We invite you to Tunka valley to see its natural wonders. You will visit Irkutsk city – the capital of Eastern Siberia, Peschanaya Bay called Siberian Riviera and the most sacred site of lake Baikal – Olkhon Island.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• 4 day
• 5 day
• 6 day
• 7 day
• 8 day
• 9 day
• Notes
• The price includes
• The price excludes

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk city. Meeting and assistance at the airport. Transfer to your Hotel. Check in ^* Lunch in the hotel restaurant. City tour with the visit to the Cathedral of Holly Sign ^** Visit to the Museum of Decembrists ^***. Return to your Hotel. Dinner (optional, not included). Leisure time. Overnight.

* In case there are no rooms available the check in will be after 1 pm (after the city tour).

** Apart from ornate and rich iconostasis the cathedral is famous for its graveyard where you can see the tombs of Decembrist Mukhanov, Beschasnov, Trubetskaya and Grigory Shelekhov, explorer of Alaska.

*** In the past the mansion belonged to one of the leaders of Decembrist revolutionaries – Russian aristocracy who were banned to Siberia after their attempt in December of 1825 to overthrow the Russian Tsar.

Day 2

Breakfast and packing up. Departure to Kultuk settlement ^* (1 1/2 hrs from Irkutsk) Stop on the observation point. Drive along the road that runs across the Tunkinskie Pinnacles with well-defined alpine relief in the North and downhills in the South. Arrival at Arshan Settlement. Accommodation in your hotel or at host. Visit to a small Buddhist temple ^** Visit to the hot springs site. Dinner. Overnight.

* Kultuk settlement is situated southward of Lake Baikal, where from the road makes sharp turn to the west and after climbing relatively gradual pass gets up to the Tunka Valley.

** Cradled in the Shumak River valley at the foot of Tunkinskie Pinnacles. It was built by Geche Dzshampa Tenley who stopped his Buddhist campaign here having found impossible to travel any further in winter time.

Day 3

Breakfast. All day long hiking to the spurs of the Tunkinskie Pinnacles. En route see the splendid nature, waterfalls and valleys of Tunka downhills. Picnic by the riverbank. Return to Arshan settlement. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 (Wed., Sat)

Breakfast, packing up and departure for Sludyanka settlement ^*. Further travel along the famous Circum Baikal rail road. Board on a local train with a few carriages attached that runs regularly along the circum Baikal railroad ^** Arrival in Port Baikal. Ferry to Listvyanka settlement and further to your hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

* The towns of Sludyanka and Kultuk are urbanized segments of the Baikal coast with the developing automobile, railway and water ways. This area also binds the Western (Tunkinsky, Okinsky) and Eastern regions of the Buriat Republic.

** The volume of earth-moving work done on every kilometer of the way equals to 400 carriages that may be compared to the volume of work done during the Suez Channel construction. 424 engineer constructions were built along 84 kilometers-long stretch of the road from Khultuk to port Baikal including 39 tunnels with the total length of 8994 meters, 14 kilometers of supporting walls, 47 stone and 3 iron galleries.

Day 5

Breakfast. A guided tour to the Baikal Ecology Museum ^* Transfer to the beginning of the headwaters of the Angara River to see the famous Shaman Rock. Further transfer to Taltsy – the open air Museum of the Russian Wooden Architecture ^**. Return to Listvyanka settlement, lunch. Visit to the Church of Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker – the guardian angel of all the travelers in the world. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

* Baikal Ecology Museum exhibits the lake’s unique samples of flora and fauna: a rich collection of minerals, different kinds of fish and other organisms inhabiting the lake.

** There is a numerous number of ethnographical and architectural sights in the museum. The oldest building on a site is Spass Tower of Ilimsk Fortress (1667) and active Kazan Chapel (1679)

*** Built in the middle of the XIX century by Ksenophont Serebryakov. Dedicated to Saint Nicolas – the guardian for all the travelers.

Day 6

Breakfast, packing up and departure for the boat station to start the aquatic part of our journey towards Peschanaya Bay ^* (6 hrs sail) Upon arrival – visit to the bay and the neighboring Babushka Bay. A light hike to the Big Belfry Cliff located nearby. Return aboard. Dinner. Overnight.

* Peschnaya Bay is a nature landmark of Lake Baikal, often called ”Siberian Riviera”. It is the only place in entire Eastern Siberia where the average annual temperature is above zero Celsius ( + 0,4C).

Day 7

We proceed towards Olkhon Isle. Lunch. Arrival at Khuzshir settlement – the center of the Island. Transfer to the tourist camp. Accommodation. Dinner. Russian Banya experience upon request (optional service). Overnight.

Day 8

Breakfast. A trip to Khoboy cape ^* located northwards of the Isle. En route – drive through the Sand Tract (20 km Northwards from Khuzhir settlement) famous for its sand dunes ^** Picnic on the shore. Return to the camp. Overnight.

* is located near the widest part of Lake Baikal (79,8 km). Near the northernmost point of this cape there’s a special site (a small platform) that was used for carrying on the so-called “ tailagan” – gatherings of shamans. From the cape one can often see Baikal nerpas – fresh-water seals, the lake’s only aquatic animals.

** They founded a little settlement on a shore of 20 houses in 1950. By the beginning 70-th the settlement was absolutely sand blown.

Day 9

Early breakfast. Departure from the camp. Transfer to the ferry station and further trip to Irkutsk city. En route stop to have a snack in the local cafe. Upon arrival we transfer you to the railroad station/airport to depart for Moscow.

Notes:

• Single supplement is possible at hotels, tourist camps only.
• Single supplement Rubles, 7098

• Single supplement, Rubles – 10 300

The price includes:

• Hotel double occupancy accommodation for one night in Irkutsk City Hotel (***stars category), accommodation for 2 nights in Arshan Settlement, accommodation for two nights in Listvyanka Settlement, accommodation in the camp;
• Sail boat freight;
• Full board as mentioned in the programme;
• Circum Baikal rail road ticket;
• All ground and water transfers as mentioned in the programme;
• Bilingual guide
• Tours and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

The price excludes:

• Other items not specifically mentioned as included or mentioned as ‘optional’.

The itinerary covers the most attractive sights of Southern Baikal: the legendary Circum Baikal railroad, mineral springs of Tunka valley, Listvyanka village – once a small fishermen’ village and today a fast growing tourist center, and the mysterious Olkhon island.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3-4 day
• 5 day
• 6 day
• 7 day
• 8 day
• 9 day
• 10 day
• 11 day
• Tour budget (based on double occupancy)
• The price includes
• The price excludes

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and accommodation. After you have had some rest our guide will invite you for a brief city tour ^*. Meals at personal expenses.

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

Day 2

Early breakfast. Transfer to the boat station for a ride to Olkhon island. The road takes about 6 hours. As you reach Olkhon island our representative will meet you at the boat station and drive you 35 km to Khuzhir village that is located in the very middle of Olkhon island. Accommodation in log cabins (2 pax in a room all amenities outdoors). Dinner and overnight. (BD)

Day 3-4

2 full days for excursions and sightseeing on Olkhon island. Hiking and cycling trips, automobile excursions, horseback riding and fishing – all these activities can be reserved and paid right at the administration desk. Full board (BLD)

Day 5

Breakfast and transfer back to Irkutsk city by regular bus. The trip takes about 7 hours with a short stop for lunch at a road cafe. In Irkutsk our representative will meet you at the bus station and drive you to hotel. Accommodation in TWIN rooms. Dinner on your own (B)

Day 6

Full day automobile trip to Tunka valley – a unique natural phenomenon located 100 km south from lake Baikal. The area is famous for its healing mineral springs, gorgeous mountains and rapid rivers. You will drive to Arshan village located at the foot of Eastern Sayan mountains leave the car and walk 2 km upstream the Kyngarga river assisted by our guide. On the way back we’ll stop at the spar to take a sip of mineral water that bubbles right from the ground. At a local market one can buy traditional Siberian souvenirs as well as cedar nuts, herbs and other treasures of Siberian wilderness. Lunch in a cafe at personal expenses. In the afternoon we’ll drive 140 km back to the southern most extremity of lake Baikal Sludyanka town. Dinner and overnight in a guest house. (BD)

Day 7

After breakfast transfer to the railway station from were a small diesel locomotive will take you for a full day excursion along the legendary Circum Baikal railroad ^* that was built at the end of Russian Royalism and once called the golden Buckle of Siberia. The railroad is only 80 km long but the trip takes 8 hours. The train moves really slowly with numerous stops so one has plenty of time to appreciate the landscape. Stop for overnight in the Port of Baikal – a small village located at the headwaters of Angara river – the only river that flows out of lake Baikal. Accommodation in a wooden house. (BLD)

* The volume of earth-moving work done on every kilometer of the way was equal to 400 carriages that may be compared to the volume of work done during the Suez Channel construction. 424 engineer constructions were built along 84 kilometers-long stretch of the road from Kultuk to port Baikal including 39 tunnels with the total length of 8994 meters, 14 kilometers of supporting walls, 47 stone and 3 iron galleries.

Day 8

After breakfast we’ll have at least half a day to explore the area. In the afternoon we’ll walk to the Angara river bank and take a ferry across the waters (about 2 km) to Listvyanka village – once a small fishermen village and today a fats growing tourist center. Drive 5 min to a guest house. Accommodation in TWIN rooms. (BL)

Day 9

After breakfast we’ll take an easy walk to the museum of Baikal. From there one can easily get on top of Chersky mount – a natural observation point. On a good day you will have a magnificent view of lake Baikal and Angara river outlet. In the afternoon our guide will leave for Irkutsk and the next day you will stay on your own. (B)

Day 10

Free time before noon in Listvyanka village. In the afternoon our minibus will pick you up and drive you to Irkutsk city (1 hour). Accommodation in hotel in TWIN rooms. Lunch and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 11

Transfer to the airport. (B)

Please, note that the check in is at 12-00. In case of early arrival you might have to wait at the reception for the check-in hours.

Tour budget (based on double occupancy)

Number of PAX in a group	2-3	4-5	6-8
Cost p/p in Rublesб	56 700	50 500	44 000

• Single supplement Rubles, 13 500

The price includes:

• Accommodation for 3 nights in Irkutsk City Hotel (***stars category) TWIN rooms,
• Accommodation for 3 nights in a tourist camp on Olkon island (rooms for 2 pax all amenities outdoors),
• Accommodation for 1 night in a guest house in Sludyanka town (TWIN rooms),
• Accommodation for 1 night in a tourist center at the Circum Baikal
• Railroad (all amenities outdoors),
• Accommodation for 2 nights in a guest house in Listvyanka Settlement TWIN rooms,
• Meals as mentioned in the program (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner);
• Circum Baikal rail road ticket;
• All ground and water transfers as mentioned in the program;
• Bilingual guide on Days 1, 6, 7, 8, 9
• Tours and entrance fees as mentioned in the program.

The price excludes:

• Excursion on Olkhon island

This itinerary is ideal for individuals and small groups of tourists. Olkhon Island offers a great variety of different excursions and activities and you will have a chance to reserve them right on the spot. The program is designed in such a way that most of the time you will feel fairly comfortable without our guide’s supervision. This helps to make the tour a lot cheaper.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• 4-6 day
• 7 day
• 8 day
• Tour budget (based on double occupancy)
• The price includes
• The price excludes

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance at the airport. Transfer to your hostel or guest house. Accommodation. After you have had some rest our guide will invite you for a brief city tour ^*. Meals at personal expenses.

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

Day 2

Breakfast. Transfer by car to Listvyanka settlement located at Lake Baikal shore. En route a guided tour to Taltsy – the Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture ^*. Lunch will be served for you in a cafe. Visit to Baikal Museum ^**. From there one can easily get on top of Chersky Mount – a natural observation point from where on a good day you will have a magnificent view of lake Baikal and the Angara river outlet. In the afternoon we’ll drive back to Irkutsk. Accommodation as the day before. (BL)

* There is a great number of ethnographical and architectural sights in the museum. The oldest building on a site is Spass Tower of Ilimsk Fortress (1667) and active Kazan Chapel (1679)

** Baikal Museum exhibits the lake’s unique samples of flora and fauna: a rich collection of minerals, different kinds of fish and other organisms inhabiting the lake.

Day 3

After breakfast you’ll get on your own to the bus station to catch a regular bus to Olkhon island. A day earlier our guide will give you detailed information concerning your trip to Olkhon. The road to Olkhon takes about 7 hours with a short stop at a road cafe for lunch. The bus will drive you directly to the tourist center. Accommodation in log cabins (all amenities outdoors). Dinner and overnight (BD)

Day 4-6

3 full days for excursions and sightseeing on Olkhon island. Hiking and cycling trips, automobile excursions, horseback riding and fishing – all these activities can be reserved and paid right at the administration desk. Half board (BD)

Day 7

After breakfast you will drive back to Irkutsk by regular bus. Accommodation in a guest house. (B)

Day 8

Transfer to the airport. (B)

Please, note that the check in is at 12-00. In case of early arrival you might have to wait at the reception for the check-in hours.

Tour budget (based on double occupancy)

• Single supplement Rubles, 3500.

The price includes:

• Accommodation for 3 nights in Irkutsk city (guest house or hostel),
• Accommodation for 4 nights in a tourist camp on Olkon island (rooms for 2 pax all amenities outdoors),
• Meals as mentioned in the program (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner);
• Bus ticket to Olkhon and back;
• Bilingual guide on Days 1, 2,
• Excursions as mentioned in the program.

The price excludes:

• Excursion on Olkhon island

Within just three days you will visit Irkutsk city – the capital of eastern Siberia, and Listvyanka settlement at Lake Baikal. You can try hot-smoked fish cooked by the locals at the pier, buy souvenirs made of precious and semi-precious stones, hand-made bark items and pictures. You can climb up Chersky cliff which is 700 m above the lake’s level from where you’ll have a good view of the lake and the outflow of the Angara river.

Itinerary

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• Tour budget (based on double occupancy)
• The price includes
• The price excludes

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk city. Meeting and assistance at the airport. Transfer to your Hotel. Check in ^* Lunch in the hotel restaurant. City tour with the visit to the Cathedral of Holly Sign ^** Visit to the Museum of Decembrists ^***. Return to your Hotel. Dinner (optional, not included). Leisure time. Overnight.

* In case there are no rooms available the check in will be after 1 pm (after the city tour).

** Apart from ornate and rich iconostasis the cathedral is famous for its graveyard where you can see the tombs of Decembrists Mukhanov, Beschasnov, Trubetskaya and Grigory Shelekhov, explorer of Alaska.

*** In the past the mansion belonged to one of the leaders of Decembrist revolutionaries – Russian aristocracy who were banned to Siberia after their attempt in December of 1825 to overthrow the Russian Tsar.

Day 2

Breakfast. Departure to Listvyanka settlement located at Lake Baikal shore. En route a guided tour to Taltsy – the Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture in the open air ^*. Transfer to the beginning of the headwaters of the Angara River to see the famous Shaman Rock. Check in your Hotel, lunch. Visit to the Church of Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker. Visit to Baikal Museum ^*** Boat trip on the Lake (optional, not included). Return to your hotel. Dinner.

* There is a great number of ethnographical and architectural sights in the museum. The oldest building on a site is Spass Tower of Ilimsk Fortress (1667) and active Kazan Chapel (1679)

** Built in the middle of the XIX century by Ksenophont Serebryakov. Dedicated to Saint Nicolas – the guardian angel for all the travelers.

*** Baikal Museum exhibits the lake’s unique samples of flora and fauna: a rich collection of minerals, different kinds of fish and other organisms inhabiting the lake.

Day 3

Early breakfast. Departure .

Tour budget (based on double occupancy)

Number of PAX in a group	2	3-5	6-9	10-15	16 and more
Cost p/p in Rubles	19 100	17 800	13 500	12 100	11 600

• Single supplement, Rubles 4 250

The price includes:

• Hotel double occupancy accommodation for one night in Irkutsk City Hotel (***star category), accommodation for one night in Listvyanka Settlement;
• Half board (Breakfast/lunch);
• All ground and water transfers as mentioned in the program;
• Bilingual guide
• Tours and entrance fees as mentioned in the program.

The price excludes:

• Sail boat freight for 2 hrs on day 2;
• Other items not specifically mentioned as included or mentioned as ‘optional’

The tour starts: upon your request