The Evenks, nomadicpeople, were once the most numerous in Siberia. They inhabited undeveloped lands of the northern Baikal and were reindeer herders, fishermen, and hunters. Currently, their population numbers no more than 2000 people on Lake Baikal. Although the Evenks do not live in raw-hide tents any more, they did not forget their traditional occupations and take the ancient paths of their ancestry to find some food in generous taiga.
We invite you to follow these paths in beds of frozen rivers in the company of Evenk hunter. That was a wise thing of the Evenks to choose frozen rivers in impenetrable taiga and in the mountains of the Barguzin range to go to the most favourable places and protected from predators pasture lands. Snow-covered ice is not slippery and facilitates proceeding through dense taiga.
We will experience hiking along frozen rivers in full autonomy, 3-day cross-country skiing in snow-covered places, and sleeping in winter huts of Evenk hunters (heated with stoves). The capacity of these huts does not exceed six persons, that is why this travel is organized in small groups. We will carry our luggage ourselves for it is impossible to resort to the help of porters due to the lack of space in huts. It would be necessary to make sure that you took minimum things needed for the passage and that your backpack has no more than 8 kg in weight.
Anyway, day walking passages will not exceed 15-km/9-mi and phisical efforts will be recompensed with the beauty of wonderful landscapes - majestic mountains, glacial lakes full of never disturbed fish, snow-covered taiga with wild animals. We will also see deer reared by the Evenks. At present deer are not that numerous as they were in the 19th century since their meat and skin are not in popular demand any longer in Russia. However, local Evenks keep traditions of their forefathers and tend a small herd of these noble animals.
We will follow the same itinerary on our way back but splendidness of the route well deserves it. If lucky, we will see wild animals (sable, squirrel, Manchurian deer, elk, musk deer etc) or their traces. In the huts we will leave some food left over in the end of the journey and, according to the unwritten law of taiga, will prepare some firewood for future hunters.
Despite its adventure character, this journey does not require a high level of fitness, to be in good form is enough. But good spirits and sens of humour would be indispensable to overcome unconveniences of accommodation during 10-day trekking to an isolated land of Evenk hunters.
Arrival in Irkutsk. Pick up at the airport or railway station. Transfer to the homestay. Rest. After lunch walking city tour. Historic centre, old churches, wooden houses, the Angara embankment. Visit to the Decembrists museum. Dinner at homestay. Night train to Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia.
In the morning arrival to Ulan-Ude. Transfer to the homestay. Rest. Drive to the village of Old Believers to get acquainted with their way of life. Tasting traditional cuisine. Return to Ulan-Ude, city tour and excursion to the factory producing traditional felt boots - valenki. Homestay overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus Accommodation type: Homestay Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, shared WC and bath / shower
Day 3
Transfer to the airport of Ulan-Ude. Flight to the north of Lake Baikal to Nizhneangarsk town. Transfer to Severobaikalsk. Night at welcoming hotel 300 m (980 ft) from the lake.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus, Plane Accommodation type: Hotel Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and shower on the floor
Day 4
After breakfast drive for the Evenk village of Angoya. We will go snowmobiling to reach Evenk nomad camp Svetlaya situated in taiga 50 km (31 mi) from the village. Night in winter hut.
Trekking along the Bogodikta River to meet deer. In the evening return to the nomad camp. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 4 h of trekking (7 km/4 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 6
Following the ancient Evenk path we will reach Talakit nomad camp where there is the only banya in this area.
Physical activity: 3 h of trekking (7 km/4 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors, banya
Day 7
Skiing up the spring of Talakit. Breathtaking landscapes wait for you! Night in winter hut. Banya.
Physical activity: 4 h of trekking (7 km/4 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors, banya
Day 8
We will continue to follow the Evenks' path. En route discovery of abandoned gold diggers' camp. We will also try to pan out some gold with gold pan. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 5 h of trekking (8 km/5 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 9
Skiing to the last camp called "the top of Ilokaluy". Discovery of frozen waterfalls and mountain lakes.
Physical activity: 7 h of trekking (15 km/9 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 10
We will go skiing to the small lake for fishing davachan, relict fish that can be only found in the lakes of the mountains of the northern Baikal. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 4 h of trekking (6 km/4 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 11
Skiing to the upper Svetlaya (Clear) River. Virgin taiga, traces of wild animals or even the animals themselves if luck smile on us. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 5 h of trekking (7 km/4 mi) with slight elevation change Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 12
We will make our way back to the previous camp. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 7 h of trekking (15 km/9 mi) Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 13
Return to the nomad camp of Bogodikta. Night in winter hut.
Physical activity: 6 h of trekking (15 km/9 mi), slight slope Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation type: Winter hut Comfort: Simple comfort accommodation, toilet outdoors
Day 14
Snowmobiling to Angoya and drive to Severobaikalsk. Hotel accommodation. True Russian banya to wash away the tiredness after many days of trekking.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus, Snowmobiles Accommodation type: Hotel Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, WC and shower on the floor
Day 15
If this travel is done in the period from February to April, we will go to the north-east of Lake Baikal to discover thermal station of Khakusy and bathe in its thermal springs in the open air.
At other periods of time we will go to the thermal springs of Dzelinda 90 km (56 mi) north of Severobaikalsk. In the evening boarding the train and leaving for Irkutsk by BAM (the Baikal-Amur Mainline).
Day and night aboard the train (compartment). You will travel by the railway built by the prisoners of gulag and linked Lake Baikal with the Amur river.
Early morning arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to homestay, breakfast. Drive to Listvanka, the village on the shores of Lake Baikal which is 70 km (44 mi) away from Irkutsk. En route visit to Taltsy museum to see traditional Russian and Buryat architecture of XVII-XIX Cen. Lunch on the territory of the museum. Arrival to the village. Visit to the Baikal Museum, aquarium with nerpas. Port of the village and typical saleswomen of omul (endemic fish of the lake). Return to Irkutsk. Time at leisure. Festive dinner at the restaurant serving Russian cuisine. Homestay overnight in Irkutsk.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Transport: Private car / bus Accommodation type: Homestay Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, shared WC and bath / shower
Day 18
Departure after breakfast. End of the programme.
Meals Included: Breakfast Transport: Private car / bus
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.
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
Bath towel
Charger and spare battery for camera/phone
Down jacket
Flask
Fleece jacket or warm sweater
Flip-flops for banya
Hat
Headlamp
Large 70 - 85 litres backpack
Laundry detergent for washing your clothes
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
Swimsuit
Synthetic sleeping bag rated from -10 (-5) to +15° C
Thermal underwear
Thick socks
Toilet roll
Tour vouchers and programme
Trekking pants
Trekking socks
Universal AC power outlet
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.
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.
