Wooden architecture in Siberia The fortress of Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on the confluence of two rivers: The Angara and The Irkut. The Irkut River gave the name to the town. The location of Irkutsk was chosen very smartly – the rivers were full of fish and the forest round the fortress was rich…
What is the Great Baikal Trail? The main mission of the organization is the development of ecotourism and the cultivation of a socially responsible society through the organization of volunteer and educational projects. The main idea behind the Great Baikal Trail is to build the first system of environmentally sensitive trails all over Russia. The…
Located in Eastern Siberia, Irkutsk is a fascinating place to visit and has something to offer nearly every type of traveller – from history buffs to outdoor enthusiasts to fans of unique architecture. Whether you’re planning a visit, thinking about adding the city to your must-visit list, or you’ve already set a date and booked…
Yana is our wonderful ExploRussia guide from Irkutsk team. Today she is answering some questions about Irkutsk and Lake Baikal for you. Why did you move to Irkutsk from your hometown? My hometown is really nearby only 20 km away so I can say that I’ve always lived in Irkutsk. What do you like about…
Tea is always a good idea. How much tea do you drink a day? What’s your favorite kind of tea? After reading this article, you will know why you need a towel while drinking tea; how many times you must reject a tea-drinking invitation; what Kyakhta language is and how to become a millionaire living…
Born in nowhere I was born in Siberia, in the windiest month of the year February. My hometown is lost deep in the forest, stretching along the bank of one of the most famous and longest Siberian rivers The Lena. On most maps this town is unidentified. It is located 1000 km from Irkutsk to…
At the end of February – beginning of March it’s getting really hot on the shores of Lake Baikal. The temperature is still below zero. Why is it so “hot”? Why do people from all over the world keep coming to this spot of Siberia at this time? Because this is the time when a…
One of the top five things guides enjoy is answering tourists’ questions. Stay curious and make your ExploRussia guide happy. Today Arina, ExploRussia guide, is giving an interview on Irkutsk and Baikal. Arina, how long have you been working as a guide, and who inspired you to be a guide? I’ve been a guide for…
Everybody all over the world is looking forward to the most wonderful days of the year – Christmas and New Year holidays. These days make you feel happy because you believe all your dreams are about to come true, and some changes to the better are about to enter your life. What pops in your…
Probably every person on the planet wanted to visit Russia at least once in his or her life. Everyone knows about this country due to its huge territory, rich long history, and celebrated culture. But how can you plan a trip to Russia if you want to see more than one city? There are Moscow,…