• Cultural approach to the discovery of the country
• Cruise and crossing of Lake Baikal in its widest part
• Discovery of the Republic of Buryatia
• Acquaintance with different cultures: Buryat, Russian and that of Old Believers
• Discovery of local cuisines
• Various and accessible to everyone activities

This trip will allow you to follow an exceptional route which is aimed to introduce you to wilderness. It alternates discovery of splendors of a region and immersion in local culture. It allows you to dive into the history of civilization, to share the daily life of local ethnic groups, to be initiated into the religious practices, to approach an unusual wildlife in a natural protected area, to feel the rhythm of nature .

The tour is for all those who wish to undertake a trip with moderate physical involvement. There is only optional walking without major difficulties. The maximum duration is 1 to 2 hours, the group may be shared at any time and give up certain activities.

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.

La plupart des services sur une base privée pour le groupe, certains éléments non exclusifs.

Destinations: Lake Baikal. Visited areas: Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk, Krestovsky Cape, Maloye More, Tazheranskaya steppe, Olkhon Island, Ust-Barguzin, Barguzinsky Gulf, Chivyrkuysky Gulf, Barguzinskaya Valley, Buryatia Republic, Ulan-Ude, Arshan, Slyudyanka, Circum-Baikal, Port Baikal, Listvyanka

Tour start area: Irkutsk, end area: Irkutsk

Day 1

Meeting at 10.00 am on the central square, homestay accommodation. Rest. Lunch. City tour of Irkutsk. Discovery of old wooden houses, churches, the Decembrists museum, central marketplace and mall.

Day 2

Morning departure northwards of Irkutsk to Krestovsky Cape. You will see the Siberian countryside: small provincial cattle-breeding Buryat villages. Having passed the immense Siberian meadows we will find ourselves in the steppes reminding Mongolian landscape. Visit to the national Buryat museum of Ust-Orda, meeting a shaman, discovery of shamanic practices. You will take part in a shamanic rite! Lunch in a Buryat cafe serving the traditional cuisine: posy, chebureki, Buryat tea etc. Several times we will stop over at picturesque sites to make offerings to the spirits of the places. In the afternoon, arrival to the farm lost in wild taiga. Accommodation. Walk around.

Day 3

After breakfast transfer to Olkhon Island. Arrival to the strait of Olkhonskiye Vorota ("Olkhon Gates"). Crossing of the strait by ferry. Drive to the village of Khuzhir, the capital of the island. On the way discovery of the ruins of the Kurykan wall which barred formerly the access to the holy site. Arrival in Khuzhir. Discovery of the Burkhan Rock, "place of residence of the Baikal's God" and one of the nine sanctuaries of Asia. We proceed to Uzury bay (eastern shore of the island). Accommodation at the weather station. Banya (Russian sauna) in the evening.

Day 4

After breakfast jeep (4x4) excursion to the north of the island. Discovery of Khoboy Cape (northernmost point of Olkhon), sacred site for shamans, spectacular 360° view. Lunch in the open air near the cape, tasting of fish soup. Then we will drive down to the cape of "Three brothers" to admire steep cliffs. Return to Uzury. Banya in the evening.

Day 5

Morning at leisure. Transfer to Khuzhir. Crossing of Lake Baikal in its widest part. This great cruise will really allow us to sail in the geographical centre of the lake. We will sail for several hours before we reach Ust-Barguzin, the village of fishermen located in Barguzinsky Gulf. Homestay overnight in the village.

Day 6

All-day excursion on Lake Baikal. Early in the morning we will start our drive to Monakhovo following the tongue of sand that separates two largest gulfs. On the way discovery of Barguzinsky Gulf and Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. Boarding a fish boat, grand tour of Chivyrkuysky Gulf. We will visit Zmeinaya Bay (bay of snakes) and its hot springs, bathing. Lunch in the open air, you will taste a local dainty, endemic fish of the lake – fresh omul. Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening, homestay overnight, opportunity to take banya.

Day 7

All-day excursion to the Barguzin valley, passing by the village of Barguzin (not to be confused with Ust-Barguzin), first settlement site of the Russians over Lake Baikal. Picnic in the open air. Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening, homestay overnight. Opportunity to take banya.

Day 8

Day off. Suggestions for visiting: cruise to Ushkany Archipelago to observe freshwater seal or ascent of the summit of Svyatoy Nos Peninsula ("Holy Nose"), 1877 m (at extra cost).

Day 9

Transfer to Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia. 270 km (168 mi) of way through taiga passing plenty of Buryat villages. Hotel check-in. Lunch at restaurant. Tour of Ulan-Ude. Dinner in the city at the restaurant. Hotel overnight.

Day 10

Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, Buddhist temples complex outside the city located in a picturesque steppe. Discovery of Buddhist culture. This Datsan serving the most important place of worship in Buryatia is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. Lunch animated by a folk group at the restaurant with traditional Buryat cuisine, you will be served in real yurts! Visit to ethnographic museum in the open air: discovery of architecture and lifestyle of Buryats, Evenks, Russians and Cossacks.

Day 11

Leave for the village of Old Believers - Nadeyno. We will visit traditional houses, enjoy a folk concert, participate in games and customs. Lunch in the village. Return to Ulan-Ude.

Day 12

Morning departure by the Trans-Siberian Railway to the south of Lake Baikal. This is probably the most beautiful part of the whole Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Vladivostok! We will travel along the Selenga River, the largest inflow of the lake, then the south-eastern shore of the Baikal. In the afternoon arrival in Slyudyanka where we will take the route to Arshan in Tunkinskaya valley. Homestead overnight.

Day 13

After breakfast visit to Buddhist temple, Datsan, possibility to attend a morning service at 10.00 am. Walk to the cascade of the Kyngarga River with marble bottom, discovery of sacred forest with mineral springs. Ionized air in the canyon of the river is healing. For more trained - opportunity to climb Peak Lyubvi (Peak of Love) (400 m / 1300 ft level difference) to admire the panorama of the whole Tunkinskaya valley (3 hour walk de marche, steep slope). Walk around in the village.

Day 14

Early morning leave for Slyudyanka. Boarding the Circum-Baikal train. We will travel by the famous Circum-Baikal Railway that once linked the Trans-Siberian broken by Lake Baikal. Excursion, frequent stops at picturesque and culturally significant spots. 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. Transfer to the inn.

Day 15

In the morning excursion in the Baikal museum. Ropeway to Chersky Rock (or walk at wish, 30 min. walk), panorama of the lake and the Angara River. Discovery of the village, old wooden church. Lunch at restaurant with a great view of the Baikal. Port of the village and typical saleswomen of omul. At wish – tasting of smoked omul (endemic fish of the lake). Transfer to Irkutsk. En route visit to the Taltsy open-air museum located 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Irkutsk: traditional Russian wooden architecture. Arrival to Irkutsk in the afternoon. End of the programme.

BaikalNature ethics charter

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.

The cancellation options are:

• up to 21 days before departure - 30% of the tour price,
• 20 to 15 days before departure - 50% of the tour price,
• 14 to 7 days before departure 70% of the tour price,
• less than 7 days before departure - 100% of the tour price.

It is hot in summer at Lake Baikal area. Nevertheless, you should always have something to put on, as weather in Siberia is very changeable.

If you plan your trip in May or September, please feel free to bring your hat, gloves and windbreaker jacket in case of snow or rain.

June is also pretty cool.

July and August are the hottest months, which offer you temperatures of 25 ° - 35 ° at daytime and 15 ° - 18 ° at night. On the shores of Lake Baikal, like in the Alps, you should wear T-shirts and shorts in the sunny afternoons, sweaters and jackets in the cool evenings.

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.

14 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 14 dinners.

At restaurants and homestays in cities, traditional cuisine consists of local specialties.

Some hotels and inns offer laundry services for a variable sum of money. It is sometimes possible to use laundry services at homestay (when there is running 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.

No compulsory vaccination.

You need to get a health examination before a great trip. Consult your doctor. Get a dental checkup. If you have health problems that could worsen during the trip, make sure you have taken all your medications with 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.

No particular physical condition is required.

In addition to your personal insurance, you have an opportunity to purchase local insurance. Please, do not hesitate to ask us about our services.

You can contact BaikalNature by:

• phone: 00 7 3952 97 45 01 or 00 7 3952 20 95 19
• fax: 00 7 3952 206 873.

In addition, you will be sent the telephone number of your correspondent staff who you can reach 7/7.

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.