BaikalNature Tours Heart Of Lake Baikal Cruise Detailed description

Heart Of Lake Baikal Cruise (Tour # 65864)

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Trip Length: 3 days Group: 10 Departure: Fixed Period: July - August Tour type: Discovery tour Transport: Boat Accommodation: Boat Activities: Cruise / Navigation, Trekking, Cultural exploration, Fishing
Tour Overview

This cruise operates aboard two cruise vessels, standard-class Tatyana and comfort-class Sibiryak, and takes part of the following itinerary: Listvyanka - Circum-Baikal Railway - Peschanaya bay - Olkhon - Maloye More - Olkhon - Chivyrkuysky Gulf - Maloye More - Peschanaya bay - Circum-Baikal Railway - Listvyanka. In accordance with their point of departure or arrival, they may be preceded or followed by stays on Olkhon Island, in Listvyanka, and other places of Lake Baikal.

The Heart Of Baikal Cruise is ideal for those who spent some time on Olkhon Island and wish to continue to discover the Baikal and participate in a small cruise. This itinerary will take you from Olkhon to Listvyanka from where you can easily get to Irkutsk. Over a short period of time you will visit the sites only accessible by water such as rock paintings of Sagan-Zaba and Peschanaya bay (Sandy bay). You will have the opportunity to enjoy true Russian banya (Russian baths) located on the very shore of the lake in one of the prettiest bays. The voyage will end in the south of the lake with the Circum-Baikal visit to discover this open-air architectural museum.

Extension suggestions: 

Before the cruise : Olkhon Island, Ust-Barguzin and the Zabaikalsky National Park, Severobaikalsk.
After the cruise: old Circum-Baikal railway, Listvyanka and Bolshie Koty villages

Strong Points Of The Tour
  • Discovery of scenic sites of Lake Baikal hardly accessible in summer
  • Possibility to integrate the cruise with a land part of journey
Tour type

Difficulty Level

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.

Comfort Level

During this trip you will alternate nights spent in inn where you can enjoy simple comfort, with more rustic overnights at homestay or even in tents.

Exclusivity Level

This trip equally combines services that are dedicated specially for you with others, shared with other people outside your group such as some transport and excursions.

Destinations and visited areas

Destinations: Lake Baikal. Visited areas: Lake Baikal, Maloye More, Olkhon Island, Sagan-Zaba Cape, Peschanaya Bay, Circum-Baikal, Listvyanka

Start / Finish

Tour start area: Maloye More, end area: Listvyanka

Tour Programme

Day 1

7/8-hour sail, 120 km/75 mi way

Boat embarkation between 11.00am and 12.00am in the village of Sakhurta, in the strait of Maloye More, opposite Olkhon Island. Sail southwards.
Weather permitting, stop on the way near Sagan-Zaba cape to discover its ancient rock paintings.
Sail as far as Sennaya bay. At will, banya (Russian baths) on the shore of the lake (at extra cost).
Night on board.

Meals Included: Dinner
Transport: Boat
Accommodation type: Boat
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, shared WC and bath / shower

Day 2

6-hour sail, 100 km/62 mi way

At will, 2-hour hike along the Baikal shore from Sennaya bay to Peschanaya Bay (Sandy bay). Peschanaya Bay is known for its trees "on stilts" - raised on their naked roots from where the wind blows away all the sand. Breathtaking view of the rocks and the beach with marble sand.
Sail as far as the old Circum-Baikal Railway, historic and architectural monument of the late 18th century.
In the evening discovery of the Circum-Baikal tunnels and galleries pierced into the mount.
Night on board.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Boat
Accommodation type: Boat
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, shared WC and bath / shower

Day 3

After lunch 2-hour journey to Listvyanka, village located in the very place where the Angara River flows out of Lake Baikal. Disembarkation. End of the programme.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Boat
Let’s be more nature !

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.

Departures & Prices
Departure: Base Price: Status:
1. From 12.07.2012 to 14.07.2012 15,500 RUB  /  501 $ /  394 € Guaranteed departure
2. From 25.07.2012 to 27.07.2012 15,500 RUB  /  501 $ /  394 € Guaranteed departure
3. From 07.08.2012 to 09.08.2012 15,500 RUB  /  501 $ /  394 € Guaranteed departure
4. From 20.08.2012 to 22.08.2012 15,500 RUB  /  501 $ /  394 € Guaranteed departure

Price Comment:

The price is subject to change due to fuel costs.

The trip is priced assuming accommodation in 4-berth cabin.

Triple cabin supplement is 2500 RUB per person.
Twin cabin supplement is 6000 RUB per person.

What's Included

Price includes: Price does not include:
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Meals
  • Medical insurance
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Letter of invitation
  • Administrative registration
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Optional activities
  • Transfers
Booking Options

Booking is made by paying a 50% deposit of the total cost.
The balance of 50% 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

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.

Checklist & Equipment

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.

Recommended checklist:
  • Foulard or tagelmust

  • Original or electronic air tickets with a set of photocopies kept separately

  • Photo / video camera

  • American Express Travelers Cheques
  • Bank card or international credit card
  • Binoculars
  • Charger and spare battery for camera/phone
  • Comfortable walking shoes (like Vibram or similar)
  • Flask
  • Fleece jacket or warm sweater
  • Forceps for extracting ticks
  • Headlamp
  • Insect repellent spray
  • Laundry detergent for washing your clothes
  • Lightweight trekking socks
  • Lipstick
  • Long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts
  • Moisturizer
  • POLARTEC or similar pullover
  • Passport and visa with a set of photocopies kept separately
  • Pocket knife (to put in checked baggage)
  • Raincoat
  • Sewing kit
  • Shorts
  • Slippers
  • Sun protection cap
  • Sunglasses with filter
  • Sunscreen for skin and lips
  • Swimsuit
  • T-shirts
  • Tennis or jogging shoes for city walks
  • Tick repellent
  • Toilet roll
  • Tour vouchers and programme
  • Universal AC power outlet
  • Windproof waterproof pants and jacket (GORE-TEX, EVENT, SIMPA-TEX)
  • Wipes
  • Wristwatch or pocket alarm clock
Meals Included

2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners.

Meals

Three meals a day on shipboard, cuisine, based on fresh products and caught fish.

If you are a vegetarian or have any particular preferences, please let us know, so we could adapt the menu.

Visas

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.

Money

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.

Tipping

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.

Health

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.

Security

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.

Medical Form

No particular physical condition is required.

Travel Insurance

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

Emergency Contact

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.

Legal Mentions

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.

Index

Tour Overview Strong Points Of The Tour Tour type Difficulty Level Comfort Level Exclusivity Level Destinations and visited areas Start / Finish
Tour Programme
Let’s be more nature !Departures & Prices What's Included Booking Options Cancellation OptionsChecklist & EquipmentMeals Included MealsVisasMoneyTippingHealthSecurityMedical FormTravel InsuranceEmergency ContactLegal Mentions