4 days
Fixed dates
8 people
from 8 years old
Average
Hotel
Russian
Excursion tours, Expeditions
Beauty lies in the smallest details—the bubbles and cracks that transform the ice into a work of art—and in the breathtaking scale of giant ice hummocks and mysterious ice grottoes. A rich and emotional program for those who want to experience Lake Baikal in winter in a short time.
You'll see the ice of the world's purest lake in all its incredible forms: splashes and grottoes, frozen bubbles and graceful patterns. Visit famous bays and capes—in winter, Baikal's coastal cliffs look especially majestic, adorned with enormous icicles and ice splashes up to 15 meters high. You'll also have the opportunity to go ice skating and rafting, be initiated into becoming an ice traveler, and visit the "sacred heart of Baikal"—Olkhon Island.
We combine active entertainment with an introduction to local culture and beliefs. You'll learn what "burkhanit" means and how to do it correctly, witness a beautiful fire purification ritual and a yohor round dance, and hear mesmerizing throat singing. On sacred Ogoy Island, you can make a wish and walk around the Stupa of Enlightenment (an odd number of times is a must!) to make it come true.
In February and March, the tour program includes a visit to the first and only Arctic station on Lake Baikal. In an atmosphere reminiscent of the 19th and 20th century exploration of the Arctic and Siberia, you'll see unique subglacial tulips, stroll through an ice tunnel, ride a kick sled, and even send a postcard from the heart of Lake Baikal!
And, of course, you'll bring home hundreds of photos from the nature-created photo zones. All the tour locations are incredibly photogenic, so make sure your phones, cameras, and drones are fully charged.
Cozy Standard rooms. The hotel is located just 700 meters from the lake, offering inspiring views of the Maloye More (Small Sea). A restaurant, lobby bar, barbecue area, sauna with Tibetan bath, and European-level service are available.
Deluxe Double Rooms. Simple and functional interiors combined with an ideal location in the historic city center.
We'll start in Irkutsk and meet you at the airport before 9:30 AM on the first day of the program. Afterwards, we'll head to our destination—Lake Baikal. En route, we'll stop at the Golden Horde Ethnopark, where we'll enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Buryat dishes and immerse ourselves in the local culture. After lunch, we'll reach our main destination, Lake Baikal. We'll cross the picturesque Olkhon Gate Strait, whose shores are indented with numerous bays, to Olkhon Island and check into our hotel. After a short rest and change, you'll walk across the crystal-clear ice of Lake Baikal for the first time. After dinner, your guide will tell you about Lake Baikal and our plans for the coming days, showing you a map of the region.
After breakfast, we'll head to the lakeshore to board the Khivus hovercraft (a large hovercraft). We'll explore the Maloye More, a narrow section of Lake Baikal separated from the rest by Olkhon. We'll see Capes Uyuga and Tsagan-Khushun, the islands of Izhilkhey and Oltrek, and spectacular ice grottoes. You'll also undergo a Baikal voyager initiation ritual and sample the pristine water straight from the lake, drilling a hole and measuring the ice thickness.
Lunch
will be served at the Port Olkhon art restaurant, which serves traditional Buryat, Baikal, and Siberian cuisine. After lunch, January voyagers will head to the famous Shamanka Rock (also known as Cape Burkhan). From February to March, the program includes a visit to Boro-Boro, the first Arctic station on Lake Baikal! The menu includes smoked Angara trout, fish soup, and Siberian delicacies. Upon returning to the hotel, free time.
The final day's program is no less action-packed! We'll visit many interesting places on board the hovercraft. On the uninhabited island of Ogoy, we'll stroll to the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. We'll also see Capes Khorgoy and Kobylya Golova. We'll stop at Khubyn Island, whose caves transform into fantastical ice castles in winter. After lunch, we'll head out to Lake Baikal, to its most beautiful locations—Orso and Aya Bays. Here, on the incredibly deep-hued ice, active activities await: sledding, ice skating, and even a game of hockey! We'll also take photos over a hummock and go for a spin on it.
Late in the evening, it's time to say goodbye to the region: you'll take a minibus to Irkutsk and check into your hotel.
If your flight time allows, you can explore Irkutsk—our guides will be happy to tell you what's worth seeing and where the most delicious restaurants are. Please note that the journey from the hotel to the airport takes 30 minutes.
The group assembles and departs at 10:00 AM. Please purchase tickets for arrival no later than 9:30 AM (local time).
2. Sun protection: sunscreen with SPF 20 or higher, sunglasses.
3. Personal first aid kit.
4. Ice cleats - optional. You can rent skates or bring your own if you have enough space in your luggage ;-)
5. Camera.
6. Headlamp with spare batteries.
Most of our travelers are aged 25-50. The tour is suitable for children aged 8 and up. Since no significant physical activity is planned, the program is also suitable for seniors.
This is a safe and well-explored route. We closely monitor hiking and ice conditions, making adjustments to the itinerary if necessary (which is rare). Furthermore, the guide and captain always carry a first aid kit. We don't stray far from civilization and can quickly reach the nearest settlement if necessary. Bring your compulsory medical insurance policy.
Dinners cost an average of 1,200-2,500 rubles. Otherwise, plan according to your plans: you can buy souvenirs, alcohol, or medicine, or book a sauna.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
