No previous experience in dog mushing is required but own winter activity outfit is a must
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 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. Then we’ll visit the Center of Siberian Dog sledding and the dogs’ farm. There we’ll meet our fluffy friends and learn the technique of operating the sleds. Personal equipment and gear fitting will be tomorrow before the trip.
Return to the cottage. Enjoy some spare time before the great experience of Siberian steam sauna – Banya. Dinner and Overnight in the cottage.
Day 2
After breakfast and preparations we depart from the cottage heading for the Dog sledding centre. Safety and dog-sledding driving instruction. Today on route Listvyanka and Chernaya pad’. Today we will drive, along the taiga-woods and mountains, by the Western shore of the Baikal. Upon arrival accommodation and lunch in Prospector's Retreat Lodge which is located in a very scenic place of a small valley of Chorniy Rivulet, near the shore of Lake Baikal, in wooden cozy houses. Take some time at leisure before Banya and dinner. Overnight at the tour lodge. Day 3
After breakfast and preparations we depart from the tour lodge. Today on route Bolshie Koty village with the Scripper rock, also the Khadilnyj cape. We’ll move on the Baikal ice along the eastern shore of the lake. Enjoy lunch en route. After our trip as expected we’ll come back for accommodation in Prospector's Retreat Lodge, in wooden cozy houses. Take some time at leisure before Banya and dinner. Overnight at the tour lodge.Day 4
After breakfast, we return to Listvyanka settlement. Today we will go by dog teams through the open lake with visiting the 105 Meridian lodge, which is build from the Baikal ice. Lunch as an open air picnic. By the return to the settlement - presentation of certificates of the dog sledding center. And now we have some time to say Good buy and show appreciation for our dogs and instructor. Transfer to guesthouse for accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Thu or Sun only
Breakfast. Last day of our staying on the Baikal lake. Short transfer to the «Rogatka» pier. Then we’ll cross the Angara River and get land in the port Baikal. By train we’ll make a day trip with a few stops in the most picturesque places of the Circumbaikal railroad, which is considered an architectural and engineering heritage of the beginning of the 20th century. Long tunnels, stone galleries and supporting “Italian” walls have been carved in the rocks of the adjacent Primorskiy Range hanging over Baikal. Along the way we will have a lunch. On arrival in Irkutsk short transfer to the hotel. Check in the *** hotel in twins. Dinner in the hotel restaurant. Overnight.Day 6
After breakfast and check out, transfer to the local airport or train station. Farewell to Irkutsk and your guide.
Have a good flight and hope to see you again on other tours with RussiaDiscovery!
The Tour Operator reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary due to the weather conditions
