Multi-Activity Adventure Tour

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 specialities of Baikal fish.
Today we part with the city fuss and head for Baikal. The views of the sparkling snow-covered glades amongst the austere taiga will make a 100-km transfer by an unpaved country road a pleasure. The Goloustnaya river’s delta astonishes by the vast space, which it has conquered from the woodland and adjacent cliffs, and the village – by its man-made coziness and modesty against the background of the nature’s tempestuous forces.

After checking-in at the tourist lodge, we suggest you exploring the surroundings and greeting the hospitable Master – Lake Baikal.

In the evening the hot-steam fans are welcome at the local banya (for extra charge).

After breakfast we invite you to explore the neighbouring picturesque bays by bicycle, on both land and ice.

Baikal ice is a unique and unforgettable sight; it changes from turquoise to almost black depending on the depth underneath, elaborately ornamented by streaks and bubbles, and from a mirror-smooth surface to vast spaces of sparkling hummocks sometimes rising for 2 m. Its thickness reaches 3 m, but even being 50-cm thick it endures the weight of 15 tons, so it is absolutely safe to travel on it – of course, thoroughly following the guide’s instructions.

Here on the ice there is very little snow, that is why a major part of the near-shore area resembles a huge skating rink. Cycling on its mirror-like surface is easier than on gravel or paved roads, but still requires certain skills which you will master with the help of your guide.

Today you will see one of the most outstanding landmarks of Baikal – Peschanaya Cove. Apart from its beauty and record-breaking amount of sunshine the Cove is famous for the so-called “wandering” trees, which really look as if they were walking because their roots are exposed to the winds so that the sandy soil is being constantly blown off. The calm of the place is guarded by the two rocks looking like two brothers: Big Belfry and Small Belfry. These pyramidal cliffs beautifully frame the semicircular sand beach. The picturesque scenery acquires some particular charm in wintertime.

Then you will return back to Bolshoye Goloustnoye. After the active day you will be sound asleep in the healthy and cozy atmosphere of a wooden house.

After breakfast you will continue your journey over Baikal’s depths towards Cape Bolshoy Kadilny.

After yesterday’s training, cycling on the ice does not pose any difficulty, so on the way you will just enjoy the bright sunshine, heady fresh air together with the opportunity to make a stop wherever you wish and to see what is usually left unnoticed from the car’s window.
Today let’s do some speleology! You will get acquainted with the unique underground world of the Okhotnichya Cave. To get there you will first have an automobile transfer through the taiga and then a little hike. After putting on the necessary outfit (mud-resistant costume, helmet and torch) you will explore grottoes and passages of the cave. The Okhotnichya is really very spectacular with its spacious halls, huge stalactites and stalagmites, elaborate stalagnates, a small lake with pure water, and many other attractions. Such speleological experiences in winter are especially enjoyable, because the temperature inside a cave usually remains unchanged – about +5 С, which is much warmer than outside!
After breakfast at the lodge, you will set off to Irkutsk. The long way will amuse you again by changing sceneries and give enough time to recollect the journey that has flashed past, exchange impressions and gradually get ready for the returning to the noise and fuss of the city life. The main thing: please, do not forget to thank the local spirits for the good weather and luck on the way!
Today is the final day of the tour, and we offer you to explore Irkutsk – ancient Siberian city.

During the city sightseeing tour you will see the historical centre, the place, where over 300 years ago Irkutsk was founded, the Angara river’s embankment, the most prominent monuments of architecture and, of course, Znamensky (Holy Sign) Russian Orthodox convent with one of the most beautiful Siberian cathedrals noted for its iconostasis and graves on the territory (graves of the Decembrists, Gregory Shelikhov and others). After the sightseeing you will have some time for shopping at the central market and a souvenir store.

Number of people	Price per person, RUB
2	81 600
3-5	66 000
6-9	49 000

Tour price includes:
- accommodation at hotels and lodges (twin occupancy): 2 nights in Irkutsk (room with a private bathroom), 4 nights in Bolshoye Goloustnoye (room with a shared bathroom);
- meals as per program;
- transfers and excursions as per program;
- rent of bicycles;
- rent of speleological equipment for the trip to the Okhotnichya Cave;
- guide’s services for the included activities.

 * the tour is led by Russian-speaking guides, guides-interpreters are provided for extra charge upon request

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.