Sightseeing + Skiing in the South of Baikal

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.

Finally, we recommend you to have dinner at “Proshliy Vek” (“Past Century”) café (for extra charge), where one can enjoy delicious specialities of original Siberian cuisine as well as a marvelous view of Baikal.
After breakfast our bus will take you to the railway station, where you board the train for a trip to Pereezd station.

Here starts one of the most popular cross-country skiing itineraries, suitable for both experienced skiers and beginners. Enjoying the fresh air and fairytale sceneries of the snow-covered taiga, you will easily cover this 18-km route, which goes down practically all the time. Here you are – on the famous Circum-Baikal line, a world-known masterpiece of the railroad architecture dating back to the early 20th century. Built by hand on the hardly accessible Baikal rocks, it is really astonishing. For half a century, the CBL used to connect the Trans-Siberian railroad split by Baikal, but since the construction of the dam on the Angara river it has become a dead end and a popular destination attracting plenty of tourists from all over the world.

Here you will make a stopover for the night at one of the tourist lodges. The coziness of a wooden house and hospitality of the local people will certainly compensate for the absence of modern facilities.

After breakfast, refreshed and vigorous you will continue the skiing “marathon” – this time on the lake’s ice.

The ice’s 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, if one thoroughly follows the guide’s instructions. In this part of the lake the ice is covered by snow, which makes skiing here easy and pleasant.

In the evening, you will arrive at Slyudyanka settlement in the lake’s south, and the bus will bring you to our downhill skiing mecca – Baikalsk city.
We recommend you to spend this day exploring the recreational resources of the downhill skiing resort: network of certified skiing routes totaling 15 km with elevation difference up to 470 m and sports complex with a skating rink, swimming pool, sauna, etc. The professional skiing guides will help you to master the slopes (for extra charge), and if you need any outfit, you may rent it or buy at a special shop (for extra charge). A pleasant supplement to the sports and outdoor activities is a network of ski-bars and restaurants, where you can relax after a busy day.
Today you may enjoy the stunning landscapes through the bus window: first your route will run along Baikal’s shoreline to its extreme south – Kultuk village, and then – through a wide valley between the two mountain ranges: Khamar-Daban to the left and Eastern Sayan to the right. This is the unique Tunka valley, where one can see young volcanoes, old Buryat yurts and grey-headed Tunka peaks with a background of dazzling blue sky.

Having covered 160 km you reach Arshan settlement situated at the bottom of towering mountains, and hence always seeming shadowed.

The best way of touring the settlement is walking on foot – thus one can discern some details and nuances of the local life, which are not visible from the bus’s window. You will visit the healing mineral springs (we advise you to take a glass or a plastic bottle with you), the picturesque mountain river Kyngarga, walk in the park of “Arshan” resort with its natural monuments and choose some interesting souvenirs at the amusing local market, where souvenirs are sold alongside with herbs curing nearly all possible illnesses.

Then – a walking tour along the forest road to the ancient Datsan – Buddhist church, where the guide will tell you about its history, specific rules of behaviour in Datsans, and Buddhism in Buryatia Republic.

After breakfast you will return by minibus to Irkutsk.

Upon arrival – a sightseeing tour of the city. You will see the historical centre, the Angara’s embankment and monuments of architecture, history and culture. Excursion to the Znamensky Russian Orthodox convent noted for its splendid iconostasis and graves of the Decembrists on the territory. Upon request – visit to the central market and souvenir store.
The final day of the tour. After breakfast at the hotel – transfer to the airport or railway station.

Number of people	Price per person, RUB
2	93 000
3-5	84 000
6-9	76 000

Tour price includes: 

- accommodation at hotels and lodges (twin occupancy): 1 night at the Circum-Baikal Railway (room with shared outhouse toilet and banya), 3 nights in Baikalsk (room with a private bathroom), 1 night in Arshan (room with private bathroom), 2 nights in Irkutsk (room with private bathroom);

-meals as per program;

- transfers as per program;
- excursions as per program;
- rent of cross-country skis for a 2-day trip;
- guide’s services for the cross-country skiing trip;
- 2 day ski-passes at “Gora Sobolinaya” downhill skiing resort (Days 4 and 5);
- train ticket from Irkutsk to the start point of the skiing itinerary.

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

Check-in time at hotels is 14:00. Check out time at hotels is 12:00. Earlier check-in and later check-out are charged for according to the hotel’s accommodation rates.