• Crossing of frozen Lake Baikal in its widest part
• Acquaintance with the way of life of local people
• Discovery of Arctic landscapes
• Trekking without carrying baggage

This trip allows you to stop and enjoy your free time, to explore a city or region. From a few hours to several days, accompanied by our guide, you will be in perfect harmony with the world around you.

Hiking, requiring 5 to 7 hours of vigorous physical activity per day. Daily distance can be more than 20 km on land, sometimes off-trail, along rocky paths, over steep rocks, ice and snow ... You will carry your stuff in your backpack in summer or by pulka in winter. Group equipment and food will be shared between all participants of the trip. Accommodation is rough. You should be ready to sustain changeable weather with overnight stays in tents despite low temperatures (up to -30 ° Celsius), walking in blizzards, wind, snow or rain. You can experience from 800 to 1200 of vertical drop during several days. You should regularly do endurance sports 3 to 4 hours per week.

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.

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: Lake Baikal. Visited areas: Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Tazheranskaya steppe, Olkhon Island, Maximikha, Ust-Barguzin, Svyatoy Nos, Chivyrkuysky Gulf, Barguzinsky Gulf, Ulan-Ude

Tour start area: Irkutsk, end area: Ulan-Ude

Day 1

Meeting at the bus station of Irkutsk at about 09.00 am. Departure for Olkhon Island by scheduled bus. By noon - arrival on Olkhon. Arrival in Khuzhir, central village. Accommodation in a local family-owned homestead, 200 m/220 yd from the shore. Lunch. Preparation of backpacks, food purchase. In the afternoon: discovery of Burkhan rock, residence of the Baikal god, site of shamanic cult and one of the nine Buddhist sanctuaries of Asia. Village visit.

Day 2

Early in the morning: drive to the north-east of the island, to Uzury, by off-road vehicle. We will spend the whole day on exploration of the surroundings of this small hamlet in the end of the island, walk southwards to discover huge smooth ice expanses, unbelievable scenery. Possible ascent of the mount to admire the panorama of the frozen Baikal. Lunch over the fire. Homestay overnight, banya in the evening.

Day 3

Crossing starts. Heading towards the easten shore, we will pass through the widest and the deepest part of Lake Baikal. We will spend two nights in tent and have a hot meal every night (food cooked on gas burner). Our bags will be transported by a vehicle. Night in tent.

Day 4

We will continue ice-trekking. Night in tent.

Day 5

In the end of the day arrival in Maximiha. We will find long-awaited warm staying overnight at hotel. Banya and good sleep are provided!

Day 6

Day spent on leisurely discoveries. Excursion by 4x4 to Chivyrkuysky Gulf. Bathing in the hot springs of Zmeinaya bay. Meeting with fishermen, participation in ice fishing. Lunch in the open air. Return to Maximiha, night at hotel.

Day 7

Departure to Ulan-Ude. First, we will follow the shore of the lake and then make our way through taiga. Arrival in city at about 2 o'clock. 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.

Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch/dinner on Day 7 are not included.

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.

You will need in Russia in winter:

• to protect yourself from the cold weather;
• to protect yourself from the wind;
• to protect your feet from moisture;
• to protect yourself from the sun's reflection from ice and snow.

Allow the system of "three layers":

• The first layer, called "second skin", determines the performance of the other two layers. It will transport sweat to the next layer and dry quickly to avoid cooling after exercise. Therefore forget the cotton retains moisture in the skin and choose underwear in synthetic fabrics.
• The second layer must keep the heat of the body as long as possible. Warm synthetic or mixed (wool or fleece turtleneck sweater) fabrics, that dry quickly, are preferable.
• The third layer should protect you against wind and moisture. Choose a jacket, long enough, 100% waterproof, preferably with hood.

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.

Crampons for walking on ice will be provided on the spot.

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners.

In the canteen at the inns, fresh local products.

Homestay cuisine based on fresh products.

Cold lunch and hot dinner, cooked on an open fire in the evening.

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.

First-aid kit, satellite phone, walkie-talkie are available at your guide.

A very good 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.