Russia Lake Baikal Ice 1 week tour

Day 1 – Irkutks Airport - hotel

Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.

Meals included: no.

Day 2 – Irkutsk - Olkhon island

Breakfast

Today we will take a trip to Olkhon Island! (5-6 hours from Irkutsk).
10:00 – Departure from Irkutsk. On the way we will have lunch at the local Buryat cafe and stop at Golden Horde ethno park where we will see a shaman and take part in local tradition rites.

16:30 – Arriving in Khuzhir village (Olkhon), check-in in hotel.

17:30-18:30 – Excursion to the Shamanka rock – the most popular place on the Island.

Excursion to one of the most mysterious and popular places on Lake Baikal is Shamanka Rock (also known as Cape Burkhan) on Olkhon Island near the village of Khuzhir. Shamanka ends with a bimodal rock, called «Shaman-Skala» (Shaman-Rock). The cape is located within the Baikal National Park, and it holds the status of a state natural and historical monument. Shaman-Rock is the most famous symbol of the lake; all photo collections of this natural phenomenon include this rock. The cape consists of crystalline limestone with quartz veins, and the adjacent shore — granite rock.

Overnight in Khuzhir.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 3 – Irkutsk - Olkhon North line

Breakfast.

10:00-16:00 – This day we will take a jeep drive across Lake Baikal towards to its eastern coast line. Along your ice drive route today you’ll see huge icicles, hanging like sharp teethes from the sailings of the rocky grottos of Harazy Island and several quite deep ice caves located at the bottom of the huge cliffs of Three Brother Cape. We will head to the most northern cape of Olkhon, locally called “Hoboy” (means fang tooth in translation) which is a most spectacular place of the whole Olkhon area. At this spot island ends by a high rocky cliff surrounded by endless ice fields with a plenty of ice cracks focusing to the bottom of the Khoboy cliff. Lunch will be prepared over a campfire, directly on the ice.

Overnight in Khuzhir.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4 – Olkhon South line & Ice fishing

Breakfast

10:00-16:00 – Excursion along south shore of Olkhon island.

Today we will visit Horse Cape , ice bubbles lake, frozen bay and Ogoi Island:

Ogoy island – the largest island of the Small Sea. We will see a sacred Buddhist Stupa that was built on the island in 2005. It is believed that Buddhist stupas are intended for dissolution of all negative obstacles in the world, favorably contribute to prosperity of the area where built and benefit people, especially those who visit these stupas consciously.

14:00-15:00 – Experience ice fishing during excursion.

Overnight in Khuzhir.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5 – Olkhon island - Irkutsk

Breakfast.

10:00 – Departure for Irkutsk

On the way we will have lunch at the local Buryat cafe and stop at Tazherany steppe

16:00-18:00 – Excursion around city centre of Irkutsk.

18:30 – Arrival to the hotel.

Overnight in Irkutsk.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6 – Listwyanka village

Breakfast.

10:00 – Departure for Listvyanka village.

Listvyanka is one of the oldest settlements at Baikal lake. Its name is associated with larches that grow on the cape with the same name. Listvyanka is the best place to get to know the unique nature of Pribaikalie. Located 70 km (43 mi) from Irkutsk it lies along the Baikal Lake’s shoreline, in the basin of the Angara River. The riverhead of Angara river lays in the heart of Listvyanka.

11:30-13:00 – Excursion to Baikal Museum.

One of only three museums in the world dedicated solely to a lake, this sometimes overly scientific institution examines the science of Baikal from all angles. Pass quickly by the gruesomely discoloured fish samples and seal embryos in formaldehyde to the tanks containing two frolicsome nerpa seals and the various Baikal fish that you may later encounter on restaurant menus.

13:30-14:30 – Lunch at Mayak Hotel Restaurant – one of the best in the village.

After lunch we will visit local fish market, where you can try different kinds of Baikal fish and the get memorable souvenirs.

16:00-16:40 – Excursion to Cherskiy rock on cableway.

17:00-18:00 – Dog sledding.

19:30 – Arriving in hotel in Irkutsk.

Overnight in Irkutsk.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 7 – Irkutsk city excursion

Breakfast.

11:00-15:00 – Irkutsk city tour. Today we will visit:

Monument to Alexander III. The monument was put up in honour of Alexander III so as to thank him for making the decision of building the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Church of the Sign – one of the oldest Irkutsk’s Orthodox temples, a distinctive landmark of Siberian Baroque. The church is famous for its unique exterior design.

Kirov Square. The area in the Right Bank district of the Irkutsk city, located in the historic center between Lenin and Sukhe-Bator streets; the main square of Irkutsk.

Monument to Cossacks – pioneers is located on the Lower Angara River Embankment, in the birthplace of the Irkutsk city.

Triumphal Arch Moscow Gates -it marks the entrance to the city if coming from the European part of Russia.
130th District-is specially created area of historic buildings in Irkutsk, which includes several dozen monuments of architecture and history of the city.

13:00-14:00 – Lunch in one of the restaurants in the 130th District.

Sculpture Babr – a monument to the Babr is located exactly in the beginning of 130th District.
Monument to Lenin – is Irkutsk’s main statue of Vladimir Lenin.

Overnight in Irkutsk.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 8 – Irkutsk Airport

Breakfast.

Departure for the airport.

Flight back.

Meals included: breakfast