With a backpack behind, we will trek in the picturesque Tunka National Park, the largest national park in Russia. Our destination will be the wild Shumak River Valley nested in the mountains, and the Shumak springs believed to cure all kinds of ailments and once worshipped by Buryat shamans. After the trekking adventure, we will head for Olkhon Island located in the very heart of Baikal, to enjoy Baikal’s nature and powerful energy. Day 1
Most welcome to Irkutsk, the capital of eastern Siberia, its historical and administrative center! Upon arrival to the city we meet you at the airport gates, assist with the luggage and then take you by coach to the settlement of Listvyanka located on the south-western shore of Lake Baikal. We travel today with few stops en route to take pictures of great taiga-wood views and at OBO-site, to “sprinkle some vodka or milk “, tie ribbons on the bushes as if to do offering to the local master-spirits and win them over.
And after driving a distance of 70 km we shall reach the settlement of Listvyanka. Accommodation at a comfortable private cottage, in twin rooms with all modern amenities. After check in and before lunch of Baikal tasty cuisine featuring omul-fish and other delicious entrees to be served in the cottage, enjoy some time at leisure. After lunch we’ll go on a guided excursion to Baikal Ecology Museum, which has a large display of unique exhibits of the lake’s flora and fauna and a fresh-water seal aquarium.
Return to the cottage. Enjoy some spare time before dinner. Overnight.
Day 2
After early breakfast in the cottage and some time to pack your things, coach transfer to the central pier of Listvyanka. We begin this day with a small cruising trip to Peschanaya (Sandy) Bay, the starting point of our trekking adventure. The trip will take us about 7 hours. Lunch on board.Peschanaya Bay is famous for its “walking” trees, which roots raise to 1.5 meters height, the unique pyramid-like rocks Malaya and Bolshaya Kolokolni (Small and Big Bell towers) and the picturesque bays Babushka and Vnuchka. It is one of the most admirable bays of Baikal, also titled Siberian Riviera and being the only place in Eastern Siberia to have a positive average of yearly air temperature (+ 4 degrees Centigrade).
Upon arrival to the bay we will set up our camp and have some time to explore the surroundings, one can go swimming or climb up the Big Bell Rock. Dinner prepared over the camp fire, enjoy your first overnight under the starry Baikal sky.
Day 3
We start our trekking tour right from the coastline of the bay to the top of Kedrovy mountain Pass. From top of it one can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Lake Baikal. The route is short though not easy. Lunch en route. Dinner prepared over the campfire and overnight in tents.Day 4
Breakfast. In the first half of the day we will enjoy an easy hike along the mountain ridge. Our trail goes along wild taiga forest which abounds in cowberries. On top of a small hill we find a deserted helipad. Another two hours of hike and we will get to the next camping sight. Lunch. The daily hike about 18 km. Dinner near the campfire. Overnight in tents.
Day 5
Breakfast. Our way goes today over the mountain pass down to the Goloustnaya river valley and further to Bolshoye Goloustnoye village, one of the first settlements of Russian explorers, nowadays the fishermen’s place. It has only been a few years the local people have been using electricity.Before going up the hill we will fill our water bags since there is no drinking water on top. Lunch en route. Dinner near the campfire and overnight in tents.
Day 6
Breakfast. This part of our route runs along the shoreline of the lake. Before reaching the Kadilny cape, the location of the Pribaikalsky national park’s cordon, we will bypass a beautiful valley and a number of caves that ones were home for our ancestors. Visit to one of the caves. Lunch en route. Dinner prepared over the campfire. Overnight in the Pribaikalsky National Park premises in tents.
Day 7
Breakfast. A pleasant journey along the coastline with only one serious obstacle on the way Scripper rock. Lunch cooked on fire. Overnight in Bolshie Koty village in wooden houses or in tents. Bolshie Koty village is a tiny settlement (pop 300) has no road connection with Listvyanka or any other villages. Surrounded by deep forest from one side and severe Lake Baikal from another, villagers can only reach the main land by water or ice.
Few people know that gold was discovered in this area. Many exiles sent to Siberia for settlement and forced work used to mine gold in Bolshie Koty. Mining led to a poor result and later when the exiles were permitted to move to Irkutsk the mines fell into disuse. Nowadays one can explore the way people mined gold two centuries ago and see old gold mining tools in the upper reaches of the rivulet.
Day 8
Today we finish our trekking tour and after breakfast return by hydrofoil back to Irkutsk. Upon arrival to the city accommodation at the hotel (***). Some time on your own. Lunch in one of the city restaurants (on your own). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9
After breakfast, we will go to the Decembrist museum which is situated at Prince Volkonsky Mansion (XIX-th century built mansion used to belong to one of the leaders of Decembrist revolutionaries - Russian aristocracy who were banned to Siberia after their ill-fated attempt in December of 1825 to overthrow the Russian Czar.). After that we’ll visit the central market of the city. Then you can enjoy the second part of a day to explore the Irkutsk city on your own. Dinner on your own, overnight in the hotel.
Day 10
After breakfast and check out transfer to the local airport or train station. Farewell. Have a good flight and hope to see you again on other tours with RussiaDiscovery!
