Olkhon, the biggest island on Lake Baikal, stretches more than one hundred kilometers as if dividing the lake into the smaller and larger parts. The island's comparatively small territory is a combination of taiga, steppe and even a small desert. Its flora and fauna are unusual too. Olkhon is the home of many tribes and peoples of Central Asia: the bellicose Huns, Turkis, Kurykans… One of the legends connected with the island says Olkhon is where the "conqueror of the Universe" was buried. That was how contemporaries used to call Genghis Khan, the great Mongol conqueror of the early 13th century.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Early morning – arrival in Irkutsk, meeting and assistance. Boarding the Green Express regular bus, departure from Irkutsk to Olkhon (*) at 10 a.m. (total distance 300 km, total transfer time 6 hours incl stop for lunch in Yelantsy). Lunch of Buryat cuisine in a café in Yelantsy settlement. Continue the ride to MRS for water transfer to the Island of Olkhon and further by bus to the yurt-camp. Check-in at the Fun camp (accommodation in Buryat/Mongolian nomadic tents for 4 people). Dinner. Banya (traditional Russian steam sauna). Overnight in yurts.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Breakfast. Morning at leisure (there is a sandy beach nearby). After lunch – a walk to Khuzhir settlement, visit to the Museum of Local Studies (*). Walk to the Crag of Shaman (**) worshipped by both Buddhists and shamanists. Return in the yurt-camp. Dinner. Overnight in yurts.
* The excursion in the Museum of Local Studies unfolds in a story of islanders. The museum hosts an interesting collection of exhibits, among which are battle breast plates once belonging to the legendary warriors of Chinghiz-Khan** Crag of Shaman – one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia, was once called the Temple of Rock, and is believed by shamanists to be a place of residence of their major deity – Khan Khute-baabay, who descended from Heaven to Earth to rule human destinies. At the foot of the Crag there is a mysterious rock drawing and an inscription in Sanskrit.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Breakfast. All day free time (optional service upon request – fishing from boat). Lunch in the yurt-camp. Dinner, overnight in yurts.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Breakfast in yurt camp. Guided car tour to Elga (Honhoy) lake – Shara-Nur lake – Tashkeney fold. Total distance covered during this itinerary is 60 km. Duration – 6 hours. It’s great opportunity to get acquainted with the central part of Olkhon Island, salt Shara-Nur lake and swim in piqturesque Elga lake.Dinner. Overnight in yurt camp.
(*) Shara-Nur has the shape of oval. It’s internal-drainage with hydrogen sulphide type of water and swamped shore’s lake. There is no fish. Water is of yellow color and the bottom is uliginous.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Breakfast. Free time for your leisure. You can undertake easy mountain bike ride, rafting trip or hike in beautiful vicinity of yurt camp, or spend your time doing nothing just lying in the sun. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Breakfast. Free time (optional service upon request – fishing from boat). Lunch in the yurt-camp. Light hiking to the nearest peak (1106m) from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the island and Baikal (*).Dinner, overnight in yurts.
* - Hiking takes 3-4 hours. From the point located 7 km away from Kharantsy settlement there is a magnificent view of the Olkhon Island, Small Sea and Great Baikal
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Breakfast in yurt camp. After breakfast hiking tour to Urochische Peschanoe (Sandy Tract). Urochische Peschanoe takes territory over 3 square kilometers and is famous for its sand-dunes. Lunch and dinner to be prepared on fire. Overnight in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Breakfast in camp. Return to the yurt-camp. Dinner. Overnight in yurts.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
Breakfast. Free time for your leisure. You can undertake easy mountain bike ride, rafting trip or hike in beautiful vicinity of yurt camp, or spend your time doing nothing just lying in the sun. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
Breakfast. Free time for your leisure. You can undertake easy mountain bike ride, rafting trip or hike in beautiful vicinity of yurt camp, or spend your time doing nothing just lying in the sun. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 11:
Breakfast. Free time for your leisure. You can undertake easy mountain bike ride, rafting trip or hike in beautiful vicinity of yurt camp, or spend your time doing nothing just lying in the sun. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 12:
Breakfast. Free time for your leisure. You can undertake easy mountain bike ride, rafting trip or hike in beautiful vicinity of yurt camp, or spend your time doing nothing just lying in the sun. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp
(B) (L) (D)
Day 13:
Breakfast in the yurt-camp. Then a full-day trip to the Khoboy Cape (*) – the northernmost point of the Island, which is also a location of the Khoboy Crag (“khoboy” means “fang”, the Crag itself reminds of a female’s head and breast), famed for a number of legends associated with it. This place is also considered to be an appropriate spot for meditation. Lunch will be served here as picnic. Dinner. Overnight in the yurt camp
* The Cape is located near the widest part of Lake Baikal (79,8 km). Near the northernmost point of this cape there’s a special site (a small platform ) that was used for carrying on the so-called “ tailagan” – gatherings of shamans. From the cape one can often see Baikal nerpas – fresh-water seals, the lake’s only aquatic animals
(B) (L) (D)
Day 14:
Breakfast. Departure by Green Express regular bus to Irkutsk with a stop on “obo”*. Arrival to Irkutsk approximately at 20 p.m.
* - “Îbî” is considered to be residence of “ezhins” – guardian spirits relating to nature and forefathers, shamans used them as their allies; a place for simple offerings, also.
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The cost of the above trip is tier-priced and quoted on f/b basis (3 meals daily)
Includes:All kinds of transfers and transportation costs as per the itinerary;
Accommodation in yurts (sanitary facilities outside)
Nights in tent;
Outfit and gear required on the trip;
Services of guides;
Visits to museums as per itinerary, national park fees;
Visa support/invitations if required;
Tour operator commission;
Other events as described in the itinerary.
Excludes:
International or domestic air/railway fare to and from Irkutsk;
Alcoholic beverages;
Russia entree visa costs;
Your personal expenditures that may occur during the trip.
# of people 4 pax-374 USD p/p, 6 pax-357 USD p/p,8 pax-349 $ p/p, 10 pax- 342 $ p/p
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