Lake Baikal: Two Shores, Four Cultures
Duration9days
Price fromUSD $3,685 ?Currency ConversionConverted from USD based on the latest exchange rate. Final amount and payment will be in USD. Final conversion rate is determined by your bank.
Trip StyleCulture, Nature
Time of yearJuly - Sep
One of the world’s oldest geographical features formed 25 to 30 million years ago, magnificent Lake Baikal, which is the highlight of Eastern Siberia, Russia. Ancient and mysterious, Baikal holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the four indigenous cultures that inhabit its shores. On this 9 day Lake Baikal tour, you’ll get acquainted with these long-surviving cultures as we visit the region’s most famous and picturesque places, both overland and across this majestic "inland sea".
Lake Baikal tour highlights:
- Cruise to Olkhon Island, the largest of Lake Baikal’s islands and the “capital” of shamanistic culture. On a day tour of Olkhon’s natural wonders, discover untouched Siberian forests, soaring capes and cliffs, pristine sandy beaches and jaw-dropping sunsets
- Visit Ust-Orda village to experience the ancient customs of the Buryat people first hand. Feast on Buryati noodle soup and dumplings, hear extraordinary throat singers and participate in traditional games and dances
Arrival
Irkutsk
Departure
Ulan-Ude
Accomodation
3* hotels, guest houses
Trip style
Culture, Nature
Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Action rating?
Group size
min 2 people
Type of tour
Private tour
Itinerary View map
Day 1 Irkutsk
Arrival to Irkutsk, "the Paris of Siberia". Meet your guide at the airport for a transfer to the centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we embark on the city centre tour with visiting main sites.
Day 2 Irkutsk > Ust-Orda > Sakhyurta
After breakfast in the hotel, we embark on a long drive north. En route, we will stop at Ust-Orda village, where we get acquaintance with the local Buryat people culture, try their cuisine and participate in traditional games and dances. In the evening we will arrive at Sakhyurta village on the Small Sea strait.
Day 3 Ogoy and Olkhon Islands
Today we learn about the 2 cultures of Lake Baikal - Shamanism and Buddhism. After breakfast at the hotel, we board a boat for a mini cruise to Olkhon Island - the shamanistic "capital". On the route to Olkhon, we will make a stop on Ogoy island, where the Stupa of Enlightenment is located - the Buddhists sacred place.
In the evening upon arrival to Olkhon, you will check-in at the hotel and will learn about the shamanistic culture of Lake Baikal. We will enjoy the sunset close to Shaman Rock - one of the most sacred shamanistic places of Baikal.
Day 4 Khoboy Cape
This day will be dedicated to the beautiful nature of Olkhon Island. We board a mini-bus for a drive to the northern part of the island - Khoboy Cape. We will visit the most beautiful spots of Olkhon and will enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of Baikal.
Day 5 Ushkan Islands > Maksimikha
Today we leave the sacred Olkhon Island and move east to the opposite shore of Baikal, located in Buryatia village. We board a boat for a mini cruise to Maksimikha village. En route we make a stop at Ushkan Islands, where if we're lucky enough we meet the Baikal freshwater seals, called Nerpas.
After picnic lunch at the bay, we board a bus for a drive to Maksimikha village, where we stay for the night.
Day 6 Barguzin valley
This day we will spend travelling along Barguzin Valley. Here we visit the Yanzhima Palace, where women from all around the globe come to ask gods for babies. We also take a short hike to the cliffs, from where we enjoy the amazing views of Baikal.
Before heading back to Maksimikha, we will visit the Barguzin village, where time has stopped and different cultures co-exist together.
Day 7 Ulan-Ude
Today we are leaving Baikal and heading to the capital of Buryatia - Ulan-Ude. After hotel check-in, we embark on a comprehensive city tour, including visiting the Ivolginsky Datsan, where you will learn about Buddhism in Siberia.
Day 8 Tarabagatai
This day we spend with the old-believers in the village of the Tarabagatai. You will learn the story of the Old Believers, see their traditional clothes and try the family cuisine.
Day 9 Departure
It's time to say goodbye to Lake Baikal and its cultures. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in Ulan-Ude.
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Inclusions
Group arrival and departure airport transfers
3* hotels in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude
Guesthouses in Sakhyurta, Khuzhir and Maksimikha villages
Breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunches during day excursions, dinners in the hotels
All transportation according to the itinerary (coach, 4wd car, boat)
Local English-speaking tour leader
All activities and sights indicated in the itinerary (except optional)
Russian visa support documents
Exclusions
Flights
Russian visa. *Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for a comprehensive visa service here.
Optional excursions
Individual transfers not indicated in the itinerary
Lake Baikal: Two Shores, Four Cultures
9 days / 8 nights
*Private tour, price is per person, based on min 2 people
Make an enquiry Personalise this tour
Lake Baikal: Two Shores, Four Cultures
9 days / 8 nights
*Private tour, price is per person, based on min 2 people
Make an enquiry Personalise this tour
Why travel to Russia with 56th Parallel?
Destination Specialists
Our team offers over 18 years of experience travelling and planning travel in Russia. Delivering outstanding travel experiences in Russia’s capitals and in some of the most stunning & remote locations takes experience, special access and the right connections. We make sure that all the fine details are handled perfectly so you can enjoy your Russia travel experience.
Group & Private Tours
The choice to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or chose to travel on your own dates with your own mates. Each destination we travel to in Russia offers an option between private tours and small group tours. Please note: on our adventure tours in remote destinations, we mostly run group tours to keep the cost down.
Bonded & Licensed
56th Parallel is a fully licensed, insured and accredited travel provider.
Lake Baikal: Two Shores, Four Cultures
Days 9
From USD $3,685
Trip Style Culture, Nature
Time of year July - Sep
Day 1: Irkutsk
Arrival to Irkutsk, "the Paris of Siberia". Meet your guide at the airport for a transfer to the centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we embark on the city centre tour with visiting main sites.
Day 2: Irkutsk > Ust-Orda > Sakhyurta
After breakfast in the hotel, we embark on a long drive north. En route, we will stop at Ust-Orda village, where we get acquaintance with the local Buryat people culture, try their cuisine and participate in traditional games and dances. In the evening we will arrive at Sakhyurta village on the Small Sea strait.
Day 3: Ogoy and Olkhon Islands
Today we learn about the 2 cultures of Lake Baikal - Shamanism and Buddhism. After breakfast at the hotel, we board a boat for a mini cruise to Olkhon Island - the shamanistic "capital". On the route to Olkhon, we will make a stop on Ogoy island, where the Stupa of Enlightenment is located - the Buddhists sacred place.
In the evening upon arrival to Olkhon, you will check-in at the hotel and will learn about the shamanistic culture of Lake Baikal. We will enjoy the sunset close to Shaman Rock - one of the most sacred shamanistic places of Baikal.
Day 4: Khoboy Cape
This day will be dedicated to the beautiful nature of Olkhon Island. We board a mini-bus for a drive to the northern part of the island - Khoboy Cape. We will visit the most beautiful spots of Olkhon and will enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of Baikal.
Day 5: Ushkan Islands > Maksimikha
Today we leave the sacred Olkhon Island and move east to the opposite shore of Baikal, located in Buryatia village. We board a boat for a mini cruise to Maksimikha village. En route we make a stop at Ushkan Islands, where if we're lucky enough we meet the Baikal freshwater seals, called Nerpas.
After picnic lunch at the bay, we board a bus for a drive to Maksimikha village, where we stay for the night.
Day 6: Barguzin valley
This day we will spend travelling along Barguzin Valley. Here we visit the Yanzhima Palace, where women from all around the globe come to ask gods for babies. We also take a short hike to the cliffs, from where we enjoy the amazing views of Baikal.
Before heading back to Maksimikha, we will visit the Barguzin village, where time has stopped and different cultures co-exist together.
Day 7: Ulan-Ude
Today we are leaving Baikal and heading to the capital of Buryatia - Ulan-Ude. After hotel check-in, we embark on a comprehensive city tour, including visiting the Ivolginsky Datsan, where you will learn about Buddhism in Siberia.
Day 8: Tarabagatai
This day we spend with the old-believers in the village of the Tarabagatai. You will learn the story of the Old Believers, see their traditional clothes and try the family cuisine.
Day 9: Departure
It's time to say goodbye to Lake Baikal and its cultures. After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in Ulan-Ude.
Included
Group arrival and departure airport transfers
3* hotels in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude
Guesthouses in Sakhyurta, Khuzhir and Maksimikha villages
Breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunches during day excursions, dinners in the hotels
All transportation according to the itinerary (coach, 4wd car, boat)
Local English-speaking tour leader
All activities and sights indicated in the itinerary (except optional)
Russian visa support documents
Not included
Flights
Russian visa. *Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for a comprehensive visa service here.
Optional excursions
Individual transfers not indicated in the itinerary
If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 412 587 785