Way to Russia Talk Lounge

mscott5 · Just Starting Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

I will be around Lake Baikal with my girlfriend for a couple of weeks in mid July. We're keen to stay on Olkhon island, but not sure whether we need to book transport to and from there beforehand (seeing as its peak season). Can anyone confirm this? And would it be a similar situation for other destinations around the Lake?

We would like to travel independently as much as possible, but would arrange tours if that seemed the only way to go...

Thanks
Mike

reina · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:16 pm Post subject: Re:

If you're unpretentious then you shouldn't book anything at Olkhon Island. In Khujir they'll most probably find an accommodation for you but then it'll be not what you wanted but just beds in a house of somebody from the village. Are you going to stay in Irkutsk? The situation with hotels is worse there so I'd advise you to book. As for transport to Khujir - there are daily 2 buses and minibuses though it can be a problem to get there, especially with ferry - last years people couldn't cross for few days. By the way this year it's possible to get there by a hydrofoil though it's expensive.

mscott5 · Just Starting Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks very much Reina. We'll book a hostel in Irkutsk a few days in advance. Do you think its worth us also booking transport to the island (ferry and bus)?