Trekking To The Source Of The Lena River

This tour is not available and is archived.

Difficulty

Comfort

Highlights

Almost complete isolation

Discovery of wild nature of the reserve where any human activity is forbidden

Possibility to see wild animals

Tour Overview

Hiking in the protected nature of the Baikalo-Lensky nature reserve, discovery of amazing sceneries of Lake Baikal and wild taiga, and unforgettable adventure in the company of forestry officers devoted to the reserve - here is what this tour have to offer. On trekking days we will spend nights in winter huts heated with stoves, that will allow us to avoid carrying tents. Nevertheless, you will carry your personal belongings and sleeping bags, food will be divided among all participants. This trekking does not require a special training, but it is necessary to have a good level of fitness and to be used to hike for long distances. Any help in preparing meals is very welcome.

Almost total absence of mosquitoes, abundance of wild animals and shallow fords defined the travel period for this tour. Five days of autonomous trekking with hikes from 10 km/6 mi to 25 km/16 mi a day off the beaten trial will offer you the plenitude of feelings.

Day 1
Meeting in the city centre. Accommodation in guesthouse. Rest. Lunch in homestay. City tour: historic centre, old churches, wooden houses. Excursion in the Decembrists museum. Dinner in homestay.
Day 2
Morning departure to Krestovsky Cape. We will head north-east of Irkutsk through Russian and Buryat countryside. The landscape of wheat fields will change into Siberian taiga and then - steppe. We will stop at picturesque places several times for making offerings to the spirits of the places. On the way visit to the national Buryat museum. Lunch in a roadside cafe serving Buryat cuisine. Arrival to Krestovsky Cape, accommodation at local farm with cordial atmosphere. Walk in surroundings. Homestay overnight. Banya in the evening.
Day 3
Morning transfer to Kocherikovo cape following the west shore of Lake Baikal and the strait of Maloye More (170 km/105 mi). Boat embarkation and journey to forestry officers of the Baikalo-Lensky nature reserve on Pokoyny cape (40 km/25 mi). Dinner and night at forestry officers' place.
Day 4
Possibility to fish in the morning. Departure, heading for the upper Lena. Crossing of Solntsepad pass (1240 m/4070 ft), wonderful view of Lake Baikal and the valley of the Lena river. Night in winter hut on the shore of beautiful small lake called emerald and located deep in taiga. This lake is abundant in fish: slug and grayling of the Lena river came to the lake by fault in the rock linking it with the river. In the evening fishing and dinner by bonfire.
Day 5
Trek continues towards the source of the Lena river following the valley of the river. Smooth itinerary with no elevation changes traverses shallow streams. Night in winter hut, 2 km from the source.
Day 6
Climb towards the source of the Lena. Discover of small beautiful lake with a chapel at the lakeside and ponds of the taiga. Night in winter hut.
Day 7
Proceeding through wild taiga and ponds, we will reach the Lena of Shartla valley, tributary of the Big Lena. Possible to see wild animals: bear, elk, stag. Night at abandoned geological station.
Day 8
After breakfast we will discuss our agenda to go down to the lake: Pokoynaya valley, Shartla valley or Ryty valley. Choice of itinerary depending on weather conditions. Then our small boat will take us back to Pokoyny cape. In the evening banya.
Day 9
Sail to Ushkany Islands (30 km/17 mi) to observe freshwater seal of Lake Baikal (disembarkation near seal colony is paid – 1000 – 2000 RUB/pers). Discovery of the weather station, unique fauna and flora. In the evening return to Pokoyny cape.
Day 10
All day is spent on way back to civilization of Irkutsk city, first by boat to the village of Kocherikovo, then by car to the city. Homestay overnight.
Day 11
Discovery of the village of Listvyanka, a Baikal mecca for tourists. Discovery of open-air museum of wooden architecture - Taltsy and the Baikal museum. Walk at the lakeside, local souvenir and fish market where one can find endemic fish of the lake - omul. Return to Irkutsk. Homestay overnight.
Day 12
Transfer to the train station or airport (not included). End of the programme.

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

English-speaking guide
Russian-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

Medical insurance
Administrative registration
Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
Sleeping bag rental

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

Disembarkation on the Ushkany Islands to see the seals is not included (1000-2000 RUB per person). Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch/dinner on Day 12 are not included.

United Federal Register of Tour Operators number : PTO 009402 | Registered Trademark Certificate number: 552709

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