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Lake Baikal Winter Nature Tour


This Lake Baikal winter nature tour includes a visit to the Listvyanka outdoor architectural museum, time on Ogoy island for visiting the ice grottoes, and a hovercraft experience over to Olkhon Island.
Overview
Lake Baikal is home to over 3000 species of plants and wildlife and the only freshwater seal in the world. This ultimate winter nature tour will take you on a spectacular journey around the lake where you will see snow-capped cityscapes, embark on scenic strolls, and learn more about the local culture through unique traditions and festivities. If you are looking for a scenic retreat where you get to enjoy plenty of time exploring nature around Lake Baikal, then this is the tour for you.
City tour of Irkutsk
Exploring the Taltsy Architecture Museum in Listvyanka
Spectacular panoramic views over Lake Baikal
Three full days on Olkhon Island
Hovercraft experience to Olkhon Island
Visiting the Ice Grottoes on Ogoy Island
Exploring Cape Khoboy
Visiting the Golden Horde Ethno-park
Itinerary


Irkutsk
Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia and the most important hub for tourism in the Lake Baikal region. As opposed to many of the more industrially shaped cities in Siberia, Irkutsk has a long history as a cultural centre and has been home to scientists, writers, artists, and political activists such as the Decembrists. It is also a key destination on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Day 1
Arrival in Irkutsk with City Tour
Welcome to Irkutsk! Your driver will pick you up from your scheduled arrival point (airport / railway station) before taking you to your hotel for an early check-in.
You will have a bit of free time to get used to your surroundings, do a bit of exploring by yourself or go out for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, you will meet your guide for a 3-hour city tour of Irkutsk where you will learn more about the rich cultural history of the city through its museums, art galleries and theatres. See the snow-covered spires of the Cathedral of The Epiphany first-hand and take a winter stroll around the old town with its beautiful snow-covered wooden buildings, festive markets, and picturesque winter scenes of the Angara River embankment
After your tour of the city, you will have more free time to rest or head into town for an evening meal.
Arrival Transfer
City Tour
Cathedral of The Epiphany
Scenic Surrounds
Angara river
Expert Guide
Monument to Alexander III
Travel to


Listvyanka
A small settlement on the Western shore of Lake Baikal, Listvyanka is a highly popular tourist area known for its distinct local culture, fish market, and breathtaking hiking trails that venture around the edges of the lake. The settlement was formed near the point where the Angara River leaves Lake Baikal and is home to the Baikal Museum, with dedicated exhibits to the fauna and wildlife that can be found in the area.
Day 2
Visiting Taltsy Open-air Architectural Museum and Listvyanka Village
After breakfast you will check-out of your hotel and meet your driver who will take you to the beautiful village of Listvyanka on Lake Baikal’s western shore.
One the way you will visit the Taltsy museum, an open-air architectural museum dedicated to the preservation of the unique Siberian wooden architecture found within the region. Explore more than 80 wooden structures and up to 17 thematic exhibitions used to tell the story of the Buryat people. After your tour of the museum, you will stop for lunch and have a chance to go on an exhilarating husky dog sledding experience through the surrounding winter taiga landscape.
After lunch, you will continue onto Listvyanka where you will get to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Baikal from an elevated chairlift to Chersky Stone. Your last trip of the day will be to the Baikal Museum which includes exhibitions dedicated to Lake Baikal. Learn more about the scientific expeditions, minerals and, of course, the wildlife that calls Lake Baikal home.
After your museum visit you will be able to check into your hotel and enjoy an evening meal (optional).
Breakfast & Lunch
Taltsy Museum
Cultural Immersive Experience
Husky Dog Sledding
Lake Baikal
Prominent Landscape
Chersky Stone observation point
Scenic Surrounds
Baikal Museum
Travel to


Olkhon Island
The largest island in Lake Baikal, around 280 square miles in size, Olkhon Island is a popular tourist hotspot for visitors to the lake and is known for its beautiful beaches, tranquil forests and sublime capes. It derives its name from the indigenous Buryat people whose word ‘Oyhon’ translates to ‘woody’. The island is home to five villages: Yalga, Malomorets, Khuzhir, Kharantsy, and Ulan-Khushin. The village of Khuzhir is the administrative capital.
Day 3
Taking the Hovercraft to Olkhon Island
Enjoy a full day expedition to Olkhon Island! After breakfast you will check-out of your hotel before heading out to Olkhon Island, crossing Lake Baikal by hovercraft.
The road from Listvyanka to Olkhon will take 10 hours, but the time will fly by as your mind will be engaged with amazing landscapes of the frozen Baikal. On the way, you will have several stops including a chance to take part in a favourite tradition of Baikal travellers – “Burhanit” – where you drill a hole in the lake ice and drink Vodka from it in order to please the Baikal God Burhan. You will also stop at the natural beauty spot of Peschanaya ‘Sandy’ Bay where you will enjoy a picnic lunch before arriving at your destination in Khuzhir Village.
On arrival, you will check into your hotel which has dinner included.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Olkhon Island
Prominent Landscape
“Burhanit” tradition
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Peschanaya ‘Sandy’ Bay
Scenic Surrounds
Day 4
Exploring Cape Khoboy
After breakfast, you will begin a unique off-road tour taking you to the most remote spots of the island. You will travel to the northernmost point of Lake Baikal, Cape Khoboy, where you will get to see the spectacular ice caves and the Primorsky ridge before stopping for a warming soup made using a traditional Buryat recipe.
After a day in the wild, you will head back to your hotel where you will have dinner prepared for you.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cape Khoboy
Prominent Landscape
Primorsky ridge
Scenic Surrounds
Food & Drink Experience
Free Time
Day 5
Visiting the Ice Grottoes on Ogoy Island
Experience one of Lake Baikal’s most remote beauty spots, Ogoy Island. After breakfast, you will head off-road to Ogoy Island to see the mysterious Buddhist ‘Stupa of Enlightenment’ before dotting around the surrounding islands. Along the way, you will visit several pristine ice grottoes, beautiful bays and capes that are amongst the best Lake Baikal has to offer.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Ogoy Island
Ice Grottoes
Prominent Landscape
Buddhist ‘Stupa of Enlightenment’
Scenic Surrounds
Lake Baikal
Day 6
Visiting the Golden Horde Ethno-Park
It is time to say goodbye to Olkhon Island and start the trip back to Irkutsk. After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and head out on the road to Ust-Orda village. On arrival, you will stop for a traditional Buryat lunch before visiting the Golden Horde Ethno-Park where you will get to see the carefully preserved artefacts of the Buryat people. Travellers will also get to participate in performances, traditional rituals and games, meet locals and eat local cuisine.
After your tour of the Ethno-Park, you will drive to Irkutsk with optional souvenir shopping for a 1 hour before heading over to the hotel for check-in. Once you have settled into your hotel room, you will enjoy a final farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Ust-Orda village
Golden Horde Ethno-Park
Scenic Surrounds
Buryat culture
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
City Tour by car
Day 7
Departure from Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Irkutsk. Your driver will pick you up outside the hotel and take you to your scheduled departure point (airport or railway station).
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
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
International train / plane tickets
Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
Travel / medical insurance
Visa processing
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.
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
Sorry, we currently do not have any upgrades 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.
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