Quick Details
- Dates: 14-20 of February 2022
- Departure from: Irkutsk, Russia
- Dress Code: Winter warm clothing (for -15, -20 C dry climate). Winter shoes, warm hat.
Experience the real Siberian winter!
Winter is a special time to visit Russia. But we suggest you go even further and to tour Siberia in winter, the magnificent lake Baikal. This small group tour will allow you to experience the best during your visit from 14-20th of February 2022. Accompanied by our local guide during the whole way you will feel welcomed and indulged into the culture.
The proverb says – there is no bad weather, there is bad clothes. Founders of ExploRussia are all native Siberians, so we invite you to take on the proper winter clothes and explore what probably you have never seen before: endless snowy landscapes, famous blue transparent ice of Lake Baikal, silence of nature and sleeping Baikal. These all combined with the real adventure: ride by snowmobiles, Russian UAZ jeeps, ice-skating and trekking.
This tour is a wonderful chance to enjoy incomparable nature, emerge into the real life of the local people and try Siberian specialties.
Tour Highlights:
- Take a closer look at Irkutsk – the city of old churches, merchants’ glory and lovely old wooden houses
- Learn about the local species and get the first taste of what Baikal is like in Listvyanka village
- Hit the historical Baikal Railroad by snowmobiles and be inspired with the history of the place
- Explore Olkhon island – the pearl of the lake and the keeper of its true spirit
- Spend the day exploring North of Olkhon island by Russian UAZ jeeps
- Experience ice-skating on lake Baikal next to Khaboy cape
- Get a glimpse of Buddhist and Buryat culture while visiting the Buddhist Eruption Chapel and trying some delicious Buryat cuisine.
- Be charmed by Siberian hospitality, small villages, and local people
-
14th of February 2022
Day 1. Arrival (free day and excursion in Irkutsk)
Arrival to Irkutsk, transfer to the hotel. The hotel will be in a quiet area outside Irkutsk, where you will be able to relax.In the evening our local guide will show you around Irkutsk, its old city with cozy wooden architecture and some vibrant modern sights. We will hop on one of the nice local bars, where you will taste some of the best Siberian infusion drinks.
15th of February 2022.
Day 2. Heading to Baikal: open air museum Taltsy and Listvyanka village.
Before lunch, we will visit the Open-Air Museum of Taltsy. This is a complex where Siberian wooden architecture pieces were collected from all over the region. Get the first real impressions of Siberia and learn how local peoples used to live here what their life looked like.In the second part of the day, we arrive to Listvyanka and visit local Baikal Museum with exciting exhibits, which show all uniqueness of our beautiful lake. Afterwards we will go up to the great observation point from where you will see one of the best views of this area.
Overnight in Listvyanka (private guest house or hotel).
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
16th of February 2022.
Day 3. Snowmobile ride to the historical Baikal railroad
Today we will experience a real Russian winter and will see one of the oldest and legendary part of the area – the old Baikal railroad. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century as part of the Trans-Siberian railway. After the big flood this line was terminated and it now represents an architectural monument with 39 tunnels, 200 bridges and viaducts.We will take snowmobiles and travel on the Baikal ice (2 passengers travelling in one snowmobile) along the old Baikal railroad and will see number of constructions, the most impressive is so-called Italian protective wall, which was built by Italian workers.
Snowmobiling is quite easy and does not require a driving license or any special experience. It is a secure way of getting around on the ice. Our experienced companions will give safety instructions to the group, this will assure the safe ride in a vehicle like this.
Overnight in Listvyanka (private guest house or hotel)
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner
17th of February 2022.
Day 4. A way to the Olkhon Island by hydrofoil. Best lake Baikal views.
Today you will experience a ride around 360 km by hovercraft from Listvyanka to Olkhon. Hovercraft or hydrofoil is used widely in Baikal area to get around the lake, when the ice turns thick; it is the safe and fast way to travel on ice.On the way you will see the endless snow landscapes of lake and impressive shore. What is more we will stop to observe some nature sights such as Screeper rock, Pestchanaya, Baklaniy Rock, Sagan Saba Cliffs and more. Riding over flat ice is quite fast, but at some places we may meet the fields of broken ice, depending on the ice regime which differs every year.
In the second part of the day arrival to Olkhon Island.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner
Overnight in Khuzhir (private guesthouse).
18th of February 2022. Day 5. Olkhon Island, tour to the North. Russian jeep UAZ tour to cape Khoboi.
Today reach the north of the Olkhon island by the Russian car UAZ (an iconic vehicle famous for its patency). Our path lies on the ice of Lake Baikal. It is enough for the ice to be 35 centimeters thick to drive on it safely, yet in February-March the ice is twice as thick.During this day we will also visit the Kharantsy village, the picturesque cape Three Brothers, cape Khoboi and Usury weather station. We will see ice grottoes, rocks covered with icicles, and a small island resting in the ice.
One of the exciting parts of the day – ice-skating on the lake Baikal next to Khoboi cape.
This day is an adventure of a lifetime here in Siberia.
Overnight in Khuzhir (private guesthouse).
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner
19th of February 2022.
Day 6. Olkhon island, tour to the south of the island. Drive to Irkutsk.
Today we will be back on ice, to get to the Ogoy Island, where the Buddhist Eruption Chapel was built. From there you will be able to see the coast of the Olkhon island and the frozen Small sea.Then we make our way to Irkutsk. We take a break for dinner at a Buryat restaurant.
Overnight stay in Irkutsk (hotel).
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
20th of February 2022.
Day 7. Departure
Farewell. Today is your morning flight from Irkutsk to Moscow. If you want to prolong your stay in Moscow and visit some of greatest sights of the most vibrant and beautiful city – let us know additionally and we will craft the best tour for you.
Meals: Breakfast
-
Accommodation in Irkutsk, hotel 3*, double room with breakfast, day 1, day 6
Accommodation in Listvyanka, private guest house, day 2
Accommodation in Khuzhir, private guest house, days 3-5
Meals: day 2 – day 6 full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), day 7 – breakfast
Private English-speaking guide for all activities as mentioned in the program
Entry tickets to all mentioned museums/areas as per the program
Transfer to and from airport
Private transportation for the group as mentioned in the program
Invitation for Russian visa
-
Flights to & from Irkutsk
Personal expenses
Tips