center of Lake Baikal – Island of Olkhon, during which you will meet with a famous Shaman, spend overnight in yurts (Buryat felt gers) and enjoy Siberian sauna.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival to Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance in the airport. Transfer to a 3*** hotel. Check in. Free time before lunch. After lunch a city tour with a visit to the Cathedral of the Holly Sign and the Central market. Afterwards we invite you to The Prince Volkonsky Mansion. Drive back to hotel. Dinner in restaurant. Free time. Overnight.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Breakfast in hotel. Transfer to Listvyanka settlement to your hotel on Baikal Lake with a stop at “Taltsy” open-air wooden architecture museum. Check in the hotel. Lunch in a restaurant where you can try authentic Russian or European specialties (vegetarians and special diets available).Next highlight of the day - a guided tour to Baikal Ecological Museum that exhibits a great number of fish and animal species, microorganisms, sponges and crustacean samples, geographical and geological data, ship models, diverse pictorial and video material as well as a number of showcases and models of the lake and marine vessels. Dinner in the Hotel Restaurant. Overnight in your Hotel.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Transfer to the boat station to board the yacht. Depart from Listvyanka, sailing (about 5 hours) to Peschanaya Bukhta (meaning “Sand Bay”). Swimming in Baikal. Easy hike to explore beautiful surroundings of the Peschanaya Bay, see the so-called “stilted” trees, the Babushka Bay, ascend the Cedar Pass from the top of which a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Baikal and taiga-woods opens. Further sailing towards The Olkhon island. Lunch on board. En route we make a stop opposite a white sand stone Sagan-Zaba Crag to see the world-known rock drawings depicting scenes from life of ancient shaman worshippers, which date back to New Stone and Bronze ages. Dinner on board. Overnight in a picturesque Aya bay that is famous for its sandy beaches and numerous caves. Overnight on board.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Breakfast on board. Sailing from Aya bay to Olkhon island. As we bypass the island on the eastern side our yacht will reach the Izhimey cape opposite which is the deepest point of lake Baikal (1637m). Lunch on board. Further sailing to the Chivirkuisky Gulf via the Ushkany islands that are known as the breeding grounds for colonies of Baikal freshwater seals - the lake’s only aquatic mammal. Arrive to Chivirkuysky Gulf in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on board.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Full day to explore the premises of Zabaikalsky National Park. Fishing, bathing in thermal springs and hiking. Late in the evening our yacht departs through the night to Olkhon Island. Dinner and overnight on board.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Early morning we arrive to Khuzhir village – the central settlement of islanders. Free time to explore the village, the local Ethnographic museum as well as the famous Shaman Crag. Transfer by van to the yurt-camp of Green Express. Upon arrival to the yurt-camp accommodation in felt yurts. Lunch featuring some traditional dishes. Siberian Banya - “steam bath”. Dinner. Overnight in yurts.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
After breakfast in the yurt-camp - a full-day trip via the island’s unique Sand Dunes to the Khoboy Cape – the northernmost point of the Island. The Crag that reminds of a female’s head and bosom is famed for a number of legends associated with it. Picnic. You return to the yurt-camp in late afternoon. Farewell Dinner followed by Shaman rite of Purification that is specially performed this night by a local shaman for the guests of Yurt Camp; enjoy campfire, singing party and else. Overnight in yurts.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Full day of leisure at Olkhon island: sunbathing, swimming, fishing and other activities.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
After breakfast departure from the yurt-camp to MRS ferry-station for a transfer by water across the strait that separates the island from the mainland. Further transfer by van to Irkutsk (4 hours’ drive) with a short stop en route to stretch legs, have tea and take pictures. Upon arrival in Irkutsk transfer to the airport / railway station.
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
• Transfers on arrival and departure;
• Ground and water transportation as described in the itinerary;
• All accommodations based on double occupancy as
described in the itinerary;
• All meals as noted in the itinerary;
• All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;
• Bilingual local guides throughout your stay;
Price does not include: International and internal airfare; passport and visa fees; medical and trip insurance; evacuation costs; airport taxes; excess baggage charges; photography and video fees; food and beverages not included in the group meals; tips to drivers or guides; items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls; optional tours; other items not specifically mentioned as included.
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Boating and Sailing
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