►Tours ► Lake Baikal Tours ► Introduction to Winter Baikal

   A winter trip into Siberia to the deepest and purest lake in the world - Lake Baikal. You will spend four days on the southern shore of the lake in the village of Listvyanka which is the main touristic centre on the lake. Most people visiting the lake begin their adventure in Listvyanka and it is understandable why as it has the most developed tourist infrastructure and the settlement itself is located on the very shore of the lake. It is one of the oldest settlements in Siberia and considered the Gates to Baikal as it is located on the source of the River Angara and the beginning of the Circum-Baikal Railway - one of the most picturesque sections of railway in the world.

  When in the heart of Siberia, you shouldn’t miss the chance to go on a dog-sleigh pulled by real Siberian huskies and Listvyanka has the only husky-dog centre around Baikal. You won't just get the chance to go dog-sledding but also find out all about the dogs, who always love receiving guests, especially children. 

Irkutsk → Listvyanka → Irkutsk

 Total distance of the tour:  140km

 Arrival in Irkutsk. A guide with a sign saying will wait for you in the arrival section of Irkutsk Airport or the Railway Station, depending on your transportation.

 Breakfast at a cafe.

 City tour of Irkutsk - the highlights of the tour includes:

• Irkutsk Decembrist Museum – one of the most famous museums in Russia dedicated to the events of 1825 when a group of officers launched a failed rebellion. Many of the organisers were subsequently exiled to Irkutsk. The museum is located in the historical building of the Volkonsky Estate – home of a leading Decembrist.
• Lower Embankment – the Angara is the main river in the city and the only river to flow out of Lake Baikal. On the embankment there are lots of monuments reflecting the city’s rich history.
• Irkutsk Market – the winter market in Irkutsk is completely different from the summer market. Only in winter can you buy real Siberian valenki boots, jam made out of Siberian pinecones, honey with pine-nuts, warm mittens and even Yakutian ‘unty’ boots which can sustain temperatures of -55.
• 130th Quarter - a must-see area of Irkutsk. It is the historical sector of the city where you can still see many beautiful wooden houses. There is also a monument of the city's symbol here – a ‘babr’, an old-word for an amur tiger, which is depicted on the city's coat of arms.
• Angara Icebreaker - another must-see sight of Irkutsk: the world's oldest surviving ice-breaker.

 Duration: 3 hours |  Transportation: by a private car

 Transfer to Listvyanka.

 Distance: 70km

 Free time for relaxing and exploring the settlement.

 Night in Listvyanka.

 Excursion around Listvyanka. The main highlights of the excursion include:

• Mount Chersky – one of the summits of the mountains around Lake Baikal, it is the best vantage point for views of Listvyanka and Lake Baikal. It is named after the famous Polish explorer of Baikal Jan Czerski (Ivan Chersky), who was exiled to Siberia for participating in Poland’s January Uprising.
• Lake Baikal Museum – the interesting expositions here are dedicated to Lake Baikal, its unique features, inhabitants and history. It is divided into several exhibitions which detail the nature of Baikal, its various depths and surroundings, the geodesy of the region and the main creatures which live in the lake. You can also go on a virtual dive and see the very bottom of the lake.
• Source of the Angara – the Angara is the only river to flow out from Lake Baikal and its source is the largest river source in the world. It is 863 metres wide and its maximum depth is 4.8 metres. It never freezes, even during the coldest of Siberian winters, as water is taken not from the surface of the lake but from below where the temperature is above 0. Therefore in winter there is steam from the river and the neighbouring forest is covered in hoarfrost.

 Duration: 3 hours |  Transportation: by a car

 Free time in Listvyanka.

 Night in Listvyanka.

 Transfer to the dog-sleighing centre.

 Tour of the dog-sleghing centre - huskies are one of the oldest breed of dogs and it is believed that dog-sleighing around Baikal can be traced back 5,000 years. Depictions of them with humans have been found on ancient rock engravings around Baikal. However the breed of Baikal huskies appeared only recently and they are only found in Listvyanka at the dog-sleighing centre.

  You will have instructions on dog-sleighing. The instructor will tell you the basics of dog-sleighing and teach you how to harness them and drive them. After the instructions you will have a go on the dog-sled.

 Distance: 10-12km

 Transfer to the hotel.

 Free time in Listvyanka.

 Night in Listvyanka.

 DAY4 • LEAVING SIBERIA

  Breakfast at the hotel.

 Transfer to Irkutsk airport. 

 Distance: 70km

 Flight to Moscow.

• The tour is available in     other languages upon request.
• The tour is possible from mid-November to end of March.
• The tour is not an extreme tour and does not require any special physical preparation.
• Part of the tour takes place in the open air, therefore you should follow advise in terms of required clothing and provisions for winter tours on Baikal.
• All excursions/guided tours included in the itinerary are private which means private guides and private transport along the programme - unless otherwise stated.
• The tour is suitable for travellers with children. 
• The prices given below are for guidance only. The actual final cost of the tour will depend on availability. Hotel prices and train tickets may increase or decrease in cost depending on how much in advance you book them. 

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