Trekking Olkhon Island

The tour program:

Today is the first day of the tour, and you are welcome to start it with exploring lake Baikal in Listvyanka settlement. This is perhaps one of the oldest Russian settlements on the shore of the great lake. Lately it has turned into a tourist centre with the number of sights, cafes, hotels and tourists exceeding the number of residents.

On the way to Listvyanka it is worthwhile visiting Taltsy open-air ethnographic museum (for extra charge). Here one can feel the unique charm of the authentic wooden architecture and everyday life of the Pribaikalye peoples, and take part in some traditional winter entertainments: get a thrill sliding down a real Russian ice-hill, have a ride on a sled or Troyka or try to walk on stilts.

In Listvyanka we invite you for a sightseeing tour, during which you will visit an observation platform next to the famous Shaman-Rock, hear a beautiful legend and visit the acting Russian Orthodox church of St.Nicholas-the-Miracle-Worker – the patron of all travelers and sailors. You may also have an excursion to Baikal Ecological museum (for extra charge) with an exposition telling about the flora and fauna of Baikal, including aquariums with the lake’s live inhabitants.

Besides, you may visit the spectacular open-air market, where the locals sell souvenirs alongside
with home-made specialties of Baikal fish.

After breakfast you will set off on a trip to Baikal. Your way to the lake will head through vast steppes, ancient Buryat villages, over the magnificent Pribaikalskiy range’s spurs covered with the Siberian taiga forest which then change to Mongolian-type landscapes of the Tazheranskaya steppe.

Boarding the ferry to cross the famous Olkhon Gate Strait separating Olkhon from the mainland.  It will take you about 40 min. to get to the island; on the way you will see both the Maloye (Lesser) and the Bolshoye (Larger) Seas – two parts of Baikal split by Olkhon.

In Zagli Bay (Tashkay Guba) you take out from the ferry, and it is here that you start exploring Olkhon’s tremendous expanses and feeling surprise at this natural masterpiece. Zagli takes its pride in the record-breaking high amount of sunshine (more than on Riga coast) and low precipitation (as in dry Kazakh steppes).  

The bay is connected with the warm Lake Noor. Here you will make a stop and set up tents for overnight.

Traveling on foot has numerous advantages: you may choose any direction, stop at any interesting spot, discern the things which are not noticeable through a car window, and take some unique pictures.

Today you will have long but interesting trekking along the west coast of the legendary island. First, scenic Khool Bay, where the famous local omul population is concentrated, and Khorin-Irgee (Horse’s Head) Peninsula, where Genghis Khan’s warriors are believed to have had a stopover; then – Khorgoy Peninsula with remnants of ancient fortifications built by the Kurykans, and rocky Shara-Shulun Cape facing Baikal’s purest island Ogoy topped with the sacred Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. 

In the evening you will be rewarded by hearty dinner by the bonfire and sound sleep serenaded by the lulling music of waves. unshine (more than on Riga coast) and low precipitation (as in dry Kazakh steppes).  

The bay is connected with the warm Lake Noor. Here you will make a stop and set up tents for overnight.

In the morning you hit the road again! Your route runs along the shore of Shebet Bay and further above Shebet promontory, precipitous and inaccessible from the sea. In the Buryat language “shaebeae” means “wall”. In ancient times the Kurykans fenced the promontory from the mainland by a stone wall.

The final point of your itinerary today will be Togay Bay. Next to the Bay there is an interesting lake named Khankhoy. In the north the lake is separated from Baikal by a mighty cliff range, and is connected with it in the east by a narrow channel in the sandy spit. The lake is known for its warm water and fish abundance, which makes it a tourist mecca, especially for anglers.

In the evening you will be rewarded by hearty dinner by the bonfire and sound sleep serenaded by the lulling music of waves. unshine (more than on Riga coast) and low precipitation (as in dry Kazakh steppes).  

The bay is connected with the warm Lake Noor. Here you will make a stop and set up tents for overnight.

Today your destination is the capital of Olkhon – fishermen’s village Khuzhir. Here you will change tents for cozy log cabins, relax in the hot Russian banya (for extra charge), and those missing the civilization will be able to charge mobile phones. t times the Kurykans fenced the promontory from the mainland by a stone wall.

The final point of your itinerary today will be Togay Bay. Next to the Bay there is an interesting lake named Khankhoy. In the north the lake is separated from Baikal by a mighty cliff range, and is connected with it in the east by a narrow channel in the sandy spit. The lake is known for its warm water and fish abundance, which makes it a tourist mecca, especially for anglers.

In the evening you will be rewarded by hearty dinner by the bonfire and sound sleep serenaded by the lulling music of waves. unshine (more than on Riga coast) and low precipitation (as in dry Kazakh steppes).  

The bay is connected with the warm Lake Noor. Here you will make a stop and set up tents for overnight.

Today we offer you to explore the local sights either on your own or with a guide (for extra charge): to see sacred Burkhan cape (Shaman-Mount) – 1 of the 9 Asian shrines, equally worshipped by Shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists, and have an excursion to the local lore museum with an interesting collection of objects representing the everyday life and culture of the islanders.

Besides, you may have a trip to the neighbouring village (for extra charge), during which you will see the crafts and folklore, and try the original cuisine of the Olkhon Buryats. own for its warm water and fish abundance, which makes it a tourist mecca, especially for anglers. 

In the evening you will be rewarded by hearty dinner by the bonfire and sound sleep serenaded by the lulling music of waves. unshine (more than on Riga coast) and low precipitation (as in dry Kazakh steppes).  

The bay is connected with the warm Lake Noor. Here you will make a stop and set up tents for overnight.

To bring diversity into your itinerary we invite you for an automobile tour. Although Olkhon is just an island, the distances here are quite long, making most of the local excursions last practically the whole day. You will spend this day exploring the legendary Khoboy cape – the island’s northernmost point, which is located at the widest place of Baikal.

On the way you will see all the diversity of Baikal’s natural landscapes concentrated on the island: steppes, warm bays jutting deep into the shore, sandy dunes, mixed deciduous forests interspersed with relict fir woods and magnificent marble rocks spotted with red lichens.

The cape gives a splendid panoramic view of Baikal’s northern part, and if the weather is fine, one can make out the outlines of the Ushkanyi Isles and Barguzin Peninsula.

It is really worth having a walk here, during which the guide will tell you the legends, and describe traditions and customs connected with this place. If the local deities are especially kind to you, they will give you a chance to see the unique Baikal nerpa – the world’s only fresh-water seal.

A day at leisure. You are welcome to choose entertainments to your taste.

If you have enjoyed touring Olkhon you fancy some more activities, you may go cycling over the vast Olkhon spaces (bicycles are available for extra charge)

Those fond of leisurely beach rest will appreciate the sandy beach of Saraisky Bay.

It is so sad to return to the everyday city routine… However, it is time to leave – the bus is waiting for you.
All the way to Irkutsk will be filled with recollections of the past tour days and funny cases, at times interrupted by exclamations of rapture about the view from the bus window.

Tour price includes:

- accommodation at hotels and lodges in Irkutsk (1 night), on Olkhon (4 nights) on twin-sharing basis;
- meals as per program;
- all transfers and excursions as per programme, except for those specified for extra charge;
- guides’ services*;
- rent of necessary camping outfit.

This group is mixed, basic excursions are conducted in Russian.

Surcharge for foreign-language guide: 18 200 RUR per group

Check-in/out time at hotels is 12:00, earlier check-in and later check-out are charged for according to the hotel’s accommodation rates.