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‘Best of’ Ulan Ude Winter Tour


This 8-day winter tour includes a visit to the Ivolginsky Datsan and Old Believer’s Village, sightseeing in Ulan Ude, and time in the Siberian taiga forests near to Lake Baikal; all topped off with a spectacular New Years’ celebration.
Overview
A winter get-away like no other! Our ‘best of’ Ulan Ude Winter tour traverses the sprawling Siberian forests into one of Russia’s most culturally significant and spiritual cities, Ulan Ude. Spend several days exploring the city’s various temples and datsan, before heading deeper into the surrounding snow-capped forests to the beaches of Lake Baikal. If you are looking for a scenic Winter retreat for all the family that has a bit of something for everyone, then this is the one for you. This 8-day winter tour includes a visit to the Ivolginsky Datsan and Old Believer’s Village, sightseeing in Ulan Ude, and time in the Siberian taiga forests near to Lake Baikal; all topped off with a spectacular New Years’ celebration.
City tour of Ulan Ude
Dog sledding in the taiga forest
Excursion to Chivyrkuy Bay
Old Believer’s Village
Ivolginsky Datsan
New Year’s Eve celebrations
Itinerary


Ulan-Ude
Located to the East of Russia’s popular tourist destination Lake Baikal, Ulan-Ude is a city bustling with tourist activity and is the gateway for the Trans-Mongolian Railway that travels from Ulan-Ude to Beijing via Ulaanbaatar. The city’s close proximity to the Mongolian border and well-established transport links into Asia have allowed the city to form a unique cultural identity as the center of Buddhism in Russia.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Day 2
City tour of Ulan Ude
Today, you will enjoy a full city tour of Ulan Ude.
After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby where you will begin your city tour. Your tour will start with a visit to the Soviet square, where the largest monument of V.I. Lenin’s head in the world is located. Next, you will see the Opera and Ballet Theater along with the historic city centre. After visiting the square, the tour continues along Lenin’s pedestrian street, past merchants’ houses of the 18th-19th centuries to Odigitrievskaya church. At the end of the tour, you will visit the Buddhist datsan “Rinpoche Bagsha” that offers panoramic views across Ulan-Ude.
After your city tour, you will head back to the hotel to freshen up and have some free time before going out again in the evening for ice skating and tubing in Ulan Ude’s ice town on Soviet Square.
Breakfast
City Tour
Monument of V.I. Lenin’s head
Datsan “Rinpoche Bagsha”
Odigitrievsky Cathedral
Ice skating and tubing
Free Time
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 3
Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan and the Old Believers’ Village
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Ulan Ude and meet your driver and guide for the journey to Ivolginsk.
You will start your day with a visit to Ivolginsky Datsan. Opened in 1945, this complex of Buddhist monasteries is the centre of Buddhism in Russia and was the residence of the Central Spiritual Board of Buddhists of the USSR and later of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia. The altars and interiors of the temples are decorated with authentic works of art. Many believers, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world visit this Datsan.
In the afternoon, you will continue to the Old Believers’ Village of Tarbagatay.
Today, the culture of the Old Believers is recognised as unique and is included in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage, compiled by UNESCO. More than 200 objects from 146 countries of the world are included in the list. Russia is represented by the Yakut heroic epos “Olonkho” and the verbal art of the Old Believers in Transbaikalia. The tour includes a visit to the museum and lunch in the Old Believer’s house with an entertainment program. During lunch you will taste the dishes of old Russian cuisine and participate in a funny folklore show, followed by a Russian troika horse-riding along the street.
After your time at the Old Believer’s Village, your driver will take you to your hotel in Gremyachinsk where you will spend the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
Buddhist Ivolginsky Datsan
Old Believers Village
Buryat traditions
Concert of local traditions and folk singing
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Transfer
Travel to


Gremyachinsk (Buryatia)
A quaint rural settlement situated on the eastern edge of Lake Baikal, in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. Gremyachinsk is best known for its secluded yet beautiful views of the lake and for its scenic nature trails. Although it has grown in popularity as a resort area over recent years, it has still retained its quiet and authentic charm and offers a glimpse of local life around Lake Baikal.
Day 4
New Years’ Celebrations
Enjoy a relaxed morning at the hotel, with breakfast and plenty of time for a stroll.
At midday, you will get to visit a real Russian bathhouse. It is Russian tradition to visit. Russian banya on New years’ Eve and you will get to experience this spiritual cleansing for yourself. The rest of the day is free to explore your surroundings, relax and prepare for New Years’ Eve celebrations.
In the evening, your New Years’ Eve will kick off with a unique entertainment program and 3-course gala dinner followed by a firework display. You can even take part in a dance around the Christmas tree.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Russian bathhouse
New Years’ celebrations
Gala dinner & Firework
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Day 5
Skiing in the Siberian taiga forest
Today, you will have the whole morning free to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a stroll in the pristine taiga forests on the edge of Lake Baikal. Later on, you can take part in a variety of sports competitions at the hotel including skating and skiing in the nearby taiga forest.
Breakfast
Free Time
Walking in the taiga forests
Prominent Landscape
Lake Baikal
Travel to


Ust Barguzin
An urban settlement located in the Barguzinsky District of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. Ust Barguzin was founded in the 17th century at the mouth of the Barguzin River on the shores of Lake Baikal. Despite its proximity to Lake Baikal, the town remains largely untouched by tourist activity and is home to a local population of around 7000 people.
Day 6
Excursion to Chivyrkuy Bay
After breakfast, you will meet your driver in the hotel lobby for the journey to Ust Barguzin Village. While here, you will visit the popular Chivyrkuy Bay, with a reputation as the most beautiful bay of Baikal. Your trip will include a visit to the islands with ice caves and thermal springs in Zmeevaya Bay, before stopping for lunch with a local fisherman’s family where you will get to learn more about this extraordinary region.
After lunch you will begin your journey back to your hotel in Gremyachinsk where dinner will be prepared for you.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Chivyrkuy Bay
Prominent Landscape
Ice caves and thermal springs in Zmeevaya Bay
Scenic Surrounds
visit the local fisherman’s family
Cultural Immersive Experience
Day 7
Journey back to Ulan Ude
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Gremyachinsk. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and head on the road to Ulan Ude. Along the way, you will stop to stretch your legs and get the chance to enjoy an authentic dog sledding experience in the Siberian taiga.
After arriving in Ulan Ude, you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the day as free time.
Breakfast
Transfer
Husky dog sledding ride
Free Time
Day 8
Departure from Ulan Ude
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Ulan Ude. Your driver will pick you up outside the hotel and take you to your scheduled departure point (airport or railway station).
Breakfast
Free Time
Departure Transfer
Where you can stay
A hotel can be the make or break of any experience, and we understand that choosing the right hotel is important to our travellers. Check out our range of hotels ahead of time, and learn more about our standard 3-star options and the luxury 5-star upgrades that are available in the destinations you will be visiting.
Please note that the selection of hotels included here are examples of where you may stay on your tour, we will pick the best option for you based on your travel requirements.
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Dates & Rates
Please select the amount of travellers in your group and language requirement of your guide.
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*This tour’s total cost is an estimate, based on travel costs prior to tickets being released. The price is subject to fluctation of up to 10%.† Based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
More information
What’s included
Accommodation as part of the tour
Airport / Railway Station Transfers
All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
English speaking guide (other options available)
Entrance fees to museums and activities
Food and drink (as mentioned in the tour itinerary)
Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
Transport (as specified in the tour itinerary)
What’s not included
Alcoholic drinks
International train / plane tickets
Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
Travel / medical insurance
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more
Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour.
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Sacred Sea: A Journey to Lake Baikal
Sacred Sea follows a man’s 25,000-mile pilgrimage from the US to the natural paradise of Lake Baikal in the heart of Siberia. Veteran environmental journalist Peter Thomson sets off from Boston with his younger brother on a spiritual journey of self-healing in search of connection, permanence, restoration and hope. Travelling by raft, train and ship, this transformative journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance nature can have on healing in a time of need.
Siberia: A Cultural History
A mysterious and wholly undisturbed land situated in what is now the heart of Russia, Siberia has been steeped in myth and intrigue from the West, yet this vast frozen tundra with endless forests has been a sanctuary to the wildlife, fauna and local communities that call it home. Siberia is a cradle of civilisation, the origin of several ancient Turkic empires, and home to many indigenous cultures who would later travel to the Americas and beyond. Tracing the history of this little-known region, Haywood provides a glimpse into the historic landmarks and natural phenomenon of the region as well as the culture of its largest cities, Irkutsk, Tobolsk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk.
Travel Like a Local – Map of Ulan Ude
Head off the beaten track and discover the real Ulan Ude with this useful guide. Fox has produced the ultimate guide on how to fit in with the locals, uncovering the best hidden bars and restaurants, navigating the busy tourist hotspots, and discovering lesser-known backstreet marvels only known to those that live nearby.
Extras & Upgrades
Extras
Sorry, we currently do not have any extras readily available for this tour. However, if you are interested in customising your travel experience, please contact our Sales team at travel@realrussia.co.uk for assistance.
Upgrades
Enhance your travel experience with one of our available tour upgrades. Whether you are looking to go first class on the train or swap your standard hotel for a luxury 5-star option, our Sales team are on-hand to help. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
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Visa Information
