New Year Party On Lake Baikal

We invite you to go on a journey to Lake Baikal and share with us the greatest pleasures of winter, which Siberia offers us. It is an exceptional opportunity to meet New 2009 Year in keeping with the best local traditions in the heart of Siberia while discovering freezing Lake Baikal ! In the very centre of the lake, on Olkhon Island, you will plunge into particular atmosphere of Siberian winter. This tour means discovery of the sacred land of Buryat shamans, opportunity to skate on the largest skating-rink in the world what is the Baikal, and celebration of New Year’s Day, the most favourite and waited with impatience holiday of all Russians. Magic decoration of sumptuous landscapes will be enriched by revelation of the regional history and customs always keeping in touch with local people during the tour.

On December 31, in the evening, we will gather in a welcoming homestead with the head of household, his family and his guests for a New Year’s dinner. We will play traditional Russian games, dance and sing with Father Frost and his granddaughter, the snow maiden Snegurochka, and taste local holiday dishes. On January 1, in the morning, everyone will find his or her gift under the Christmas tree left by generous Father Frost !

Day 1 / December 28, 2008 / Sunday
In the morning arrival in Irkutsk. Pick up at the airport or railway station. Transfer to the homestay. Free time till noon. Lunch. The Decembrists museum. City tour, discovery of different sculptures of ice on the central square and the Christmas tree in the center. Visit to the old churches, wooden houses, central market.

Day 2 / December 29, 2008 / Monday
In the morning passage to the strait of Olkhon Gates*. Stopover with visit to the national museum of Ust-Orda, administrative centre of the Ust-Orda Buryat District. Discovery of Buryat and shaman culture. Lunch in a cafe of Buryat cuisine in Ust-Orda. Continuation of travelling. Stops in picturesque places on the way. We will stop to blandish local spirits and ask their favour for the trip. In the afternoon arrival to Lake Baikal. Accommodation in guesthouse on the shore of the lake. Discovery of the freezing Baikal. Opportunity to skate on the Baikal ice sheet** !

Day 3 / December 30, 2008 / Tuesday
In the morning crossing the strait by hydroskimmer / ship*. Transfer to Khuzhir*, main village on Olkhon. Accommodation in the homestead of the village. Discovery of Burkhan Rock, the Baikal severe Spirits residence. Walk through the village.

Day 4 / December 31, 2008 / Wednesday
After the breakfast : excursion by 4X4 to Khoboy Cape, the northern point of the island. Walking up to the cape. Picnic in the open air. Return to Khuzhir by 4x4. The picturesque track goes through the steppes, taïga, abandoned villages.
In the evening we will celebrate the Russian New Year with Christmas tree, New Year’s dinner, Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and Snegurochka (his snow maiden), contests and traditional music.

Day 5 / January 1, 2009 / Thursday
Free time in the morning. After lunch excursion by 4X4 to the south of the island to discover the Kurykans wall and the hills to enjoy a surprising view of the south of the island, the Small Sea and its islets. Banya in the evening.

Day 6 / January 2, 2009 / Friday
Free time in the morning. Optional : skating. After lunch departure to Irkutsk. Arrival in the city towards evening. Homestay accommodation. Dinner in the restaurant.

Day 7 / January 3, 2009 / Saturday
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Departure. End of the programme.

The only tour will be organised in December 2008 :