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Activities and Tours
at Baikal Lake:
Search our selection of the best tours at Baikal
lake (includes unbiased provider ratings and full tour descriptions
and prices) or read about the activities available at Baikal lake
below...
What To Do at Baikal Lake
Sightseeing
Tours
Destinations:
Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Baikal Lake, Circum-Baikal, Arshan;
Level: Easy; Duration: 1 to 14
days;
Best Period: May-October;
Recommended Price: from $20 / day pp, everything
included;
Activities: sightseeing (cultural, nature, and ethnographic
sights), light hiking, swimming, Russian sauna, birdwatching,
fishing, boat-sailing;
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Sightseeing
tours are generally available from local operators and
B&Bs. You don't need to book them beforehand, unless
you'd like to go on a several days journey somewhere farout.
If you want to make an independent sightseeing tour,
see our proposed
itinerary for Baikal Lake where you'll
find
a few recommended routes.
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Ethnographic
Tours:
Destinations:
Olkhon island, Listvyanka;
Level: Easy to Moderate; Duration:
7 to 9 days; Period: June-October;
Recommended Price: from $50 / day pp, everything
included;
Activities: ethnographic sights, trekking, swimming,
Russian sauna, fishing, boat-sailing, camp-living, meditation
and relaxation (optional :-); |
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These
tours are usually designed to get you acquainted with
the ancient Baikal ethnic cultures, as well as experience
the beauty
of
the lake. You will meet a local Shaman, see ancient carvings
on the cliffs, and have a chance to swim, fish, and trek
at
the lake.
One good thing about these tours is that you
will gain access the places you wouldn't be able to get
to
otherwise (because it's too expensive and remote to do it
on one's own).
The drawback is that the ancient culture at Baikal is
almost dead, so you have to get really good guides to
show you the authentic places and not touristic crap.
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Rafting,
Kayaking, and Yacht-Sailing Tours:
Destinations:
Olkhon, Arshan (Sayan
mountains), Circum-Baikal;
Level: Moderate; Duration: 9 to
11 days; Period: June-September;
Budget: from $65 / day pp, everything included;
Activities: rafting, kayaking, yacht-sailing, camp
life, Russian sauna, swimming, fishing, cultural and city
tours; |
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Several companies offer yachts
and boats for rent at Baikal
lake. Usually they cost about $650 - $1000 US per day and
you can rent them for a few days with the crew. They normally
have 10-15 persons capacity, so if you gather a group by
yourself or use a travel agency to do it for you, that'll
be quite affordable. Usually starts at Listvyanka,
but should be arranged before (search for tours above).
Our recommendation is to travel across Baikal lake (only
with experienced crew!) or otherwise ask local fishermen to
give you a short half hour ride. Try the Sand
Bay (quite remote)
or Listvyanka (closer, but much more expensive). Usually
$30-$50 will do it. Just make sure they come back to get
you!
Rafting and kayaking are also easily available, usually for
about $30 per person with equipment.
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Cycling,
Horseriding, and Trekking Tours:
Destinations:
Olkhon island, Buryatia, Listvyanka,
Arshan (Sayan mountains)
Level: Easy to Hard; Duration: 6
to 11 days; Period: May-October;
Recommended Budget: from $15 / day pp, everything
included;
Activities: trekking, cycling, horseriding, hiking,
camp life, Russian sauna, swimming, fishing, cultural and
city tours; |
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Get a bike and make a day journey along Olkhon
island to see
its beautiful landscapes and bays.
Jump on a horse and ride from Listvyanka to Bolshye Koty goldmine.
There you can try to find some gold, or just relax on the
shore of Baikal lake.
Or, if you prefer to walk, trek around the Three
Bays area on the eastern side of Baikal (Buryatia). Tours can't
usually
be arranged there, but it's pretty easy on your own.
Bikes and horses can normally be rent locally (for example,
at Nikita's B&B at Olkhon island
or at Arshan village in Sayan mountains) for about $15 /
day.
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Winter
Tours:
Destinations:
Listvyanka, Olkhon island;
Level: Easy to Hard; Duration: 1
to 12 days; Period: December-April;
Budget: from $50 / day pp, everything included;
Activities: ice-fishing, snowmobile riding, Baikal
ice-cycling, diving, skiing, snowboarding; |
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Winter is also a great time to visit Baikal: it's all snowy
and icy, and not as cold as they say. You can try out
various
activities, like skiing (near Baikalsk -- see World
Snowboard Guide for this region written by Way to Russia team),
exciting snowmobile riding through Taiga forests, diving in Baikal
ice waters,
or ice-fishing accompanied by local fishermen, and vodka
(if
you like :-).
Also, every March, there's an annual Winteriada - Winter Games
Festival taking place at Baikal, and you can be an active
participant or spectator.
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Can't
Find Exactly What You Need? — Customize Your Own Tour and
Send a Request to the Best Operators:
Send a request through Way
to Russia Support System (Choose Walking Tours department)
and our managers will refer your inquiry to the most relevant
provider.
You can also post a question in our Talk Lounge forums and
other travelers will be able to give you a good advice.
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| Olkhon
Island |
Travel guide to Olkhon island — the
local Shaman culture center, the land of
warm bays, beautiful sandy beaches, and
magnificient landscapes..
Read
more — |
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