Tours

Enchanting Winter In Buryatia

Enchanting Winter In Buryatia (Tour # 65891)

From: 1885 $ / 1435 € / 57000 RUB

Difficulty:

Comfort:

Exclusivity:

| Ratings explained » Best price guaranteed

Trip Length: 10 days Group: 2 - 8 Departure: Open Period: January - March Tour type: BaikalNature Original Tour Destinations: Lake Baikal Transport: Private car / bus, 4х4, Public transport Accommodation: Homestay Activities: Trekking, Cultural exploration Visited areas: Buryatia Republic, Ulan-Ude, Ust-Barguzin, Barguzinskaya Valley, Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, Davsha, Ushkany Islands

Presentation
Itinerary
Departures & Prices
Map of this Tour

Strong Points Of The Tour:

Acquaintance with the way of life of indigenous population

Discovery of protected nature of reserves and national parks

Discovery of multiethnic culture of Buryatia

Tour Overview:

Siberia, known as the land of exile for ages, gathered together people from various cultures, adherents of multiple religions, unique ethnic groups persecuted under tsarism and Stalinism. Today, this destination offers all the diversity of cultures and nationalities each with its own traditions and customs but which are however united by the respect for nature and Lake Baikal considered to be sacred.

This adventure is destined for those who are interested in discovery of the culture and the lifestyle of Buryat people and sumptuous nature of frozen Lake Baikal. On the menu of this journey you will find visiting the school of Buddhist monks, the only one in Russia, discovering of the factory producing traditional Russian boots, tasting of traditional dishes of Siberian cuisine, and, of course, walking on the crystalline ice of the Baikal.

Following the tracks of scenic Barguzin valley and those of the Baikal ice field, you will reach some villages lost in Siberian taiga and get to know the way of life of local people. You will visit the Barguzinsky nature reserve and meet forestry officers of Davsha and also discover the weather station on Ushkany Islands. Calm corners of sumptuous nature where nothing seems to interrupt a quiet life of their inhabitants...

Tour Programme:

Day 1

Arrival in Ulan-Ude. Transfer to your homestay (at extra cost). Rest. After the lunch at homestay walking city tour. Discovery of the historic centre of the city, the Soviets square, Lenin's head, Orthodox church, the museum of the history of Buryatia. Dinner and night in homestay.

Day 2

Transfer to the bus station. Leave for Ust-Barguzin by private car (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 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 dated more than 3000 years, 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 4

After breakfast leave north by 4x4 over the Baikal ice towards the Barguzinsky nature reserve and the village of forestry officers - Davsha. The whole day will be spent on driving and discovering of the Baikal ice in all its aspects. Dinner in a homely atmosphere coloured with vodka and night at forestry officers' place.

Day 5

Day devoted to exploration of the reserve. Accompanied by forestry officers, we will head through taiga to discover the traces of animals and untouched nature of the reserve. Return to Davsha in the evening. Homestay overnight.

Day 6

Here we are, again in our 4x4 to drive down the lake towards the Ushkany Islands. Lunch in the middle of the lake assured by off-roadsters. Homestay overnight at the weather station on the island. Banya.

Day 7

At a leisurely pace, we will devote the day to discovery of the Ushkany Archipelago. Walk around the islands and climb of the summit of Large Ushkany (216 m/700 ft), breathtaking view. Night on the island. Banya in the evening.

Day 8

Morning drive to the northern point of Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. We will go round the peninsula and enter Chivyrkuysky Gulf. Possible participation in ice fishing with villagers. Lunch in open air near the hot springs of Zmeinaya bay. The water of springs has some medicinal properties. Bathing! We continue our journey to Ust-Barguzin following the shore of Svyatoy Nos, then that of Barguzinsky Gulf. Night in the fishing village of Ust-Barguzin in homestay.

Day 9

Our drive takes us to Ulan-Ude, capital of the Republic of Buryatia. 270 km/168 mi of roads and tracks. Homestay accommodation. Lunch. Excursion in Ivolginsky Datsan, Buddhist temples complex outside the city, in extraordinary steppe. This Datsan, the most important building for public worship in Buryatia, is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. Dinner in restaurant in the city, traditional Mongolian cuisine. Homestay overnight.

Day 10

After breakfast transfer to the airport or train station (at extra cost). End of the programme.

This tour is offered with the open departure date. To book the tour please contact us.

Trip Availability:	Prices:
From 20.01.2012 to 20.03.2012 Depart any day within this period	75,500 RUB / 2,497 $ / 1,900 € / person for the group of 2 participants 63,900 RUB / 2,114 $ / 1,608 € / person for the group of 3-4 participants 57,000 RUB / 1,885 $ / 1,435 € / person for the group of 5-8 participants

Please select number of adults

Price includes:	Price does not include:
English-speaking guide Accommodation as per itinerary Transport as per itinerary Meals Medical insurance Excursions and visits as per itinerary Reserves and national parks entrance permissions Banya Letter of invitation	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

Booking Options

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.

Cancellation Options

Please read carefully our Terms & Conditions

Book this tour / ask a question

Detailed description of the tour