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Russian Christmas at Lake Baikal


This 7-day nature tour includes a visit to the Listvyanka outdoor architectural museum, plenty of time around Lake Baikal, sightseeing in Irkutsk, and a visit to the beautiful Arshan village.
Overview
Treat yourself to the ultimate festive get-away this Winter with our spectacular Russian Christmas experience on the shores of the mesmerising Lake Baikal. Spend several days exploring the surrounding winter taiga and uncovering the local Siberian culture with wholly unforgettable experience. If you are looking for a scenic Winter retreat for all the family this festive period, then this exclusive Lake Baikal winter experience is the one for you. This 7-day nature tour includes a visit to the Listvyanka outdoor architectural museum, plenty of time around Lake Baikal, sightseeing in Irkutsk, and a visit to the beautiful Arshan village.
City tour of Irkutsk
Dog sledding in the taiga forest
Spectacular panoramic views over Lake Baikal
Taltsy open-air museum
Trip to Arshan Village
Visit to Listvyanka market
Visit to the Arshansky Datsan Bodkhidkharma
Walking on the crystal clear ice of Lake Baikal
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).
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 be taken to your hotel for check-in and will have the rest of the evening free to rest and relax.
Lunch
Arrival Transfer
City Tour
Angara river
Cathedral of The Epiphany
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
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 the Baikal Museum and Listvyanka market
After breakfast you will check-out of your hotel in Irkutsk and meet your driver who will take you to the beautiful village of Listvyanka on Lake Baikal’s western shore.
You will start the day with a visit to the Baikal Museum where you’ll learn more about the origins of the flora and fauna found around Lake Baikal. At the museum there are aquariums with fish from the lake and you can also see Nerpa – the only freshwater seals in the world!
Afterwards, you will take the chairlift to a nearby viewpoint where you can observe a stunning bird-eye-view on the southern part of the lake, offering the perfect photo opportunity before stopping for lunch at the museum restaurant.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy an exhilarating dog sledding experience through the Siberian taiga, followed by a trip to Listvyanka market where you can buy something for your friends and families and try the local specialty Omul at the famous fish market.
After your tour of Listvyanka, you will be able to check into your hotel and have the rest of the evening free to explore or relax as you see fit.
Breakfast & Lunch
Lake Baikal
Baikal Museum
Chersky Stone observation point
Husky Dog Sledding
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Day 3
Trip to the Taltsy Museum in Listvyanka
Enjoy an action-packed day around the rustic village of Listvyanka.
After breakfast, you will meet your guide at the hotel reception and head over to the Taltsy open-air museum of wooden architecture.
The Taltsy Museum was founded more than 50 years ago and during that time has become one of Siberia’s most important cultural sites exhibiting Siberian houses and buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. At the museum you can see the houses of local people that lived there before Russians came to this part of Siberia, including a fortress of the first Cossacks that conquered the area and more.
In the afternoon you will stop for lunch at the museum cafe before continuing to the beautiful village of Arshan.
This small village is situated around 300km from Listvyanka at the foot of Sayan mountain range and is known as the ‘Siberian Switzerland’ due to its beautiful scenery and fresh mountain air.
In the evening, you will head to your hotel in Arshan to check-in followed by an evening meal in the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Taltsy Museum
Guided History Tour
Cultural Immersive Experience
Angara river
Transfer
Prominent Landscape
Travel to


Arshan
Situated on the Kyngyrga River in the Tunkinsky District of the Republic of Buryatia, Arshan is a small village known for its mineral waters and spas. It is well-known for the Boddhidharma Tibetan Buddhist temple, Khoymorski Datsan. Standing at an altitude of 900m at the foot of the Sayan Mountain Range, Arshan is a beautiful scenic retreat that is popular with hikers and tourists.
Day 4
Walking in nature near Arshan Vilage
Today, you will get in touch with your spiritual side with a trip to local Buddhist sites followed by festive celebration.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a tranquil walk along the river to a nearby waterfall before continuing to the Buddhist Datsan.
After your walk, you will get the chance to stop and try some local food before heading back to your hotel in the evening where you will enjoy a traditional festive dinner celebrating Russian Christmas.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Arshansky Datsan Bodkhidkharma
Waterfalls on the Kyngarga River
Prominent Landscape
Russian Christmas celebration
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Day 5
On the road to Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will leave Arshan behind and begin the journey to Irkutsk. You will stop for lunch at a local café on the way and on arrival you will be able to check into your hotel and have the rest of the day free to do some exploring or relax in your hotel.
Breakfast & Lunch
Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 6
Visiting the Small Sea of Lake Baikal
After an early breakfast, you will set off on a journey to the Small Sea of Lake Baikal, situated in front of Olkhon island. At this time of year, you can see the crystal-clear ice of lake Baikal which is perfect for taking photos and even ice-skating.
You will stop for lunch at a local café before your driver takes you back to Irkutsk where you will spend the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
Maloe More (Small Sea)
walking on the crystal clear ice of Lake Baikal
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
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
Souvenir Shopping
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
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 (as part of the tour)
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
Departure date for 2023 is to be confirmed.
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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