This tour begins in Irkutsk, the nearest city to Baikal lake, then we continue our journey travelling to Listvyanka village and visiting its museums. The next our stop is going to be the famous Olkhon island - the largest island on the lake, land full of legends and holy places.

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Tour programme 

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Day 1, 29/12

 

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

Transfer to the hotel. City tour. Visiting the Historic Memorial Decembrists’ Museum. After it we are going to have dinner in the house of one local Russian family who live outside the city. Accommodation in a hotel.

 

Day 2, 30/12

 

Morning transfer to Listvyanka village. On the way we’ll visit  the open air architecture museum Taltsy. Arrival to Listvyanka.  Lunch.  Walking to the port with its local fish market and souvenir stores, heading to the Church of St. Nicholas. Accommodation in a hotel. Russian sauna (banya). Dinner.

 

Day 3, 31/12

 

In the morning we’ll visit the Baikal limnological museum, followed by excursion to Nerpinarium, where you will learn all about the Baikal seals (nerpa)  - the only freshwater seal.  Lunch. Snowmobile ride through the winter forest. Return to the hotel.  New Year’s Dinner until late  at night.

 

Day 4, 01/01

 

Free time till lunch.  In the afternoon we are going to the riding centre for dog sledging. Then we’ll take the chairlift to the Chersky Rock to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake which opens from the top.  Coffee break after the descent.  Short boat or hovercraft trip on the Baikal lake.  Russian sauna (banya). Dinner.

 

Day 5, 02/01

 

Early morning departure to Olkhon island, the biggest island of Baikal and one of the sacred shamanist centers, land full of legends and holy places. Lunch on the way. Crossing the strait Male more (Small sea).  Arrival to Khuzhir, the main village on the island. Accommodation in a mini hotel.  Walking in the village till the sacred rock Shamanka. Dinner.

 

Day 6, 03/01

 

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.  In the afternoon return to the village. Some free time before dinner.

 

Day 7, 04/01

 

 

On the way back to  Irkutsk, you’ll visit Ust-Orda village famous for traditional Buryat culture. Excursion in the local ethnographic museum. Return to Irkutsk. Accommodation in a hotel. Farewell dinner.

 

 

Day 8, 05/01

 

 

Transfer to the airport / railway station of Irkutsk.

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