Traditionally outdoor lovers in Siberia use broad skis to make their way through the deep snow, similar to those that were used by Siberian hunters from times immemorial. However, nowadays one can meet trappers plowing through the snow on snowshoes. It’s up for you to decide which one is better but we have to admit that snowshoes offer better maneuverability and better grip when going uphill. Besides snowshoeing does require special training so anyone who is physically fit for moderate outdoor activity is welcome to join us on this adventure.

Itinerary

 Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk and transfer to your guesthouse. Accommodation and rest. A brief city tour with a guide in the afternoon. Meals at personal expenses. Early check-in not included. 

* You’ll visit the place where Irkutsk was founded more than 350 years ago at the confluence of two Siberian rivers: Irkut and Angara. The place is framed by three churches, two of which are Russian Orthodox with golden domes and the third one is Roman Catholic

Day 2

After breakfast, we will pack our personal things and food in a van and drive about 70 km to a small village located along the Trans-Siberian railroad. This is the starting point of our adventure. We will take some time to adjust the snowshoes, load the snowmobile sled and set off. The trip of the first day is 9 km long with about 3 km uphill. Accommodation in a log cabin similar to those used traditionally by Siberian hunters. The team will share one room that is heated by firewood. Sauna and dinner. (BLD)

Day 3

Our next destination is located about 10 km away but walking in deep snow without any trail will not make thing easy and fast. The guide will have the hardest part walking first but you are welcome to help him once in a while. Lunch will be cooked on a campfire and after some rest, we will continue our adventure through the virgin forest. Time to relax and have sauna before dinner. Overnight in a tiny log cabin on one big plank bed (BLD)

Day 4

On this day the guide will recommend you change snowshoes for skis because we have to make about 20 km to the next location. Skiing in deep snow is very hard but if you follow the snowmobile track you’ll move much faster and with less effort. We’ll ski down the valley right to Lake Baikal shore and walk about 1 km on the ice to a tiny village located right on the very shore. Overnight in a log house that a century ago used to be a railway station on the legendary Circum Baikal railroad. (BLD)

Day 5

Our snowmobile will be gone back to Irkutsk and for the next 2 days we will have to carry all our personal things and food ourselves. However, this is not a problem at all because from now on we’ll be walking on the flat surface of Lake Baikal and all our things will travel on pulka sleds. Therefore, 20 km that we have to walk on the day is absolutely affordable. By the evening, we shall reach another small village, located along the Circum Baikal railroad and stay for the night in a tourist camp. Sauna and dinner. (BLD)

Day 6

After breakfast, we will spend some time exploring the old bridges and tunnels built in the rocky terrain in 1903-1904 and set off to our final destination – Kultuk village that is located at the south extremity of Lake Baikal. Walking distance is just 8 km. A van will pick us up at the end of the trip and drive back to Irkutsk. We will stop on a view point to make the last pictures and say farewell to the lake. About 2 hours drive to Irkutsk and accommodation in a guesthouse. Dinner on your own. (BL)

Day 7

Transfer to the airport.

Notes:

• The tour is available from February 1 till April 1.
• Maximum group size – 4-5 pax.
• It is required that customers are physically fit and desirable that they have basic winter camping experience. (at night the temperatures can go as low as -35C (in January), day temperatures average – 15C in February and -5 in March)
• Outfit and gear provided: snowshoes, skis, pulka sleds, camping kitchen utensils
• Ask your manager for a personal equipment list.

Cost (Rubles)

The cost includes:

• transfers;
• accommodation in a guest houses and log houses;
• meals as noted in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner);
• guide;
• rent of special equipment as mentioned above;
• snowmobile support during the snowshoe part;
• sauna.

Traveling through the vast ice desert of Baikal in severe Siberian conditions resembles an Arctic expedition. Apart from the fascinating experience of crossing the lake and spending one night above the mile deep abyss the participants will have an opportunity to see the most spectacular sights of the Lake – Olkhon island and Barguzin gulf as well as visit the capital of Buryat Republic – Ulan-Ude city.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• 4 day
• 5 day
• 6 day
• 7 day
• 8 day
• Notes
• Cost (Rubles)
• The cost includes

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance for further transfer to your host family. Check in and time at leisure ^*. After you have had a rest we’ll welcome you to a brief city tour in the historical part of Irkutsk ^**. Lunch in a cafe, dinner on your own. (L)

* In case of early arrival you might have to wait at the reception for check in hours 12:00

** You’ll visit the place where Irkutsk was founded 350 years ago at the confluence of two Siberian rivers: Irkut and Angara. The place is framed with three churches, two of which are Russian Orthodox with golden domes and the third one is Roman Catholic

Day 2

In the morning right after breakfast we’ll drive by car to the biggest island on Baikal Lake – Olkhon ^*. The total distance is about 350 km and it takes 5 hours to get there. En route we’ll make a stop for lunch in one of the local road cafes where one can appreciate meat dumplings cooked on steam that is the main dish of native cuisine. To get to Olkhon Island from the mainland one needs to drive a short section right across the frozen Olkhon’s Gate strait. As we get to the main settlement of Olkhon Island – Khuzhir village, we’ll leave our bags in a guest house and walk a short distance to one of the main sights of lake Baikal – the famous Burkhan cape ^**. Dinner and Russian steam sauna will complete this day. Overnight in the guest house. (BLD)

* Olkhon is the biggest island on lake Baikal. It is about 73 km long and 15 km wide.

** Native people, who are mostly shamanists, believed that this cape with a cave in it is home to the main Spirit named Burkhan.

Day 3

After breakfast we’ll set off by car to the northern extremity of Olkhon Island – the famous Khoboy cape ^*. As we move along the western coast of Olkhon island we’ll make several stops to take pictures of fascinating ice caves ^**.

Driving on the ice of Baikal Lake is a challenging experience. Some times even 4 WD trucks can’t make their way through vast areas of ice hummocks and cracks, so one has to look for a safe passage driving through labyrinth of ice. As we turn around Khoboy cape and drive south along the Eastern shore of Olkhon we’ll eventually get to a tiny village located in a picturesque bay. Accommodation in a family.

In the afternoon we’ll spend a couple of hours fitting personal gear for the ice trek across the frozen lake. Most of our load will be transported on special sleds. The training includes basic technique and safety measures of walking on ice, setting up a camp and preparing food on a gas stove. Dinner and overnight in a family. (BLD)

* In local dialect Khoboy means “fang”. This rocky cliff resembles a high pillar in the middle of a boundless ice desert of frozen Baikal Lake. This place is famous for rough ice conditions. Usually next to Hoboy Cape you can observe huge blocks of blue hummock ice some of which can be several meters high.

** Extremely low temperatures in November-December and high storms create icicles of amazing forms and shapes. They hang down from the ceilings of ice-caves and cover the walls of some grottos.

Day 4

Today early in the morning we start the most challenging and exiting part of the whole trip.

Every participant will be provided with trekking poles and sleds for personal and camping equipment. This way of transporting stuff is much easier than carrying it in a backpack.

The total distance of the ice trek to the opposite shore of lake Baikal at this place of the lake is about 60 km and it is to be covered within 2 days ^*. Meals will be cooked on gas and petrol burners. We’ll stop in the middle of the lake about 1 hour before it gets dark, set up a tent camp and prepare dinner. (BLD)

* This is the widest section of the Great lake. Sometimes you can hardly see both shores and this gives you an impression of traveling in the middle of an Arctic desert!

Day 5

After breakfast we’ll break up camp and continue our Trans Baikal journey. The most challenging and difficult part of the trip will be going through vast fields of ice hummocks and across the cracks.

In late afternoon we are due to reach Turka village on the eastern shore. Accommodation in a guest house. Festive dinner and overnight. (BLD)

* The surface of Baikal is different at every section. Close to Olkhon island it may be pure black ice. But as we move east we’ll encounter more and more snow.

Day 6

After breakfast transfer by car to the capital of local region – Ulan-Ude city (245 km). The drive takes about half a day. Upon arrival to the city accommodation at a hotel where you can take a shower and have some rest. Lunch in one of the local restaurants followed by a brief city tour. Dinner on your own.

Day 7

After breakfast you’ll be offered a car tour to an open air ethnographical museum located in Berezovka village. From there we’ll drive to a large Buddhist temple ^* located not far away from Ulan-Ude city. At the end of the day we’ll catch an evening train to Irkutsk city (2 Class ticket, 4 persons in a carriage compartment). Overnight: Train.

* Buddhism is the main religion and Buryat Republic. There are numerous Buddhist temples in the area.

Day 8

Early in the morning arrive to Irkutsk city. Transfer to the airport or hotel on your demand.

Notes:

• The tour is available from February 1 till April 1.
• Maximum group size – 6 pax.
• Winter camping experience is essential
• Ask your manager for a personal equipment list.

Cost (Rubles)

The cost includes:

• transfers as per program;
• train ticket from Ulan-Ude to Irkutsk;
• all excursions mentioned;
• accommodation in guest houses and hotels;
• meals as noted in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner);
• guide services;
• rent of sleds, winter tent and winter camping  equipment;
• sauna.

This trip offers a well-balanced combination of 3 winter activities affordable by most of our customers and does not require any special outdoor skills. You will start with an easy hike through Siberian forest, cross the ice shell of Baikal in its narrowest part, spend a full day snowshoeing and ice fishing in a wonderful winter fairy tale location and finish with a 3 day ice trek on the ice of the lake. You will see Baikal in all its diversity: old tunnels and bridges of the Old Trans-Siberian railroad, walk both on black ice and 3m deep snow, experience subzero temperatures and lots of sun.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• 4 day
• 5 day
• 6 day
• 7 day
• 8 day
• 9 day
• Notes:
• Cost (Rubles)
• The cost includes:

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting with guide, transfer to a downtown guesthouse. Accommodation in TWIN and DBL rooms. Lunch followed by a city tour. Early check-in is not included. (L)

Day 2

Transfer on a van (about 90 km) to a train station called «Tyemnaya Pad’». An easy 4 km hike down a small river valley to Lake Baikal. The final destination is a tiny village located on the Circum Baikal railroad. The van will deliver our luggage to the camp. Lunch in camp. Accommodation in a log house in one big room. Plank beds, 1 toilet and 1 shower for all. Sauna 2 hours. Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 3

Hike across Baikal on foot (12 km) to Sludyanka town (the luggage will be carried by a van or snowmobile sled right to Sludyanka). Lunch to be served in lunch boxes on the ice. From Sludyanka town a van will drive us along the highway to the Warm Lakes (total drive about 100 km and 6 km away from Lake Baikal).  A beautiful place with tons of snow. Accommodation in a small hotel in TWIN and DBL rooms. Dinner.  Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 4

In the first half of the day snowshoeing in the beautiful vicinity of the Warm lakes. After lunch you will try your luck in ice fishing.  Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 5

Morning group transfer across the ice of Baikal to Listvianka in a hovercraft or 4×4 (depending on the group size and ice conditions). Accommodation in a guesthouse. Guided tour to Baikal museum, walk around the village. Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 6

After breakfast we will start our 3 day ice hike. The tourists will be provided with pulka sleds to carry their personal luggage and part of the food stock. The luggage that the tourists will not need during the trip will be transferred to Irkutsk. Hike on the ice of Baikal to Bolshie Koty village. Overnight in a log cabin (2 bed cabins, all amenities outdoors). Total distance 20 km. Breakfast lunch and dinner included. Lunch in lunch boxes.  (BLD)

Day 7

Hike to Kadilniy cape. Overnight at the National Park rangers’ headquarters in a log cabin. One big room heated by a fire stove. 13 km. Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 8

Hike to Bolshoye Goloustnoye village 16 km. Lunch on the ice or in a cafe in the village. Drive to Irkutsk (2 hours on a van). Overnight in the same guesthouse you stayed before. Breakfast lunch and dinner included. (BLD)

Day 9

Transfer to the airport.

Notes:

• The tour is available from February 1 till April 1.
• Minimum group size – 4 pax.
• It’s required that customers are physically fit and have basic winter camping experience.
• Outfit and gear: snowshoes, pulks sleds and ice fishing utensils
• It’s required that customers have their own  warm clothes, winter hiking boots, crampons for walking on ice as well as sun cream and sun glasses. Ask your manager for a detailed list of personal equipment.

Cost (Rubles)

The cost includes:

• transfers;
• TWIN/DBL accommodation in guesthouses and hotels;
• meals as noted in the itinerary (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner);
• rent of equipment as noted above;
• English speaking guide;
• excursion as mentioned in itinerary.