The Lake Baikal, a spirit of Siberia
You might have heard that the lake Baikal is sometimes called “The Blue Eye of Siberia” and “The Pearl of Siberia»
When thinking about Russia’s main natural wonders, Lake Baikal is probably one of the first places that will come to mind. And there’s an endless amount of good reasons for this.
Apart from being the world’s deepest and most ancient lake, it’s also widely considered to be “a place of power”: for the indigenous Buryat people it is a sacred place of pilgrimage; they connect their origins directly with Baikal and trace their lineage to natural forefathers – the animals and trees of the lake. Visitors also often say that there’s a very special feeling that they feel, a feeling they have not felt anywhere else.
Every corner of the lake hides an ancient legend or a place of incredible beauty. A lifetime may not be enough to discover it all. But the adventure must start at some point.
How to get to Baikal?
Logistics of the Baikal tour can be organized several ways, you can travel from Moscow by direct flight and in 6 hours you will be in Irkutsk, which is 70 km from Baikal.Travelling by plane will save time significantly and allows you to devote more days exploring and enjoying Baikal, its neiborhood and nature instead of spending time to get there. We shouldn’t forget that Baikal is around 4200 km from Moscow, and if you choose the plane option you can get acquainted with Baikal in a relatively short period, from 4 to 7 days.
Traveling by train allows you to make a Trans-Siberian type route, and on the way you will visit the cities of Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and finally get to Irkutsk. In this case you should take into account that you will need around up to 2-3 weeks if you plan make a roundtrip by train only. And in this case you might have 2-3 days devoted to Baikal Lake.
Also a mix logistics is possible, using both train and plane. So please don’t hesitate to tell us what option seems to be more suitable for you and we will create a tailor made tour which will be the best option for you.
Highlights of Moscow
Treasures of the Tzars , St Petersburg
Moscow and St.Petersburg, two russian capitals
Back to the USSR
True Russia
This tour is one of the options how you can enjoy the lake Baikal but it can be modified according to the number of days you have. Please feel free to share with us your ideas and we will do our best to prepare a tailor made itinerary for you. Thank you for choosing Nordic travel!
Day 1
At 1.00 p.m. – 3 p.m (depending on the time of your arrival and how much time you need to rest) – Irkutsk city tour (3 hours)
Irkutsk, located in Eastern Siberia on the banks of the Angara River is the sixth city in region by population, around 620 thousand people live here now. The city was founded in 1661 and got its name from the name of the Irkut River, which flows into the Angara. Irkutsk’s historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the pre-revolutionary period, Irkutsk was a merchant city, and its development and prosperity were based on very profitable trade relations with China, as well as the Siberian gold industry. During our big Irkutsk city tour, we will drive through the central streets and see the key sights of the city.
On the way, the guide will introduce you to the most important events from its history; tell you about the merchants who ran the city. Also you will know a lot about cultures’ and religions’ mixing on these lands and recall famous Russian personalities, Mikhail Speransky, Alexander III, Alexander Kolchak who played a big role in Irkutsk development. Of course the guide will share with you a lot of details about Decembrists revolt of 1825. The Decemberists were Russian military officers and noblemen, who were members of different anti-government secret societies and eventually organized the revolt in December 1825, aiming to overthrow the Imperial power in Russia. The uprising was defeated and 121 noblemen were condemned to different penalties and sentences. And many of them were in hard labor in Nerchinsk near Irkutsk. The Volkonsky estate and the monument to the wives of the Decembrists, who followed their husbands to Siberia is a separate chapter in the chronicle of the city.
During the tour and several photo stops you will see the place where the first Irkutsk fortress was located and you will know the story about the foundation of the city. At the Count Speransky Square you will hear about the personality of all Siberia governor in 1819-21 and a prominent politician; at the Moscow Gates, you will find out why they are turned with an arch to the river, near the monument to Alexander III you will know his role in Irkutks further development.
During the tour, you will pass the Three Churches Square, it’s a very attractive and interesting place for tourists where you will see the Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1746, and a snow-white Church of the Savior with wonderful frescoes, the colorful Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, as well as the Znamensky Convent, one of the oldest in Siberia.
On a walk along the historic Karl Marx Street, you will admire the old mansions and apartment buildings. In the Tourist Quarter, where we will see the examples of the ancient city wooden architecture, please take a closer look at the carved lace of wooden houses, it’s so unique and russian by spirit. After that, you will be able to walk along the embankment of the mighty Angara river and have a lunch in a local restaurant
Day 2
The Circum-Baikal Railway
If you dream about mixing the tour to the Lake Baikal and the Trans-Siberian, but do not have much time, this program is made specifically for you. In a short time you can take a train ride at the part of the Trans-Siberian Road called The Circum-Baikal Railway
which goes around Baikal, learn about its history, rest on the shores of the lake and stroll through the ancient alleys of the city of Irkutsk.
Day 3
The cable car in Listvyanka, a village standing on the shore of Lake Baikal, namely where the Angara River begins, leads to the Chersky Rock. Once at the top of the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 725 m, you can see a beautiful panorama of the lake itself and the source of the Angara, the Shaman Stone, the entire Listvyanka and the Baikal Observatory. The guide will told you the beautiful legend about Lake Baikal and his daughter, the Angara river.
Day 4
Day 1
At 1.00 p.m. – 3 p.m (depending on the time of your arrival and how much time you need to rest) – Irkutsk city tour (3 hours)
Irkutsk, located in Eastern Siberia on the banks of the Angara River is the sixth city in region by population, around 620 thousand people live here now. The city was founded in 1661 and got its name from the name of the Irkut River, which flows into the Angara. Irkutsk’s historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the pre-revolutionary period, Irkutsk was a merchant city, and its development and prosperity were based on very profitable trade relations with China, as well as the Siberian gold industry. During our big Irkutsk city tour, we will drive through the central streets and see the key sights of the city.
On the way, the guide will introduce you to the most important events from its history; tell you about the merchants who ran the city. Also you will know a lot about cultures’ and religions’ mixing on these lands and recall famous Russian personalities, Mikhail Speransky, Alexander III, Alexander Kolchak who played a big role in Irkutsk development. Of course the guide will share with you a lot of details about Decembrists revolt of 1825. The Decemberists were Russian military officers and noblemen, who were members of different anti-government secret societies and eventually organized the revolt in December 1825, aiming to overthrow the Imperial power in Russia. The uprising was defeated and 121 noblemen were condemned to different penalties and sentences. And many of them were in hard labor in Nerchinsk near Irkutsk. The Volkonsky estate and the monument to the wives of the Decembrists, who followed their husbands to Siberia is a separate chapter in the chronicle of the city.
During the tour and several photo stops you will see the place where the first Irkutsk fortress was located and you will know the story about the foundation of the city. At the Count Speransky Square you will hear about the personality of all Siberia governor in 1819-21 and a prominent politician; at the Moscow Gates, you will find out why they are turned with an arch to the river, near the monument to Alexander III you will know his role in Irkutks further development.
During the tour, you will pass the Three Churches Square, it’s a very attractive and interesting place for tourists where you will see the Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1746, and a snow-white Church of the Savior with wonderful frescoes, the colorful Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, as well as the Znamensky Convent, one of the oldest in Siberia.
On a walk along the historic Karl Marx Street, you will admire the old mansions and apartment buildings. In the Tourist Quarter, where we will see the examples of the ancient city wooden architecture, please take a closer look at the carved lace of wooden houses, it’s so unique and russian by spirit. After that, you will be able to walk along the embankment of the mighty Angara river and have a lunch in a local restaurant
Day 2
The Circum-Baikal Railway
If you dream about mixing the tour to the Lake Baikal and the Trans-Siberian, but do not have much time, this program is made specifically for you. In a short time you can take a train ride at the part of the Trans-Siberian Road called The Circum-Baikal Railway
which goes around Baikal, learn about its history, rest on the shores of the lake and stroll through the ancient alleys of the city of Irkutsk.
Day 3
The cable car in Listvyanka, a village standing on the shore of Lake Baikal, namely where the Angara River begins, leads to the Chersky Rock. Once at the top of the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 725 m, you can see a beautiful panorama of the lake itself and the source of the Angara, the Shaman Stone, the entire Listvyanka and the Baikal Observatory. The guide will told you the beautiful legend about Lake Baikal and his daughter, the Angara river.
Day 4
The transfer includes-a tourist minivan, a ferry boat and a Russian 4×4 UAZ jeep. On the way we will visit the Golden Horde Ethnic Park
Day 5
This trip will allow you to discover the beauty of the Maloye More (Small Sea) and its islets and have a walk along the cape and visit a small village of Uzury.
Day 6 – we return to Irkutsk
Day 7
The Sacred Baikal tour is one of the most popular in Baikal region. The pearl of this tour is the Olkhon Island which is considered to be the heart of the lake and is a truly sacred place for locals. The vivid nature, a healing silence of vast waters and your respect for local traditions and beliefs will charge you with a positive energy of Lake Baikal!
Day 1
At 12.00 p.m. – 03.00 p.m. (depending on the time of your arrival and how much time you need to rest) – the city tour Irkutsk begins (3 hours) – Irkutsk city tour (3 hours)
Irkutsk, located in Eastern Siberia on the banks of the Angara River is the sixth city in region by population; around 620 thousand people live here now. The city was founded in 1661 and got its name from the name of the Irkut River, which flows into the Angara. Irkutsk’s historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the pre-revolutionary period, Irkutsk was a merchant city, and its development and prosperity were based on very profitable trade relations with China, as well as the Siberian gold industry. During our big Irkutsk city tour, we will drive through the central streets and see the key sights of the city.
On the way, the guide will introduce you to the most important events from its history; tell you about the merchants who ran the city. Also you will know a lot about cultures’ and religions’ mixing on these lands and recall famous Russian personalities, Mikhail Speransky, Alexander III, Alexander Kolchak who played a big role in Irkutsk development. Of course the guide will share with you a lot of details about Decembrists revolt of 1825. The Decemberists were Russian military officers and noblemen, who were members of different anti-government secret societies and eventually organized the revolt in December 1825, aiming to overthrow the Imperial power in Russia. The uprising was defeated and 121 noblemen were condemned to different penalties and sentences. And many of them were in hard labor in Nerchinsk near Irkutsk. The Volkonsky estate and the monument to the wives of the Decembrists, who followed their husbands to Siberia is a separate chapter in the chronicle of the city.
During the tour and several photo stops you will see the place where the first Irkutsk fortress was located and you will know the story about the foundation of the city. At the Count Speransky Square you will hear about the personality of all Siberia governor in 1819-21 and a prominent politician; at the Moscow Gates, you will find out why they are turned with an arch to the river, near the monument to Alexander III you will know his role in Irkutks further development.
During the tour, you will pass the Three Churches Square, it’s a very attractive and interesting place for tourists where you will see the Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1746, and a snow-white Church of the Savior with wonderful frescoes, the colorful Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, as well as the Znamensky Convent, one of the oldest in Siberia.
On a walk along the historic Karl Marx Street, you will admire the old mansions and apartment buildings. In the Tourist Quarter, where we will see the examples of the ancient city wooden architecture, please take a closer look at the carved lace of wooden houses, it’s so unique and russian by spirit. After that, you will be able to walk along the embankment of the mighty Angara river and have a lunch in a local restaurant
Irkutsk Historical Museum consist of two memorial estates, located in the neighboring streets in the historical center of Irkutsk. These two estates belonged to the families of Sergey Trubetskoy and Sergey Volkonsky, who were the active members of the Decembrists revolt.
Day 2
The Listvyanka village is known from the middle of the 16th century and stays on the shore of Lake Baikal, namely where the Angara River begins. During this tour you will see one of the most significant showplace of that village – the Shaman’s Stone, which is the natural boundary between Lake Baikal and the Angara River, the only one river that takes flow from the lake. The guide will told you the beautiful legend about Lake Baikal and his daughter, the Angara river.
Once at the top of the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 725 m, you can see a beautiful panorama of the lake itself and the source of the Angara River and Lake Baikal.
Day 3
The Circum-Baikal Railway
If you dream about mixing the tour to the Lake Baikal and the Trans-Siberian, but do not have much time, this program is made specifically for you. In a short time you can take a train ride at the part of the Trans-Siberian Road called The Circum-Baikal Railway
which goes around Baikal, learn about its history, rest on the shores of the lake and stroll through the ancient alleys of the city of Irkutsk.
Baikalsk was founded in 1961 as a settlement for the builders of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill.
Lake Baikal and its mountain setting with many rivers and small lakes (Sable Lakes, Slyudyansky Lakes), the Circum-Baikal Railway attract tourists in Baikalsk.
In summer, one can enjoy the rich flora of Khamar Daban, the contrast of the altitude zone, the picturesque and panoramic views, the uniqueness of the Siberian nature. In winter, the abundance of snow, sunny days and a mild climate made this small city one of the most popular ski and mountain ski resorts in Baikal Region.
Day 4
Buryats are the natives of Siberia, they are of the Mongolian race. The city of Ulan-Ude is the capital of is the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia. It is located about 100 kilometers southeast of Lake Baikal at the foot of the mountains, in a picturesque place, surrounded by mountains covered with coniferous forests from the northern and southern parts, at the confluence of the Uda and Selenga rivers.
Ulan-Ude city was settled in 1666 by the Russian Cossacks as the fortress of Udinskoye. Due to its favorable geographical position, it grew rapidly and became a large trade center which connected Russia with China and Mongolia and, from 1690, was the administrative center of the Transbaikal region.
The Ivolginsky Valley stretches to the west, where the famous Ivolginsky Buddhist Datsan, the residence of the senior lama of Russian Buddhists, is located.
Day 5
Ivolginsky Datsan is the Center of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, Buddhist Temple located 23 km from Ulan Ude, near Verkhnyaya Ivolga village.
The Datsan was opened in 1945 as the only Buddhist spiritual centre of the USSR. It was the residence of the Central Spiritual Board of Buddhists of the USSR.
Unique samples of old Buryat art, sculptures, ritual objects are gathered and preserved at the Ivolginsky Datsan. Among the monastery’s treasures there is a collection of old Buddhist manuscripts written in Tibetan language on natural silk, and a greenhouse with a sacred Bodhi tree.
There are also a library, a hotel, the Choral (Faculty of Philosophy), Dashi Choinhorlin (building of the Buddhist University), Museum of Buryat Art and lamas’ houses. A Korean style wooden Etigel Khambin temple is located on the territory of the Datsan.
The Old Believers were the Russian Orthodox Christians who protested against church reforms in 1652. They pursued each other and therefore left for Siberia from the European part of Russia. Nowadays, Old Believers live in small villages and continue to keep the traditional way of life and customs.
During the visit you will see a folklore show performed by Old believers
Day 6
You will have the opportunity to make a boat trip over Lake Baikal and sunbathe under the Siberian sun.
Day 7
You will have a transfer to Olkhon Island by the speedboat with capacity of 10 persons. The transfer will take 3-4 hours.
Lake Baikal is considered the heart of Siberia, and Olkhon Island is the heart of Lake Baikal as well as the third-largest lake island in the world.
It is by far the largest island of the Lake Baikal. The island is considered a geographical, historical and sacred center: it is a treasure trove of ancient legends and historical traditions. The wide variety of natural landscapes of the island is explained by its geographical location: it is located in the central part of the lake, near the point of maximum depth (1637 m). Even the outline of the island is very similar to the outline of the lake. Nature is magnificent: the landscapes are steppe, with dunes and bays, deciduous forests mixed with coniferous, and rocks covered with red lichens surprise. This is a special place for photographers and those who love wildlife.
Day 8
This trip will allow you to discover the beauty of the Maloye More (Small Sea) and its islets and have a walk along the cape and visit a small village of Uzury where a small weather station is located.
Day 9
On the way, visit the Golden Horde Ethnic Park.
The Golden Horde, or the ‘Great State’ in Turkic, was originally a Mongol and later Turkic khanate established in the 13th century and originating as the northwestern sector of the Mongol Empire.
Visit of the Museum of Traditional Culture of Buryats (natives of Siberia). Meeting with a shaman. Buryat folk show
Day 10
Choosing this tour you will be able to admire Lake Baikal, where
Orthodox, shaman and Buddhist cultures peacefully converge on its shores. Also you you will enjoy swimming in its crystal clear waters of the lake and sunbathe under the Siberian sun.
Best time to go – January-March
The lake Baikal looks majestic at any time of the year and its beauty in winter is the same impressive as in summer.
Magical natural “ice palaces” on the rocks, the brilliance of the water surface of the the lake, captured by ice at sunset, a tremoundous transparecy of the ice and deepness of the lake will definately fascinate you!
Don’t be scared of the Siberian frosts, a warm clothes and new emotions will keep you warm, we promise!
The winter Baikal can offer you so many interesting activities possible only in this season!
Let the winter fairy tale of Siberian nature will come true!
Day 1, Irkutsk
At 12.00 – 1 p.m. (depending on the time of your arrival and how much time you need to rest) – the Irkutsk big city tour will start (duration about 3 hours)
Irkutsk city tour
Irkutsk, located in Eastern Siberia on the banks of the Angara River is the sixth city in region by population; around 620 thousand people live here now. The city was founded in 1661 and got its name from the name of the Irkut River, which flows into the Angara. Irkutsk’s historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the pre-revolutionary period, Irkutsk was a merchant city, and its development and prosperity were based on very profitable trade relations with China, as well as the Siberian gold industry. During our big Irkutsk city tour, we will drive through the central streets and see the key sights of the city.
On the way, the guide will introduce you to the most important events from its history; tell you about the merchants who ran the city. Also you will know a lot about cultures’ and religions’ mixing on these lands and recall famous Russian personalities, Mikhail Speransky, Alexander III, Alexander Kolchak who played a big role in Irkutsk development. Of course the guide will share with you a lot of details about Decembrists revolt of 1825. The Decemberists were Russian military officers and noblemen, who were members of different anti-government secret societies and eventually organized the revolt in December 1825, aiming to overthrow the Imperial power in Russia. The uprising was defeated and 121 noblemen were condemned to different penalties and sentences. And many of them were in hard labor in Nerchinsk near Irkutsk. The Volkonsky estate and the monument to the wives of the Decembrists, who followed their husbands to Siberia is a separate chapter in the chronicle of the city.
During the tour and several photo stops you will see the place where the first Irkutsk fortress was located and you will know the story about the foundation of the city. At the Count Speransky Square you will hear about the personality of all Siberia governor in 1819-21 and a prominent politician; at the Moscow Gates, you will find out why they are turned with an arch to the river, near the monument to Alexander III you will know his role in Irkutks further development.
During the tour, you will pass the Three Churches Square, it’s a very attractive and interesting place for tourists where you will see the Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1746, and a snow-white Church of the Savior with wonderful frescoes, the colorful Cathedral of our Lady of Kazan, as well as the Znamensky Convent, one of the oldest in Siberia.
On a walk along the historic Karl Marx Street, you will admire the old mansions and apartment buildings. In the Tourist Quarter, where we will see the examples of the ancient city wooden architecture, please take a closer look at the carved lace of wooden houses, it’s so unique and russian by spirit. After that, you will be able to walk along the embankment of the mighty Angara river and have a lunch in a local restaurant.
Day 2, Irkutsk – Listvyanka village
The Listvyanka village is known from the middle of the 16th century and stays on the shore of Lake Baikal, namely where the Angara River begins. During this tour you will see one of the most significant showplace of that village – the Shaman’s Stone, which is the natural boundary between Lake Baikal and the Angara River, the only one river that takes flow from the lake. The guide will told you the beautiful legend about Lake Baikal and his daughter, the Angara river.
Once at the top of the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 725 m, you can see a beautiful panorama of the lake itself and the source of the Angara River and Lake Baikal.
Day 3, Listvyanka, lake Baikal
Day 4, the Olkhon Island
Lake Baikal is considered the heart of Siberia, and the Olkhon Island is the heart of Lake Baikal as well as the third-largest lake island in the world.
It is by far the largest island in the Lake Baikal. The island is a geographical, historical and sacred center of the lake. It is a treasure trove of ancient legends and historical traditions. The wide variety of natural landscapes of the island is explained by its geographical location: it is located in the central part of the lake, near the point of maximum depth (1637 m). Even the outline of the island is very similar to the outline of the lake. The nature here is magnificent, the landscapes are stepped, with dunes and bays, deciduous forests mixed with coniferous, and rocks covered with red lichens surprise. This is a special place for photographers and those who love wildlife.
The Golden Horde, or the ‘Great State’ in Turkic, was originally a Mongol and later Turkic khanate established in the 13th century and originating as the northwestern sector of the Mongol Empire.
In this ethnic park you will visit a Museum of Traditional Culture of Buryats (natives of Siberia). Meeting with a shaman. Buryat folk show
Day 5, the Olkhon Island
Khoboy Cape is located in the north of the Olkhon Island. The word “Khoboy” is translated from the Buryat language as “tusk”. During the trip, you can admire the beautiful nature of Olkhon Island, discover the beauty of the Maloye More (Small Sea) and its islets and have a walk along the cape and visit the weather station located in the village of Uzury.
Day 6, Olknon – Irkutsk
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
Decembrists’ Historical Museum consists of two memorial estates, located in the neighboring streets in the historical center of Irkutsk. These two estates belonged to the families of Sergey Trubetskoy and Sergey Volkonsky, who were the active members of the Decembrists revolt.
Day 7, Irkutsk
Sports and extreme activities at the Lake Baikal in winter season
