5 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 6 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Sightseeing Tours
Winter Baikal is the perfect destination for New Year's and Christmas! On this trip, you'll truly experience an atmosphere of magic and wonder. Walks through the snowy taiga, marvel at the intricate patterns of ice, and marvel at the stunning sunsets. Spend 5 days here, filled with exciting activities, and make your deepest wishes—they're sure to come true!
A kaleidoscope of impressions and tranquil winter views of Lake Baikal. The tour program is designed to ensure you see the most interesting sights, participate in exciting activities, and learn about the region—all while leaving plenty of time for leisurely strolls and contemplation of the surrounding beauty. You'll see Lake Baikal from above, stroll across the clearest, first ice, enjoy the rolling Tazheran steppes, visit Olkhon Island and the myth-steeped Cape Burkhan. You'll ride in a Russian troika through the streets of a genuine 18th-century village and even virtually descend to the bottom of the lake in a bathyscaphe, meet a seal, and skate on the largest natural skating rink on the planet. Visit a Buryat family and learn about their traditional way of life, and in Irkutsk, see the famous wooden window frames.
A multitude of culinary adventures await you: you'll try authentic Buryat buuzas and participate in a cooking workshop, sample local teas, tarasun, and khorzo, and savor Siberian game delicacies. And, of course, experience the Kiss of Baikal by sipping straight from a hole drilled in the ice.
This group tour is perfect for the whole family. Join us to celebrate Christmas and make your wishes in a magical atmosphere!
Deluxe Twin Baikal View Double Rooms. This modern hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms with stunning panoramic views of Lake Baikal. Situated on an elevated site, even a simple stroll around the grounds offers stunning views.
Standard Double Rooms. This is the only hotel on the island with direct access to the beachfront. Unique interiors crafted from natural materials, a park with unusual art objects, and a restaurant serving authentic local cuisine await you for a peaceful retreat in communion with nature.
Deluxe Double Rooms. This global hotel is located in the city center, offering easy access to all of Irkutsk's main attractions. It offers ergonomic, stylish rooms, European-standard service, hospitality, comfort, and a restaurant with a wide selection of European and Russian cuisine.
The group will assemble and meet the guide before 9:45 AM. Make sure your flight arrives on time.
After meeting at the airport, we'll head to Listvyanka. En route, we'll stop at the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum. This architectural and historical complex is a true Siberian village from centuries past: taverns and fairs, folk entertainment, and troika rides! After the tour, we'll dine on local delicacies at a restaurant while enjoying panoramic views of the Angara River. We'll then head to the Chersky Stone observation deck, where we'll ascend by cable car. Your first glimpse of magical Lake Baikal—from an altitude of 800 meters! You'll have some free time for photos and a stroll, followed by a transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you'll be able to explore Listvyanka on your own, visit the fish market, buy souvenirs for loved ones, or ride the Ferris wheel.
In the morning, we'll head to the Baikal Limnological Museum. Here you'll see the seal, one of Lake Baikal's symbols, learn about the lake's unique ecosystem, and take a virtual dive to the bottom of Lake Baikal in a bathyscaphe. We'll have lunch at a traditional café in the Golden Horde Ethnopark. The menu includes famous Buryat buuzas and other traditional dishes made from recipes passed down through generations.
Our destination is Olkhon Island. The hovercraft "Khivus" will take us there across the frozen Olkhon Gate Strait. Get ready to take countless stunning photos of the Baikal ice and the strait's rugged, secluded bays! On Olkhon, we'll check into a hotel, dine independently, and have free time.
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Cape Burkhan, also known as Shamanka Rock. This picturesque cape, crowned by a two-peaked cliff, is one of the nine sacred sites of Asia and is surrounded by numerous myths and legends. In front of the cliff stand 13 ritual serge pillars, decorated with colorful ribbons. After a stroll around the cape and the surrounding area, we'll head to a Buryat village. Here, you'll learn about national traditions and everyday life, dine on home-cooked dishes, and try your hand at making authentic Buryat buuzas.
We'll return to the hotel by 3:00 PM, with free time. Enjoy a vibrant sunset in the magical atmosphere of this sacred island and make your deepest wishes. They're sure to come true!
We'll leave Olkhon and head to one of the bays of the Maloye More (the exact choice depends on ice conditions). Here, you'll walk on the very first, pristine ice of Lake Baikal, admire its fantastic patterns, and go ice skating. You'll be introduced to the Baikal travelers and sip lake water straight from a hole drilled in the ice.
During lunch, a tasting of traditional Buryat and Mongolian drinks, including teas, tarasun ("milk vodka"), and khorzo, will be held at a traditional café. Upon arrival in Irkutsk, you'll enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the festive evening city. After checking into your hotel, you can celebrate Christmas in the warm atmosphere of one of Irkutsk's restaurants—our manager will help you choose and book your accommodation in advance.
If your flight time allows, you can spend some time exploring Irkutsk further. This beautiful city of wooden architecture and Decembrists truly has a lot to offer—we'll be sure to recommend the most worthwhile places to visit.
We meet at the airport at 9:45 local time. Please take this into account when purchasing your tickets.
Average temperatures on Lake Baikal in January are -12 to -15 degrees Celsius. Temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Celsius or warm up to -5 degrees Celsius. Strong winds are common, so please take this into account when choosing clothing.
We recommend this tour for families with children aged 6 and up. Travelers under 12 receive a 10% discount.
We recommend the Ibis, Airhotel, Courtyard Marriott (Irkutsk City Center) hotels.
Ice conditions are unpredictable. Stable and durable ice typically forms in the bays of the Maloye More (Small Sea) by January, so we plan to visit them, and you'll have the opportunity to walk on Lake Baikal's clear ice.
The connection is only lost for 2-3 hours during the transfer to Olkhon. MTS, Megafon, and Tele2 are available the rest of the time.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
