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New Year 2013 on Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal

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
  • Dog sledding and snowmobiling in snow-covered taiga
  • 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 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 !

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Morning arrival at Irkutsk. Pick-up at the airport or at the railway station. Transfer to 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.
  • 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. 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. 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 3
    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 4
    Day at leisure. Optional (at extra cost): possible ice skating, skiing (depending on quantity of snow).
  • Day 5
    Morning leave for Irkutsk. Arrival in the city in the afternoon. Moving to hotel. Dinner at restaurant.
  • Day 6
    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 hotel in the village. Walks, discovery of local wooden church, fish market.
  • Day 7
    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 hotel to take luggage, way back to Irkutsk. Moving to your hotel.
  • Day 8
    After breakfast transfer to the airport. End of the program.
                  Detailed description
                  New departures available soon
                  Price includes
                  • Dog sled rental
                  • 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
                  • Ropeway to Chersky Rock
                  • 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 includes banya on Day 3. Single supplement 14 500 roubles. Minimum group size is 6 persons. If the number of participants is less than 6, the following supplement is applied: + 3 400 RUB / pers. for the group of 5 participants, + 8 400 RUB / pers. for the group of 4 participants, + 17 000 RUB / pers. for the group of 3 participants, + 26 000 RUB / pers. for the group of 2 participants.

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