Winter Baikal. The Buryatian Side

Tour duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Tour available: February - March
 

Day 1 Ust-Barguzin

Meeting with a guide and a driver at the airport and transferring for breakfast.
 

Driving to  Ust-Barguzin with multiple stops on the way (about 3,5 - 4 hours).

Lunch in guest-houses of locals and stay there for a couple of nights.

After lunch, you will have a 2-hour snowmobile trip along the coastline of Baikal Lake. You will ride along forest roads and sand dunes, walk on the ice of Baikal and take a short sightseeing tour of Ust-Barguzin.
 

In the evening banya and delicious dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 2 Olhon

Breakfast in the guest house to start  your tour at 7-8 am.
 

That day you will have a fascinating trip to Olkhon island along the ice road. The route will go through the geographic center of Baikal. You will see the transparent ice, stop at the places where ice creates the most intricate patterns and shapes (blue ice blocks, frozen cracks, ice with white bubbles, etc). You will also be offered to try the signature cocktail ‘Kiss of Baikal’.
 

Once we reach Olkhon Island, you will have stops in the most picturesque and popular places (Cape Khoboy, the Three Brothers rock, etc.) to walk around and take the most memorable photos.
 

The most exclusive offer will be a hot Russian banya set up right on the lake!! and a large bathtub with warm water. Warm-up in the Russian Banya, jump into the cut hole and get energized with the refreshing Baikal water, and finally enjoy staying in a warm tub with the view of Baikal. Can it be a dream? Such a Russian spa will not leave you indifferent.
 

A hearty lunch with dishes from wild deer meat, fish pie, as well as a real Baikal chop and stroganin (snacks from freshly frozen fish with salt and pepper) will be provided at the lunch time.
 

You can also take advantage of some other entertainment such as skates, sleds etc.

For a comfortable stay, heated toilets and warm yurts will be at your disposal.
 

Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening.

Tour duration: 9-11 hours

Day 3 Barguzin Valley

Breakfast in the guest house to start  your tour at 10 am.
 

Day tour to Barguzin Valley which goes along the Barguzin river surrounded by two mountain ridges.

During this trip you will  see the village with cozy wooden houses covered with snow drifts like in the fairytale, see some Buryat sacred places,like the image of goddess  Yanzhima and the newly built datsan, see intricately nature-designed rocks which have animal looking shapes.
 

Night in a guest house in Ust- Barguzin and dinner.

Tour duration: 7-8 hours
 

Day 4 Zabaikalsky National Park

Breakfast in the guest-house to start  your tour at 10 am.
 

Start your driving tour of Chevurkuysky Bay and Zabaikalsky National Park. On the tour, you will make the most picturesque stops for walking or at observation platforms. You will see the ways of ice fishing for omul, and might also try to catch fish on your own under the guidance of experienced anglers. On Goliy Island in the Chivyrkuisky Bay, you can go inside the deepest ice caves on Lake Baikal. Swim in hot springs in the open air in Zmeevaya Bay. You might also try sledding or tubing on fluffy snow or transparent ice.
 

For lunch, you will visit a fishing family. In a warm, cozy room lunch with Baikal fish dishes (hot fish soup from burbot, salted Baikal omul prepared according to a local recipe, pike cutlets with mashed potatoes, as well as snacks from local wild plants (pickled mushrooms, salted wild garlic ) will be served. Throughout the trip, you might get warm with hot aromatic tea in a thermos.

Return to Ust-Barguzin in the evening.

Tour duration: 6-7 hours
 

Day 5 Ivolginsky Datsan and the Old Believers’ village

Breakfast in  a guesthouse to start  your tour at 8 am.
 

Transfer to Ulan –Ude (3-4 hours). On the way, you will stop for lunch in a cafe of national cuisine.

In the afternoon, tourists will visit the Ivolginsky Datsan which is the center of Buddhist life in Russia. You will see the complex of buildings which make the monastery and university and learn more about Russian Buddhists.

Transfer to the Old Believers’ village. After the split in the Orthodox Church in Russia in the 17th century some people continued to practice  Orthodox religion in the old way, preserving their customs and traditions. Despite being prosecuted by the state, they managed to preserve their  lifestyle and their values. Learn about the life and traditions of Old-believers in the museum, visit Old- believers’ church and  be treated with a delicious traditional lunch and a folk program.
 

You will arrive in Ulan-Ude at 8 pm. Check-in the hotel. 

Tour duration: 11-12 hours

Day 6 Return

Morning transfer to the airport 
 

Included:

Excursions, transportation, English-speaking guide, accommodation in guest-houses in Ust- Barguzin and in the hotel in Ulan-Ude, National park  and museum fees, meals according to the program..

Excluded:

Airfare

Medical insurance

Meals on transfers and breakfast in the hotel in Ulan-Ude

Skates rental

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