Sunny Buryatia

This tour is not available and is archived.

Difficulty

Comfort

Highlights

Most get-to-know-local-people journey

Discovery of main sights of Buryatia

Baikal freshwater seal observation

Tour Overview

Lake Baikal is divided geographically into two parts. The west is located in the Irkutsk region and its east belongs to Buryatia. This tour invites you to discover the treasures of the Republic of Buryatia and indescribably beautiful landscapes of the east shore of Lake Baikal. Every day will be an unforgettable discovery for you. You will take a tour of the centre of Buddhism in Russia, Ivolginsky Datsan, and main museums that will tell you about the history and the culture of this unique land. You will visit Old Believers who keep carefully their traditions and customs and you will be treated with their traditional dishes.

If Siberia is famous for its cold climate, it is also well-known for abundance of sunny days. We will make our way to Lake Baikal to enjoy sun rays, visit the Zabaikalsky National Park and discover its sights - Barguzin valley that, according to the legend, is a native land of Genghis Khan's mother, the two largest gulfs, Chivyrkuysky and Barguzinsky, and the Ushkany Islands.

Day 1
Arrival in Ulan-Ude. Transfer to the homestay (at extra cost). Rest. Walking city tour. Discovery of the historic centre of the city, the Soviets square, Lenin's head, Orthodox church. Visit to the historical museum of Buryatia. Dinner and night with a local family.
Day 2
Transfer to the bus station. Leave for Ust-Barguzin by bus (270 km/168 mi). We will go through taiga and reach the Baikal shore, and then the road (that is sometimes only a track...) will follow the lake. Arrival in Ust-Barguzin in the afternoon, homestay accommodation, lunch. Discovery of the village, walk along the shore. Dinner in homestay. Banya (Russian sauna) in the evening.
Day 3
All-day excursion on Lake Baikal. Early in the morning we will start our drive to Monakhovo following the tongue of sand that separates two largest gulfs. On the way discovery of Barguzinsky Gulf and Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. Boarding a fish boat, grand tour of Chivyrkuysky Gulf. We will visit Zmeinaya Bay (bay of snakes) and its hot springs, bathing. Lunch in the open air, you will taste a local dainty, endemic fish of the lake – fresh omul. Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening, homestay overnight, opportunity to take banya.
Day 4
All-day excursion to the Barguzin valley, passing by the village of Barguzin (not to be confused with Ust-Barguzin), first settlement site of the Russians over Lake Baikal. Rock paintings of more than 3000 years old, stone garden of 10 sq km (4 sq mi), salt lakes and teeth of majestic rocks. Picnic in the open air. Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening, homestay overnight. Opportunity to enjoy banya.
Day 5
Boat embarkation and sail towards the Ushkany Islands. Here, this is the largest rookery of endemic Baikal freshwater seal. This unique animal observation. Return to Ust-Barguzin for traditional banya.
Day 6
After breakfast we will make our way back to Ulan-Ude. Arrival in the city by 2 o'clock, transfer to homestay. Then we drive outside the city, to the village of Ivolga, up to the cloister. Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, Buddhist temples complex located in beautiful steppe. This Datsan, the most important building for public worship in Buryatia, is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. Excursion around the Datsan complex.
Day 7
After breakfast visit to the open-air ethnographic museum: discovery of architecture and lifestyle of Buryats, Russians, and Cossacks. Leave for the village of Old Believers - Bolshoy Kunaley. We will visit traditional homes, enjoy a folk concert, participate in different games and customs. Lunch in the village. Return to Ulan-Ude by 5 pm. Homestay overnight.
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to the airport or train station (at extra cost). 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
Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
Banya
Letter of invitation

Price does not include

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

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

Note

Groups of more than 4 persons will be accommodated in different places in the city centre of Ulan-Ude.

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