5 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 6 years
Basic
Guest house or camp site, Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Excursion tours
Nature and history, culture and gastronomy, soothing boat rides and enchanting throat singing, a glimpse into the sacred mysteries of Buddhism and shamanism—over the course of a five-day tour, you'll be completely immersed in Lake Baikal and understand why tourists return again and again.
This tour includes Lake Baikal's most fascinating locations and a variety of unusual activities: from shamanic songs to a meeting with the abbot of a Buddhist datsan! You'll ascend to the Chersky Stone observation deck to survey Lake Baikal and the source of the Angara River, and see the legendary Circum-Baikal Railway from its best vantage point—from the water—during a refreshing speedboat ride. You'll wander through the Circum-Baikal Railway's mysterious ancient tunnels and take the best photos against the backdrop of its beautiful bridges. We'll visit Ogoy Island, the Stupa of Enlightenment, and explore Olkhon Island: from its northernmost point, Cape Khoboy, to the mystical Shamanka Rock. And of course, you'll see Lake Baikal's main symbol: the adorable seals basking on the coastal rocks. You'll also hear throat singing, witness ancient rituals and the traditional "Yokhor" dance, and hear the sounds of the cosmos in the shamanic instrument, the khomus. The tour will also offer plenty of culinary discoveries and delights: hearty Buryat cuisine, picnics in nature with the most incredible views, and a master class in making authentic Buryat buuzas.
To add a personal touch to your adventure, we've set aside one day for activities of your choosing. You can sunbathe on a sandy beach and swim in the world's clearest lake, appreciate the beauty in an art gallery, meet and converse with a shaman, or ride horses or bikes along the most scenic routes. Whatever your choice, we're sure you'll leave Lake Baikal with a piece of your heart!
Stay in modern and spacious Deluxe Twin rooms with views of Lake Baikal. Decorated in subdued, calming tones, the hotel offers high-quality service and stunning views. Situated on an elevated site, the panoramic views from both the rooms and the grounds are truly stunning.
The complex is located on the first line of Saraisky Bay on the legendary Olkhon Island. An ideal location to feel the special energy of these places: cozy rooms decorated with wood, a closed area for quiet walks, a cafe with a terrace and panoramic windows overlooking the lake. The most popular location of Olkhon, Cape Shamanka (Burkhan), can be easily and quickly reached on foot.
We'll meet at Irkutsk airport before 9:00 AM. Ahead lies an action-packed day, beginning with a sightseeing tour of the city. Irkutsk boasts a rich 350-year history: it's a hub of Siberian culture and one of the most important centers of wooden architecture in Russia. Then we'll head to the trip's main destination—the astonishing Lake Baikal. We'll admire it from a height of 300 meters, ascending by cable car to the best observation deck, "Chersky Stone." We'll have lunch at a restaurant, continuing to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. After lunch, we'll check into our hotel and take our first boat ride on the lake: a speedboat will take us past the legendary Circum-Baikal Railway. This picturesque route looks even more beautiful from the water! We'll make stops to stroll along the shore, take photos of graceful railway bridges, and even explore mysterious tunnels. In the evening, we'll return to the hotel and have free time.
After breakfast, we'll leave the hotel and head to the Golden Horde ethno-resort. Lake Baikal offers not only stunning natural beauty but also a fascinating culture, a wealth of authentic details of everyday life, and, of course, delicious cuisine. At the ethno-resort, you'll experience a vibrant folklore program with a colorful fire purification ritual, listen to mesmerizing throat singing, appreciate the sounds of the shamanic instrument khomus, and participate in a buuz-making workshop. We'll have lunch at an ethno-cafe and head to the Small Sea, a strait separated from the main body of Lake Baikal by Olkhon Island. We'll board a speedboat. Weather permitting, en route to Olkhon, we'll make a stop at the mysterious Ogoy Island, home to the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. Upon arrival on Olkhon, we check into a hotel complex located on the very shore of a secluded bay.
Our first stop is Cape Khoboy, the northernmost point of Olkhon Island. It's an ideal vantage point overlooking the endless expanse of Lake Baikal. Legend has it that the first Buryat shaman gained his powers here. Indeed, the energy of this place is incredible! Moreover, cute Baikal seals often bask on the rocks surrounding the cape, giving you the chance to observe these curious animals in their natural habitat. We'll have a picnic in this picturesque spot, and then head to Shamanka Rock (also known as Cape Burkhan). Here, on one of the nine sacred sites of Asia, you'll experience a magical Baikal sunset. If you haven't fallen in love with these places yet, we guarantee that after such a spectacle, your heart will be forever lost to Baikal!
Choose your favorite activity! Spend a tranquil day swimming in the cool yet gentle waters of the cleanest lake on the planet, relax in a sauna and spa, or engage in active sports: bike rides, horseback riding, paddleboarding, or kayaking. Other activities include visiting an art gallery and taking a creative workshop, meeting a real shaman, or taking a tour of the southern part of Olkhon.
We'll leave the hotel and cross the Olkhon Gate Strait by ferry. Then, we'll transfer you to the magnificent Tazheran steppes and enjoy lunch at a Buryat café. In the afternoon, you'll experience the region's Buddhist traditions. We'll visit a datsan in the village of Ust-Orda, where you'll have an audience with the Shireete Lama and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Upon arrival in Irkutsk, we can transfer you to any hotel, the train station, or the airport. See you again!
This tour is suitable for children 6 years and older.
Breakfasts at hotels and lunches along the route - in restaurants or as a picnic in nature.
Mercedes minibuses with comfortable seats, air conditioning, soft music, and bottled water. Due to small group sizes, we can make stops along the way at your request.
The tour price does not include air tickets and entertainment on the fourth day of the program. You can also order and pay separately for a visit to the bathhouse during your stay at the hotel.
Ask questions to the tour coordinator
Tour from an official tour operator from the Rostourism register
