info@baikalnature.com

Survival in the Siberian taiga

Destination: Lake Baikal
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
8 Days
Highlights
  • Real isolation from civilization
  • Picturesque landscapes of the majestic Khamar-Daban Mounts
  • 5 days surrounded by rich and diverse wildlife
  • Teaching the bushcraft skills
  • Unusual route with all types of Siberian landscape
Tour Overview

If you are looking for something truly special, if you are tired of the routine of the city and want to test yourself for strength, if you lack vivid impressions, we offer you a unique «Survival in the Siberian Taiga» tour.

For the most daring, we suggest going in search of adventure to the very heart of the Siberian taiga, to the foot of the majestic Khamar-Daban mountain range. The route starts from Baikal itself, passes through gentle plains, impenetrable taiga, through passes, streams and rivers, along calm lakes and numerous waterfalls. You will find yourself in a place cut off from civilization, where everything lives according to the rules of nature itself, where there are much more chances to meet a wild animal than a person. Together with a group of daredevils and our experienced guide, you will learn how to survive in the Siberian taiga - without the Internet, communications, electricity.

During the tour, you are provided with only the minimum set of necessary tools: axes, knives, campfire equipment, fishing tackle, backpacks and tents. It is no coincidence that we organize a tour at the end of August, when the taiga is rich in all gifts: mushrooms, berries, fish, cones. You will learn how to fish, distinguish between edible and inedible berries, mushrooms and herbs, and also try all the gifts of the taiga forest.

We can guarantee that after such an extreme tour you will never be the same again. Being cut off from all the good things, you will understand the value and importance of the moment. What you are doing here and now. No matter how unfriendly the deaf Siberian taiga may seem to you, you will discover a completely different nature for yourself: one that helps everyone who is able to hear and understand it.

 We trust the safety on the route to our most experienced guide. He has emergency communication equipment and a first aid kit at his disposal. All tour participants are insured.

IMPORTANT: before you go on a tour, objectively evaluate your physical and moral strength.

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Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Arrival to Irkutsk and preparation for the tour
    Irkutsk
  • Day 2
    to the foot of the mountain range of Khamar-Daban
    Irkutsk — Baikalsk
  • Day 3
    First day of the survival
    Khamar-Daban
  • Day 4
    Fishing on the Khara-Murin
    Khara-Murin river
  • Day 5
    In the valley of the wateralls
    Charming Waterfall
  • Day 6
    Descent and return to Baikalsk
    Khamar-Daban — Baikalsk
  • Day 7
    Return to Irkutsk
    Baikalsk — Irkutsk
  • Day 8
    End of the programme
    Irkutsk
  • 11:40
    Meeting in the airport of Irkutsk
    Transfert to the hotel. Check-in and rest after the flight. *If you you arrive earlier, we can book for you an individual transfer and early check-in (not included).
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the hotel Not included
  • 14:00
    Meeting with your guide at the hotel's reception
    Acquaintance with the guide and the group. Briefing and verification of the equipment. We are going to the shop to buy the product minimum for the firsts days of your journey far from the civilisation. According to the equipment list, you take all you need for the tour. The rest can be left in our office BaikalNature.
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight at the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Irkutsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Angara
Twin standard room
  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the Baikalsk city
    Check-out from the hotel. Departure by private transport to the city of Baikalsk - a small town located in the southern part of Lake Baikal. On the way, we will pass along the Baikal coast.
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the cafe of the town Not included
  • 14:00
    The beginning of the road
    From Baikalsk begins a hiking trip to the foot of the Khamar-Daban mountain range. Khamar-Daban is very popular among trekking enthusiasts, so we will depart from the standard routes and go to the real taiga kingdom to the place of our first overnight stay by the picturesque mountain river.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    The first dinner near the fireplace. *In the event of a fire risk period, food will be cooked on a gas burner.
  • 19:00
    Landing on the bank
    Your guide will give you the instructions for the camp installation. Start of your survival programme. Use the time for preparing for the first overnight in the wild taiga!
  • Overnight in the camp
Photo of the day
Route
Irkutsk — Baikalsk
Accommodation
Taiga shelter
Taiga camp
Landmarks
Note

3 h transfer  (145km)

2 h trekking  (5km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Trekking to the ridge
    Immediately after breakfast, we set off on our way to the first ridge of the mountain range. Today we will spend on the road: the road passes through rough terrain. We are waiting for crossings over mountain rivers, small waterfalls and streams on the slopes of the mountain.
  • 13:00
    Lunch en route
  • 18:00
    Setting up of the camp and rest
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    On the way, if there is an opportunity, we will pick mushrooms and berries. Let's learn how to use taiga gifts outside of civilization. ATTENTION! Before trying anything, check with your guide if the mushroom or berry is edible!
  • Overnight in the camp
Photo of the day
Route
Khamar-Daban
Accommodation
Taiga shelter
Taiga camp
Note

7 h trekking  (12km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Along the Khara-Murin river
    Today our road will be difficult, but very picturesque. Before we reach the calm backwaters of the Khara-Murin River, where we can stay in a winter hut, we will pass along a path with waterfalls, rocky footholds and steep rocky shores. Unlike the first two days of the ascent, on this day the road is flatter, but very winding. Depending on the water level, on the way we will see several cascades of waterfalls, one of which reaches a height of 5 meters.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 16:00
    Fishing
    The fishing on the Khara-Murin river is specially good! There are dace, grayling, burbot, lenok, pike, perch, taimen and gudgeon. According to our experience, the fishing of those who try to survive is very successful as their lunch depends on the their take.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the camp
Photo of the day
Route
Khara-Murin river
Accommodation
Taiga shelter
Taiga camp
Note

8 h trekking  (15km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Road to the Charming Waterfall
    On this day, we will enjoy the road itself: impressive panoramic views, mountain ranges, small rivers and green valleys await us here against the backdrop of impenetrable taiga. The end point of our journey will be the Charming waterfall.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the camp
Photo of the day
Route
Charming Waterfall
Accommodation
Taiga shelter
Taiga camp
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Way back
    We descend back to Baikalsk. If possible, the return trip will follow a different path. This day will also be used as a backup day, in case bad weather catches the group in the middle of the path. If the weather is favorable, on this day you can set up a camp in a convenient place (for example, in a river valley) to go fishing and cook delicious fish soup in the evening.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight in the camp
Photo of the day
Route
Khamar-Daban — Baikalsk
Accommodation
Taiga shelter
Taiga camp
  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 12:00
    Lunch in the road cafe Not included
  • 14:00
    Transfer to Irkutsk
    We go by minibus to Irkutsk city. It will be a real return to the civilization!
  • 16:00
    Arrival and accommodation in the hotel
    Good rest in the city centre with all comforts. At your disposal: Interner, TV and, of course, hot bath!
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    Farewell dinner in the restaurant of the hotel.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Baikalsk — Irkutsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Angara
Twin standard room
Note

3 h transfer  (145km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Transfer to the airport
    End of the programme.
Photo of the day
Route
Irkutsk
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Letter of invitation
  • Accident insurance
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Meals according to the program
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Tent rental
  • Camping outfit rental
Price does not include
  • Visa
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Airline tickets
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Sleeping bag rental
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The indicated price is for the groupe of 4 persons minimum. If there are less participants, the supplement is to be applied: - 15 300 roubles per person - supplement for a groupe of 3 persons - 42 000 roubles per person - supplement for a goupe of 2 persons This tour can be organised for an individual traveller - 163 100 roubles (total price, without changing the program published on the site). The price of the tour includes Accident insurance and Tick bite insurance. Sleeping bag rent is 1 000 roubles / per person.

Reviews
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Emile
From 19 August 2022 to 27 August 2022
Destination: Lake Baikal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
First I would like to thank Irina for not canceling the trip because I was the only person that arrived to Siberia for the tour. I would have been disappointed but I would have understood why it would be canceled. I have a special thank and appreciation to the guide Dima. The man has tremendous knowledge about geography, plants, local history, GREAT COMMUNICATION, and GREAT SERVICE, GREAT SURVIVAL
  Read more
BaikalNature's reply
Thank you so much for the kind words and trust that you showed us by taking part in this tour!
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
4.83
4.83
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Laura
From 29 February 2024 to 10 March 2024
Destination: Lake Baikal
Custom tourGrand Nord du Lac Baïkal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Préparation du voyage d’un grand sérieux, attention particulière à répondre aux besoins exprimés (grands espaces sauvages peu visités), disponibilité et fiabilité mêlées d’une agréable sympathie! Lors du séjour, la communication a été facile. Le voyage en transsibérien, l’accueil a Oust Bargouzin et le road-trip avec Alexander Beketov comme guide ont été mes moments préférés; son expérience est
  Read more
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Pierrette
From 29 February 2024 to 8 March 2024
Destination: Lake Baikal
Custom tourBaïkal Hivernal Classique
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Ce voyage, compliqué en cette période géopolitique critique, a été bien organisé en coopération avec le bureau, selon mes préférences, mes besoins. Tout a été prévu avec minutie. Accueil très chaleureux individualisé. J'ai été réellement bluffée et hyper satisfaite de toutes les prestations. Le personnel, guide et chauffeurs, est très professionnel, très attentionné, bienveillant et d'une qualité
  Read more
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Владислав
From 23 July 2023 to 27 July 2023
Destination: Lake Baikal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Замечательный тур! Очень понравилось всё, начиная от организационных моментов, заканчивая самим путешествием, замечательным гидом Егором, удивительно живописными местами, супер устойчивыми байдарками и разнообразной погодой.
4.33
4.33
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
3.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Vanessa
From 21 February 2023 to 25 February 2023
Destination: Lake Baikal
Custom tourVoyage au lac Baïkal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Un grand merci à Maria qui a su nous sortir de situations parfois vraiment très délicates
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