New Year on Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal

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Highlights

Discover the warm and generous siberian soul

New Year's eve on Olkhon island, sacred heart of Lake Baikal

Taste traditional Siberian and Buriatian dishes

Discovery of Lake Baikal when it freezes over

Tour Overview

We invite you to undertake a journey to Lake Baikal and to share with us the greatest pleasures of Siberian winter. It is an exceptional opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the best local traditions in the heart of Siberia while discovering Lake Baikal when it is getting freezing over! In the very middle of the lake, on Olkhon Island, you will get immersed in particular atmosphere of Siberian winter. Discovery of sacred site of Buryat shamans and celebration of the New Year’s Eve, the most beloved holiday of all Russians will await you. Magic decoration of sumptuous landscapes will be enriched with discovery of the history and the customs of the region keeping in touch with locals during all the tour.

At night of the 31 of December we will gather for the New Year’s Eve dinner in the homestay located on the shore of the lake. We will play traditional Russian games, dance and sing with the Father Frost and the Snegurochka, his granddaughter and taste local holiday dishes.

In the morning of January 1 everyone will find his / her gift under the Christmas tree left by generous Father Frost!

Day 1
Morning arrival in Irkutsk. Pick-up at the airport or at the railway station. Transfer to the hotel. Free time till noon. Lunch. Walking city tour, discovery of ice sculptures and Christmas tree on the central square. Visit to old churches, wooden houses and central market. Excursion in the Decembrists Museum. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2
In the morning leave for Olkhon Island. On the way visit to the national museum of Ust-Orda, administrative centre of the Ust-Ordyn Buryat District. Discovery of Buryat and shaman culture. Lunch in café serving Buryat cuisine in Ust-Orda. Continuation of trip. On the way stops at picturesque places . We will stop near sacred "Obo" to coax local spirits and beg them to be benevolent to us in our travel. Crossing of the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota ("Olkhon Gates") by hovercraft / boat (depending on ice condition). Transfer to Khuzhir, central village on Olkhon Island. Accomodation in the guest house. Discovery of Burkhan Rock, residence of strict Spirits of Lake Baikal. Walk along the village. Dinner. Overnight in the guest house.
Day 3
After breakfast: excursion by 4X4 to Khoboy Cape, the northernmost point of Olkhon. Walk to the cape. Outdoor picnic. Return to Khuzhir by 4x4. Picturesque way passes through steppes, taiga, and abandoned villages. According to the Russian tradition – banya in the evening to wash all the problems of the previous year away before entering new year. At midnight celebration of New Year’s Eve in a Russian way with Christmas tree, New Year’s Eve dinner and party with Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), traditional music and floor show.
Day 4
Day at leisure. Optional (at extra cost): ice skating, skiing (depending on quantity of snow). Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in the guest house.
Day 5
Morning leave for Irkutsk. Lunch in café serving Buryat cuisine in Ust-Orda. Arrival in the city in the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner at restaurant. Overngiht in the hotel.
Day 6
After breakfast transfer to the airport. End of the program.

Detailed description

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Price includes

English-speaking guide
Accommodation as per itinerary
Transport as per itinerary
Meals
Excursions and visits as per itinerary
Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
Celebratory dinner with alcoholic beverages
Banya
Letter of invitation

Price does not include

Medical insurance
Administrative registration
Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Airline tickets

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

The price is given for the group of 6 persons. If the number of participants is less than 6, the following supplement is applied: + 3 900 RUB / pers. for the group of 5 participants + 4 900 RUB / pers. for the group of 4 participants + 12 800 RUB / pers. for the group of 3 participants + 19 300 RUB / pers. for the group of 2 participants The price includes banya on Day 3 The price does not include breakfast on Day 1 Single supplement 7 000 roubles

United Federal Register of Tour Operators number : PTO 009402 | Registered Trademark Certificate number: 552709

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