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Kingdom Of Ice (Tour # 65826)From: 2223 $ / 1691 € / 67200 RUB
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Trip Length: 12 days
Group: 3 - 5 Departure: Fixed Period: February - March Tour type: BaikalNature Original Tour Destinations: Lake Baikal Transport: Private car / bus, 4х4, Train Accommodation: Homestay, Homestead, Train Activities: Trekking, Cultural exploration
Visited areas: Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Krestovsky Cape, Sagan-Zaba Cape, Pokoyniki Cape, Ust-Barguzin, Ushkany Islands, Listvyanka, Buryatia Republic, Ulan-Ude
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Strong Points Of The Tour:Discovery of the most beautiful spots of the winter Baikal Route accessible to everyone in often difficult weather conditions Total harmony with nature Visit to the Republic of Buryatia Ice fishing with local people Trekking and hot lunches on ice in the midst of Arctic landscapes Tour Overview:The purpose of this voyage is to make it possible for any person with a good level of fitness to have an adventure usually only acceptable for trained travellers. We will have treks admiring a fantastic scenery, carrying only our water bottles and cameras. The burden of our luggage and hot lunches served in the open air will be ensured by our jeep. We will spend all nights in the warm with maximum comfort for a place, often in a person's home (we are not going to say that there will be always great comfort but cleanness and hospitality). Thus, this adventure is suitable to any outdoor person and anyone who is ready to go on discovering and meeting something new, sometimes to the detriment of comfort... We will visit winter grottos and their icy curtains, the Ushkany islands and in the month of March the most lucky will be able to see nerpas - endemic fresh water seals. During this exceptional trip we will traverse the most beautiful places of the winter Baikal within the maximum safety limits. On foot and by 4x4 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. In the course of this trip you will take part in ice fishing with natives and, certainly, you will taste fresh omul, delicacy of Lake Baikal! This journey is as cultural as it is adventurous. You will discover shamanic rites taking part in a ritual, you will visit Buddhist Datsans in Buryatya, Orthodox churches in Irkutsk and in Ulan-Ude, you will taste nomad's cuisine, and you will visit a real factory producing traditional Russian felt boots ! We will also enjoy tours of both capitals visiting their museums, historic centres, and wooden housing estates of cities. Tour Programme:Day 1
Meeting at homestay at noon, equipment check-out. Lunch. Walking tour of Irkutsk: historical centre, churches, traditional wooden houses, the Decembrist’s museum. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Day 2
Morning departure to Krestovsky Cape. To get to a farm located within 3 km (1.8 mi) from the Baikal shore we will go to the north-east from Irkutsk passing Russian and Buryat countryside. The landscape of wheat fields will change into Siberian taiga and then - steppe. We will stop at picturesque places several times for making offerings to the spirits of the places. On the way visit to the national Buryat museum. Lunch in a roadside cafe serving Buryat cuisine. Arrival to Krestovsky Cape, accommodation at local farm with typical and cordial atmosphere. Walk through taiga to Sagan-Zaba Cape to discover its rock drawings. Banya in the evening.
Day 3
Morning drive to Olkhon Island by 4X4. In an hour we will reach the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota ("Olkhon Gates") and will drive on ice ! Crossing of the strait, stop to take pictures near сape of Kobyliya Golova ("Mare's Head"). Following the western shore of Olkhon.
Arrival to the central village of the island - Khuzhir. Walk to discover Burkhan Rock, place of residence of the Baikal's god! Discovery of Sagan-Khushin and its icy grottos. Arrival to Khoboy Cape, northernmost point of Olkhon. Spectacular 360° view. Magic and mythic place feared by all Buryats. Lunch in the open air – hot meal and vodka to get warm ! Hike along the eastern shore of the island to Uzury. Homestay overnight, simple but clean accommodation and hearty welcome. Banya in the evening. Day 4
The day is devoted to visiting the surroundings of Uzury. In the morning we will go southward by off-roadster along the eastern shore of Olkhon to Zelyony Cape ("Green Cape"). Walk to Izhimey Cape, optional climb of the Zhima mount. The place is famous for its smooth and immense ice fields. Lunch by fire. Back to Uzury in the afternoon. Banya in the evening.
Day 5
Morning drive to the north-west: we cross the island or go around the cape of Khoboy (depending on the state of ice), then cross the strait of Maloye Morye ("Small Sea"). Drive along the western shore of Lake Baikal. Frequent stops for taking pictures and video. Lunch in the open air at Ryty Cape. Discovery of "toros" (accumulation of ice), enormous and large drawn up blocks of ice. Homestay overnight at the cape of Pokoyniki, in forestry officer's home, very simple and rustic comfort. Banya in the evening.
Day 6
Day devoted to the crossing of the Baikal on foot, from Pokoyniki Cape to the Large Ushkany island. The trek of about 30 km (19 mi) long will take us all day. This hike in a polar atmosphere is, for sure, one of the prettiest walks on the winter Baikal. Look at the map - you will be able to see everything! The top of Olkhon Island, the Ushkany archipelago, the Svyatoy Nos peninsula, the Primorsky and Barguzinsky ranges and vast expanses of the lake from north to south will await for you. Lunch in the middle of the lake. If tired the participants can get on the car and wait for the others in the warm on the Large Ushkany Island (or explore it while waiting). Homestay overnight at the weather station of the island. Banya.
Day 7
Deserved free day! We will devote it to discovering Ushkany archipelago in no hurry. Walk around the islands and climb of the top of Large Ushkany (216 m/700 ft), panorama takes one’s breath away. Overnight on the island. Banya in the evening.
Day 8
Early morning departure towards the northern point of the Svyatoy Nos peninsula. We will turn round the peninsula and enter Chivyrkuysky Gulf. Participation in ice fishing with natives. Lunch in the open air near the thermal springs in Zmeinaya Bay. The water of the springs is curative. Bathing! Drive to Ust-Barguzin along the shore of Svyatoy Nos, then along the shore of Barguzinsky Gulf. Homestay overnight in the village of Ust-Barguzin. Banya in the evening.
Day 9
Transfer to Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia. 240 km (150 mi) of way through taiga passing plenty of Buryat villages. Moving to homestay. Lunch. Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, Buddhist temples complex outside the city located in a picturesque steppe. This Datsan serving the most important place of worship in Buryatia is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. Dinner animated by a folk group at the restaurant with traditional Buryat cuisine, you will be served in real yurts! Homestay overnight.
Day 10
Walking city tour of Ulan-Ude. Excursion at the museum devoted to the history of Buryatia. Visit to the factory producing felt boots (traditional Russian footwear), discovery of the manufacturing method. Lunch at restaurant. Time at leisure. Dinner at the restaurant. Transfer to the railway station to catch a night train to Irkutsk - you will spend a night aboard the famous Trans-Siberian (8 hour journey).
Day 11
Early morning arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to Listvyanka, the village on the shores of Lake Baikal which is 70 km (44 mi) away from Irkutsk. Breakfast at the restaurant overlooking the lake. Visit to the Baikal Museum, aquarium with nerpas. Port of the village and typical saleswomen of omul. At wish - tasting smoked omul (endemic fish of the lake). On the way back to Irkutsk visit to Taltsy museum which is 50 km (31 mi) from Irkutsk to see traditional Russian and Buryat architecture of XVII-XIX cen. Lunch on the territory of the museum. Return to Irkutsk. Dinner. Homestay overnight in Irkutsk.
Day 12
Departure after breakfast. End of the programme.
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Price CommentThe price is given for the group of 5 persons. Booking Options
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