Trip Length: 12 daysGroup: 5 - 12Departure: OpenPeriod: February - MarchTour type: Family TourTransport: Private car / bus, Hovercraft, 4х4, TrainAccommodation: Hotel, Inn, Resort, Homestay, TrainActivities:
Snowmobiling, Dog sledding, Trekking, Cultural exploration, Fishing
Tour Overview
This journey is dedicated to those who seek to have both adventure and comfort, cultural exploration and physical activity.
Departing by ice from the south of the lake northwards, to the village of Ust-Barguzin, you will change different means of transport : dog sleds, snowmobiles, hydroskimmer, and 4x4. En route we will have stops and ice treks to discover majestic landscapes of the winter Baikal, caves and rocks covered with icy lace.
Fond of skating, do not hesitate to bring your skates : the largest ice rink in the whole world will be at your disposal !
Apart from winter activities, you will make plenty of cultural discoveries ! During the visit to the factory of valenki (felt boots) you will learn about the way of their production. In the village of Old Believers you will taste their wonderful cuisine and visiting the restaurant serving Buryat cuisine you will enjoy real throat singing.
In cities you will be accommodated at hotels. In distant nooks of Lake Baikal you will have opportunity to stay in a person's home to discover the way of life of locals. These people offer modest comfort but hearty welcome.
Arctic landscapes, unforgettable meetings and fascinating discoveries await for you in this journey !
En fonction du déroulement de votre programme et des possibilités qu'offrent le lieu où vous vous trouverez, vous pourrez soit goûter au grand confort d'une chambre d'hôtel ou celui plus simple d'une auberge ou bien encore partager l'authenticité de la vie chez l'habitant en bénéficiant des commodités à l'extérieur ainsi que de dormir sous la tente.
Arrival in Irkutsk. Beginning of the programme. Moving to hotel and lunch. Tour of Irkutsk - discovery of traditional wooden houses, old churches, visit to the Decembrists museum. Dinner not included. Hotel overnight.
Meals Included: Lunch Transport: Private car / bus Planned accommodation / or similar: Empire Hotel click to view the details Accommodation type: Hotel Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and bath / shower in room
Day 2
Morning departure to Listvyanka. On the way visit to Taltsy – open-air museum of wooden architecture. Stop on the shore of Lake Baikal to see the Shaman stone in the mouth of the Angara River. Lunch in the restaurant. Visit to the Baikal museum to learn about the Baikal flora and fauna. Inn check-in. Walk to local market. Possibility to taste smoked omul, endemic fish of the lake. Dinner and hotel overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus Planned accommodation / or similar: Baikalskiye Terema Hotel click to view the details Accommodation type: Hotel Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and bath / shower in room
Day 3
In the morning walk to the riding sport centre for meeting dogs and safety briefing. Choosing fitting warm outfit. Departure to Bolshiye Koty by ice : one part of the group - dog sledding with instructor (dog-driver), and the other part - snowmobiling. Lunch on the way (picnic on ice). Arrival in the village of Bolshiye Koty, rest. Banya, dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Planned accommodation / or similar: Bolshiye Koty Chalet click to view the details Accommodation type: Inn Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and shower on the floor
Day 4
Morning departure to MRS by hovercraft across the ice of the lake. Lunch on the way. Arrival in MRS in the evening, moving to resort. Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Hovercraft Planned accommodation / or similar: Chayka Resort click to view the details Accommodation type: Resort Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and shower on the floor
Day 5
After morning departure to Olkhon Island. Driving on ice across the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota, stop near Kobyliya Golova Cape to take pictures. Arrival in Khuzhir, central village of the island. Moving to a welcoming homestead. Walk to the famous Burkhan Rock (Shamanka), place of residence of the Baikal's spirit and one of the nine sanctuaries of Asia. In the evening – banya (Russian steam bath).
Transport: 4х4 Planned accommodation / or similar: Nikita Bencharov Homestead click to view the details Accommodation type: Inn Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and bath / shower in room
Day 6
After breakfast – drive to the north of the island by off-road vehicle along the western shore of Olkhon. Visit to Sagan-Khushin Cape and its winter grottos. Arrival on Khoboy Cape, the northern point of Olkhon Island - magic and sacred site for the Buryats. Wonderful panorama of 360’. Lunch in the open air near the cape (picnic). Walk across the ice along the eastern shore of the island to Usury. Homestay overnight in simple but lovely atmosphere. In the evening – banya.
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 7
Day devoted to Uzury. We will go by off-roadster to the south along the eastern shore of Olkhon to Zeleny Cape. Walk to Izhimey Cape, possible climbing Zhima mount - the highest point of the island (1267 m). According to the legend this mount was the place where the island spirits lived, that is why it is sacred for the locals. Lunch. Return to Uzury in the afternoon. 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 8
After breakfast amazing journey to the east. Crossing of Lake Baikal. Lunch on ice. Arrival in Ust-Barguzin, moving to homestay. Banya and dinner in the evening.
Today we are going to visit Zmeinaya Bay (Snakes Bay) in Chivyrkuysky Gulf. We will take bath in hot springs amongst white snow! Lunch in the open air. Return to Ust-Barguzin. Banya and dinner in the evening.
Transfer to Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. Hotel check-in. Lunch at buryat homstay. Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, complex of Buddhist temples located in picturesque steppe. Return to the city. Dinner at restaurant serving traditional Buryat cuisine, folk group performance. Lunch will be served in a real yurt!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus, 4х4 Planned accommodation / or similar: Baikal Plaza Hotel click to view the details Accommodation type: Hotel Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and bath / shower in room
Day 11
Tour of Ulan-Ude. Visit to the Old Beilivers Village. Dinner. Transfer to the railway station. Getting aboard the night train to Irkutsk, you will travel by the famous Trans-Siberian! (8 hour journey).
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.
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.
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.
Recommended checklist:
Original or electronic air tickets with a set of photocopies kept separately
Photo / video camera
Scarf
Winter cap
American Express Travelers Cheques
Balaclava
Bank card or international credit card
Charger and spare battery for camera/phone
Down jacket
Flask
Fleece jacket or warm sweater
Flip-flops for banya
Hat
Headlamp
Lipstick
Long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts
Moisturizer
Mountain boots for walking on ice and snow
POLARTEC or similar pullover
Passport and visa with a set of photocopies kept separately
Pocket knife (to put in checked baggage)
Sewing kit
Sunglasses with filter
Sunscreen for skin and lips
Thick socks
Tour vouchers and programme
Warm gloves or mittens
Warm underwear
Windproof waterproof pants and jacket (GORE-TEX, EVENT, SIMPA-TEX)
Somehotels and innsofferlaundry servicesfor a variable sumof money.It is sometimespossible to use laundryservices at homestay(when there isrunning 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.
You need to get a health examination before a great trip.Consult your doctor. Get a dental checkup.If you havehealth problems thatcould worsenduring the trip,make sure youhave takenall your medicationswith 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.
La sécurité est notre objectif primordial et aussi la réputation de notre agence à long terme. Une pharmacie adaptée aux conditions du voyage est à disposition du guide.
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.
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