Adventurous journey on the unique ice of Lake Baikal
and Siberian taiga
and Siberian taiga
BAIKAL
March 6 - 11, 2024
Tour Lake Baikal, Russia
Tour Lake Baikal, Russia
Baikal expedition Tour to Baikal lake Ice tour Winter tour to Baikal Explore Russia tour to Siberia
Adventurous jorney to Baikal
Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet! It is a sacred place of power which emanates a special energy, which is felt by everyone who visits this magical land. In winter Baikal is especially delightful - figure skating on crystal ice, dog sledding and snowmobiles, ice caves and acquaintance with local culture!
We invite you to the Great Russian lake - a winter fairy tale with bright contrasts of nature and ethnics.
We invite you to the Great Russian lake - a winter fairy tale with bright contrasts of nature and ethnics.
If you have a dream to see the Great Russian lake, winter is definetely the best time for it! Incredible, sparkling ice kingdom of various forms and colors! Our trip to winter Baikal is skating on Baikal mirror, driving by hovercraft, dog sledges riding, trip on quad bikes or snowmobiles on Baikal ice and taiga, acquaintance with local culture and cuisine, which immerses you into the winter atmosphere of real Siberian adventures.
Etjnologist works throughout the whole trip with the team.
Etjnologist works throughout the whole trip with the team.
Photo by Sergey Pesterevith
Photo by Sergey Pesterevith
Photo by Sergey Pesterevith
SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: March 6 – 11, 2024
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
EXPEDITION IS COMPLETED
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO LAKE BAIKAL
Day 1. March 6, 2024. IRKUTSK – TALTSY – LISTVYANKA
Arrival in Irkutsk in the morning. Meeting with guide.
City sightseeing tour: visiting historical center, Angara river embankment, monuments of architecture, history and culture.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Departure to Listvyanka settlement (~70 km) - probably one of the oldest Russian settlements on the shores of the great lake, turned into a tourist center, where for every inhabitant there are several attractions, cafes and hotels, and several hundreds of tourists. On the way we visit the "Taltsy" museum of architecture and ethnography, where we can not only look at the wooden architecture and the way of life of the Baikal peoples, but also take part in traditional winter fun: ride on the skins from a real Russian slide, ride in a sledge or a troika or walk on stilts. Arrival to the village. Stop at Shaman-stone, the place where Angara river flows out of Baikal lake. It's a chairlift ride to the Cherski Stone, which offers a wonderful view of the Angara river source and Baikal port, as well as of Khamar-Daban Range in the clear weather.
Hotel accommodation. Free time.
Accommodation: Hotel Mayak or Krestovaya Pad, or similar 3*
Meals included: lunch
Recommended flights:
- direct flight with Aeroflot from Moscow, departure from Moscow on March 5 at 21:40, arrival in Irkutsk on March 6 at 8:35 am,
- direct flight with S7 from Moscow, departure from Moscow on March 5 at 21:25, arrival in Irkutsk on March 6 at 8:20 am,
- with any other flight from any city with arrival in Irkutsk no later than 9 am on March 6.
Day 2. March 7, 2024. LISTVYANKA (– KRUGOBAIKALSKAYA RAILWAYS)
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with guide. Excursion to the Baikal Ecological Museum with a wonderful exposition of flora and fauna of the lake and Baikal region, including an aquarium with living inhabitants of Baikal.
Visiting the center of sled dog sport. Here we offer you to get acquainted with charming sled dogs. Blue- and brown-eyed, of all possible colors and characters, they like people and running equally, that's why each of them wants to be in the sled and is very offended if it's not their turn. It's not a hard task to manage a sled dog - you'll see! You will be accompanied by the experienced musher to drive along the forest path (the distance is 4,5 km).
Lunch in a cafe.
In the afternoon you can have a rest or optionally:
- snowmobile Yamaha Viking VK 540, 2 hours for 1-2 persons: 13 500 rubles per snowmobile
- ice tour to Krugobaikalskaya railroad by snowmobile - model Arctic Cat Bearcat 570, 2 hours for 1-2 persons: 28 500 rubles per snowmobile
- trip to observatory: observing of the Sun through the telescope, and ascent to the Big Sun vacuum telescope - the biggest in the world lens telescope, which observation deck has fine view on Listvyanka and Baikal (~ 2 hours): at the cost to be determined.
Overnight at hotel in Listvyanka.
Accommodation: Hotel Mayak or Krestovaya Pad, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 3. March 8, 2024. LISTVYANKA - BOLSHOYE GOLOUSTNOE – PESCHANKA – SAGAN-ZABA – OLKHON ISLAND – KHUZHIR
After breakfast meeting our guide.
Boarding khivus, a hovercraft trip - is the best way to explore Baikal.
Transfer by ice to Olkhon Island (~8 hours). On the way several stops at the most interesting places: Bolshoye Goloustnoe village, where you can see the famous bubble ice, and also, if the weather and state of ice allow, here we will skate* on the biggest ice rink in the world - Lake Baikal. Next we will visit Peschanka, one of the most picturesque places on Baikal, with the so called stilted trees. We will visit Sagan-Zaba cliff, where ancient petroglyphs are saved and will see picturesque grottos with ice splashes in the southern part of Olkhon. Lunch (lunch boxes).
Arrival in Khuzhir village - administrative center of the island. Check in. Dinner.
*Skating can be postponed on the 4th or 5th day at the discretion of the organizers.
Accommodation: hotel Shokolad or Khotey, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4. March 9, 2024. OLKHON ISLAND – KHOBOY CAPE – HUZHIR
After breakfast we'll drive to the whole-day excursion (UAZ Bukhanka car - symbol of Olkhon). Visit to the sacred cape Burkhan (Shaman-cliff) - one of 9 holy places of Asia, equally revered by shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists. Then we go to Khoboy cape - the northern extremity of the island near the widest part of Baikal. On the way you'll see the diversity of Baikal's natural landscapes, concentrated on the island: steppes with deep bays, sand dunes, mixed forests with relic fir groves, picturesque cliffs on the shore, made of marble and covered with red lichens.
On this cape there is a panoramic view of the northern part of Lake Baikal and when the weather is good one can see the outlines of Ushkany Islands and the Holy Nose Peninsula - a walk around the area, during which your guide will tell you about the legends, traditions and customs associated with these places.
Lunch - picnic outdoors. Return to the camping area. Dinner.
Accommodation: hotel Shokolad or Khotey, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 5. March 10, 2024. OLKHON ISLAND – MALOYE MORE – OGOY ISLAND – ETHNIC PARK "ZOLOTAYA ORDA" – IRKUTSK
After breakfast at the camp, transfer to the pier. Boarding on hovercraft Khivus. En route visit the island of Ogoy, where the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment is located.
After that we take a minibus to Irkutsk. The long way is again enjoyable with varying landscapes and gives us time for sharing impressions from the travel days, as well as for the slight preparation for the return to the hustle and bustle of the city life. The main thing during this activity - do not forget to thank the spirits for good weather and good luck on the way!
We'll also visit Ust-Ordynsk village (80 km from Irkutsk), the capital of Ust-Ordyn Buryat Autonomous Area, which has belonged to Irkutsk region since 2006. Here is the ethnopark Golden Horde , where you'll meet a real shaman:
- a brief tour of shamanism
- the secret codes of Buryat spiritual culture, its identity
- sacred places of worship, meaning of local beliefs and prayers.
- exciting topics: good and evil, what is happiness.
Lunch with Buryat cuisine. Check-in. Free time.
Accommodation: Taiga hotel 4*, or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 6. March 11, 2024. IRKUTSK – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.
Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast
Recommended flights:
- direct flight with Aeroflot to Moscow, departure from Irkutsk on March 11 at 9:50 am, arrival in Moscow on March 11 at 11:10 am,
- direct flight with S7 to Moscow, departure from Irkutsk on March 11 at 11:45 am, arrival in Moscow on March 11 at 13:15,
- any other flight to any city departing from Irkutsk at any time on March 11.
Dates: March 6 – 11, 2024
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
EXPEDITION IS COMPLETED
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO LAKE BAIKAL
Day 1. March 6, 2024. IRKUTSK – TALTSY – LISTVYANKA
Arrival in Irkutsk in the morning. Meeting with guide.
City sightseeing tour: visiting historical center, Angara river embankment, monuments of architecture, history and culture.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Departure to Listvyanka settlement (~70 km) - probably one of the oldest Russian settlements on the shores of the great lake, turned into a tourist center, where for every inhabitant there are several attractions, cafes and hotels, and several hundreds of tourists. On the way we visit the "Taltsy" museum of architecture and ethnography, where we can not only look at the wooden architecture and the way of life of the Baikal peoples, but also take part in traditional winter fun: ride on the skins from a real Russian slide, ride in a sledge or a troika or walk on stilts. Arrival to the village. Stop at Shaman-stone, the place where Angara river flows out of Baikal lake. It's a chairlift ride to the Cherski Stone, which offers a wonderful view of the Angara river source and Baikal port, as well as of Khamar-Daban Range in the clear weather.
Hotel accommodation. Free time.
Accommodation: Hotel Mayak or Krestovaya Pad, or similar 3*
Meals included: lunch
Recommended flights:
- direct flight with Aeroflot from Moscow, departure from Moscow on March 5 at 21:40, arrival in Irkutsk on March 6 at 8:35 am,
- direct flight with S7 from Moscow, departure from Moscow on March 5 at 21:25, arrival in Irkutsk on March 6 at 8:20 am,
- with any other flight from any city with arrival in Irkutsk no later than 9 am on March 6.
Day 2. March 7, 2024. LISTVYANKA (– KRUGOBAIKALSKAYA RAILWAYS)
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with guide. Excursion to the Baikal Ecological Museum with a wonderful exposition of flora and fauna of the lake and Baikal region, including an aquarium with living inhabitants of Baikal.
Visiting the center of sled dog sport. Here we offer you to get acquainted with charming sled dogs. Blue- and brown-eyed, of all possible colors and characters, they like people and running equally, that's why each of them wants to be in the sled and is very offended if it's not their turn. It's not a hard task to manage a sled dog - you'll see! You will be accompanied by the experienced musher to drive along the forest path (the distance is 4,5 km).
Lunch in a cafe.
In the afternoon you can have a rest or optionally:
- snowmobile Yamaha Viking VK 540, 2 hours for 1-2 persons: 13 500 rubles per snowmobile
- ice tour to Krugobaikalskaya railroad by snowmobile - model Arctic Cat Bearcat 570, 2 hours for 1-2 persons: 28 500 rubles per snowmobile
- trip to observatory: observing of the Sun through the telescope, and ascent to the Big Sun vacuum telescope - the biggest in the world lens telescope, which observation deck has fine view on Listvyanka and Baikal (~ 2 hours): at the cost to be determined.
Overnight at hotel in Listvyanka.
Accommodation: Hotel Mayak or Krestovaya Pad, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 3. March 8, 2024. LISTVYANKA - BOLSHOYE GOLOUSTNOE – PESCHANKA – SAGAN-ZABA – OLKHON ISLAND – KHUZHIR
After breakfast meeting our guide.
Boarding khivus, a hovercraft trip - is the best way to explore Baikal.
Transfer by ice to Olkhon Island (~8 hours). On the way several stops at the most interesting places: Bolshoye Goloustnoe village, where you can see the famous bubble ice, and also, if the weather and state of ice allow, here we will skate* on the biggest ice rink in the world - Lake Baikal. Next we will visit Peschanka, one of the most picturesque places on Baikal, with the so called stilted trees. We will visit Sagan-Zaba cliff, where ancient petroglyphs are saved and will see picturesque grottos with ice splashes in the southern part of Olkhon. Lunch (lunch boxes).
Arrival in Khuzhir village - administrative center of the island. Check in. Dinner.
*Skating can be postponed on the 4th or 5th day at the discretion of the organizers.
Accommodation: hotel Shokolad or Khotey, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4. March 9, 2024. OLKHON ISLAND – KHOBOY CAPE – HUZHIR
After breakfast we'll drive to the whole-day excursion (UAZ Bukhanka car - symbol of Olkhon). Visit to the sacred cape Burkhan (Shaman-cliff) - one of 9 holy places of Asia, equally revered by shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists. Then we go to Khoboy cape - the northern extremity of the island near the widest part of Baikal. On the way you'll see the diversity of Baikal's natural landscapes, concentrated on the island: steppes with deep bays, sand dunes, mixed forests with relic fir groves, picturesque cliffs on the shore, made of marble and covered with red lichens.
On this cape there is a panoramic view of the northern part of Lake Baikal and when the weather is good one can see the outlines of Ushkany Islands and the Holy Nose Peninsula - a walk around the area, during which your guide will tell you about the legends, traditions and customs associated with these places.
Lunch - picnic outdoors. Return to the camping area. Dinner.
Accommodation: hotel Shokolad or Khotey, or similar 3*
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 5. March 10, 2024. OLKHON ISLAND – MALOYE MORE – OGOY ISLAND – ETHNIC PARK "ZOLOTAYA ORDA" – IRKUTSK
After breakfast at the camp, transfer to the pier. Boarding on hovercraft Khivus. En route visit the island of Ogoy, where the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment is located.
After that we take a minibus to Irkutsk. The long way is again enjoyable with varying landscapes and gives us time for sharing impressions from the travel days, as well as for the slight preparation for the return to the hustle and bustle of the city life. The main thing during this activity - do not forget to thank the spirits for good weather and good luck on the way!
We'll also visit Ust-Ordynsk village (80 km from Irkutsk), the capital of Ust-Ordyn Buryat Autonomous Area, which has belonged to Irkutsk region since 2006. Here is the ethnopark Golden Horde , where you'll meet a real shaman:
- a brief tour of shamanism
- the secret codes of Buryat spiritual culture, its identity
- sacred places of worship, meaning of local beliefs and prayers.
- exciting topics: good and evil, what is happiness.
Lunch with Buryat cuisine. Check-in. Free time.
Accommodation: Taiga hotel 4*, or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 6. March 11, 2024. IRKUTSK – RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.
Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast
Recommended flights:
- direct flight with Aeroflot to Moscow, departure from Irkutsk on March 11 at 9:50 am, arrival in Moscow on March 11 at 11:10 am,
- direct flight with S7 to Moscow, departure from Irkutsk on March 11 at 11:45 am, arrival in Moscow on March 11 at 13:15,
- any other flight to any city departing from Irkutsk at any time on March 11.
Price includes:
Price excludes:
To take with:
- Transfers and transport service by individual vehicles in good condition with experienced drivers and captains: Toyota Hayes minibus (8 places) or Peugeot Boxer/Fiat Ducato (16 places), UAZ Bukhanka at Olkhon, hovercraft Khivus for 2 days on ice of Lake Baikal
- Accommodation in hotels 3*/ 4* on the basis of double room accommodation on the program in comfortable rooms of standard category
- 3 meals a day, excluding 3 dinners in Listvyanka and Irkutsk
- Dog sledding (average distance 4,5 km)
- Ice skating
- All entrance tickets, performances and activities according to the program
- Russian speaking guide
- Russian and English speaking Team Leader
Price excludes:
- Flight to Irkutsk and back
- Medical insurance
- Russian visa (if required)
- Snowmobiles, an excursion to an observatory or any other activity not included in the program
- Single occupancy
To take with:
- Weather-appropriate clothing sets: wool socks, wool sweater, scarf
- Warm windproof jacket and hat, warm windproof pants, gloves with windbreaker
- Thermal underwear
- Warm boots, high winter boots
- Personal hygiene equipment
- Personal medical kit
- Sun and wind protection
- Thermos
- Photo and video equipment
Photo by Sergey Pesterev and others
TESTIMONIALS OF OUR CLIENTS
FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS TO BAIKAL:
FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS TO BAIKAL:
- Francesco Li SantiSee reco on FacebookBaikal 2019 was my first expedition with Mzungu and Alexey and my expectations were absolutely exceeded - the place is beyond immagination and can be fully enjeyed especially if guided by someone who has the experience, knowledge and the organisation of Alexey Kolbov. It is difficult to put in words what we have experienced, as every moment on the lake was breathtaking, and the trip was in all apects pleasant since we did not run in an unexpected situations or problems. Alexey is a strong and precise organiser, everything was cared in details, from the transport to the accommodation and the three daily meals waiting for us were always aboundand and delicious. What I mostly enjoyed was that we got to experience the lake from different perspectives, driving on jeeps, snowmobiles, iceskating, sledge dogs, hoover-boats etc, and we got the chance to proove ourselve in these situations and safety was always a priority. Alexey has a deep knowledge about places, culture, art and customs of the remote places visited in his expeditions, and we were constantly educated by him and learned so much about the place and the ancient religious, cultural and historical heritage of Baikal. He is an approachable and friendly person, always open to listen to clients needs while at the same time he can execute respectable authority to make sure that things run smooth and as planned. I can only recommend his expeditions and I am already planning next trip with him and Mzungu!
- Dmitry Voydakovотзыв опубликован на FacebookРебята, спасибо за организацию этого путешествия. В нем все было прекрасно. Рассветы, закаты, национальная музыка и еда, люди, буханки/хивусы/снегоходы/собачки и др средства перемещения, баня и конечно же неописуемая красота льда Байкала и его окрестностей.
Отдельное спасибо Михаилу - нашему гиду. Однозначно рекомендую всем!
- Alex Zinovkinотзыв опубликован на FacebookЕсли вы хотите классное и небанальное приключение в обход туристических групп при этом за вменяемые деньги - то вам к Mzungu. Самые экзотические и нехоженые направления - Конго, Папуа, Амазонка, Нигер и т.п. В России они путешествуют на Байкал, в Карелию и на Камчатку. Везде почувствуете себя на другой планете - хотя планета всё та же и нужно посмотреть её именно такой, практически нетронутой и совершенно фантастической. Если вы хотите удивить людей, которые видели всё - то вам тоже сюда. И если вы хотите показать иностранцам другую Россию - то к Mzungu, they speak English.
KEY FEATURES:
TOUR TO BAIKAL
Lake Baikal, Russia
Best season: February – March
Automobile traveling along endless expanses of winter Baikal - amazing universe of ice figures: meter-thicknesses of transparent ice with ingenious net of cracks and frozen bubbles, turquoise hummocks, fantastic forms of ice-splashes and ice grots with hanging down icicles.
Heart of Baikal - Olkhon island and islands of the Small Sea with its cliffs and sacral Buddhist stupas.
Big trip from the Small Sea to Listvyanka on the hovercraft.
Skating on the biggest rink of the world - Baikal mirror.
Dog sledge riding - Alaska huskies - through snowy Baikal forests and the best places of the legendary Krugobaikalsky railway, which is now the memorial of architecture and engineering art with its tunnels, beautiful arches and galleries.
Exciting ride on snowmobiles or quad bikes on the picturesque off-roads of Syberian taiga, snow banks and frozen rivers.
Acquaintance with Buryat culture and history of shamanism on Baikal.
Russian banya (steam bath) and local gastronomic specialities: stroganina (slices of frozen fish and meat), possi (manti), ukha (fish soup) and smoke-dried omul.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Best season: February – March
Automobile traveling along endless expanses of winter Baikal - amazing universe of ice figures: meter-thicknesses of transparent ice with ingenious net of cracks and frozen bubbles, turquoise hummocks, fantastic forms of ice-splashes and ice grots with hanging down icicles.
Heart of Baikal - Olkhon island and islands of the Small Sea with its cliffs and sacral Buddhist stupas.
Big trip from the Small Sea to Listvyanka on the hovercraft.
Skating on the biggest rink of the world - Baikal mirror.
Dog sledge riding - Alaska huskies - through snowy Baikal forests and the best places of the legendary Krugobaikalsky railway, which is now the memorial of architecture and engineering art with its tunnels, beautiful arches and galleries.
Exciting ride on snowmobiles or quad bikes on the picturesque off-roads of Syberian taiga, snow banks and frozen rivers.
Acquaintance with Buryat culture and history of shamanism on Baikal.
Russian banya (steam bath) and local gastronomic specialities: stroganina (slices of frozen fish and meat), possi (manti), ukha (fish soup) and smoke-dried omul.
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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