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Kingdom of Ice

This tour is not available and is archived.
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
Highlights
  • Visit of the most beautiful places of the winter Baikal
  • Walks and hot lunches on ice in the midst of Arctic landscapes
  • Route accessible to everyone in often difficult weather conditions
  • More then 250km of travel by hovercraft on the Baikal ice
  • Ice-fishing and visit of the deepest point of the lake
Tour Overview

The purpose of this voyage is to make it possible for any person of average fitness level to experience an adventure which is available only in short period of winter season.

During this exceptional trip we will traverse the most beautiful places of the winter Baikal within the maximum safety limits. By hovercraft and by 4x4 (UAZ) we will discover the Baikal ice in all its forms: the frozen rocks and caps, reared transparent plaques, crammed into impenetrable hummocks, polished into huge rinks by the wind, and such immense fields covered by snow.

We will visit winter grottos and their icy curtains, the cape, where the deapest point of the lake Baikal is: 1637m.

In the course of this trip you could meet local fishermen, take part in ice-fishing, and, certainly, you will taste fresh omul, delicacy of Lake Baikal!

 

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting with the guide at 10:30 in the airport. Transfer from the airport to the hotel.* Arrival, rest. Free lunch. At 14:00 meeting with your guide, city tour of Irkutsk on foot. Discovery of old wooden houses, churches, 130th quarter. Free dinner. Overnight in the hotel. *Transfer outside the program airport - hotel 1600 RUB per car of 3 passangers.
  • Day 2
    Breakfast. At 10:00 meeting with your guide and driver in the hotel. Drive to the village of Listvyanka located at 70 km from Irkutsk on the shore of Lake Baikal. Arrival in Listvyanka. Accommodation in the hotel. Day at leisure. This day you can spend by exploring the surroundings of the village, visit fish market, the church St. Nicolas, "hike" to the Cherskiy stone by ski lift rock to admire a picturesque panorama of the Lake and Angara (you can do it on foot, 30 min of walk). Excursion to the museum of lake Baikal, learning about the Baikal flora and fauna. Guide will support in your sightseeing. Free lunch and dinner. Overnight in the hotel.
  • Day 3
    Breakfast. Travel by hovercraft to Olkhon island on Baikal ice. On the way stop in Sandy bay, lunch in the nature in the area of ​​the rock Sagan-Zaba. Continue the journey through the Strait Olkhonsky Gates into the Small sea. Stop for a photo shoot near the Cape Kobylya Golova, Ogoy Island and other places depending on ice conditions. Outdoor lunch. Arrival in Khuzhir at 17.00-18.00 p.m. Transfer to the resort. Free time. Excursion around the village, discovery of the Burkhan Rock, "place of residence of the Baikal's God" and one of new sanctuaries of Asia. Banya (optional). Dinner and overnight at the resort.
  • Day 4
    Breakfast. Tour on ice by off-road vehicle (UAZ) to the north of the island, stops along the way to explore the caves, grottos and islands. Outdoor lunch near the Cape Khoboy. Return to Khuzhir. Free time. Bania in the evening (optional). Dinner and overnight at the resort.
  • Day 5
    Breakfast. Excursion by off-road vehicle (UAZ) to the cape Izhimei situated in north-east of the island. You will visit the cape where the deepest point of the lake Baikal is situated (1637m). Outdoor lunch. Discovery of Hamlet Uzury. By your wish, ascension to the mountain summit beetled over Uzury to admire frozen lake. Return to Khouzhir. Free time. Dinner. Banya (optional). Overnight at the resort.
  • Day 6
    Breakfast. Acquaintance with ice fishing in the middle of Little Sea. Lunch outdoors. Arrival at the resort. Free time. Banya (optional). Dinner and overnight at the resort.
  • Day 7
    After breakfast departure to Irkutsk by private car. The road passes through the taiga, steppes, bouryat villages. Free lunch. Arrival in Irkutsk by 18:00. Accommodation in the hotel. Free time. Overnight in the hotel.
  • Day 8
    Breakfast. End of the program.
                  Detailed description
                  New departures available soon
                  Price includes
                  • English-speaking guide
                  • Accommodation as per itinerary
                  • Transport as per itinerary
                  • Meals
                  • Medical insurance
                  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
                  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
                  • Banya
                  • Guide during free days
                  • Sleeping bag in BaikalNature Ice Camp
                  Price does not include
                  • Personal expenses and tips
                  • Visa fees and travel insurance
                  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
                  • Airline tickets
                  For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
                  Note

                  Guaranteed departure for a group of 4 persons. The price includes breakfast on Day 2-8; lunch Day 4-6 and dinner on Day 3-6. Single supplement 6750 RUB / pers. We can switch the category of rooms or accommodation according to your request. Please contact us before your departure. Transfer to the airport on last day is 850 RUB / car of 3 passengers (from 7:00 to 22:00).

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