13 DAYS - 12 NIGHTS

DAY 1

06th July 12:00 p.m. Beginning of the trip. Boarding in Listvyanka Village

Listvyanka is the biggest touristic center located on the very shore of Baikal. Distance from Irkutsk: 68 kilometers.

Accommodation in cabins. Acquaintance with the cruise team. Briefing about safety rules on board
Trip to Circum Baikal Loop (2 hours en route)

At present the Circum Baikal Railway constitutes an integrated historical, architectural and engineering-landscape monument of federal significance within Pribaikalsky National Park. Thanks to brilliant feat of labor and engineering accomplished by the builders of Circum Baikal Railroad, its engineering structures have fit in quite well with Baikal’s harsh and vulnerable landscape.

Today the Circum Baikal Railway is one of the most delightful attractions of the Baikal area.

A trip to Lake Baikal would not be complete without experiencing Circum Baikal train trip – truly adventure!

Lunch on board
Walking trip along the most picturesque section of the Baikal Loop,

where clients will have an opportunity to visit tunnels and galleries of the end XIXth – beginning XXth century.

Dinner on board
Overnight on board at the mouth of the Shumikha River.

There is a small sandy bay and a tiny (almost deserted) village of fishermen at Shumikha River. In the evening guests can walk around the valley, have a swim in crystal clear water of Baikal and enjoy the beauty of sunset at the Lake.

DAY 2

07th July Round 06:00 a.m. beginning of the trip to Sandy Bay.

Sandy Bay is an inimitably beautiful part of the lake where Nature has gathered and generously given man the blue sky, a vast space of Baikal, the amber-like quicksand of its beaches and the healthy air of Baikal taiga. The bay is famous for plenty of sunny days. The major part of the bay is occupied by a wonderful surprisingly clean sandy beach 15 - 20 m wide. The soft sand and emerald green water of the lake are magnetic!

Breakfast on board
2-hour-long walking trip along the very spectacular mountainous path to Sennaya Bay.
En route – visit to Babushka (“Grandma”) Bay.
Free time in Sennaya Bay
Dinner on board
Overnight on board Distance covered during the 1st days: 100 km. Duration: 6 hours

DAY 3

08th July Round 06:00 a.m. beginning of the trip along the western shore of the Lake from Sennaya Bay to Olkhon Island.
Duration of the trip: 8-10 hours

The Olkhon Island is the biggest and the most mysterious island of Lake Baikal. It is 72 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide. On this small territory you’ll see a unique combination of taiga, steppe and even a desert. The island's aboriginal people are Buryats. Olkhon is the geographical, historical and sacred center of Baikal, the heart of many legends and fairy tales and is believed to be the home of many Baikal spirits.

Breakfast on board
Lunch on board
Stop at white-marble cave Saagan-Zaga (stop is possible if there are no high waves and wind).

Drawings of an ancient and primitive civilization can be seen at the marmoreal cliff Saagan-Zaba which is on the shore of the lake. According to the scientists the drawings were made 4000 years ago (2000 years B.C.) in what is known as the Stone Age period. Passage through the Gulf “Small Sea’s Gate”, which divides mainland from the Island

Dinner on board
Overnight on board in one of bays in the southern extremity of Olkhon
Distance covered during the day: 120 km Duration: 8 hours

DAY 4

09th July Breakfast on board
Short cruise-trip around Small Sea At 12:00-13:00 p.m. arrival in MPC Settlement (Sahyrta)
14:00 – 15:00 Beginning of cruises “Hot Springs of Baikal” and “Journey to Severobaikalsk”.
Boarding.
Accommodation in cabins.
Acquaintance with the cruise team.
Briefing about safety rules on board
Trip across the Small Sea from the Southern to the Northern extremity of Olkhon Island.
On the way (if the weather allows) – visit to Ogoi Island, on the top of which Buddhist temple (Stupa) was built in 2004.

This place is believed to be a sacred place among Buddhists from all over the world and it’s a traditional place of worship fro local believers. A very impressive view on the Small Sea and Olkhon Island is open from the top of the mountain. Stop at Sarayskij Bay, visit to the Shaman’s Rock. Saraysky sandy beach is 3 km long and the width is about 1 km. Cozy meadows and glades surrounded by pine forest are behind the sandy banks. The bay is shallow and in summer the water is warm enough to swim. Shaman’s Rock is often called a visit card of Baikal. There are man-made passages in the rock and ancient paintings with Sanskrit sign above the entrance in the cave. For a long time the cave was a place for annual shamanistic worship. This considerable historic monument is a peculiar symbol of Baikal and one of the nine holiest places in Asia.

Dinner on board
Overnight on board in one of picturesque bays of the Small Sea
Distance covered during the first day: 70 kilometers Duration: 5 hours

DAY 5

10th July 05:00 – 06:00 a.m. Beginning of the voyage along the Western coast of Baikal to Zavorotnaya Bay
Breakfast on board
Lunch on board
On the way (if the weather allows) – visit to Rytij Cape.

That’s one of the most mysterious and ominous places in the middle part of Baikal opposite its widest place. There are no settlements, no automobile roads and even no trailways on this cape. The place is absolutely deserted. Locals are always trying to avoid visiting Rytij and believe this place to be cursed by Gods. Unexplainable and mysterious phenomena occur on the cape and people still cannot find explanations for them.

Dinner on board
Around 18:00 or 20:00 p.m. arrival in Zavorotnaya Bay.

Zavorotnaya Settlement is pretty small, only couple of families live there, but the surroundings are very spectacular and worth visiting. In the evening guests can go to Russian Banya (for a supplement) or just walk around the bay and enjoy the beauty of Northern Baikal.

Distance covered during the second day: 120-130 kilometers Duration: 8-10 hours

DAY 6

11th July Breakfast on board
Walking trip up to the mountains, visit to the old open-pit mine where quartzite was mined in the end of the XIXth century.
12:00 beginning of the voyage along the western coast of the lake.

The point of destination: Kotelnokovskij Cape, which is famous for its hot springs. These springs are the hottest in the whole Baikal! The temperature is up to +81°C throughout the whole year. The water is not suitable for drinking because of high content of Fluorine; but swimming in such water is a real pleasure! Besides, it’s very good for health (for medical treatment of musculoskeletal, gynecological and dermic diseases).

Lunch on board
Dinner on board
Arrival in Kotelnikovskij Cape in the evening.
Overnight on board.
Distance covered during the day: 100 km Duration: 6-7 hours

DAY 7

12th July Breakfast on board
Voyage to the very northern extremity of Baikal – to Yarki Island.

It’s the most suitable place for swimming and sunbathing. Yarki is a huge sandspit in the very North of Baikal. The water in the bay is well warmed-up (up to +24°C +25°C) due to insignificant depth. Breathtaking scenery of snowy-topped mountains and transparent waters of Baikal will never fail to charm its visitors!

Lunch on board
Trip to Severobaikalsk

Severobaikalsk is a prosperous and resourceful town, ringed by roadless 2000m-high mountains and facing the north end of Lake Baikal Arrival in Severobaikalsk. Clients can walk around the city in the evening.

Dinner on board.
Overnight on board
Distance covered during the day: 70 km Duration: 5-6 hours

DAY 8

13th July Breakfast on board 10:00 a.m.
End of cruise “Journey to Severobaikalsk” 11:00 a.m.
Beginning of cruise “Beauties of Eastern Baikal”
Boarding of new passengers.
Accommodation in cabins.
Acquaintance with the cruise team.
Briefing about safety rules on board
Lunch on board
Voyage to Ayaya Bay.

Ayaya Bay is situated on the eastern coastline of the Baikal. Severe beauty of this very bay, deeply intrusive into the mainland and surrounded by rocky shores, impresses a lot. It seems like you find yourself within a high-mountain zone because the main landscape element is represented by the low cedars and dense lichen. It is explained by the severe climate of the northern part of the Baikal area along with the close bedding of ever frost. The eastern coast of the bay is low with wide sandy beach, after that a gradually rising plain covered with bushes and wood, follows deeply into the land. In sunny weather, it is possible to see the Baikal seals getting a warm on the stones not far from the shore.

Walking trip to Frolikha Lake.

At a distance of 8 km from Ayaya bay, upwards the river, the lake called Frolikha is located. This lake has a glacial origin. It is situated deeply in the coast within wild taiga, and only a single narrow mountainous path leads to it. Trip to Frolikha takes 3 hours one way; all travelers need to have water-proof boots. Extremely scenic view is opened there if to go to the lake across the pass from Ayaya bay. The water surface area is equal to 16.5 км2, and the depth is about 80 m. The water temperature of the lake is up to +18˚-+20˚C in summer. The water is transparent. The lake’s length is equal to 9 km. By its perimeter Frolikha attains 35-40 km. The water of this lake is home for such a relic fish as loach Davatchan that is inscribed in the Red Book. Bears live along the lake coast and their trails are constantly left on the sandy shore.

Dinner on board.
Overnight on board.
Distance covered during the day: 40 km Duration: 3 hours

DAY 9

14th July 05:00-06:00 a.m. – long passage from Ayaya Bay to Davsha Settlement along the eastern coast of Baikal
Breakfast on board
Stop in Khakusy Bay (if the weather allows ).

The Bay of Khakusy has got a marvelous sandy beach, which is about 4 km long. On the southen side of the beach there are rocky columns of “Khaman-Kit” Cape, which personifies the powerful Baikal deity Diana. Peculiar feature of the Cape is its unique echo. Also there is the biggest hot spring near Khakusy settlement. Its temperature is about +46° C. High mineralization (0.3 h/l) and temperature of +42°/+46°C have converted this spring into an ideal place for curing different diseases: blood circulation system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, urogenetale system, and skin disease as well.

Lunch on board Dinner onboard
Overnight on board
Distance covered durinf the day: 110-120 km. Duration: 8-10 hours

DAY 10

15th July 05:00-06:00 a.m. – beginning of the voayage to Chivirkujskij Gulf Breakfast on board
Lunch on board
Arrival in Chivirkujskij Gulf in the evening.

The gulf is one of the most unique places at Baikal. It is shallow and the water is well-warmed up in it. Dinner on board Overnight on board in Snake’s Bay (Chivirkujskij Gulf). The bay is famous throughout asian part of Russia for its healing radon springs where the water temperature may be up to +41°C, +45°C

Distance covered during the third day: 70 kilometers Duration: 4-5 hours

DAY 11

16th July Breakfast on board

Time at leisure in Chivirkujskij Gulf. Walking trips in the bay. Fishing in the gulf. Those who are not fond of fishing have an excellent chance to devote their day to relaxing rest on the shore, to swimming and sun-bathing. Lunch on board Voyage to Krokhalinaya Bay, famous for its white sandy beaches, warm water and abundance of fish (which is ideal for lovers of fishing).

Time at leisure Dinner on board.
Overnight on board in one of the Gulf’s bays.

DAY 12

17th July Round 06:00 a.m. beginning of the voyage to the Small Sea region.
Breakfast on board
Stop by Ushkany Islands (if the weather allows).

The islands contain unique flora and fauna and are characterized by a very mild continental climate of high humidity of up to 90-97%. The island’s rocky shores serve as a popular resting place for Baikal seals and constitute the largest rookery (seal colony) of Lake Baikal. Population of seals on the Ushkany Islands is estimated at about 2000. The islands are under protection of the government. Lunch on board Arrival in the Gulf of the Small Sea in the evening. Voyage to the very southern extremity of the Small Sea – Olkhon Gates.

Dinner on board
Overnight on board in one of picturesque bays of the Small Sea region
Distance covered during the third day: 120 kilometers Duration: 8-10 hours

DAY 13

18th July Breakfast on board
Arrival in MPC settlement round 12:00 (or 13:00 p.m.).
End of the cruises “Hot Springs of Baikal”, “The Northern Baikal” and “Beauties of Eastern Baikal”
Departure to one of the bays in Small Sea Region
Lunch on board
Free time and rest
Dinner on board
Overnight on board Distance cover during the day: 40 km Duration: 2-3 hours

DAY 14

19th July Breakfast on board
Lunch on board
Passage through the Gulf and voyage to Big Baikal – its middle basin with maximum depth of 1400 m.

The cruise boat goes along the picturesque western coast of Baikal Stop at white-marble cave Saagan-Zaga (stop is possible if there are no high waves and wind). Drawings of an ancient and primitive civilization can be seen at the marmoreal cliff Saagan-Zaba which is on the shore of the lake. According to the scientists the drawings were made 4000 years ago (2000 years B.C.) in what is known as the Stone Age period. In the evening – arrival in Sennaya Bay. Beautiful surroundings of Sennaya Bay will make your trip unforgettable. You’ll definitely enjoy walking around the bay. Russian Banya (for a supplement)

Dinner on board
Overnight on board Distance covered during the day: 120 km Duration: 8-10 hours

DAY 15

20th July Breakfast on board
Walking trip along the mountainous path from Sennaya to Sandy Bay (6 km).

The path runs along the very edge of the range from where there’s a breathtaking view on Baikal and surroundings. Arrival to Sandy Bay (where the cruise boat is awaiting). Lunch on board Voyage to Circum Baikal Loop. Circum Baikal Loop is world-famous for its unique bridges and tunnels built in the end of the XIXth century. The Loop is respectfully called “Golden Buckle of the Russian Railway”: Buckle – because it joined together the Trans-Siberian Railroad disconnected by Lake Baikal, and Golden – because construction of the western section of the Circum Baikal Railway was the most expensive. Stop for an overnight in Shumikha Bay In the evening – short walking trip to the tunnels and galleries of the Baikal Loop.

Dinner on board
Overnight on board Distance covered during the day: 100 km Duration: 8 hours

DAY 16

21st July Breakfast on board Voyage to Listvyanka Settlement (2-hour-long trip) 12:00 p.m. arrival in Listvyanka.
End of the cruise “Big journey”.

The Northern Baikal