This tour begins in Irkutsk,  the nearest city to Baikal lake. Then we will travel to the republic of Buryatia and will visit the Arshan village situated at the foot of Sayan mountains. We will board the Circumbaikal train and travel on the old Trans-Siberian line to Listvyanka village 67 km away from Irkutsk.  Finally you will explore the Olkhon island, the largest island of Baikal, land full of legends and holy places.

​

 

​

Tour programme

​

Day 1 Irkutsk

 

Arrival in the airport/ railway station of Irkutsk. Meeting your English-speaking guide. City tour. Visit to the local market.

 

Day 2 Irkutsk - Arshan

 

Departure to Arshan village (republic of Buryatia) which is situated at the foot of Eastern Sayan mountains.  Visiting Tunkinsky National Park.  Short trekking to Kyngarga waterfall.

 

Day 3 Zhemchug - Arshan

 

We’ll spend the day exploring the village and its picturesque surroundings.  Departure to nearby village Zhemchug.  The optional activity here is to  swim in the local hot springs.  On the way back we pass by a small local observatory with telescopes.

 

 

Day 4  Sludyanka -  Cirkumbaikal - Listvyanka

 

Transfer to  Sludyanka village where

we’ll board on the Circumbaikal train to make a day trip on a former Trans-Siberian railway along the lake shore. In the evening we arrive to Baikal port and take a ferry crossing the lake till Listvyanka village. Accommodation in a hotel.

 

Day 5 Listvyanka - Irkutsk

 

 

Exploring the village with its local port and fish marker with souvenirs stores. Visit to the church of Saint Nicholas. Excursion in the Baikal limnological museum. Next stop is Talsty Museum of Wooden Architecture. Arrival to Irkutsk.

 

Day 6 Maloe more

 

Morning departure towards Olkhon island. On the way we’ll visit the Buryat village Ust-Orda and its ethnographic museum. Accommodation in a hotel on the coast of Male more (Small sea) strait. Dinner.

 

Day 7 Olkhon island

 

Early morning departure to Olkhon island, the largest island on the lake.  On the way we are going to visit Buryat village Ust -Orda with its ethnographical museum. Ferry trip across the Maloe more strait. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner.

 

Day 8 Olkhon island

 

Excursion around the northern end of Olkhon island with Russian 4 WD jeeps UAZ, driving on the ice of Baikal lake and making stops in the most picturesque places.  Open air picnic.  Late in the afternoon return to the village. Free time before dinner to admire the last sunset on the lake.

 

Day 9 Return to Irkutsk

 

Early morning return to Irkutsk. On the way back we’ll pass the Tajeranskaya  steppe with its icebergs that form the Mongolian landscapes. Arrival to Irkutsk in the evening. Accommodation in a hotel. Farewell  dinner.

 

Day 10 Departure

 

Transfer to the airport/ railway station.

​

​