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‘Best of’ Ulan Ude Winter Tour
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
Visa Information
