Great Baikal

Destination: Lake Baikal

Geography of the trip

Difficulty

Comfort

12 Days

Highlights

Meeting with locals and tasting of traditional food

Circle tour of Lake Baikal

Water transport is largely used during the tour

Perfect combination of the price and the tour scale

Bathing in the hot springs

Visit of the northernmost and the southernmost points of Baikal

Twice Baikal crossing

Discovery of genious architectural constructions of the Circum-Baikal Railway

See the confluence of Lake Baikal with the rebellious Angara River

Tour Overview

You wish to discover Lake Baikal from south to north, west to east? You would like to have an idea about the diversity and uniqueness of its area? Join the adventure! It's our greatest tour to Lake Baikal in summer. This tour includes the visit of the key Baikal places. During 12 days you will alternate transfers by car and by boat. In this outstanding journey around the whole lake, you will discover stunning sceneries: steppes, river delta, sand dunes, cliffs, taiga - preserved fauna and flora and the rough but generous soul of Siberians. You will visit the southernmost and the northernmost points of Lake Baikal and cross the lake in its central and northern parts. The total distance of the itinerary is more than 2000 km. For understanding the immensity of this tour, just take a look at the map!

Though there are a lot of excursions during the tour you will be able to relax and enjoy peace of Baikal beauties. You will taste the local cuisine and get acquaintance with culture and history of the region.

In the beginnig of the tour and in the end of the tour you will have a journey on train along Circum Baikal railway and by the Baikal–Amur Mainline (BAM) – one of the biggest railway lines all over the world.

This tour is available for everyone. No particular physical condition is required.

After this tour, you will be able to say that you know the summer Baikal!

Day 1
The golden buckle of Russia
Irkutsk — Listvyanka
Day 2
The biggest island of the lake Baikal
Listvyanka — Olkhon island
Day 3
North part of the Olkhon island
Olkhon island
Day 4
Day at leisure on the Olkhon island
Olkhon island
Day 5
Crossing of lake in its widest part
Olkhon island — Ust-Barguzin
Day 6
Free day in the Baikal village
Ust-Barguzin
Day 7
Along the eastern shore of the lake Baikal
Ust-Barguzin — Khakussy
Day 8
Hot springs of the lake Baikal
Khakussy
Day 9
The northern part of the lake
Khakussy — Severobaikalsk
Day 10
Day in Severobaykalsk
Severobaykalsk
Day 11
Baikal–Amur Mainline on train
BAM
Day 12
End of the programme
Severobaikalsk — Irkutsk

07:00
Gathering a group
Meeting with the group and your guide at the railway station. Acquaintance with the group and discussion of the tour's details. *If you arrive the day before, we organise free transfer from your hotel in the morning. If you need help with booking of the supplement overnight reservation or transfer from the airport, please contact us.
07:45
Departure of the train from Irkutsk-Passazhirsky station
The boarding starts 15 minutes before the train leaves. In Sludianka you will have 40 minutes stop and you have possibility to go for a walk. The interesting fact of Sludianka is that it's railway station building is the only one that built of the pink and white marble.
11:00
Along the Circum Baikal railway
Circum-Baikal Railway is the biggest historical architectural monument in Russia nowadays! Before the Revolution of 1917 it was called "Golden buckle on the steel belt of Russia": buckle because it connected the Trans-Siberian Railway pulled apart by Lake Baikal, and golden because regarding the cost of works it excelled all railways existing in Russia. It runs along the Northern shore of the Southern extremity of the lake from the town of Slyudyanka to the Baikal settlement. On the Circum-Baikal Railway, you will definitely see old Baikal settlements, grand tunnels, stone galleries, supporting walls, bridges and viaducts. During the excursion we will visit: the Angasolka village, Polovonnaya station, the unique architectural complex "Italian wall" and the station Ulanovo (Khvoynaya).
13:00
Lunch on the train — Not included
You can order lunch on the train. The lunch is not included in the price, the payment on site in cash.
17:20
Arrival in Port Baikal
The end of our railway route is the port of Baikal. Visit to the old building of the railway station. Taking a ferry to Lystvianka.
18:00
Arrival to Listvyanka village
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and rest.
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Overnight in the hotel.

07:00
Breakfast in the hotel
08:00
Departure to the Olkhon island
In the morning, departure by hydrofoil to Olkhon Island. The route runs along the western shore of Lake Baikal and will take about 4 hours. During the journey, you will see the incredible landscapes of Lake Baikal, which are accessible only during a water trip.
12:15
Arrival on Olkhon island
You will arrive in the Zagli bay, then transfer to Khuzhir, the main village on the island. Accommodation at the tourist base.
13:00
Lunch — Not included
14:00
Excursion in Khuzhir
After a long journey, it's time to have a good rest and stroll arond the village to discover one of the most important natural sights of Olkhon Island - Cape Burkhan or Shamanka. Breathtaking views are guranteed.
19:00
Dinner in the resort
Night in the resort

09:00
Breakfast at the resort
10:00
Olkhon island excursion
After breakfast excursion by 4X4 (UAZ) to Khoboy Cape, the northernmost point of Olkhon, sacred place of shamans. The trip will allow you to discover the beauty of the Maloye More (Small Sea) and its islets, also places of worship of shamans. Stroll to the cape.
13:00
Outdoor lunch
14:00
Walking around and come back
Return to Khuzhir. Visit of the hamlet of Uzury on the east of the island. The pathway passes through steppes, beaches and taiga.
18:00
Dinner at the resort
Overnight on the resort

09:00
Breakfast on the resort
10:00
Time at leisure on the Olkhon island
Optionally we propose to you: - "Excursion by 4X4 to the Khorgoy Cape" (Excursion by 4X4 (UAZ) to the southern shore of the island. We will visit the Khorgoy Cape.) - "Horse riding" (Horse riding in accompanied with your experienced instructor). - "Buryat village" (Visit of the Buryat village with its original culture? You will taste the national dishes).
13:00
Lunch — Not included
18:00
Dinner on the resort
Overnight in the resort

09:00
Breakfast on the resort
09:30
Transfer to the port
10:00
Navigation to Ust-Barguzin
After breakfast boarding on private comfortable boat. Crossing of Lake Baikal in its widest part. This great cruise will really allow us to sail in the geographical centre of the lake.
13:00
Lunch
You will taste a delicious lunch of fresh fish on board.
14:00
Continuation of the navigation
We will sail for several hours before reaching Ust-Barguzin, the village of fishermen located in Barguzinsky Gulf.
15:00
Arriving to Ust-Barguzin and transfert to guest house
19:00
Dinner
20:00
Russian banya
Overnight in the guest house

09:00
Breakfast
10:00
Free time
Visit suggestions: cruise to Ushkany Archipelago to observe freshwater seal or ascent of the summit of Svyatoy Nos Peninsula ("Holy Nose"), 1877 m (at extra cost) or excursion to Barguzinskay Valley (extra charges).
13:00
Lunch
14:00
Walking around the village
This day is a good possibility to walk along the coast and to get to know to the authentic life of the Baikal village.
19:00
Dinner
Overnight in the guest house

08:00
Breakfast
08:30
Transfer to the Monahovo village
12:00
Outdoor lunch
13:00
Departure to the resort Khakussy by private boat
You will navigate along the eastern coast of Lake Baikal in its wildest part. There are no people and there are two nature reserves.
17:00
Arrival to Khakussy
Accommodation at the resort and rest.
19:00
Dinner at the resort
Overnight in the resort

09:00
Breakfast at the resort
10:00
Free time at the resort
You can enjoy the Thermal springs complex "Khakussy" located in the coniferous forest. You could enjoy taking bathes in hot water (+42…+46 °С) either in open air swimming pools (lidos) or in the building. Those who will still have forces to walk, our guide will accompany you to the Ayaya bay.
13:00
Lunch
14:00
Free time
19:00
Dinner
Overnight in the resort

09:00
Breakfast
10:00
Departure to Severobaikalsk
After the breakfast, departure by the speed boat to the northern part of the lake, to the town Severobaikalsk.
12:30
Arrival to Nijneangarsk
Transfer to Severobaikalsk. Arrival, check-in in the hotel. Rest.
13:00
Lunch in the hotel
19:00
Dinner
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast in the hotel
10:00
Time at leisure in the city
The Severobaykalsk city is situated in the valley surrounded by the Baikal Mountains. The city's foundation and the developping of the north baikal territory is related to the construction of the BAM (Baikal–Amur Mainline). You have possibility to stroll, to have a rest and to buy all you need for the train. As option, we propose the bathing in the hot springs "Goudzhekit". The thermal waters are located in the floodplains of Goudzhekit and come out of the ground at a temperature of 50°C. The waters of the hot springs are well known for their rich composition of silicic acids and alkalis properties.
20:30
Transfer to the railway station
Embarkation and departure.
Overnight in the train

11:00
Day in the train
Our itinerary passes by the the popular BAM mainline (Baikal-Amur Mainline), one of the biggest railroad in the world. Its construction began in 1938 and goes through the country for 4287km. The BAM mainline crosses the path of the legendary Transsiberian railroad before the two part from each other in Tayshet. This mainline was mainly built by prisoners from the labour camps, then, by volunteers. This is an opportunity for you to see with your own eyes a part of Russia’s History.
Overnight in the train

12:10
Arrival to the railway station of Irkutsk
End of the programme.

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

English-speaking guide
Russian-spaking guide
Accommodation as per itinerary
Excursions and visits as per itinerary
Nature reserves and parks entrance permissions
Accident insurance
Letter of invitation
Ice crampons
Guide during free days
Bathing in hot springs
Meals according to the program

Price does not include

Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Optional activities
Airline tickets

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

Note

The departure is guaranteed for the group from 4 participants. If there are less persons in the group, the price can be recalculated. The price includes breakfast on Day 2-10; lunch on Day 3, 5-9; dinner on Day 2-8. Single supplement 14 300 RUB.

Reviews

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Circuit Grand Baikal été 2016. J'ai passé un trés bon séjour, le circuit proposé par Baikalnature est assez complet, paysages magnifiques. Seul point négatif, le Nord de l'île d'Olkhon, victime de son succés, cet endroit est trés touristique. Quant au reste , de la réservation au retour à l'aéroport, le service est très sérieux, l'hygiène des hébergements proposés est assez correct, douches dispos

Très beau circuit qui permet d'avoir une vision générale du Lac Baîkal et se rendre compte de son immensité lors des traversées en bateau. Suggestion:Peut on réduire de quelques heures les traversées( Une de 12h et une de 5/6h )et de reporter ce temps soit pour découvrir d'autres villages ou flâner dans Irkoust. Tout à fonctionné à merveille pour ce voyage découverte au rythme apaisant du Baîkal et

Nous avons apprecié le circuit du Grand Baïkal avec ses beaux paysages et son côté nature immense et presque intacte notamment dans la partie nord du lac et ce malgré le temps un peu trop long passé dans les transports mais nous comprenons que la dimension des lieux et l'éloignement géographique justifient ces dépacements un peu pénibles. Nous remercions notre guide Natalia qui fût parfaite en

BaikalNature's reply

Nous vous remercions pour les remarques que vous portez à notre attention. Pour les inconvénients que vous avez eu lors des longs déplacements dans la région de l'Altaï, je voudrais vous expliquer que vue que les distances entre les destinations proposées par ce voyage sont assez grandes, alors pour découvrir toutes ces endroits dans un seul voyage il est nécessaire de parcourir plusieurs kilo

Notre guide a été formidable tant au niveau professionnel qu'au niveau humain. La Sibérie est un endroit magique,les points faibles furent les transports ,le premier jour d'excursion sur l'île d'Olkhon où trop de touristes étaient présents (il eut mieux valu une rando dans la nature magnifique ) Merci encore à tous ceux qui nous ont permis ce fabuleux sejours ,notamment Natacha

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