Winter at Baikal is special – it is fresh frosty air, white snow squeaking under your feet and sparkling like a billion small suns, blue sky, grandiose views of Siberian taiga forest and mountain ranges, and He – the powerful Old Baikal. In some parts of the lake, you can spend a lot of time peering at the weird snow structures at the entrance of the grottoes or at impressive cracks going from under your feet through incredibly transparent Baikal ice into the very depths of the lake.
Snowmobile, dogs, ice-hovercraft and ice-angling will make your journey a True Adventure.
Season: beginning February - end March (best March)
Requirements: no special requirements. Own winter outfit is a must
Day 1
Upon arrival in the morning in Irkutsk, you will be met by the local English-speaking guide. Breakfast and transfer to Listvyanka settlement (70 km away from Irkutsk, 1 hr). In Listvyanka, meet your activity instructor/s, undergo safety briefing and training in snowmobile driving. Depart for a half-day snowmobile safari (1 person per snowmobile). Have a ride along the CircumBaikal Railway, the most picturesque railway of Russia built in the rocks of Primorsky mountain ridge.
Return to Listvyanka by dark.
Dinner and night in the brick cottage At Nikolai’s (double-basis, 2 WC/shower shared per cottage).
Day 2
After breakfast, pack your luggage and leave for the Dog Sledding Center. Have a briefing by the local musher, and after a short circle ride depart by dogs (3 teams, 1 person/sled) and snowmobiles along the western shore of Baikal to Chernaya Fold (half a day). Take your time and enjoy Baikal. Lunch as a picnic on the way. Half-way to Chernaya, change your vehicles for dogs (or the opposite) and continue. In Chernaya Fold, good Siberian banya and dinner will be waiting for you.
Night in small wooden houses for 2 and 4 persons (sanitary facilities outside).
Day 3
After breakfast, get on the amphibious vehicle Hivus (Russia-produced ice-hovercraft named after one of the Siberian winds) to take a journey up north along the western shore of Baikal to Maloe More (“Small Sea”), which separates the biggest island of Baikal – Olkhon - from the mainland. Depending on the snow/ice cover quality, this trip can take from 4 to 8 hours. Ask the driver to stop in beautiful places on the way. Lunch as a snack on the way. Accommodation in a comfortable wooden cottage (bio-toilet, no shower but banya available). Time at leisure and dinner. Banya at your own expense on the spot. Night at Fregat or Naratey (double-basis)
Day 4
After breakfast, undertake a full-day trip by Russian off-road car to Khoboy Cape at the northernmost point of Olkhon island. Stop at Shamanka Rock, one of the 9 sacred sites of Asia, next to Khuzhir settlement.
Walk along the shore at Khoboy Cape to explore the caves, grottoes, and bizarre ice and snow formations. Lunch as open-air picnic. Return to Maloe More in time for dinner.
Night at Fregat or Naratey (double-basis). Banya at your own expense on the spot.
Day 5
After breakfast, learn the secrets of local fishermen and try your luck in ice-angling. In Maloe More, there are places known as “Kamchatkas” where fish is always plentiful in winter. If you are not a passionate fisherman, have a walk on Baikal ice on your own. In early afternoon, leave by a mini-bus back for Irkutsk (5 hrs).
Upon arrival in the city – check-in at a *** hotel downtown (double-basis). Your guide can accompany you around the city center telling about the history of Irkutsk or advise you on the city nightlife. Dinner at your own expense. Night in Irkutsk (double-basis)
Day 6
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to the airport. Have a nice flight back home!
The Tour Operator reserves the right to introduce changes to the programme due to the weather conditions
