5 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 8 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
English, Russian
Snowmobiling, Excursion tours
This is the tour that made it into the National Geographic Traveler magazine's TOP 30. It's the choice of travel bloggers for exploring Lake Baikal in winter! Hundreds of fantastic photos, thousands of shades and shapes of ice, delicious dishes, and a touch of extreme sports—we invite you on the most memorable adventure!
A visit to Lake Baikal's most beautiful and secluded corners: grottoes, caves, ice-decorated cliffs, and majestic ice hummocks. Don't think you'll get bored with these views: nature's icy creations are so diverse and astonishing that you'll never want to put down your camera. On this tour, you'll raft on an ice floe, play hockey on the world's largest rink, and visit a polar station where tulips grow right out of the ice.
You'll also see the famous stilted trees of Peschanaya Bay and visit the sacred uninhabited island of Ogoy and the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, which contains 2.5 tons of relics and sacred texts. We'll stroll through Olkhon Island, home to one of Baikal's most recognizable landmarks—Shamanka Rock—and the famous serge pillars. You'll learn about the region's beliefs, traditions, and rituals, be initiated into the Baikal voyagers, and take a sip of the purest lake water directly through a hole drilled in the ice.
The unusual transportation deserves special attention: on this tour, we'll travel not only in comfortable minibuses but also on hovercrafts and trekols. Trekols are the most suitable and safe way to travel across Lake Baikal's ice. Their enormous wheels make them quite tall, offering a spectacular view of all the icy wonders around!
Standard Double Rooms. The hotel is located near Listvyanka, on the shore of Listvennichny Bay, where the Angara River flows into Lake Baikal. Exceptional comfort, surrounded by Siberian nature, a panoramic restaurant serving local produce and exquisite local cuisine. The Baikal Museum is within walking distance.
Standard Double Rooms. This hotel complex is located within a national park. The tranquil atmosphere and just 500 meters from the shores of Lake Baikal are just what you need to recharge after a busy day. All rooms offer lake views.
Standard Double Rooms. The hotel is ideally located in the historic city center, within walking distance of most of Irkutsk's attractions, such as the Angara River embankment and wooden architecture monuments.
We'll meet you at Irkutsk Airport—please ensure your arrival time is no later than 9:30 AM local time. We'll begin our exploration of the region with a short tour of Irkutsk, then head to the village of Listvyanka. The transfer will take about an hour. Here, you'll have lunch, check into your hotel, and change for your first outing onto Lake Baikal's ice. Next on the agenda is an ice floe rafting trip aboard the Khivus hovercraft. Just imagine: surrounded by the boundless icy expanse, the deep blue water, and the snow-white ice, enjoying the mesmerizing scenery and sampling warming local liqueurs! If weather or ice conditions are unsuitable, the rafting trip will be replaced by a visit to the Circum-Baikal Railway.
Upon returning to the hotel, you'll have free time. You can take a stroll through Listvyanka, browse the souvenir shops and fish market, or admire the panorama of Lake Baikal from the Ferris wheel.
Today, we'll sail across Lake Baikal towards Olkhon Island. Along the way, we'll visit the most famous locations, perfect for photoshoots!
In the morning, we'll leave Listvyanka and head on a Khivus to our first destination—the famous Peschanaya Bay. Picturesque stilted trees with their intricately intertwined exposed roots, a panoramic view of Lake Baikal, and the marbled patterns of crystal-clear ice—we'll have a snack and lots of photo ops! Our next stop is Aya Bay. We'll admire the ice and surrounding landscapes and have lunch at a café with an inspiring view.
By evening, we'll reach Maloye More, a narrow strait between the coast and Olkhon Island. We'll check into a recreation center and have dinner.
On the third day of our journey, we'll experience another unusual mode of transport: from the Khivus, we'll transfer to TREKOL amphibious all-terrain vehicles. Mysterious snow-white grottoes and hummocks—immense masses of translucent, sparkling ice—await us.
We'll have lunch at a stunning restaurant at the Boro-Boro Arctic Station. It recreates the atmosphere of the polar and Siberian expeditions of the 19th and 20th centuries, offering numerous unique photo opportunities, including subglacial tulips and a snow igloo. The menu features flavorful local dishes: hot-smoked Angara trout, fish soup, and Siberian pickles. We'll also see Olkhon Island, Shamanka Rock, and the sacred serge pillars. Our guide will tell you about local traditions and legends. In the evening, we'll return to the hotel complex for dinner and a break from an action-packed day.
We'll continue our exploration of local beliefs by visiting the sacred island of Ogoy. The Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment is located here. It's believed to help travelers fulfill their wishes: if you circle the stupa an odd number of times while contemplating your cherished dream, it will surely come true.
After lunch on the shores of Lake Baikal, we'll continue exploring the hummocky fields, frozen white banks, and fantastical grottoes. You'll also be initiated into the tradition of Baikal travelers and experience the most memorable ritual of this tour—taking a sip of the purest water straight from a hole in the ice. In the afternoon, we'll bid farewell to the lake and head to Irkutsk. After checking into the hotel, there's time for dinner and a stroll around the city.
If you have time before your flight, you can explore Irkutsk further. Please note: the journey to the airport takes 30 minutes, and hotel check-out is until 12:00 PM.
The group assembles and departs at 10:00 AM. Please purchase tickets for arrival no later than 9:30 AM local time.
You'll need warm winter clothing and footwear that's windproof and allows for freedom of movement. We provide a detailed list of recommendations when you purchase your tour. Also, don't forget sun protection: sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or higher and sunglasses.
This is an active adventure, but there will be no serious physical exertion. Children 8 years and older (younger can be discussed separately) and active seniors are welcome.
All routes are well-researched, the transport is prepared for winter Baikal conditions, and you will be accompanied by experienced guides, captains, and drivers. We monitor weather and ice conditions and adjust the itinerary as needed. We are also always located close to civilization and can quickly reach populated areas.
All hotels are well-equipped, all rooms have a shower and toilet.
This option is available at accommodations. Reservations must be made the day before your trip, and an additional fee applies.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
