This tour begins in Irkutsk, the nearest city to Baikal lake, then we continue our journey traveling to Listvyanka village and visiting its museums 67 km away from Irkutsk.  We are going to explore half of the west coast of the frozen lake Baikal on board of the hovercraft making stop  in Buguldeika village. Finally we will descent on Olkhon island, the biggest island of Baikal, its geographical, historical and religious centre.

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Tour programme  

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Day 1 Irkutsk

 

Arrival to the airport/ railway station of Irkutsk, meeting with your English- speaking guide.

Transfer to the hotel. City tour. Visit to the Historic Memorial Decembrists’ Museum and the central market with the local products. Dinner. Accommodation in a hotel in Irkutsk.

 

Day 2 Irkutsk - Listvyanka

 

Morning transfer to Listvyanka village. On the way we are going to visit  the open air architecture museum Taltsy where you will learn the history of native people of Siberia. Arrival to Listvyanka.  Lunch.  Walking till the port with its local fish market and souvenir stores. Accommodation in a hotel. Russian sauna (banya). Dinner.

 

Day 3 Listvyanka

 

Visiting the  Baikal limnological museum. Excursion to Nerpinarium, where you will learn all about the Baikal seals (nerpa)  - the only freshwater seal.  Lunch. Visit to the Church of Saint Nicholas. Dog sledging.  Snowmobile ride through the winter forest. Return to the hotel. Dinner.

 

Day 4 Listvyanka - Buguldeika

 

Departure to Buguldeika,  exploring the west coast of the lake on board of hovercraft «Khivus».  On the way we are going to make several stops on the most picturesque places.  Hot lunch on ice with Siberian tea and local herbs. Overnight in Buguldeika village.

 

Day 5 Buguldeika - Olkhon island

 

Traveling on hovercraft to Olkhon island, the biggest island of the lake. Visit to  a famous ancient rock drawing on high gorgeous rocky cliff of Sagan Zaba bay known for its petroglyphs on crystalline limeston. Arrival to Khuzhir village. Accommodation in a mini-hotel. Walking in the village to the famous Shamanka Rock. Dinner.

 

Day 6 Olkhon island

 

Excursion around the northern part of Olkhon Island with Russian 4 WD jeeps UAZ, driving on the ice of Baikal lake and making stops in the most picturesque places.  In the afternoon return to the village. Some free time before dinner.

 

Day 7  Olkhon island - Irkutsk

 

On the way  back to Irkutsk you will visit Ust-Orda village, famous for traditional Buryat culture. After the excursion in the local ethnographic museum we’ll enjoy the folk program and take part in a real shaman ritual. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner.

 

Day 8 Departure

 

Transfer to the airport / railway station of Irkutsk.

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