Old Railway, Listvyanka and Bolshiye Koty

This tour is not available and is archived.

Difficulty

Comfort

Highlights

Manysided tour offering lots of discoveries in little time

Journey by train along the shoreline of Lake Baikal

Tour Overview

This programme will make you discover a picturesque line of the Old Circum-Baikal Railway and the two charming villages, different from each other - Listvyanka and Bolshiye Koty. You will love the leisurely pace of this cultural route of the south Baikal.

Called "Krugobaikalka" in Russian, this part of the Trans-Siberian, genius of architectural engineering, was constructed in the beginning of last century. The railway was inlaid into the steep shore of the Baikal, which boggles the imagination. Along with enjoying beautiful sceneries, you will also discover culture and history.

You will be able to visit the sights of Listvyanka, to enjoy your hike along the shore, and to go up the hill to admire a splendid view of Lake Baikal.

In Bolshiye Koty you will have a chance to see a small welcoming museum devoted to Lake Baikal, to climb a hill to meditate quietly enjoying an incredible panoramic view. The next day you will have time to reach Skriper cape, breathtaking viewpoint... In the village you will sleep with a local family. Your journey back will be done aboard hydrofoil "Raketa".

Day 1
Boarding train at 8 o'clock. Departure south of the lake. Change of locomotive in Slyudyanka (we will stay in the same car) because the Circum-Baikal train is a diesel-engine train. Excursion, frequent visits to picturesque and culturally significant sites. During every stop you will hear about the place and its history from your guide. Lunch aboard. Arrival to Port Baikal, taking a ferry to cross the mouth of the Angara River towards Listvyanka. Homestay accommodation, dinner.
Day 2
Visit of Listvyanka. Port of the village and typical saleswomen of omul. At wish – tasting of smoked omul (fish indigenous to the lake). Souvenir shopping in the midst of smoking sheds. Boarding boat (hydrofoil), journey to Bolshiye Koty (30 min). Homestay accommodation in the village. Opportunity to visit local museum devoted to Lake Baikal. Dinner. In the evening possibility to enjoy banya (Russian baths). Homestay overnight.
Day 3
Suggestion to go trekking northwards, optional climb to Skriper cape (quite challenging route, but it's worth taking pains!) Wonderful view of the whole west shore of Lake Baikal. Return to the village. Lunch in homestay. Possibility to hike up the highest hill of the village (30 min, easy enough) to enjoy a marvellous panorama of the lake. Return to Irkutsk in the afternoon by hydrofoil. Arrival in Irkutsk by 7.30pm. End of the programme.

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

Accommodation as per itinerary
Transport as per itinerary
Meals
Letter of invitation

Price does not include

Transfers in Irkutsk
English-speaking guide
Administrative registration
Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Banya

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

Single supplement - 2220 RUR On Wednesday and Saturday tour programme follows the itinerary. On Tuesday and Friday tour operates in the opposite direction: Irkutsk - Bolshiye Koty - Listvyanka - Circum-Baikal - Irkutsk. Departure from the riverside station from June 25 to August 30 at 9.00am; from May 23 to June 24 and from September 1 to 27 at 12.30pm. Meals included: lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and dinner on Day 2, breakfast and lunch on Day 3.

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