Lake Baikal, located in the center of Siberia, is famous for its wonderful enigmatic landscapes. You can enjoy taiga, tundra and stone steppes here. More than 2,5 thousand local species of plants and animals are endemic that is they inhabit only this area. Three Baikal reserves and two national parks are inhabited by brown bear, wolverine, Siberian roe deer, ermine, sable, snow sheep, Nerpa. Lake Baikal is 25 million years old. That is the deepest lake in the world, 20% of the world’s fresh water supplies. The largest Island of Baikal is Olkhon, located near the deepest point of the lake (1637 meters). The beauty and grandeur of Olkhon winter landscapes attract the artists and photographers from all parts of the world.
Following the Buryat myths and legends Olkhon is inhabited by the omnious Baikal ghosts. The island is believed to be the sacral center of the Northern World of the Shamans and even nowadays you can see colorful ribbons torn to the trees – places of worship.
You will have a wonderful opportunity to see the Baikal seal, locally called Nerpa.
This tour is for those who would like to cognize wonders of nature. Baikal and its flora and fauna are unique entities of the Universe. You will see Baikal covered with a transparent coat of ice and hammocks. And you are sure to make wonderful pictures of Nerpa in natural habitat.
Moreover you will participate in winter fishing on Baikal and will learn lots of new things about its history and culture.
Visit Baikal in winter!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Meeting and assistance at the Irkutsk airport. Departure for Listvyanka Settlement located on Lake Baikal shore. Stop by "OBO" site - a sacred place for locals. Further transfer to the beginning of the headwaters of the Angara River to see the famous Shaman Rock and see how the locals sell souvenirs and smoke the endemic Baikal fish. Check in at Baikal Terema Hotel, meeting with vodka. Lunch at the hotel restaurant (Russian and European cuisine) Spare time. Walk round the settlement to see the local sights. Visit to the Baikal Ecological Museum. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Breakfast and spare time. Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Beginning of the snowmobile programme (3 hours). After a short instruction you are welcome to enjoy the vast expanses of the Siberian Taiga. Tea – drinking on a winter clearing at the fire form where we'll continue our winter snowmobile safari. Return to the hotel. Spare time for you to have rest before dinner. Dinner. Spare time.
Additional service:
Experience Siberian Sauna (2 hours) where you can refresh your body after a long day. (the price is 6 $ per person per hour for 6 people in a group)
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
After breakfast – transfer to Olkhon island (6-7 hours). You will never forget mild and soft Siberian winter, transparent air and wonderful Baikal ice. The road runs along the Ptibaikalsky range and then across the Tazheran steppe. Lunch at a small cafe. Taste the Buryat cuisine – hot mutton broth and pozy (traditional dish made of meat and dough cooked on steam). Arrival in Olkhon island – the pearl of Baikal. Accommodation at a tourist center. Dinner.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Breakfast at the Yenkhok tourist center. Seal watching programme. Transfer to the place of watching (camp). You will be provided with warm winter tents, warm clothes, binoculars. Taste the traditional fish soup. You will need sunglasses as it is rather difficult for an inexperienced traveler to watch the ice during the sunny day. Transfer to the tourist center, accommodation at the cozy wooden houses, spare time at the fire place when you can taste dishes of the taiga cuisine and listen to the stories told by the local hunters. Sauna and spare time. Overnight.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
After early breakfast we start our fishing programme. Catch your Baikal fish! Just imagine the winter ice 1,5 meters thick and that is so transparent that you can the shoals of the fish under it. Before the fishing follow the tradition- drink some vodka for the great catch. Walk to the mountains. You won't be disappointed with the wonderful landscapes and a picnic in the forest. Return to the center. Dinner.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Breakfast and transfer to Irkutsk (6 hours). Accommodation at the hotel. Lunch at the restaurant downtown. City tour with the visit to the Cathedral of Holly Sign and the central market. Return to the hotel. Festive dinner (you will get the Nerpa watching certificates). Spare time. Overnight at the hotel.
(B) (D)
Day 7:
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport of Irkutsk. Departure for Moscow.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour price depends on number of people in a group. The price is quoted for 3-5 pax. Discounts apply to larger groups.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
National Parks
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