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Olkhon and the Ushkany Islands

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
  • Exploration of two largest islands of Lake Baikal
  • Observation of endemic freshwater seal of the Baikal
  • Various activities: trekking, 4x4, cruise
Tour Overview

This unique trip offers you to discover largest islands of Lake Baikal: Olkhon Island and the Ushkany Archipelago. By 4x4, boat and on foot you will explore the nicest places of the Baikal in summer, visit Chivyrkuysky Gulf and its hot springs.

Baikal Nerpa (endemic freshwater seal) observation takes an important place in the list of discoveries and we will watch over them closely having disembarked on one of the Ushkany Islands.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Leave for Lake Baikal, to Olkhon Island. Stops in picturesque places on the way. We will also stop to blandish the local spirits, to ask their benevolence during the trip. At noon: arrival on Olkhon. Arrival in Khuzhir, the main village of the island. Accommodation in the homestead kept by a local of the village, 200 m from the shore. In the afternoon: discovery of Burkhan rock. Visit of the village, visiting port.
  • Day 2
    After breakfast excursion by 4X4 to Khoboy Cape, the northernmost point of Olkhon. The trip will allow you to discover the north of Olkhon with its various landscapes. The picturesque way passes through steppes, sandy beaches, taiga, abandoned villages. Walk in the surroundings of the cape. Picnic in the open air. Arrival in a small hamlet of Uzury in the east of the island. Accommodation at the weather station. Banya in the evening.
  • Day 3
    Boat embarkation. Cruise around the Ushkany Islands. Possibility to disembark on the island to observe freshwater seals of the Baikal (at extra cost, 2000 RUB / person). Visit to Chivyrkuysky Gulf and Zmeinaya Bay with its hot springs on the shores of Lake Baikal. Bathing in the springs. Night at anchor in the gulf.
  • Day 4
    Bathing and walking in Chivyrkuysky Gulf. Return to Khuzhir in the afternoon. Homestead overnight. Banya in the evening (Russian baths).
  • Day 5
    Morning way back to Irkutsk by sheduled bus. Arrival in Irkutsk by 5.00 pm. End of the programme.
            Detailed description
            New departures available soon
            Price includes
            • English-speaking guide
            • Accommodation as per itinerary
            • Transport as per itinerary
            • Meals
            • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
            • Banya
            • Letter of invitation
            Price does not include
            • Medical insurance
            • Administrative registration
            • Personal expenses and tips
            • Visa fees and travel insurance
            For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
            Note

            Breakfast on Day 1, lunch on Day 1, 5 and dinner on Day 5 are not included. Disembarkation on the Ushkany Islands to see the seal colony is not paid. The amount to be paid on the spot is 2000 RUB per person.

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