TOUR INTO THE BAIKAL DISTANCE ON KHIVUS HOVERCRAFT
Route: Irkutsk - MRS Settlement – Maloe More Islands (Small Sea) - Olkhon
Island - Peschanaya Bay- Listvyanka - Circum-Baikal Railway - Baikalsk -
Khamar-Daban – Irkutsk
Schedule of excursions: February-April
Number of people in group: up to 8 people
The program of the tour:
A unique journey in an absolutely unusual format. You can discover Lake
Baikal from a completely different side — by an amphibious boat Khivus, adapted
to an year-round operation. While you are gliding along the ice expanses of
Baikal and overcoming ravines, cracks and deep snow, you will find the snowy
tracery along the coastlines or nature waking up from winter sleep. Unique ice
tracery and surges, excursions to sacred places will be combined with Baikal
cuisine. It will help you to plunge into the world of the unknown with comfort
and safety. The tour is suitable not only for those who first meet with the
sacred lake, but also for the already sophisticated tourists who are difficult
to surprise.
Day 1. Listvyanka — Circum-Baikal railway — Seredina Station — Listvyanka
11:00 Start from the Baikal shore
A fascinating journey will begin in Listvyanka. Upon arrival in Listvyanka, you
will leave your luggage at the “Mayak” Hotel and start the tour.
After landing on Khivus you will begin your journey to the Circum-Baikal Railway
(about 5-6 km) - a unique engineering structure. There is no such a railway in
the world possesses such a number of man-made objects as this section. On the
one side, there are rocky cliffs, on the other one, the endless expanses of
Baikal’s water and mountains. A sample of the harmonious interaction of man and
nature: the bridge, the stone arch, the tunnel.
14:00 Ice Station
Further on the road to the ice station "Seredina". It was a historical
reconstruction of the track station, which was at the beginning of the 20th
century. Here you will make a break, to drink aromatic tea with Baikal herbs or
try the traditional cuisine of Siberian people. You will meet the hospitable
guides who will tell you about the development of the shores of Baikal immersed
in the atmosphere of the XIX century. During the interactive excursion you can
not only see, but also touch the old tools, utensils and royal coins that had a
turnover in Russia.
Day 2. Listvyanka - Olkhon
10:00 A long way to Olkhon Island
After breakfast way to Olkhon will start. Today you experience Lake Baikal’s
vast expanses! A road of 280 km will cross the ice of Baikal — bordered on one
side by the incredible beauty of a snow forest and mesmerizing cliffs, and on
the other by the endless white expanses of the lake and mountains. Your goal for
today is Olkhon Island.
14:00 Lunch time
On the way, you will have an hour break for a lunch-snack and hot herbal tea. By
day’s end, you will finally touch the Heart of Baikal — Olkhon Island. You will
spend here 2 nights.
Olkhon is the largest island on the sacred lake. Each square kilometer of which
keeps the scriptures and a rich history.
18:00 Arrival in the “capital” of Olkhon
Having reached the local "capital" of the island, Khuzhir village, you will
accommodate at a comfortable recreation center. Scheduled hot national dinner
and rest. Before going to bed, you can walk along the coast of the island and
gain strength before the upcoming bright program tomorrow.
Day 3. Islands of Maloe More
10:00 Island Exploration. After a breakfast, you will be picked up by off-road
UAZ vehicle. Khivus excursion will begin from Khul Bay. You will explore the
southern part of the island: the ice grottoes of the western part of Cape
Kobylya Head, Cape Uyuga, the islands Maloe More. Under favorable weather
conditions and the absence of serious obstacles for Khivus on the ice, you will
visit the northern part of the island - the rocky and fabulous Khoboy Cape. Upon
returning to the launch site, you will be waited by a hot Baikal fish dinner
cooked right on the ice! Tightly refreshed. Additionally there will be the
opportunity to try yourself as a fisherman, take part in real winter fishing on
the ice of Baikal, or, if the weather is good, go skating right on the lake ice
surface.
18:00 Return to Khuzhir
Upon returning a hot dinner at the recreation center, free time for walking
around the island or meeting the sunset on the coast.
Day 4. Khuzhir - Irkutsk
09:00 Returning to Irkutsk
After breakfast at the recreation center, there will be a short time when you
can buy souvenirs in local souvenir shops and enjoy the warm rays warming the
island.
11:00 Transfer from Khuzhir to Irkutsk
A comfortable bus will pick you up from the recreation center and take you to
Irkutsk.
14:00 Lunch
On the way, you will have a stop at a roadside cafe for lunch.
Food in the cafe is extra-paid.
18:00 Arrive in Irkutsk.
The price includes:
- Transportation according to the program
- Accommodation (rooms of category “standard”)
- fishing
- excursions according to the program
- translator services
Extra charge:
- Early check in / late check out
- Accommodation in a room of a higher category
- Improved nutrition
- Optional excursions and entertainment
- Lunch at the cafe on the way back
Price:
You are welcome to Siberia: Irkutsk and Baikal Lake! |