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Cruise on Alexander Veliky Ship

This tour is not available and is archived.
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Highlights
  • Nice stopover for discovering Lake Baikal aboard a comfortable ship
  • Alternation of activities: cruise, trekkings, cultural discovery
  • Meeting a Buryat shaman
Tour Overview

This cruise invites you to discover main places of interest on Lake Baikal aboard comfortable double-deck cruise vessel Alexander Veliky that can accommodate 32 guests. The lower deck has 5 double cabins, 6 twin cabins and 3 triple cabins at its disposal, each of which is appointed with WC and shower inside. There is a restaurant, a bar and reception on the upper deck. The cruise vessel is staffed by 15 members of crew.

Leaving Irkutsk, you will head towards Olkhon Island, holy land of shamans, following the west shore of Lake Baikal. You will discover famous Burkhan Rock, the residence of the Baikal god, and will meet a Buryat shaman. We will follow the same itinerary to go down the lake, but this time we will sail by night. The day will be spent on the discovery of the Baikal sceneries, the old Circum-Baikal Railway and its tunnels, and traditional fishing villlages.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Meeting at the riverside station of Irkutsk ("Raketa"). 10.00am Ship embarkation. Voyage up the Angara River towards Baikal Lake and the Circum Baikal Railway. 10.20am Breakfast. 01.00pm Lunch. 03.00–05.00pm Arrival at Tolsty ("Thick") Cape. Discovery of tunnels. 05.00pm Departure for the Peschanaya Bay (Sandy bay). The 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. 07.00pm Dinner 01.00am Arrival at the Peschanaya Bay.
  • Day 2
    10.00am Breakfast 11.00am Walk in the bay. Ascent (260 m/850 ft) for a picturesque viewing point to enjoy an exceptional view of the surroundings (2h 30m walk) or trekking to the Babushka Bay ("Grandmother") to discover its white sand beach (1.5 km, 1.5-2 h walk). 02.00pm Lunch aboard. 02.00pm Coasting to the Sennaya Bay where a house of the forest guards of the national park can be found. Walk along the shore. Possible Russian banya – traditional bath house (for an extra fee). 06.00pm Departure for the Olkhon Island. 07.00pm Dinner.
  • Day 3
    05.00am Arrival in the village of Khuzhir, the central settlement on the Olkhon Island. 09.00pm Breakfast. 10.00am – 02.00pm Visit to the village museum (at extra cost), discovery of sacred shaman rock, Burkhan, the residence of the Baikal god. Meeting a shaman and participation in a shaman rite. 02.00pm Lunch aboard. Tasting traditional Buryat cuisine. 03.00pm Departure for the Ogoy Islet across the Maloye More Strait (Small Sea). 03.15 – 05.00pm Discovery of the Ogoy Islet with its Buddhist stupa. 05.00pm Departure for Irkutsk. 06.00 – 07.00pm Diner aboard.
  • Day 4
    08.00am Breakfast. 09.00am Arrival in Irkutsk. End of voyage.
          Detailed description
          New departures available soon
          Price includes
          • English-speaking guide services
          • Accommodation as per itinerary
          • Transport as per itinerary
          • Meals
          • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
          • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
          • Banya
          • Letter of invitation
          Price does not include
          • Transfers in Irkutsk
          • Administrative registration
          • Personal expenses and tips
          • Visa fees and travel insurance
          • Optional activities
          For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
          Note

          The price is given per person for accommodation in a double cabin. A single cabin costs 31,000 rubles. A berth in a triple cabin costs 20,000 rubles. The price does not include the entrance fee to the museum of Khuzhir.

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