• 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

This trip will allow you to follow an exceptional route which is aimed to introduce you to wilderness. It alternates discovery of splendors of a region and immersion in local culture. It allows you to dive into the history of civilization, to share the daily life of local ethnic groups, to be initiated into the religious practices, to approach an unusual wildlife in a natural protected area, to feel the rhythm of nature .

Modérément facile - 1-3 heures d’activité physique par jour.

During this trip you will alternate nights spent in inn where you can enjoy simple comfort, with more rustic overnights at homestay or even in tents.

La plupart des services sur une base privée pour le groupe, certains éléments non exclusifs.

Destinations: Lake Baikal. Visited areas: Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Krestovsky Cape, Sagan-Zaba Cape, Pokoyniki Cape, Ust-Barguzin, Ushkany Islands, Listvyanka, Buryatia Republic, Ulan-Ude

Tour start area: Irkutsk, end area: Irkutsk

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: 4х4
Planned accommodation / or similar: Homestay in Uzury    click to view the details
Accommodation type: Homestay
Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors, banya

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.

BaikalNature ethics charter

Choosing BaikalNature as a travel partner you undertake together with us for travelling in full harmony with nature. As our name implies, BaikalNature is sensitive to the long-term health of the natural environment towards which we feel such affection. It is with great pleasure that we invite travellers to discover the region of Lake Baikal in all its manifestations and in maximum possible comfort. But as the environment is fragile we do it with conscious responsibility. Respecting its landscapes, fauna, flora and the way of life of its people is a priority for us as well as for our travellers.

Together with you we are ready to meet the challenge: all partakers of BaikalNature act as caretakers of the planet’s future. Thus, we eagerly join for initiatives of responsible tourism hoping for the Russian and Mongolian natural heritage protection to become a number one priority for the sake of the brilliant future of these lands.

The price is given for the group of 5 persons.

Minimum group size is 3 persons. If the number of participants is less than 5, the following supplement is applied:
+ 5870 RUB / pers. for the group of 4 participants
+ 16150 RUB / pers. for the group of 3 participants

The price does not include breakfast on Day 1 ; lunch and dinner on Day 12

Booking is made by paying a 30% deposit of the total cost.
The balance of 70% is to be paid 21 days before departure.
If late booking (made less than 21 days prior to departure), full payment is required at the time of booking.

The cancellation options are:

• up to 21 days before departure - 30% of the tour price,
• 20 to 15 days before departure - 50% of the tour price,
• 14 to 7 days before departure 70% of the tour price,
• less than 7 days before departure - 100% of the tour price.

You will need in Russia in winter:

• to protect yourself from the cold weather;
• to protect yourself from the wind;
• to protect your feet from moisture;
• to protect yourself from the sun's reflection from ice and snow.

Allow the system of "three layers":

• The first layer, called "second skin", determines the performance of the other two layers. It will transport sweat to the next layer and dry quickly to avoid cooling after exercise. Therefore forget the cotton retains moisture in the skin and choose underwear in synthetic fabrics.
• The second layer must keep the heat of the body as long as possible. Warm synthetic or mixed (wool or fleece turtleneck sweater) fabrics, that dry quickly, are preferable.
• The third layer should protect you against wind and moisture. Choose a jacket, long enough, 100% waterproof, preferably with hood.

We recommend you to pack all your stuff in two bags: a small backpack and a large travelling bag.

SMALL BACKPACK: will be useful for carrying your personal belongings during the day (camera, film, personal medication, bottled water, etc.) You will also use it as hand luggage during air travel for all your heavy (to lighten the travel bag in the luggage compartment), fragile (camera, etc.) and necessary (toilet bag, etc.) things.

BIG TRAVEL BAG or BIG BACKPACK: must contain the rest of your stuff. It will be in the luggage compartment during the flight. It will be transported by vehicles.

Crampons for walking on ice will be provided on the spot.

11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners.

At restaurants and homestays in cities, traditional cuisine consists of local specialties.

Some hotels and inns offer laundry services for a variable sum of money. It is sometimes possible to use laundry services at homestay (when there is running water) for a fee.

You need a tourist visa to travel to Russia. It can be issued for a maximum period of 30 days. Your passport has to be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your visa and to have at least two blank pages.

Documents to provide consular services:

You must first obtain a letter of invitation. BaikalNature offers visa support and has created "BaikalNature letter of invitation" package to that end. If you buy a BaikalNature tour, this package is absolutely free; when you buy any other BaikalNature service, you will have to pay for this package. For more information, please see "Visa Support " and "Russia Invitation Letter."

  Besides, you will need:

• a photocopy of passport pages containing the photo,
• a visa application form (completed on computer or with a black ballpen) available for download on the Russian Embassy website in  "visa information" rubric,
• a color photo for documents, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, to stick on the visa application form,
• a tourist voucher certifying that all travel services were paid in full,
• a detailed program of the trip (only if your stay exceeds 15 days),
• travel insurance, provided by nsurance company, which protects you throughout your trip .

For more information, please see "Do I need a tourist visa to travel to Russia or Mongolia?" of our FAQ.

The Russian currency is ruble. In all cities and many large villages of Russia, you can easily withdraw rubles, using a Visa or MasterCard, from ATMs, located in banks, department stores or hotel lobbies, some of them are open 24 hours a day. If you have euros or dollars with you, exchange offices will allow you to change them easily in the cities, seldom in the countryside. However, it can be difficult to exchange traveler's checks, even in cities.

All persons who compose the BaikalNature travel team (guides, drivers, cooks, etc.) are paid a decent wage for their services and do not expect any tips from you. So you have no obligation to leave anything. If you really want to express your satisfaction by leaving a gratuity, and if it is in foreign currency, be aware that torn or glued coins and banknotes cannot be exchanged. Anyway, thank you for your tips, left at your discretion in envelopes.

No compulsory vaccination.

You need to get a health examination before a great trip. Consult your doctor. Get a dental checkup. If you have health problems that could worsen during the trip, make sure you have taken all your medications with you.

It is advisable to keep the following vaccines valid:

• diphtheria,
• tetanus,
• Polio.

Tick-borne encephalitis is present in areas of forest, taiga where ticks are the carriers of encephalitis between May and July. As of August, they are no longer carrying the virus. If you do not get vaccinated, you should follow the basic precautions, including:

• protective clothes
• use of repellents
• daily check of the skin.

It is also possible to take out special insurance covering the analysis of the insect and vaccines.

Provide a first aid kit that includes among other items:

• aspirin or paracetamol,
• anti-diarrheal tablets,
• antiseptic,
• adhesive plaster,    
• sterile pads.

If you have individual diseases, make sure you have taken your medications.

First-aid kit, satellite phone, walkie-talkie are available at your guide.

You should be physically fit enough for this tour.

In addition to your personal insurance, you have an opportunity to purchase local insurance. Please, do not hesitate to ask us about our services.

You can contact BaikalNature by:

• phone: 00 7 3952 97 45 01 or 00 7 3952 20 95 19
• fax: 00 7 3952 206 873.

In addition, you will be sent the telephone number of your correspondent staff who you can reach 7/7.

Professional Guarantees: BaikalNature LLC (ООО "БайкалНейче") United Federal Register of Tour Operators number: MBT 007826 Financial Guarantee: JSC "Insurance Group MSK" (Открытое акционерное общество "Страховая группа МСК") Insurance contract N ОТА/5301/000235 from 01/12/2011. Amount of coverage: 10 000 000 RUB. Legal and actual address: BaikalNature LLC 119А Dekabrskikh Sobytiy Str., office 13
664007 Irkutsk Russia.