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Winter Crossing of Lake Baikal from Tanhoy to Listvyanka

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
  • Trekking in the atmosphere of Polar landscapes
  • Crossing of Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world
  • Visiting museums and discovery of the fauna and flora of Lake Baikal
Tour Overview

In February Lake Baikal freezes over and allows everyone to enjoy unforgettable hiking. White snow sparkling in the sun, transparent Baikal ice cover, piles of ice several metres high, stalactites and stalagmites remind of the North Pole. It is in this Arctic atmosphere that we will cross Lake Baikal, 40 km (25 mi) from east to west. During first two days we will go independently using sleds to transport our luggage, spend night in tent in the middle of Lake Baikal, cook our dinner on the very ice.

The hike does not require a high level of fitness. It is accessible to everyone who is fond of hiking and not afraid of cold. Do not forget to equip yourself with good spirits and unforgettable experience is guaranteed !

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Morning leave for the village of Tankhoy by minibus (4 hours of drive). Start of trekking*. At first we will go by snow (10 to 25 cm / 4 to 10 in depending on winter). Lunch. Overnight in tent. Hot dinner, meals prepared with gas-jet.
  • Day 2
    Trekking continues*. Layer of snow gets thinner while approaching the western shore of the lake since it is more swept by the wind. Arrival to the village of Listvyanka. Hotel accommodation. Deserved rest ! Dinner, in the evening banya (Russian baths).
  • Day 3
    Discovery of the village. Visit to the Baikal museum to learn about the Baikal flora and fauna. Leave for Irkutsk. En route visit to Taltsy, open-air museum of wooden architecture, discovery of typical Siberian village of the 18th – 19th cen. Arrival in city in the afternoon. End of the programme.
        Detailed description
        New departures available soon
        Price includes
        • English-speaking guide
        • Accommodation as per itinerary
        • Transport as per itinerary
        • Meals
        • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
        • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
        • Tent rental
        • Banya
        • Ice studs for shoes
        Price does not include
        • Medical insurance
        • Administrative registration
        • Personal expenses and tips
        • Visa fees and travel insurance
        • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
        • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
        • Airline tickets
        For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
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