Tours

New Year's Eve 2012 on Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal

New Year's Eve 2012 on Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal (Tour # 65827)

From: 2249 $ / 1712 € / 68000 RUB

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Trip Length: 9 days Group: 4 + Departure: Fixed Period: December - January Tour type: Discovery tour Destinations: Lake Baikal Transport: Private car / bus, 4х4, Hovercraft Accommodation: Homestay, Inn, Hotel Activities: Snowmobiling, Dog sledding, Cultural exploration, Skiing, Ice skating, Event / Celebration Visited areas: Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Listvyanka, Krestovsky Cape, Olkhon Island

Presentation
Itinerary
Departures & Prices
Map of this Tour

Strong Points Of The Tour:

Discovery of Olkhon Island in the period of its inaccessibility

Tasting of traditional Siberian dishes

Hearty welcome in the farm at Krestovsky Cape

Discovery of Lake Baikal when it freezes over

Dog sledding and snowmobiling in snow-covered taiga

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 the 2011 New Year’s Eve in best local traditions in the heart of Siberia while discovering Lake Baikal at time when it freezes 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, ice skating on the largest skating rink in the whole world which is Lake Baikal 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.

We will also enjoy dog sledding and snowmobiling in the south of Lake Baikal, will stay at welcoming farm of Krestovsky Cape, will visit the surroundings to see wild animals if lucky.

At night of the 31 of December we will gather for the New Year’s Eve supper in the hotel located on the shore of the lake. We will play traditional Russian games, dance and sing with the Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, will 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 !

To learn more on winter travel to Siberia and to get inspired by New Year's Eve celebration on Lake Baikal, discover our specially created site: www.new-years-eve.ru

Tour Programme:

Day 1

Morning arrival at Irkutsk. Pick-up at the airport or at the railway station. Transfer to homestay. 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.

Day 2

Drive to the village of Listvyanka located at 70 km (44 mi) from Irkutsk on the shore of Lake Baikal. On the way visit to the open-air museum of wooden architecture named Taltsy, discovery of typical Siberian village of 18th – 19th cen. Opportunity to slide on cow skins – traditional Russian amusement. Arrival at Listvyanka, visit to the museum of Lake Baikal, learning about the Baikal flora and fauna. Lunch at restaurant. Ropeway to Chersky Rock, possible skiing (at extra cost). Accommodation in inn in the village. Walks, discovery of local wooden church, Christmas tree.

Day 3

Morning transfer to the riding sport centre, meeting instructor and dogs. Snowmobiling and dog sledding in snow-covered taiga - 10 km (6 mi) there and back. Return to the village, lunch at restaurant. Transfer to inn to collect luggage, way back to Irkutsk. Moving to homestay.

Day 4

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. Stops at picturesque places on the way. We will stop near sacred "Obo" to coax local spirits and beg them to be benevolent to us in our travel. In the afternoon arrival to the shores of Lake Baikal. Accommodation at a welcoming farm at 3 km (1.8 mi) from the shore. Visits to surroundings, discovery of remains of fortress of the period of Kurykans (6 - 11 cen). Walk to the lake.

Day 5

Morning leave for Olkhon Island. Crossing of the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota ("Olkhon Gates") by hydroskimmer / boat (depending on ice condition). Transfer to Khuzhir, central village on Olkhon. Hotel check-in. Discovery of Burkhan Rock, residence of strict Spirits of Lake Baikal. Walk along the village.

Day 6

After breakfast: excursion by 4X4 to Khoboy Cape, the northernmost point of Olkhon. Walk to the cape. Picnic in open air. 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 night celebration of New Year’s Eve in a Russian way with Christmas tree, New Year’s Eve supper and party with Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), traditional music and floor show.

Day 7

Day at leisure. Optional (at extra cost): excursion by 4X4 to the south of the island to discover the wall of Kurykans and wonderful view of the south of the island, Maloye More, and its islets. Possible ice skating, skiing (depending on quantity of snow).

Day 8

Morning leave for Irkutsk. Arrival in the city in the afternoon. Moving to homestay. Dinner at restaurant.

Day 9

After breakfast transfer to airport. Departure. End of the programme.

This tour is offered with the fixed departure dates. To book the tour please contact us.

Departure:	Base Price:	Status:
1. From 26.12.2011 to 03.01.2012	68,000 RUB / 2,249 $ / 1,712 €	On sale

Please select number of adults

Price includes:	Price does not include:
English-speaking guide Accommodation as per itinerary Transport as per itinerary Excursions and visits as per itinerary Celebratory dinner with alcoholic beverages	Medical insurance Administrative registration Personal expenses and tips Visa fees and travel insurance Ski rental Ice skate rental Optional activities Ropeway to Chersky Rock

Price Comment

The price includes banya on Day 4, 6

Booking Options

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.

Cancellation Options

Please read carefully our Terms & Conditions

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Detailed description of the tour