Itinerary Var. 1 Option 2 (9 days/8 nights)
| Day 1 (SAT) | Flight to Irkutsk via Moscow. Overnight on board. |
| Day 2 (SUN) | In the morning you arrive in Irkutsk and will be transferred to Listvyanka to the wooden chalet. After rest you will have sightseeing by car around the Listvyanka village with the visitto St. Nicolas church, View Point. Overnight in chalet. |
| Day 3 (MON) | On this day you will have a chance to have the dog sledding, ice driving, skating, skiing (these activities are not included in the price, you can buy on the spot or beforehand). Visit to the Wooden Architecture Museum (entrance tickets are not included). Overnight in chalet. |
| Day 4 (TUE) | Free time. Cnt. activities of Day 3. Overnight in a hostel. |
| Day 5 (WED) | After breakfast you will be transferred to Irkutsk. City tour by car without a museum. Transfer to railway station. Lunch is not included. Departure to Moscow by trains:
|
| Day 6 (THU) | On a train. |
| Day 7 (FRI) | On a train. |
| Day 8 (SAT) | Arr in MOW:
Transfer to Hotel. Accommodation in a hotel 3*. |
| Day 9 (SUN) | Free time. Transfer to Airport (this service is not included, optionally) |
Cost:
for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal group
size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, guide service, Baikal chalet (DBL BB).
Not included: Travel to and from Irkutsk,
visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, tickets.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear rental,
extra excursions in Irkutsk, dog sledding, skiing, skating on Lake
Baikal, Moscow cititour.
Itinerary Var. 1 Option 3 (9 days/8 nights)
| Day 1 (SAT) | Flight to Irkutsk via Moscow. Overnight on board. |
| Day 2 (SUN) | In the morning you arrive in Irkutsk and will be transferred to Listvyanka to the wooden chalet. After rest you will have sightseeing by car around the Listvyanka village with the visitto St. Nicolas church, View Point. Overnight in chalet. |
| Day 3 (MON) | On this day you will have a chance to have the dog sledding, ice driving, skating, skiing (these activities are not included in the price, you can buy on the spot or beforehand). Visit to the Wooden Architecture Museum (entrance tickets are not included). Overnight in chalet. |
| Day 4 (TUE) | Free time. Cnt. activities of Day 3. Overnight in a hostel. |
| Day 5 (WED) | Transfer to Irkutsk. A short train trip (1.5 hrs) from Irkutsk Staion till the tiny station “Trudny” that is located on the middle way from Irkutsk to Slyudyanka. Tickets for train trip are included. Lunch on arrival. Skiing with a guide. Price for renting of ski equipment is included. Dinner. Russian bania (sauna). Overnight in a wooden house (25 sq.m. with only one room with two double beds and one single bed). |
| Day 6 (THU) | Breakfast in a wooden house. Skiing with a guide. Lunch. At about 16:00 a local train back to Irkutsk. Private transfer to hotel or homestay. |
| Day 7 (FRI) | Free day in Irkutsk. It is possible to organize a guided city tour on foot or by car. Overnight in a hotel/homestay. |
| Day 8 (SAT) | Circumbaikal railroad tour – meals, guide services are not included. Tickets are included. Transfer by special shuttle bus from Listvyanka to Irkutsk. Overnight in a Irkutsk hotel / homestay. |
| Day 9 (SUN) | Transfer to airport (not included It is possible to rent a taxi in a hotel reception). Departure from Irkutsk to Moscow. |
Cost:
for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal group
size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, guide service, "Victoria" or "Irkutsk"
(std rooms, DBL BB) hotel accommodation in Irkutsk.
Not included: Travel to and from Irkutsk,
visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, tickets not listed.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear rental,
extra excursions in Irkutsk, dog sledding, skiing, skating on Lake
Baikal.
Variant 2. A week Europe-to-Europe Lake Baikal and trip to Mongolia tour, easy grade. Available from last SUN of January till last SUN of March (or first SAT of April).
Itinerary Var. 2 Option 1 (7 days/6 nights)
| Day 1 (SUN) | Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning. Transfer to Listvyanka. After having a rest Listvyanka village sightseeing with the visit to the Limnological Museum. Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 2 (MON) | Full day guide and car service, ice driving, additional service (dog sledding, down hill skiing – paid on spot or reserve beforehand). Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 3 (TUE) | Transfer to Irkutsk, visit
the Wooden Architecture Museum en route. City tour in Irkutsk
with the visit to the History Museum. In the evening departure
by train to Ulaanbaatar. Days 3-5: Overnight in the train. |
| Day 4 (WED) | Train trip Irkutsk-Ulaanbaatar. |
| Day 5 (THU) | In the morning arrival by train in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to Terelj (ger camp). Visit to the Gandan Monastery. Overnight in a ger (FB). |
| Day 6 (FRI) | Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. City tour with visit to the Natural History Museum. Overnight in a hotel. |
| Day 7 (SAT) | Transfer to airport. Departure from Ulaanbaatar. |
Cost:
for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal
group size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, guide service, Baikal chalet (2
nights, DBL BB), ger camp (FB), hotel "Bayangol" or
"Ulaanbaatar" (1 night, std, BB).
Not included: Travel to Irkutsk and from
Ulaanbaatar, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries,
personal items.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear
rental, extra excursions in Irkutsk, dog sledding, skiing,
skating on Lake Baikal, train ticket Irkutsk – Ulaanbaatar
(2nd class – 135 EUR per 1 pax).
Itinerary Var. 2 Option 2 (7 days/6 nights)
| Day 1 (SUN) | Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning. Transfer to Listvyanka. After having a rest Listvyanka village sightseeing with the visit to the Limnological Museum. Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 2 (MON) | Full day guide and car service, ice driving, additional service (dog sledding, down hill skiing – paid on spot or reserve beforehand). Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 3 (TUE) | Transfer to Irkutsk,
visit the Wooden Architecture Museum en route. City tour in
Irkutsk with the visit to the History Museum. In the evening
departure by train # 362 to Ulaanbaatar at 09:50 pm local
time. Days 3-5: Overnight in the train. |
| Day 4 (WED) | Train trip Irkutsk-Ulaanbaatar. |
| Day 5 (THU) | In the morning arrival by train to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel. City tour by car with the visit of the Natural History Museum. Overnight in a hotel (BB). |
| Day 6 (FRI) | Day trip to Ger Camp, lunch in the ger. Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in a hotel. |
| Day 7 (SAT) | Transfer to airport. Departure from Ulaanbaatar. |
Cost:
for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal
group size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, guide service, Baikal chalet
(2 nights, DBL BB), ger camp visit, hotel "Bayangol"
or "Ulaanbaatar" (2 nights, std, BB).
Not included: Travel to Irkutsk and from
Ulaanbaatar, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries,
personal items.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear
rental, extra excursions in Irkutsk, dog sledding, skiing,
skating on Lake Baikal, train ticket Irkutsk – Ulaanbaatar
(2nd class – 135 EUR per 1 pax).
Itinerary Var. 2 Option 3 (8 days/7 nights)
| Day 1 (SUN) | Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning. Transfer to Listvyanka. After having a rest Listvyanka village sightseeing with the visit to the Limnological Museum. Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 2 (MON) | Full day guide and car service, ice driving, additional service (dog sledding, down hill skiing – paid on spot or reserve beforehand). Overnight in chalet, BB. |
| Day 3 (TUE) | Transfer to Irkutsk,
visit the Wooden Architecture Museum en route. City tour in
Irkutsk with the visit to the History Museum. In the evening
departure by train # 362 to Ulaanbaatar at 09:50 pm local
time. Days 3-5: Overnight in the train. |
| Day 4 (WED) | Train trip Irkutsk-Ulaanbaatar. |
| Day 5 (THU) | In the morning arrival by train to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to Terelj camp via the Gandan monastery. Overnight in a ger (FB). |
| Day 6 (FRI) | Drive back to Ulaanbaatar. City tour with visit to the Natural History Museum. Overnight in a hotel (BB). |
| Day 7 (SAT) | Free day in Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in a hotel (BB). |
| Day 8 (SAT) | Transfer to airport or railway station. Departure from Ulaanbaatar (MIAT flight to Moscow or to Berlin or train #4 to Beijing). |
Cost:
for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal
group size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, guide service, Baikal chalet
(2 nights, DBL BB), ger camp visit, hotel "Bayangol"
or "Ulaanbaatar" (2 nights, std, BB).
Not included: Travel to Irkutsk and from
Ulaanbaatar, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries,
personal items.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear
rental, extra excursions in Irkutsk, dog sledding, skiing,
skating on Lake Baikal, train ticket Irkutsk – Ulaanbaatar
(2nd class – 135 EUR per 1 pax) and Ulaanbaatar-Beijing
(1st class – 198 EUR per 1 pax, 2nd class – 142 EUR
per 1 pax).
Variant 3. Winter hiking tour along Lake Baikal Shore. 5 days/ 4 nights.
Area:
from Bolshoe Goloustnoe village to Bolshie Koty then to Listvyanka
village.
The best time: from
February 25 till April 10 (also possible from the beginning of
the February, but sometimes it is rather cold and windy)
Group size: 1+ (no
minimal group size limit!)
Difficulty: moderate/strenuous,
ages up to 50-55. During the trek clients share outfit and food
with the guide and carry the backpacks of about 12-14 kg (porters
are possible as an option!).
Listvyanka, Bolshie Koty and Bolshoe
Goloustnoe villages are located on the southwestern shore of Lake
Baikal. Despite all the 3 villages are not too far from each other,
their history and character differ a lot. Listvyanka is the popular
tourist destination with developed infrastructure, Koty village
is quiet and small, fisherman's Goloustnoe is spread out. The
hike from Listyanka to Bolshoe Goloustnoe is one of the most comprehensive,
naturalistic and beautiful hikes available to tourists in the
relatively short time in Baikal region. The flat surface of the
biggest frozen lake looks so vast and unreal that one can hardly
imagine it. Ice, like waters of the lake, is never the same: transparent
and black, with skies reflecting in it, full of cracks and bubbles
ornamentally frozen in a meter thickness, rough and smooth, snowy,
torn with pressure ridges and holes. The new experience of “Arctic
Trekking” is so new and fascinating, that kilometers and
hours fly away. The woody hills of Pribaikalskiy Range, with sharp
capes, precipitous cliffs, small sandy beaches slowly follow each
other on the shoreline. The trail sometimes comes close to the
shore, sometimes take a long zigzag.
The route is 50 km long. The road
from Irkutsk to Bolshoe Goloustnoe takes about 3 hours by our
company’s van.
Note. Tourists need to have warm clothes (incl. wind stopper), goggles, good hiking boots! To trek unloaded tourists need to hire a porter.
Itinerary Var. 3
| Day 1 | Arrival to Irkutsk, transfer to the hotel/homestay, 1 night, BB. 3-hour guided walking city tour of Irkutsk, one museum. Overnight in hotel. |
| Day 2 | Morning transfer by private car to B. Goloustnoe, 135 km from Irkutsk. Trekking tour starts from B. Goloustnoe and continue along the shore to Bolshie Koty village, 27 km. Hiking on ice. Overnight in chalet, FB. |
| Day 3 | Hiking around Bolshie Koty, sightseeing. Sauna. Overnight in chalet, FB. |
| Day 4 | Hiking on ice to Listvyanka (20 km) situated on Lake Baikal shore at the outlet of the Angara river. Transfer to Irkutsk by public transport. Overnight in Irkutsk at hotel/homestay. |
| Day 5 | Transfer to train station/airport, departure from Irkutsk. |
Cost: for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal group size limit!).
Included:
Meeting/seeing off, transfers, experienced guide service, food,
sleeping bags, isomats, other camping gear. Baikal chalet (2 nights,
DBL BB), hotel "Victoria" or homestay Irkutsk accommodation
(2 nights, std, BB).
Not included: Travel to/from Irkutsk, visa
fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear
rental, extra excursions in Irkutsk, 1 extra day at a homestay
in Listvyanka or Bolshie Koty to visit the Lake Baikal museum,
climb to the viewpoint and enjoy a traditional Russian sauna,
transfer from Bolshie Koty to Listvyanka can be provided by the
request, skating trip, porter service.
Variant 4. Winter Fairy Tale of Lake Baikal. Hiking/ wild skating tour along Lake Baikal Shore. 2 days/ 1 nights.
Area:
from Listvyanka village to Bolshie Koty, 32 km.
The best time: from
February 1 till April 5-10
Group size: 1+ (no
minimal group size limit!)
Difficulty: moderate, ages
up to 50-55.
Every winter Lake Baikal freezes
over in the second fortnight of January. From the beginning of
February till the beginning of April the unique challenge of Baikal
is ice hiking / wild skating, it can be done in 2 days from Listvyanka
to Bolshie Koty village. The trail sometimes comes close to the
shore, sometimes take a long zigzag.
In the morning tourists are transfered
from Irkutsk to the Lake Baikal, 65 km. The breathtaking hike
is started in Listvyanka, one of the oldest Russian settlement
on the lake, nowadays - the popular tourist destination with developed
infrastructure. Trail leads 16 km northward along the southwestern
shore and finally comes to the small, former gold mining Bolshie
Koty village. With the population of about 60 people, this magnificent
place is so quiet in winter, that one immediately feels “on
the edge of the world”, away from culture and civilization.
Overnight in log made boutique hotel “Koty Chalet”.
In the night the traditional Russian winter fun – banya,
with hot steam and birch brooms dinner is followed by the Baikal
dinner. Next day walk around Koty village, hike back to Listvyanka
and departure to Irkutsk.
Note.
1) Thickness of ice near Listvianka is normally 70-80 cm, in warm
winter - 45-55 cm.
Cars start driving from Listvyanka to Koty from second part of
February till the beginning of April.
There is no summer road to Bolshie Koty village, possible to use
by ordinary car, there is only winter road on ice available.
2) Tourists need to have warm clothes (incl. wind stopper), goggles,
good hiking boots! To trek unloaded tourists need to hire a porter.
Itinerary Var. 4
| Day 1 | Transfer from Irkutsk by car to Listvyanka located on Baikal shore 65 km from Irkutsk. Start of the ice hike (or wild skating) to Bolshie Koty (about 14-16 km along the Baikal’s shore). Lunch on the way. Overnight in Bolshie Koty Chalet, 1 night, twin\ single, dinner. Russian banya (sauna) in the evening. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast, walking or skating near Bolshie Koty. Hiking back to Listvyanka. Lunch on the way. Transfer to Irkutsk by car. Accommodation in Irkutsk or evening departure to Mongolia. |
Cost: for an offer, 1-6 pax (no minimal group size limit!).
Included:
Private or public bus transfers, guide service, overnight in Koty
Chalet, meals.
Not included: Travel to/from Irkutsk, visa
fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options.
Visa support, extra nights in Irkutsk, SGL accommodation, gear
rental, extra excursions in Irkutsk.