Experiences you'll have
During one trip you will see all the variety of landscapes of the Baikal Lake nature: old-growth taiga forests, majestic peaks of Khamar-Daban Mountain range on the south of the lake, and the most famous sites of the north-eastern shore: islands and capes of the Maloye More (rus. for the “Small sea”) Strait and Peschanaya (rus. for “Sandy”) Bay.
You will cross Baikal Lake on a hovercraft, ride snowmobiles through the taiga and explore the islands of the Maloe More Strait by all-terrain vehicles
This week on Baikal Lake will be full of the various experiences:
We accept bookings for groups of 6 or more
Note: the cost of the tour is for a group of 6 tourists and includes the services of an English-speaking guide.
Itinerary
The trip starts in Irkutsk, where you should get to on your own before 9 am on the first day of the program. We are ready to help with tickets purchasing. If necessary, leave a comment in the application.
Day 1 Arrival to Baikal Lake
After the meeting at the Irkutsk airport you will be taken to the cafe for breakfast. Then you will go to Novosnezhnaya village, located in the south of Baikal. This is the foothill of the legendary Khamar-Daban range and the place where Snezhnaya (rus. for “Snowy”) river flows into lake Baikal.
Upon arrival to the village you will be accommodated at a hotel in cozy rooms with views of the snow-covered mountain peaks. Before dinner, you can visit a Russian sauna or a Japanese herbal font. You will enjoy a special Baikal omul sagudai (traditional fresh fish meal) and a welcome drink from the hotel owner during dinner.
Day 2 Along the Snezhnaya river valley
After breakfast, you will take your gear and attend a briefing on the safe handling of a snowmobile. Then you will go to the route along the valley of the Snezhnaya River to the foothills of the Khamar-Daban Range. You will drive back to Novosnezhnaya village along the Baikal shore. Along the way, you will have a picnic on the ice.
After finishing the route you will return to the hotel, have dinner and go to the Russian sauna.
Stage length: 50 km by snowmobile.
Day 3 Tour to Mamay Mountain
After breakfast you will have a snowmobile trip to the bottom of Mamay Mountain (1600 m), located on the lake's southern shore. This is one of the most popular places in Baikal for extreme snowboard and snowmobile freeriding. By midwinter, the thickness of the snow cover here can reach up to 5 meters.
You can go snowboarding off-piste and enjoy the sceneries of winter taiga and the majestic peaks of Khamar-Daban. You will have lunch in a chalet in the mountains. In the evening you will return to the hotel, have dinner and rest.
Stage length: 60 km by snowmobile.
Day 4 A hovercrafts trip on the Baikal ice
After breakfast you will pack your luggage and check out from the hotel. Then you will be taken by hovercraft across the ice of Baikal to the Olkhon, the largest island of the Baikal.
You will make stops at the most picturesque places for short walks, photoshoots and lunch outdoors.
Upon arrival to the Olkhon Island , you will be accommodated in a hotel in Khuzir village, have dinner and go to the sauna.
Day 5 Islands and capes of the Maloye More Strait
On this day you will ride all-terrain vehicles ("north-trucks") on the ice of Baikal Lake.
Transparent Baikal ice is the main feature of the winter lake. It seems that there is not even half a meter of water under your feet, although the depth can reach 20 or even 40 meters.
You will peek into the ice grottoes and caves on the islands of the Maloye More and visit the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment on the Ogoi Island. You will see ice hummocks and traces of frozen waves near the shores of Baikal Lake. You will skate on the ice and have a winter picnic.
In the evening you will come back to the base, have dinner and rest.
Stage length: 75 km by all-terrain vehicles.
Day 6 Irkutsk sightseeing
In the morning you will be taken to Irkutsk. On the way you will stop for a lunch and taste Buryat cuisine. Upon arrival to Irkutsk you will be accommodated at a hotel.
In the evening you will have a guided city-tour of the historical center of Irkutsk and the Angara embankment. You will have dinner in one of the city’s restaurants (extra charge), then go back to your hotel and rest.
Day 7 Return home
In the morning we will take you to Irkutsk airport for your flight.
Accommodation during the trip
Nights 1-3 you will spend in the new Belosnezhka countryside hotel located in the Novosnezhnaya village in the foothills of the Khamar-Daban range. You will be accommodated in standard twin rooms with a separate entrance and a terrace with a view of the mountain peaks and the valley of the Snezhnaya River. Your room will have two separate beds, a flat-screen TV, a closet, and a bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, and toiletries. There is a sauna, a restaurant, and a recreation area with grill houses and barbecues on the hotel territory.
From day 4 to day 6 of the tour you will stay at the Port Olkhon Hotel, located in the village of Khuzhir on the Olkhon island. In a standard double room there are double or twin beds, a coffee table, chairs, a wardrobe. Also there are a restaurant, a coffee shop, a bar and parking at the hotel.
The final night of the trip will be spent at the Courtyard Marriott hotel located in the center of Irkutsk. You will be accommodated in standard double rooms with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. There is a restaurant, a cafe, and a conference room on site.
Note: the hotel in Irkutsk can be replaced by a similar level one.
Common questions
Experienced guides and instructors will work with you throughout the tour.
The cost of the tour includes three meals a day including Baikal specialties, except for the dinner at one of the restaurants in Irkutsk on day 6.
New BRP Polaris Adventure tourist snowmobiles, as well as all-terrain vehicles ("north-trucks"), will be used on the route to the islands of the Maloye More Strait.
The crossing of the Baikal ice from the southern shore to the Maloye More Strait will be made using the "Khivus" – a type of hovercraft.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
double accommodation as per program
three meals a day (except dinner on day 6)
all transfers as per program
snowmobiles and TREKOL all-terrain vehicles rental
instructor and English-speaking guide services
all excursions as per program
crossing Baikal lake on a hovercraft
Russian sauna and Japanese hot font visiting
skates rental
air tickets to Irkutsk (starting at 90 EURO for a round-trip)
single accommodation in hotels (+297 EURO per person)
dinner in Irkutsk on day 6
single seating on your snowmobile (+353 EURO per person)
insurance
double accommodation as per program
three meals a day (except dinner on day 6)
all transfers as per program
snowmobiles and TREKOL all-terrain vehicles rental
instructor and English-speaking guide services
all excursions as per program
crossing Baikal lake on a hovercraft
Russian sauna and Japanese hot font visiting
skates rental
air tickets to Irkutsk (starting at 90 EURO for a round-trip)
single accommodation in hotels (+297 EURO per person)
dinner in Irkutsk on day 6
single seating on your snowmobile (+353 EURO per person)
insurance