We invite you to start the exploration of lake Baikal in Irkutsk – an important administrative, economic, scientific and cultural center of Eastern Siberia. It has a long history as a cultural center and is a key destination on the Trans-Siberian Railway. More than 120 nationalities live here. The architecture of the city combines old wooden houses and modern high-rise buildings. There are different types of theaters, philharmonic orchestra, organ music hall.
You will also take a train of the Circum-Baikal railway that was built more than a hundred years ago. You will pass a lot of beautifully constructed tunnels and bridges that makes Circum-Baikal somewhat of a railway monument. The train stops at the most significant architectural sites and scenic viewpoints where you could take memorable photos. You will make the last stop in a small local village called Listvyanka where you will start your introduction with the deepest and oldest lake in the world Baikal.
Irkutsk (Monday)
| May | 26 |
| July | 14, 28 |
| August | 11 |
| September | 15, 29 |
Transfer to the airport.
Arrival to Irkutsk and meeting with our guide at the airport. Departure for the visit to Ust-Orda, the village of Buryatia which is located 70 km from Irkutsk. Visit to the Local History Museum where we will not only learn a lot about the life of Buryatia, shamanism, but also have an opportunity to meet with the shaman and see the folkloric show. Lunch. Return to Irkutsk, transfer to the hotel, accommodation and free evening.
Early breakfast or lunch-box. Transfer to the train station for the Circum-Baikal railway train (KBZhD in Russian). The train makes 4-5 stops of 25 minutes or more in the most interesting and picturesque places of the route. During the trip our guide will tell you a lot about the history of the region and the wildlife, many stories and legends of the railway construction. Lunch.
The last stop is the Baikal Port station where we cross Baikal on the ferry to Listvyanka.
Arrival at Listvyanka and transfer to Irkutsk. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast. During the city sightseeing tour, you will be taken to see the historical city center, see the monument to the discoverers of Siberia, the church of the Apparition of the Virgin, the main street of Irkutsk, and the monument to the Tsar Alexander III; then you’ll have a walk along the quay of the Angara River. Lunch at the local restaurant.
After you will visit the tourist district of wooden houses. Transfer to the hotel, accommodation and free evening.
Breakfast. Tour to the village of Listvyanka which is located on the shore of Lake Baikal about 70 km from Irkutsk. On our way we’ll visit the open-air museum of wooden architecture. Arrival to Listvyanka and lunch (including Baikal fish). During the sightseeing tour through the village, you’ll visit the Chaman-stone, the place where the Angara River is born; you’ll take the chairlift to the viewpoint; visit the museum of Lake Baikal and the souvenir and fish market. Return to Irkutsk and accommodation.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.
*Please, take note that we reserve the right to change the order of visits.
Level 3 (moderate/active)
Regular Tour
Level 2 (moderate)
