info@baikalnature.com

Olkhon, Heart of Lake Baikal

Destination: Lake Baikal
This tour is not available and is archived.
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
4 Days
Highlights
  • Discovery of the largest island of Lake Baikal
  • Visit to the sacred shamans' sites
  • Tasting of endemic fish - Baikal omul
Tour Overview

Here is one of the best destinations if you have four days at your disposal. Discover Olkhon Island, it's discover the heart of Lake Baikal. This trip is a classical program to explore the largest island of the lake and enjoy of its incredible sightseeing above the lake.

The island represents the geographical, the historical and the sacred heart of the lake, the spot of legends and traditions. Olkhon is the biggest island of the lake. It is a part of the chain of mountains hiding in deep waters of the lake. Located in the centre of the lake close to its deepest point (1637m / 5370 ft), only Olkhon combines all the diversity of landscapes of Lake Baikal. It is a particular land with its microclimate, its perfect fauna and flora. The island is 72 km (45 mi) long and 15 km (9 mi) wide with the surface of 730 sq km (280 sq mi). Shoreline is an alternation of cliffs and sandy bays, forests change into steppes where the winds of Lake Baikal work like skillful artists...

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Way to the biggest island of the Baikal lake
    Irkutsk — Olkhon island
  • Day 2
    Discovery of the island
    Olkhon island
  • Day 3
    Northernmost point of Olkhon
    Olkhon island
  • Day 4
    Departure to Irkutsk
    Olkhon island — Irkutsk
  • 09:00
    Transfer Irkutsk - Olkhon island (scheduled bus)
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 15:00
    Arrival to the island and check-in on the resort
  • 16:00
    Discovery of Burkhan rock
    In the afternoon: discovery of Burkhan rock. Walking around the village and visiting port.
  • 19:00
    Dinner at the resort
  • Overnight in the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Irkutsk — Olkhon island
Accommodation
Accommodation at the resort Lada
-
Note

6 h transfer  (293km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast at the resort
  • 10:00
    Excursion to the south of Olkhon
    Excursion by 4X4 to the southern shore of the island. We will visit the Khorgoy Cape and Khorin-Irgi Cape (Mare's Head) resembles a head of a horse by far and away.
  • 13:00
    Outdoor lunch
  • 18:00
    Come back to the resort and russian banya
  • 19:00
    Dinner on the resort
  • Overnight on the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Olkhon island
Accommodation
Accommodation at the resort Lada
-
Note

6 h 4x4  (70km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in 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 road passes through steppes, beaches and taiga.
  • 19:00
    Dinner on the resort
  • Overnight on the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Olkhon island
Accommodation
Accommodation at the resort Lada
-
Landmarks
Note

7 h 4x4  (80km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast at the resort
  • 09:00
    Transfer Olkhon island - Irkutsk (scheduled bus)
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 15:00
    Arrival at the bus station of Irkutsk
    End of the programme.
Photo of the day
Route
Olkhon island — Irkutsk
Note

5 h transfer  (293km)

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
  • Meals according to the program
Price does not include
  • Visa invitation and registration of passports (for foreign citizens, if necessary)
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Bathing in springs
  • Airplane/ train tickets
  • English-speaking guide
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

THE TOUR IS AVALAIBLE FOR BOOKING FOR ANY DESIRED DATES. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION. Supplement for comfortable accommodation, WC and bath / shower in room 4 500 roubles If you want to book additional nights before or after your tour, please contact us for further informations. We can switch the category of rooms or accommodation according to your request. Please contact us before your departure.

Sign up for our emails!
Why subscribe? First, our newsletters are captivating! We are one of the few tour operators specializing in Russian and Georgian nature, who invests a lot of resources into photo and video-shooting. That’s why even sitting in the office, you’ll feel like you are making your way among arctic ices, walking along taiga valleys, admiring volcanos or looking in the mirror of crystal Baikal waters. Second, there is lots of useful stuff in our letters. The information about outstanding places, new routes’ descriptions, stories from expeditions and trips. And don’t worry, we write in an easy and entertaining manner. And finally, we’re not pushy. You will get all this beauty not often than once a month or two. So you’re gonna miss us!