Tours

The Joys Of Winter Baikal

The Joys Of Winter Baikal (Tour # 65850)

From: 2104 $ / 1601 € / 63600 RUB

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Trip Length: 9 days Group: 3 + Departure: Open Period: February - March Tour type: Family Tour Destinations: Lake Baikal Transport: Private car / bus, 4х4 Accommodation: Hotel, Inn Activities: Snowmobiling, Dog sledding, Cultural exploration, Skiing, Ice skating Visited areas: Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Olkhon Island

Presentation
Itinerary
Departures & Prices
Map of this Tour

Strong Points Of The Tour:

Most get-to-know-local-people journey

Discovery of breathtaking sceneries

Multi-active travel in the heart of Siberia

Tour Overview:

Winter on Lake Baikal is an ideal time to get a gulp of fresh air and take pleasure in the joys of the frozen lake. On the menu of this journey: dog sledding and snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice skating, cultural discoveries and excursion by 4x4. We invite you to follow the Baikal ice field and the paths of the Pribaikalsky National park and leave for meeting sumptuous sceneries and local population of Siberia.

Your journey will start in Listvyanka where you will visit main museums to get acquainted with the history of Lake Baikal, its unique flora and fauna and to take an unforgettable dog sled ride. The other part of your journey will be held in the very centre of the Baikal - on Olkhon Island, holy land for Buryat shamans. Discovery of sacred sites of the island by 4x4, cross-country ski-trekking, ice skating on the world's largest ice rink that is Lake Baikal, and tasting of omul, fish indigenous to the Baikal, - are the essence of this splendid travel. Days full of emotions are over, you will sleep in comfortable inns (except that one of Chernaya valley during the dog sled ride) and enjoy real Siberian banya.

Tour Programme:

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk in the morning. Pick up at the airport / train station. Hotel accommodation. Rest. Walking city tour: central square and ice sculptures, wooden houses, the Decembrists museum.

Day 2

Morning leave for Lake Baikal. On the way visit to the open-air museum of wooden architecture - Taltsy. Opportunity to participate in traditional Russian amusement - to slide on cow skins! Lunch in café of museum, atmosphere of 18th cen. Arrival in Listvyanka, visit to the Baikal museum to discover the flora and fauna of the lake. Ropeway to a viewing point of Chersky Rock to admire the panorama of the mouth of the Angara River (at extra cost). Optional skiing. Accommodation at hotel.

Day 3

At noon visit to the dog-sledding centre. We will meet the dogs and receive warm gear and all the instruction necessary to drive a dogsled. Start of our dog sled ride through taiga towards Chernaya valley (north of Listvyanka). Stop for lunch in the open air on the way. Arrival to inn situated several hundred metres (yards) from the lake shore. Rest, banya (Russian steam bath), dinner.

Day 4

Return to Listvyanka by the frozen lake. Arrival in Listvyanka by 1.00 pm. Lunch in restaurant. Transfer to Irkutsk. Hotel overnight.

Day 5

Morning leave for Olkhon island by car. Stops at picturesque places. In the afternoon arrival to the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota (Olkhon Gates), crossing of the strait over the ice. Arrival in Khuzhir, central village on the island. Accommodation in inn run by a villager, 200 metres (yards) from the shore. In the afternoon: walk to Burkhan rock. Village and port visit.

Day 6

Morning drive to the north of the island following the west shore of Olkhon.
Discovery of Sagan-Khushin and its icy grottos. Arrival to Khoboy Cape, northernmost point of Olkhon. Spectacular 360° view. Magic and mythic place feared by all Buryats. Lunch in the open air – hot meal to get warm! Depending on ice surface, ice skating on the frozen lake. Return to Khuzhir.

Day 7

Day devoted to cross-country ski-trekking in taiga. Picnic in open air, tasting of fish soup. Return to Khuzhir, banya (Russian steam bath) in the evening.

Day 8

Morning at leisure for skating on the ice of Lake Baikal (possible skate rental on the spot). Return to Irkutsk by car. Arrival in Irkutsk by 8 o'clock. Transfer to hotel.

Day 9

Transfer to the airport / train station. Departure. End of the programme.

This tour is offered with the open departure date. To book the tour please contact us.

Trip Availability:	Prices:
From 01.02.2012 to 23.03.2012 Depart any day within this period	78,370 RUB / 2,592 $ / 1,973 € / person for the group of 3-4 participants 63,600 RUB / 2,104 $ / 1,601 € / person for the group of 5-8 participants

Please select number of adults

Price includes:	Price does not include:
English-speaking guide Russian-speaking guide services Accommodation as per itinerary Transport as per itinerary Meals Excursions and visits as per itinerary Reserves and national parks entrance permissions Ski rental Banya Letter of invitation	Medical insurance Administrative registration Personal expenses and tips Visa fees and travel insurance Ice skate rental Transfer from airport / railway station on first day Transfer to airport / railway station on last day Optional activities Ropeway to Chersky Rock

Price Comment

Banya is included on Day 3 and 7.

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