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Baikal is the eighth wonder of the world...

Only on Lake Baikal can one feel peace and tranquility...

Baikal stretches from northeast to southwest...

There are so many phrases about a beautiful Russian lake, but all of them, in the language of hackneyed guidebooks, have already set one’s teeth on edge. Why? Yes, because it’s not clear what five epithets about the Baikal wind and metaphors about magic and spirituality should tell me.

We wrote simply and clearly about our beautiful lake - Baikal. And you’d better come up with comparisons and colorful phrases yourself after you’ve been there.

Something interesting
Residents of Russia began to search for tickets to Irkutsk more often: compared to last year, the number of searches increased by 35%, and in Ulan-Ud - by 21%. Most of all, Muscovites are now most interested in Baikal, who previously broke the record for searching for tickets to Sochi.
At the same time, the average housing price in the Baikal region has pleasantly decreased by 17%.

Live on the shore of Baikal Bay

The water in Baikal is so clear that stones can be seen at a depth of 40 meters.
Tea brewed with this water is simply magical. Now imagine that every morning you wake up and go swimming in the lake right from the doorstep, stepping barefoot on the soft sand. Baikal cannot boast of warm water, like in the Red Sea, but in the bays and bays the water warms up to a quite decent +20-23 ºC by the end of July. A good beach holiday on Lake Baikal is in Peschanaya Bay on the west coast. This is a secluded place away from the roads: you can get there by regular ship from Irkutsk, by boat from Listvyanka or Bolshoi Goloustnoye. You can also walk, but keep in mind that the walk is 37 km one way. It’s better to stay next door - in Akademicheskaya Bay at the Baikal Dunes recreation center: this is one of the few places on the lake where everything is inclusive and there is a heated pool.

Long sandy beaches and warm water await you in the area of New and Old Enkhaluk, where it is good to relax with your family in the cute rooms and cottages of Alexander House. In the Barguzin Bay, take a closer look: you will be pleasantly surprised not only by the prices, but also by health procedures such as aspen therapy and cedar phytobarrels.

More on the topic:

9 places in Russia where it’s good for two

10 places in Russia where children will be interested

The best places to relax on Lake Baikal

The huge lake is surrounded by picturesque mountain and forest landscapes. There are many places where you can relax from the hustle and bustle, engage in tourism, sports and just have fun.

Listvyanka

The village of Listvyanka is the closest settlement to Irkutsk on the coast of Lake Baikal. It is considered the oldest settlement here.

Listvyanka is connected by a fairly busy route along the Baikal Highway. It is accessible by road and water:

From Irkutsk by regular ship the travel time is 1 hour.
By car – 40 minutes.
By bus – 1 hour.
From the village Slyudyanka by train along the Krutobaikalskaya railway and ferry - about 9 hours.

In Listvyanka, it is recommended to rent a room in a modern hotel on the shore of the lake. Prices range from 1,200 rubles to 20,000. The most recommended:

Hotel "Baikalskaya". It offers a sauna, an outdoor swimming pool and a delicious breakfast for the whole family. Price – 1,200 rub. per day per person.
Hotel "Natalie". There is a cozy garden with panoramic mountain views, a 24-hour reception and a sauna. Price – 3,050 rub. per day.
Hotel "Dauria". It offers free Wi-Fi, a steam bath, and country-style rooms with lake views. Price – from 3,000 rubles per day.
Hotel "Mayak". Guests can enjoy a steam bath, a sauna and free private parking on site. The hotel rooms are decorated in a simple style. Price – from 3,330 rubles.

There are beaches in Listvyanka, but they are pebbly and crowded. This village is suitable for a leisurely walk along the water. There is plenty to do in the evening too, thanks to the many bars and cafes. The following attractions are located here:

Nerpinarium. It is home to freshwater seals and seals. Every 30-60 minutes there are performances of trained seals.
Private art gallery founded by architect Vladimir Plamenevsky.
St. Nicholas two-tier wooden church of the 19th century.
A memorial sign near the place of death of the Soviet playwright A.V. Vampilov in 1972.

One-day excursions are booked in Listvyanka, not only by water, but also by land, as well as multi-day cruises to the other side of Lake Baikal or to the north of the lake to Severobaikalsk.

Goryachinsk

The Goryachinsk resort is located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal and is named after the Goryachy stream on the outskirts of the village. It was in this place that the first balneological resort on Lake Baikal appeared. The healing properties of the springs were discovered back in the 19th century, when an academician from St. Petersburg came here. At the same time, a bathhouse and other structures were built here.

In the village, the main place of recreation is the Goryachinsk sanatorium itself with 11 buildings, designed for 350 people. The price of the rooms is 1,400-5,400 rubles per day, depending on the amenities and whether the room is double or single. There are also triple rooms, designed for 5 people. Price – 2,500 rub. per day per person.

For vacationers:

sauna with swimming pool;
Gym;
library with reading room;
sports equipment rental;
shooting range;
video room;
club;
bar;
herbal bar;
guarded parking (120 rubles per day).

There are also hot healing springs, a pine forest and the waters of Lake Baikal. Meals in the sanatorium are 4 meals a day, dietary.

Goryachinsk has a wide sandy beach. The water here is clean and clear. Most vacationers come with tents. Here you can play volleyball, there are several cafes on the shore, and various water activities.

Buses and minibuses No. 346 go to the city throughout the day. The fare is 350 rubles.

Olkhon Island

Olkhon Island is rightfully considered the heart and pearl of Lake Baikal. This is the largest island in the lake, and even in its outline it resembles Baikal.

Olkhon has not only beautiful nature, but also an interesting history. There is a legend that the great Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan was buried on the island. Olkhon is considered the center of shamanism, because since ancient times shamans have performed sacred rites here.

There are many hotels and tourist centers on the island, which receive a huge number of tourists every year. You can rent a room in one of these tourist centers during the holiday season from 700 rubles, excluding meals and amenities.

The camp site that can be distinguished from all of them is “Robinson and Friday”. Here tourists will be accommodated in large tents, which have everything they need for a comfortable stay. This is a unique opportunity to live in camping conditions on the very shore of Lake Baikal. Guests have access to a shared kitchen and bathroom. The dining area is located outside, so you can eat right in the open air. There is a tour desk at the tourist center where you can book excursions to the main attractions of the island. The price of accommodation is 900 rubles per day.

Among the entertainment offered:

horseback riding;
rental of bicycles and water sports equipment;
fishing;
karaoke.

In the evening, vacationers have fun in a nightclub.

Olkhon is the warmest and sunniest place in the Baikal region. There are more than 300 sunny days a year.

Minibuses and municipal buses run from Irkutsk to Olkhon. Travel time is 6-7 hours. Cost – 1,000-5,100 rubles depending on the type of transport.

Small Sea

This is a section of Lake Baikal, separated from the main part by the island of Olkhon. Located off the west coast in the Irkutsk region. The sea is separated from the rest of Baikal by the Olkhon Gate Strait, through which two ferries run to Olkhon Island.

The shores of the Small Sea are cozy sandy beaches with a smooth entry into the sea, warm and clean water. Fishing is often done here. Other entertainment on the Small Sea includes yachting, ATVs, catamarans and kayaks.

In winter, the Small Sea is popular as a place for ice skating. The Sarma wind blows all the snow off the ice of the lake, resulting in the formation of a giant skating rink. The coast itself stretches for many kilometers from the crossing to the northwest.

The Small Sea is considered a mainland, so people mostly get to it by private vehicle. On the Small Sea there are recreation centers:

"Chara." For vacationers there is a cinema hall, bicycle rental, a children's room and playground, an ice skating rink, and ice fishing. Price – from 1,580 rub. per person.
"Bayar." Vacationers are offered a minimarket, cafe, water activities, fishing, an amusement park, and billiards. Price – from 2,700 rubles. per person.
"Wind of Baikal" On the territory of this recreation center there is a water park, a shooting range, dance floors, billiards, table tennis, water entertainment rental, barbecue area, bicycle rental, and a guarded area (parking). All these entertainments are available to vacationers. Price – from 3,200 rub. per person.
"Gull". Vacationers and tourists can visit the cafe, use free Wi-Fi, have fun at karaoke, disco, take a summer shower with hot and cold water, play tennis and billiards. There is also a volleyball court and barbecue area. Price – from 400 rub. per person.
"Frigate". Vacationers can ride a speed boat. Boat trips are also offered, and a meeting with a shaman is organized. Seminars and trainings are organized for those interested. Guests and vacationers can enjoy banquets, buffets, anniversaries and weddings. Price – from 5,450 rubles. per person.

Arshan

Arshan is a mountain climatic and balneological resort known far beyond the borders of Siberia, located in the Eastern Sayan Mountains in the Tunkin Valley.

The healing properties of water from local springs were first noticed in 1894. It is recommended to drink it for diseases of the digestive, nervous and endocrine systems. It normalizes blood circulation. It is believed that Arshan water is closest to the Caucasian Mineral Waters.

In 1920, wounded Red Guards began to be received here. In the next few years, a bathroom and sleeping buildings, a hydroelectric power station, and a mineral water production plant were built.

The name "Arshan" is widespread in Buryatia, Mongolia, and Eastern Siberia. Translated, this word means “healing spring.” Mineral waters are considered sacred by the local population; rituals are held around them, “serge” are installed - ritual pillars and trees among the Buryats and Yakuts, to which ribbons are tied.

There are two sanatoriums in the village - “Arshan” and “Sayany”, in which drinking mineral water, mud therapy, physiotherapy, massage and much more are used as therapeutic factors. Sanatoriums operate all year round.

The Arshan sanatorium has a capacity of 290 beds. The main profile of the sanatorium is medical. Treats diseases of the digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, urinary and endocrine systems. Price – 1,376 rubles per day. It is standard.

The Sayany sanatorium successfully operates a fasting and dietary therapy department designed for 15 beds. The establishment provides 5 dietary meals a day. The profile of the sanatorium is the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, nervous system, and metabolism. Standard price – 1,643 rubles. per day.

They get to the resort from Irkutsk from the bus station by bus. The journey takes 3-4 hours, the fare is 350-450 rubles.

Mukhor Bay

The name of this bay comes from the word “edge”, which in Buryat sounds “mukhor”. This is the very dead end that ends the Small Sea. On this side of Baikal, Mukhorsky Bay is the warmest place and the largest bay of the Small Sea. Its length is about 8 km, depth on average is 4-5 meters. There are many bays on the coastline where the water warms up well.

From all over the Small Sea, Mukhor has the largest concentration of tent camps and tourist centers, the number of which increases every year. Places in the Mukhorsky Bay that are not reached by a hurricane are the most favorable for recreation.

There are hotels and camp sites in Mukhor Bay:

Villa "Baikal Prestige". This is a premium class holiday combined with the comfort and originality of a wooden house. “Baikal Prestige” is a large two-story house with an area of 160 square meters. m in the “Russian tower” style. Designed to accommodate from 6 to 12 people. Price – 60,000 rubles. per day.
Guest house "Eldorado". There are 24-hour shops and bars here, and there is a guarded area and parking on site. The price ranges from 550 to 950 rubles. per day per person.
Tourist base "Nuga". These are comfortable cottages made from environmentally friendly natural materials. On the territory there is a tennis court, a volleyball court and a horizontal bar, an equipped beach with a pier, rental of boats, boats and catamarans. Price – 500-2,300 rubles.

The best way to get to the bay is by car from Irkutsk. The road is 250 km.

Baykalsk

The city of Baikalsk is located in one of the most beautiful places in Eastern Siberia - on the southeastern coast of Lake Baikal at the foot of the Khamar Daban mountain range - and is famous primarily for its ski resort, pomegranate beach and annual strawberry festival.

Thanks to the closure of the pulp and paper mill two years ago, Baikalsk has completely restored its tourist attractiveness not only thanks to its beautiful places, but also to its excellent ecology. And the proximity of the lake creates a mild climate unique for Siberian places.

From Baikalsk it is convenient to make tourist excursions to the most beautiful places in the Baikal region: the Utulik River, the relict forest, the Khamar Daban ridge, the Warm and Sable lakes, and the Baikal Nature Reserve.

The city has a unique place - “Garnet Beach”, as locals call it. The sand on this beach has a reddish tint due to the mineral almandine garnet it contains. It stretches for several kilometers, while its width is only 5 m. Among other things, pomegranate sand has a positive effect on the human body.

From Irkutsk to Baikalsk there are minibus taxis (travel time - 2.5 hours) and an electric train daily (3 hours travel time). There are also minibuses from Ulan-Ude (5 hours), cost – 800 rubles.

There are hotels in the city where you can stay and relax with all the amenities:

The Eagle's Nest Hotel is open all year round. Three meals a day are prepared for vacationers. Located in the city center. On the territory of the hotel there is a cafe-bar, a sauna with a swimming pool, and relaxation rooms. Is breakfast included. Rooms - economy class, standard and suites (family and regular). Price – from 1,050 to 3,800 rubles.
The Kurashevel Hotel also welcomes guests all year round. Two meals a day are provided. Internet, sauna, bathhouse, cafe, and individual excursions are provided. Hotel rooms range from single standards to two-room suites. Price – from 500 to 15,000 rubles. per day.
Hotel "Priboy" is open all year round. Three meals a day are provided. The rooms are furnished with wooden furniture and each has a TV and Wi-Fi. On the territory of the hotel, tourists and vacationers are provided with a full range of entertainment for every taste - a cafe, parking, children's playground, excursions, ski equipment rental. The hotel has standard rooms, double economy class rooms, a hostel for 3 people and double suites. Price – from 600 to 45,000 rubles per day.

Old Angasolka

The settlement of Staraya Angasolka is located eight kilometers from the southernmost tip of Lake Baikal - the village of Kultuk. Old Angasolka owes its appearance to the construction of the Circum-Baikal Railway.

On the territory of Staraya Angasolka there is a children's health camp where you can do:

mountaineering;
rock climbing;
sports tourism;
skiing;
skates.

There are also two bathhouses, one of which is located on the very shore of Lake Baikal, showers, a tent camp, and grounds for playing football and volleyball. For disco lovers there is a dance floor and all the necessary equipment, a stage with an open-air auditorium for 120 people.

Accommodation includes up to 6 people in cottages. For sleep and relaxation there are three large spacious buildings, which include living quarters, a recreation room, a shower, a large dining room and a kitchen. The cost of a trip to the camp is 36,000 rubles.

The uniqueness of the village is that it is one of the few places on the Circum-Baikal Railway. The most convenient way to get there is by car or train, reaching the Pad station, and then walking along a wide hiking trail. The road to Staraya Angasolka was and remains the most popular route.

Here, in addition to the unique structures of the railway itself, there are also cultural and natural attractions:

Arched stone bridge across the mouth of the Angasolka.
A single-track gallery located a stone's throw from the village.
The famous Circum-Baikal tunnels.

The visiting cards of Old Angasolka are the House-Museum of the Roerich Family and the Angasolka children's and youth mountaineering camp.

In the village there is a holiday home with the same name. It is open to guests all year round. The village also consists of several old houses and a store.

The holiday home "Staraya Angasolka" offers accommodation in 10 comfortable rooms with shower, bath, and Internet. The rooms are double and quadruple. Total capacity – 36 people. The rest house provides 3 meals a day, a dining room for 36 people. Accommodation without meals is possible, there is an equipped kitchen.

Slyudyanka

A small town at the southern tip of Lake Baikal. This is a major junction of the East Siberian Railway; almost all trains stop here. The Slyudyanka station, and later the city, was formed thanks to the construction of the Circum-Baikal Railway in 1902-1916.

Currently, the population of Slyudyanka is about 20,000 people. The city is famous for the fact that unique monolithic marble of various colors is mined here: from snow-white to pink, gray and black.

In Slyudyanka there is a recreation center "Silver Spring". It offers comfortable accommodation near Lake Baikal in comfortable houses and rooms in a mini-hotel. Double luxury rooms have a bedroom with furniture, bedding, TV, refrigerator, bathroom, shower. Vacationers are offered a barbecue, a smokehouse, a wood-fired sauna, a steam room, and a relaxation room.

Prices for accommodation at the recreation center:

luxury room – 850 rub. per person per day;
junior suite – 700 rub./day;
double house – 1,000 rubles/day;
house for 4 or 6 people – 900 rub./day per person.

Accommodation for children under 1.5 years old is free, children under 7 years old – 50% of the cost.

In Slyudyanka there is:

The unique station, built by the Italians, is the only building in Russia entirely made of unpolished Baikal marble.
There is an old water tower in the city center.
There is a wooden church near the station.
Private Mineral Museum S.V. Zhigalov, opened in Slyudyanka in 1990. The basis of the museum’s collection is the city’s minerals, which began to be collected in 1975. Currently, the museum displays more than 10,000 samples from many deposits of the former USSR and from abroad.

Many tourist routes to Khamar Daban begin from Slyudyanka. In the vicinity of the city in a southern direction is Chersky Peak.

You can get from Irkutsk by your own car (distance - 115 km), by regular bus, which runs every hour (ticket price - 100 rubles) or by minibus.

Khuzhir

Khuzhir is a small village in the Irkutsk region, which is located on the coast of Olkhon Island. The main attraction of the town is the local local history museum named after N.M. Revyakina. Here every visitor discovers the beauty of the fauna and flora of Lake Baikal, a collection of rare rocks, as well as Buryat household items, personal belongings of shamans and religious finds.

Adventure lovers should head to the picturesque cape called Burkhan. Until now, this area is considered sacred, because shamanic worship and rituals take place here. Also on the cape there is a mountain and a through cave, the entrance to which is accessible only to representatives of shamanism.

In the Khuzhir area there are recreation centers and campsites where groups of tourists stay overnight. Additionally, there is a market, cafes, shops and rental of sports equipment, as well as fishing services.

Where you can stay and relax in Khuzhir:

Gostiny Dvor "Olkhonsky". Price – 2,708 rub. Breakfast and dinner are included in your stay. Many rooms provide vacationers with a beautiful view from the window. The house is clean and warm with all amenities.
Recreation center "Solnechnaya". Price – 3,200 rub. Breakfast and dinner are included in your stay. The bright rooms are housed in log cabins with a terrace. Shared bathrooms are available.
Hotel "Villa Malina". Price – 6,800 rub. The hotel has free parking, public Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a beach, and bicycle rentals. The hotel has suites and family rooms.

Big cats

According to one of the most popular versions, the village was named so because special traps called “kotsy” were used to catch fish, and over time, settlements appeared near the shores of Lake Baikal - Big and Small Kotsy.

In the 19th century, this region was famous for gold mining. In about 50 years, more than 10 pounds of pure gold were extracted from local gold-bearing sands. And today Big Cats attract tourists due to the fact that nature has been preserved here almost untouched by man.

Not far from the gold mines of Padi Sennaya there is one of the most picturesque places in Big Cats - Skipper Mountain. It consists almost entirely of sand, which must be taken into account when walking, because landslides can occur. There is also a cave in Mount Skipper at an altitude of about 200 meters. There was previously a site of ancient people here, as evidenced by the found tools, dishes and other household items. Tourists can admire the rock paintings.

The village can only be reached from Irkutsk by water. A hydrofoil motor ship costs 15 rubles.

Other resorts

There are other equally popular resorts on Lake Baikal:

Peschanaya Bay. This place is called the Baikal Riviera. The beaches of the bay attract tourists and vacationers with golden sand, clear lake water and cozy beaches. Peschanaya Bay is adjacent to two others - Grandmother and Granddaughter, separated by the long Cape Ded. If you go through the grottoes, you will come to the Cormorant Rock protruding not far from the shore. A large colony of gulls lives on this four-story ledge, adjacent to cormorants. They stay in tents or at local camp sites. In the summer, the Baorguzin hovercraft sails from Irkutsk, and in the winter they travel by Khivus.
Chivyrkuisky Bay. A place for the whole family to relax. Here you can take a bath in natural hot springs and go fishing. Photo hunting is allowed. Vacationers set up tents on a sand spit 1 kilometer long. A large cruise with meals, a bathhouse, excursions, a visit to a shaman and a visit to seal rookeries costs from 40 thousand rubles per person.
Turk. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. There is a yacht club here, a very beautiful lighthouse rises above the coast, and Turtle Rock stands nearby. You can go down the Turka River on catamarans or go on a fishing tour.
You can stay at tourist camps or in hotels located 150 meters from the shore of Lake Baikal. The cost of living is from 2,000 rubles per person. You can get there by car along the Barguzinsky tract from Ulan-Ude, the length of the route is 169 km. Buses depart from the Selenga bus station daily. The fare is 300 rubles.
Maksimikha. Located on the southern shore of the Barguzin Bay. The water temperature in these small bays is about +20 degrees. The main attraction is the ecological and ethnographic park-museum “Svetlaya Polyana”. All its buildings are stylized in the 17th century. In Russian towers you can see ancient household items and a collection of minerals. The decoration of the museum is a wooden chapel, built without a single nail.
The cost of living at Maksimikha camp sites is from 500 rubles. You can book a guest house by calling +7 (3031) 92682, +7 (924) 3525-126. By car from Irkutsk to Maksimikha – 650 km. The cost of travel by minibus is 600 rubles.
Enkhaluk. Baikal at this resort is peaceful and serene. Its golden beaches and warm water, dense forest and bright, gentle sun are very popular with tourists. Enkhaluk is considered a popular place among vacationers, but there are also unexplored corners here. The cost of living starts from 700 rubles. per day per person. You can get to the resort by car or public transport. Cost – 300 rub.
Northern Baikal. Tourist village on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. People come here for a wild holiday, to see protected and little-explored places. Easy to get there by train. This is the easiest and cheapest way, the ticket price is 8,000 rubles.

Become an omul expert

Omul is a legendary Baikal fish that you simply won’t be able to avoid trying. Hot and cold smoked omul, as well as lightly salted and salted, beckons from the shelves. You can order a ready-made dish in a cafe or cook fresh fish yourself: fry, stew, bake or cook aromatic fish soup. And how good is tender omul on the rostrum, just taken from the fire! Even if you eat omul for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the recipes will last for a week.

When you're ready to come off the omul diet, try Buryat buuzy with buchler, a strong lamb soup. And if you want something unusual, go to the Kudesnitsa cafe in Khuzhir. In addition to sloths and omul cutlets, they make dumplings with blueberries, sea buckthorn juice, a lot of delicious salads and even handmade sweets - a paradise for lovers of healthy eating.

This is interesting: A dozen unexpected dishes from all over Russia

What to take with you?

If there are several thousand kilometers ahead, the car should be as prepared as possible for a long trip. Go to the service station in advance - let the technicians carefully check the condition of the car and carry out appropriate maintenance.

You may need different things along the way. Start packing a few days before your trip. Better yet, make a list so you don’t forget anything.

You must have a standard auto traveler kit:

documents for the car;
passport and driving license;
all passengers must also carry identification documents;
if you drive a car with a power of attorney, you must also have it with you;
a first aid kit, which contains medications for colds, gastrointestinal disorders, antihistamines, painkillers and antipyretics.

In the warm season there are a lot of ticks on Lake Baikal. Especially in May-June. Be sure to carry aerosols to repel parasites. If you do get bitten by a tick, remove it entirely and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

When going to almost wild places, don’t rely too much on ATMs. They are available only in large populated areas, and card payments are rare here. Take more cash.

Bring paper road maps, as far from cities there is often no connection, and the GPS navigator information is not always true.

Lake coast from Sarma

Count the rails along Lake Baikal

The Circum-Baikal Railway was completed in 1904. It brought together the Trans-Siberian Railway, which had previously been divided by Lake Baikal, into one whole: since then, trains have been running from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok itself. But it wasn’t easy: in order to stretch the rails along the rocky Baikal shore, workers struggled to build endless tunnels, galleries, viaducts, bridges and protective walls. Each kilometer on the Circum-Baikal Railway cost 1.4 times more than on the rest of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The costs were not justified: there were often landslides on the road, and the Trans-Siberian Railway was bypassed, and later part of the route was completely flooded due to the hydroelectric power station on the Angara.

The most beautiful section of the Circum-Baikal Railway - from Slyudyanka to the port of Baikal along the steep bank - has become a dead end, but is still in operation. Four times a week a regular train passes over the stone galleries and bridges. If you want comfort, jump on a tourist train that stops in the most interesting places. Lovers of hiking romance can walk the Circum-Baikal Railway in 3-5 days and take a closer look at the nesting cormorants and the 778-meter Polovinny tunnel.

See also: The most beautiful roads in Russia - breathtaking!

When is the best time to go? Summer and winter Baikal

Throughout my childhood and youth, I spent my summer holidays on Lake Baikal. And in 2021 I flew to the lake from Moscow in winter

Baikal has three popular seasons:

summer
winter
autumn

In summer you can swim, in winter you can look at the famous ice, and in autumn you can admire nature and fish. And only in the spring there is calm. Each season is good in its own way, very short and unique.

➢ Summer Baikal enchants wildlife lovers who cannot imagine a vacation without swimming

The water in Baikal is cold even in the warmest time of the year. Despite the fact that the summer climate is characterized by dry heat up to 40°C, swimming in the lake is not a pleasure, but a test to see who can last longer. You can swim on Lake Baikal from July to early September, but the most comfortable time is August.

The average water temperature in August is 15°C, in July – 12°C, in September – 13°C.

However, there are two bays where it is shallow and the water is warmer:

✓ Mukhorsky Bay on the Irkutsk side

✓ Chivyrkuisky Bay in Buryatia

The water in them warms up to 23°C. Here swimming can begin in July and end in mid-September.

When going to Lake Baikal in the summer, you need to carefully study the information about forest fires. When the taiga is burning, neither the sun, nor the blue sky, nor the mountains are visible from all observation platforms and it becomes difficult to breathe.

What to do in summer? Visit the islands and neighboring bays, attractions, holy places. Go on a hike. You can see the habitats of seals - the charming Baikal seals.

➢ Winter Baikal has been attracting bloggers and celebrities from all over the world over the last decade. The reason for this is ice with photogenic cracks and bubbles of methane frozen at the time of freeze-up, grottoes and ice caves. To complete the picture, you need to see both summer and winter Baikal at least once

The winter season is also short: late February-March. In January, the ice already freezes, but the terrible cold and winds that can literally blow you off your feet will not allow you to enjoy your vacation. Moreover, there can be no talk of any photo shoots in dresses. And only by March the wind subsides, the air gets warmer, and walking and skating on the largest skating rink in the world becomes a joy. In April the ice already melts and becomes dangerous.

What to do in winter? Ride a dog sled, see an exhibition of ice sculptures, ski and snowboard.

➢ Autumn on Baikal is a season for aesthetes. If you can still swim until the end of September, then in October it is no longer possible. But this is the most beautiful month on the lake. The blue surface of the water is framed by the yellow-red-green lights of the trees. The sky is always clear, and there is peace and quiet all around. In November it gets colder, cloudy and snowy at times.

What to do in the fall? Until mid-October, excursions are still available to see the islands and attractions. It’s also possible to go hiking, stay overnight in a tent, warming yourself by the fire. Fish, hunt where allowed, and collect mushrooms.

➢ Spring on Baikal begins in April. This is not a popular time for tourists. The ice is melting, you can't swim, and the landscapes have not yet gained color. Nature is awakening, the first hungry ticks are crawling out. In May, wild rosemary blooms purple. In June the weather is even more spring-like

What to do in spring? Relax on the shore, go hiking. At the beginning of the first month of summer, water transport is launched: you can go on excursions. The biggest advantage of a spring holiday is the absence of crowds of tourists and low prices.

How to get there?

Baikal wolf... Well, almost)

How to get to Lake Baikal from Central Russia:

1. Get to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude:

✓ By plane. A ticket from Moscow to Irkutsk can be bought for 6,000 rubles if you arrange the trip in advance. If this is not possible, then you should count on 10,000-12,000 rubles. A ticket to Ulan-Ude is usually one or two thousand cheaper. Flight time – 6 hours

It is convenient to search for tickets through aviasales. They also have a convenient mobile application.

✓ By train. A trip of 3.5 days on a reserved seat will cost 7,000 rubles per person

✓ Plane + train. If direct tickets are expensive, you can combine them. For example, for 6,000 rubles you can fly to Krasnoyarsk, see the city and from there for 2,000 rubles take a train to Irkutsk. Or fly to Ulan-Ude, get acquainted with the traditions of Buryatia, and from there take a train to Irkutsk overnight. The ticket costs 1,000 rubles, departure and arrival times are very convenient

2. Get to the city center from the airport.

From Irkutsk airport to the city you can take a taxi for 150-250 rubles. There is also a bus stop right there. Buses No. 20, 42, 21 go to the bus station in the center from 6.00 to 23.00; you can go there with luggage.

From Ulan-Ude airport, a taxi to the city will cost 400-500 rubles. If your luggage is only a backpack, from 6 am to 11 pm you can go to the bus station by minibus No. 77 and bus No. 10 for 24 rubles. Why only with a backpack? The bus stop is a 15-minute walk along an inconvenient road, and the minibus is inconvenient with luggage.

How to get to Baikal

By train

There are direct trains from Moscow to Slyudyanka 1, Baykalsk and Mysovaya stations; the journey will take 3–3.5 days. From St. Petersburg you will have to travel with a transfer in Moscow or Irkutsk.

By plane

The closest airport to Lake Baikal is in Irkutsk. From there, it is convenient to travel by train or train to the southeast of the lake (Kultuk, Tunkinskaya Valley, Baikalsk, Kultushnaya, Baikalsky Surf). Buses and ships go to other places. A good idea is to rent a car right at the Irkutsk airport.

An alternative airport is in Ulan-Ude, from where you can continue your journey to Baikal by train, train or bus.

Rent a Car

In Irkutsk and other cities that can serve as starting points for your road trip, cars from the latest years of production are rented out. Usually every car is insured.

Features of car rental:

You can rent a car upon arrival by visiting the landlord’s office;
if you book a car in advance, its rental may be cheaper;
the cost of rental is practically no different from the average prices in the country - 2,000-2,500 rubles per day;
if you rent a car for a week, the second and subsequent days usually cost less;
if you rent an inexpensive car, the weekly rental amount is approximately 13,000 rubles, not counting fuel costs.

Serpentine in Kultuk

Find the seal's house

Only on Baikal can you see these innocent round eyes, erect mustaches and touching short flippers: the Baikal seal is not found anywhere else. It is better to make a date where the seals are in their native element, for example, on the Ushkany Islands. Seals have chosen this archipelago for their rookeries, so the chances of seeing them are greatest here. They get to the Ushkany Islands by excursion boat from Olkhon Island or from Ust-Barguzin. And all summer long you can spy on the seals from the comfort of your couch through a webcam installed on one of the islands.

Photo: Sergey Gabdurakhmanov, CC BY 2.0

If you are not ready to sail to the Ushkany Islands, you can try your luck right on Olkhon, where seals often appear at the foot of Cape Khoboy. You will have to watch from afar, but do not disturb shy animals. There, on Olkhon, excursions are organized to the island of Zamogoy - another residence of pinnipeds. And the easiest and most guaranteed way to see the Baikal seal is to go to the nerpinarium in Listvyanka, where you can even take a photo with the seal.

More on the topic:

9 ways to see the world without leaving the couch

Where to look at pandas, koalas and other cute creatures

10 most unusual zoos in the world

Ready routes

We present to your attention various routes around Lake Baikal. Select vacation spots based on these criteria if you don’t know where to go.

For 1 day

Listvyanka
Bolshoye Goloustnoe
Big Cats
Kultuk, Slyudyanka
Enkhaluk
Goryachinsk

Beach holiday

Small Sea
Olkhon
Peschanaya Bay
Goryachinsk
Enkhaluk
Chivyrkuisky Bay
Barguzinsky Bay

The warmest bays

Small Sea: Joy Bay, Mandarkhan, Kurma, etc.
Enkhaluk: Failure and Ambassadorial Dirty
Chivyrkuisky Bay: Krutaya, the village of Monakhovo, etc.

The most beautiful places

Peschanaya Bay and Babushka
Sarai beach on Olkhon
Cape Uyuga and Kurminsky
Chivyrkuisky Bay
Cape Khoboy on Olkhon
Barguzin Valley

Hiking and trekking

Slyudyanka
Small Sea
Kurma
Chivyrkuisky Bay

On water

Peschanaya Bay
Big Cats
Listvyanka
Ust-Barguzin

in winter

Listvyanka
Bolshoye Goloustnoe
Olkhon
Baykalsk

Difficult routes

Irkutsk-Taltsy-Listvyanka
Irkutsk - Mukhor - Kurma
Irkutsk – Small Sea – Olkhon
Irkutsk - Slyudyanka - Warm lakes on Snezhnaya
Small Sea: Kurkutsky Bay - Mukhor - Kurminsky Cape
Irkutsk - Slyudyanka - Baikalsk - Goryachinsk
Ulan-Ude - Goryachinsk - Ust-Barguzin - Chivyrkuisky Bay
Ulan-Ude - lake. Kotokel — Goryachinsk
Ulan-Ude - Posolskoye - Enkhaluk

Look on the map

Look into the Tofalar tent

The open-air museum “Taltsy” at 47 km of the Baikal Highway shows how different peoples of Siberia lived in the 17th–20th centuries. What can you see in the taiga forest on the banks of the Angara! Here is the conical tent of the Tofalars, of whom there are now about 750 people throughout the country. But the hut on chicken legs is a storehouse in which the Evenki hid food so that wild animals would not get to it. Also take a look at a wooden Buryat yurt, which has not 4 walls, like in an ordinary house, but as many as 8.

A walk among ancient huts, barns, mills and churches will be pleasantly enhanced by a ride on a traditional Russian swing. And when you get hungry, try pancakes and drink a good mug of sbiten at the tavern.

See also: 15 unusual buildings from around the world

Housing prices

View from the window of the Nebo Baikal guest house, where I lived

A surprise awaited me here. When vacationing in Russia, I expect a certain level of comfort for the amount of 2,000 rubles per night. Usually for this price, even in Moscow, the room has a toilet and a bath/shower with hot water.

But not in Listvyanka. For the amount of 1,800 rubles per night, I was offered a room that had:

➢ 2 beds

➢ Table

➢ Washstand (the water ran out there on the first day)

All! It was cold to get to the common toilet, shower and kitchen.

True, it must be said that the hotel itself was located in the center. This was the cheapest option with a lake view. In my opinion, the location still outweighed the disadvantages. The only cheaper place was in a hostel 20 minutes walk from the center - 700 rubles.

You can search for housing on Lake Baikal through:

Booking
Sutochno.ru

The entire house costs from 3,000 rubles.

For a comfortable hotel in 2021 you will have to pay at least 5,000 rubles.

There are no hostels on Olkhon and in the east of Baikal, only guest houses and camp sites. Accommodation costs from 2,000 rubles/night for a double room.

Keep in mind that in winter the choice is reduced to just a few hotels. For example, the most popular tourist complex in Khuzhir (Olkhon), SaRaisky, welcomes guests only from May to October. Places there need to be booked sooooo much in advance, the cost starts from 6,100 rubles for a double house.

Look for and book accommodation on Lake Baikal, the sooner the better. The choice is not very large, and over the past couple of years it has become even smaller: tourist centers and guest houses are closing due to non-compliance with environmental standards. The loudest such story happened with the Baikalov Ostrog hotel complex, popular among tourists. The place was known for its optimal price/quality ratio (although there were complaints about the quality itself). The complex is now closed and must be demolished by court decision.

Dance on ice

In winter, Baikal becomes the largest ice skating rink in Russia. Kilometers of blue, absolutely transparent ice - there is nothing like it anywhere else. To get a close-up look at the ice splashes, hummocks and grottoes, get on a snowmobile or ATV and take off into the Baikal wilderness. There are rental points, for example, in the village of Listvyanka. And if you want an instructor to accompany you, book a tour. Short trips last three hours. But the icy space is worth exploring for a whole week, moving from one stunning place to another.

Photo: Danil Korzhonov

You can also admire the Baikal ice on skates. Choose a recreation center in the Small Sea Strait - for example, in Khuzhir - rent skates and glide to your heart's content. You can also go on a real ice skating trip! Just keep in mind that this is a serious matter. Before leaving, stock up on clothes and equipment as for an Arctic expedition, and check if there is any snow. more about how to prepare for a skating trip on the ice of Lake Baikal on Evgeny Dubinchuk’s website.

More on the topic: 11 fun winter holiday ideas

Table of all routes

Of course, the easiest way to conquer Baikal is by car, so you can be mobile and see several places. Choose from the suggested routes.

Route	Distance (km)	Time	Leisure
Irkutsk-Listvyanka	70	1-2 days	Walks, nerpinarium, fish and souvenir markets, limnological museum, ice skating and skiing, observation decks
Irkutsk- Bolshoye Goloustnoe	120	1-2 days	Walks, sauna, horse riding, ice skating
Irkutsk - Peschanaya Bay	150	4-7 days	Hiking and excursions, observation decks, beach
Irkutsk - Small Sea	250	3-7 days	Beach, hiking, excursions, many camp sites, as well as tourists
Irkutsk-Olkhon	300	4-7 days	Beach, excursions, a large number of attractions
Irkutsk — Slyudyanka	110	2-3 days	Hiking, CBZD
Ulan-Ude — Goryachinsk	180	3-6 days	Beach, sanatorium, treatment, mineral springs
Ulan-Ude — Enkhaluk	170	2-5 days	Beach, warm water, holidays with children.
Ulan-Ude — Ust-Bargugzin	260	4-7 days	Beach holidays, excursions, flora and fauna, Lake Arangatui
Ulan-Ude - Chivyrkuisky Bay	310	4-7 days	Beach holiday and untouched nature, warm water, recommended with children

Be sure to check if there are any fires in the area. Before your trip, do not forget to obtain permission to visit the Pribaikalsky National Park.

I hope now you know where to relax on Lake Baikal - write, did the article help you? And if you only want to swim and sunbathe, then it makes sense to choose warmer places: THE WARMEST PLACES OF BAIKAL.

Meet a shaman on Olkhon

If you still remember the shamans jingling their gold bracelets in “The Last of the Mohicans,” go to Olkhon: this is happening there in reality. The largest island of Baikal is considered the center of Buryat shamanism. There are the most amazing legends about him: for example, a long time ago a bald eagle descended on Olkhon, from which the first shaman descended. And in the through cave of the Shamanka rock, the master spirit of the island has lived since ancient times. It’s hard to believe, but every year a tailagan takes place on Olkhon - a large shamanic gathering, which, by the way, is also attended by Indians.

Photo: , CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The rest of the time, Olkhon is a place for an idyllic holiday in nature with a slightly noticeable touch of mysticism. Learn how to burkhan correctly, climb to a Buddhist stupa, ride a bike or wander on foot along the paths among forests and steppes. Also, find the perfect beach and swim to your heart's content - there is always something to do on Olkhon. You can stay at the “Resurrection” guest house in Khuzhir: the rooms are cozy, and the food is like grandma’s. The Da-Shi recreation center has its own beach with sun loungers, a bar with a chill-out area and a bathhouse - where would you be without it!

More on the topic: The most fascinating holy places in the world

Where to live

Around Lake Baikal there are many different recreation centers, campsites, hotels and mini-hotels for any budget. There is, for example, the Chara base with a standard design, meals, transfer and other services with a cost of 2000 rubles per room. Similar ones are “Circumbaikal” a little to the south or “Enkhaluk” on the opposite bank.

There are guest houses with their own courtyard among fir trees, like “Mukhtui” or “Tengeri”, where the price per room also starts from about 2,000 rubles. If you want unusual names, then in the village of Bolshie Koty there is a guest house “Cozy Cheshire”. Nearby you can pitch a tent in a forest camp adapted for this purpose.

Basically, all housing is located in the southern part of the lake, if you draw an imaginary line along its middle.

Climb the Chersky Stone

Only one river flows from Baikal - the majestic Angara. Above its source rises the peak Kamen Chersky, named after the 19th century explorer of Siberia. To also feel like a geographer, come to the village of Listvyanka, climb the Chersky Stone and find out from the height of the Eiffel Tower what the relationship of the Angara is with Baikal. The walk through the beautiful forest takes about an hour and a half. And if you are too lazy to walk, you can take the cable car almost to the very top. At the observation deck, hold your camera tightly so as not to drop it in admiration, and don’t forget to tie a hiya morin for luck and admire the mountains on the opposite side of Lake Baikal.

More on the topic: 7 ideas for active recreation in Russia

Food prices

“...And how many fish did they eat!”

Baikal is not cheap. No matter what they write that the cost of a vacation depends only on desires and appetites, the reality is that you can’t come here on a budget for a couple of days. If you walk with a backpack and live in a tent, eating canned food, you still need to spend money on tickets. And if you relax in a separate room, go on excursions and eat in a cafe, then the prices are completely higher than expected from the Siberian outback. Some excursions cost as much as a decent tour in Europe.

When going to Olkhon or Chivyrkuisky Bay, take cash with you: there are no ATMs here, and you can’t pay by card everywhere. There are Sberbank ATMs in Listvyanka and large settlements on the east coast.

The main rule before traveling to any resort village is to buy food in advance at the city supermarket. Of course, there will be stores anywhere, but their selection and quality will not correspond to the price.

➢ If you are coming from the Irkutsk bus station, there is a Lenta hypermarket literally a 10-minute walk

➢ From the Ulan-Ude bus station – 5 minutes to the Absolut supermarket

In shops in the tourist area, prices will be 30% higher than in the city. In Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, prices are the same as the Russian average.

In the Listvyanka cafe I drank a cappuccino for 200 rubles and ate a thin cheburek for 50 rubles - this was the cheapest lunch option. Main courses here cost at least 500 rubles. They say that prices are lower on Olkhon: borscht can be bought for 100 rubles. The price of omul depends on the size of the fish: from 150 to 350 rubles. Omul caviar costs 400 rubles, but there is nothing special about it, it’s better to buy fish.

Among the local dishes, besides fish, it is worth trying buuzy (aka poses). Similar to khinkali, but with holes on top. They eat them with their hands. Cost – 80-100 rubles per piece. In Irkutsk it is almost 2 times cheaper.

Catch up with Genghis Khan

They say that the path of Genghis Khan ran through the Tunka Valley. Now there is an excellent highway leading there from the Baikal village of Kultuk, but despite the accessibility, these places have not lost their charm. Take at least a day to look at the rocky Tunka char and the gentle curves of the Khamar-Daban mountains, swim in the cool waters of the Irkut River, pick raspberries and lie in the tall grass. If you have more time, you can admire the majestic Munku-Sardyk - the highest peak of the Sayan Mountains. Or even go on real adventures in the valley of volcanoes. Just keep in mind that to travel beyond the village of Mondy you need to obtain a free pass to the border zone in advance.

What to see?

On the right photo – Baikal Astrophysical Observatory

The most important question of any independent trip. Baikal is nature. But where exactly should we look at it and how best to do it?

My route

Visitors to Lake Baikal are divided into two types:

➢ whom he attracts with his energy again and again

➢ who doesn’t find anything special here

Yes, there are also restrained reviews from tourists about their holidays on Lake Baikal. It seems to me that the season shapes the impression. I am one of the few people who is not fascinated by summer Baikal: it’s just a cold sea and ordinary Siberian nature. But autumn and winter Baikal is something incredible for me.

At the end of February 2021, having lived next to the lake for 17 years, I went there for the first time in winter, saw its ice and was stunned. Since I was a lone independent traveler with three free days, my choice fell on Listvyanka.

Having reached Irkutsk from Ulan-Ude by train, I stocked up on provisions in Lenta near the bus station and boarded a minibus. My guest house Sky of Baikal was 5 minutes from the ticket office. This is the best place for a winter stop: near a market, a cafe, an observatory, both tourist centers: Dauria and Lotsman, the final stop of water and land transport and taxis. But the most important thing is that it is in this part of the resort that the ice is clean, not covered with snow, and incredible hummocks are formed - blue blocks of ice taller than a person.

At one of the travel agencies you can take an excursion on a hivus either to Peschanaya Bay behind the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye, or to the Circum-Baikal Railway. But it’s better to book an excursion in advance, because I didn’t have time - two days later there were no places. From the ticket office you can take a minibus to Khuzhir for 1,500 rubles.

However, I found something to do:

✓ I walked up to the Chersky stone to look at the only place on Lake Baikal that never freezes - the source of the Angara

If you wish, you can also spend the day skiing or snowboarding at the Eastland ski complex. But it is not suitable for riders: the slope is almost childish

✓ Wandered around transparent Baikal, climbed hummocks and took endless photographs

✓ Met sunrises and saw off sunsets. This is the most beautiful time here: when the sun is refracted in the ice floes, drawing familiar scenes in our imagination. This is called pareidolia. On Lake Baikal you need to watch the sunrise and spend the sunset at least once

✓ I went to the observatory at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics SB RAS. Few people know about her, and not a single blogger writes about her. Meanwhile, here you can look at the sun through a telescope, the equivalent of which is only in the USA

The schedule of excursions can be found on the official website of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics - ru.iszf.irk.ru/Organization_of_excursions

✓ And of course, I ate a lot of omul, bought a figurine of Burkhanchik - a symbol of the lake and earrings made of charoite - a mineral that was discovered in these parts

I think that Listvyanka is a great place to get to know the lake. And if you still manage to go on an excursion or get to Olkhon and see the grottoes and bubbles, then the winter program can be considered completed!

Best excursions

Hummocks are blocks of ice that form during freezing.

The route can be designed in different ways, based on the chosen method of travel and the amount of time available. If you wish, you can travel all over Lake Baikal in a month, moving from Olkhon through Slyudyanka to Buryatia. But if you have two weeks left, then you need to take someone’s side: Western or Eastern.

➢ If you are on the lake for the first time or traveling alone, it is better to go west. In winter, it is also better to go to the Irkutsk side: excursions are organized here in resort areas, and you need to go to the ice with knowledgeable people

➢ If you want adventure and non-standard Baikal, go east with a mandatory visit to the datsans (Buddhist temples) of Buryatia

Olkhon and Small Sea

The center of tourism on Olkhon is the village of Khuzhir. You can come here immediately upon arrival in Irkutsk, or from Listvyanka. The main thing is to take into account the nuance with the crossing.

If in summer the water on the Olkhon beaches seems cold, then you can spend part of your vacation in Kurkut on the Small Sea - a minibus from Khuzhir to Irkutsk passes through it.

What to do on Olkhon?

There are two types of excursions: to the south and to the north of the island. They are carried out by locals in “loaves” (UAZs). If it's winter, then on ice.

➢ South is the Small Sea. This is where you need to look for ice with methane bubbles and ice grottoes in winter. Also in the south, you should definitely visit the island of Ogoy. At its top there is the Stupa of Enlightenment, from where an incredible view of Lake Baikal opens, and all negative emotions go away

➢ The North is the wild nature of Cape Khoboy. It is better to go here in the summer on a sunny day, because it is here that you can, even from afar, see the rookery of seals - seals that live only on Lake Baikal

You can sign up at your hotel or guest house. As a rule, each owner has contact information for a travel agency. The price of a group excursion is 1,500-2,000 rubles per person.

Excursions on Lake Baikal are most often carried out on “loaves”

If the company is large, it is better to take an individual excursion. The cost depends on transport and the number of people: 10,000-13,000 rubles per company. You can look at the options on Tripster - they have a good selection of original tours from Olkhon.

In summer, boat excursions are also organized to the eastern part of the lake. To immerse yourself in the national flavor, a visit to a Buryat village will be interesting. It is located in the village of Maly Khuzhir, 4 km from Khuzhir. What is there to do? Visit a real yurt, watch the national Buryat dance - yokhor, eat poses.

While in Khuzhir, you should definitely visit the hallmark of Lake Baikal - Cape Burkhan. Statues of the lake’s patron saint are named after him; people make wishes and meditate here. On the approach to the cape there are Serge hitching posts and trees with ribbons. This place is “obo”, here you need to “mumble”: leave some change, a ribbon or splash some alcohol to appease the spirits. Then you can go to the Shamanka rock. You should watch the sunrise or spend the sunset here at least once.

Listvyanka and Circum-Baikal Railway

The ice-free source of the Angara from the observation deck at the Chersky Stone in Listvyanka

In summer, Listvyanka is not suitable for swimming: pebbles, a lot of people, ferries. Therefore, it’s worth coming here just for the sights:

➢ The Circum-Baikal Railway is the most beautiful railway in Russia and an architectural monument of the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. It runs along the shore of the lake from Slyudyanka to Baikal station.

Going to Baikal on your own in the summer, you can get to Listvyanka in a very unusual way, combining the road with an excursion: arriving from Irkutsk on a steam train from the early 20th century. To do this, you need to book an excursion from Irkutsk to Listvyanka on the Circum-Baikal Railway website (Circum-Baikal-railway-doroga.rf). It will take a day with all the stops for photos and will cost 4,400 rubles. In winter, excursions on khivus are organized towards the Circum-Baikal Railway: from 2,500 rubles (in Dauria tour) to 5,000 rubles (in Lotsman). In summer – boat tours from 1500 rubles per person. You can go this route on your own in 4-5 days.

➢ The Chersky Stone is the most important attraction of Listvyanka. This is an observation deck from where you can see where Baikal and Angara merge - the only river flowing from the lake. The place is named after the Polish geologist who explored the lake in exile. Here, too, you need to offer a gift to the spirits; ribbons are hung. Shamans call the peak the meeting place of two worlds. You can get here on the Eastland Park cable car: about 200 rubles for the ride. And go down on foot. The only thing is that it’s better to take a taxi to the park, because walking 7 km from Listvyanka is very tiring

Almost any sightseeing tour to Baikal from Irkutsk includes a visit to the Chersky stone. Private tours can be found on Tripster

➢ Baikal Astrophysical Observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics SB RAS - this is my personal wish, as a person who loves space and everything connected with it. It is located a 20-minute walk from the Listvyanka ticket office. It is better to book an excursion in advance (ru.iszf.irk.ru/Organization_of excursions) by contacting the staff by phone. If the weather worsens, the organizers call back and reschedule for another time. Costs 800 rubles, you will have to walk a lot

➢ Peschanaya Bay (35 km from Bolshoi Goloustnoye) is a very picturesque place on the western coast, which can only be reached by water. In winter there is an incredible view of the ice, in summer you can swim and enjoy the beauty

An excursion to Peschanaya Bay in 2021 in winter cost 6,000 rubles, the price for summer so far is 4,000 rubles

➢ Hiking along the Great Baikal Trail - a hiking route among the mountains, along Lake Baikal from Listvyanka to the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye. Lasts 5-6 hours

Chivirkuysky Bay, the Holy Nose Peninsula and Buryatia

Gate to the Ivolginsky datsan in Buryatia

The eastern side is more popular with locals than tourists. Usually everyone travels nearby - to Enkhaluk or Goryachinsk.

But if you come from afar, it’s still worth getting to Chivyrkuisky Bay . It is located between the mainland and the Holy Nose Peninsula.

It’s difficult to get here without a car or an excursion. First you need to take a minibus to Ust-Barguzin. Then find a taxi (which is difficult) and get to Monakhovo: that’s where Zmeinaya Bay is located, where there is warm water, hot springs, picturesque views and a bit of civilization. The desperate can, of course, walk 43 km.

You can get here with a guided tour from Olkhon for 8,000 rubles. But the most comfortable way to get there is from Ulan-Ude. It is better to look for group tours from local companies, I went with Barguzin Tour, I liked it. A one-day trip costs about 2,000 rubles. If you are traveling with a group, you can choose the appropriate option on Tripster. The price for an excursion for 3-4 people is 12,000-15,000 rubles.

On the top of the Holy Nose the snow does not melt until mid-summer. There is a walking trail for experienced tourists: you can test your strength by climbing to a height of 1,877 m.

Behind the peninsula is the protected area of Ushkany Island , where seals bask in the sun. Going here is expensive and only makes sense on a sunny July day with calm water. You can rent a boat in Ust-Barguzin or Monakhovo, which will cost at least 20,000 rubles per company, or you can join an excursion from Ulan-Ude for 7,000 rubles per person.

When going to the Buryat side of Lake Baikal, you cannot do without visiting the capital of the republic - the city of Ulan-Ude . In addition to the famous Lenin's head on the square, you should definitely get acquainted with Buddhism here. Usually, when flying to Thailand or Vietnam, Russians are fascinated by Buddhist processions and visit temples with interest. Being unaware that all the same things exist in their country. Worship of spirits, recitation of mantras, symbolism of flowers, rituals and teachings of Buddha - all this is found in Buryatia.

The best place to immerse yourself in the atmosphere is datsan - a Buddhist temple. The most famous in Ulan-Ude is the Ivolginsky datsan. It is more interesting to visit with a guide who will explain all the rituals.

There is another one, authentic and non-tourist - the Barguzin datsan and the face of the goddess Yanzhima next to it. People come here to ask for a child, husband or wife. Knowledgeable people come to Buryatia specifically for this, and the atmosphere here is incredible. The place is located near the Holy Nose peninsula; you can drive from Chivyrkuisky Bay in 2 hours by car. Two-day tour for 10 people to the Barguzinsky datsan from Ulan-Ude on Tripster.

Go skiing

The Mount Sobolinaya ski resort in Baikalsk is suitable for any level of training. If you see skis or a snowboard for the first time in your life, take an instructor and master the descent from the training slope. Send the “support group” to enjoy tubing, swim in the pool or soak in the spa.

For the more ambitious, the resort has blue, black and freeride trails. The slopes are well-groomed, there are almost no queues at the lifts. But the most important thing: the pulp and paper mill, which was spreading its “aroma” throughout the entire area, finally closed. Now nothing prevents you from enjoying skiing with a fantastic view of Lake Baikal.

You can stay right next to Sobolina Mountain at the Grand Baikal Hotel: you leave your room and are already on the ski lift. If you rent an apartment, it will be cheaper, and you can pamper yourself and your loved ones with home-cooked food.

Read more: Where to ski and snowboard in Russia

What else to do?

Baikal is not only a unique natural reservoir and pristine nature, but also an opportunity to get positive emotions and a dose of adrenaline. Many interesting activities are organized here for tourists, and each vacationer can choose entertainment to suit their taste.

What to do and how to have fun during the cold season:

Ride the dogs. This kind of entertainment is practiced in Listvyanka and in the village of Utulik. You can ride hourly or as part of a tour.
Ride a snowmobile. They rent equipment in Listvyanka, Baikalsk and on Olkhon Island.
Take part in a jeep tour. In 99% of cases, vacationers occupy the passenger seat. Perhaps you can repeat the route yourself if you arrive in your jeep.
Rent a go-kart and buggy. This equipment can be picked up at the Small Sea - at the Hadarta camp site.
Watch the seals. In April, khivus rides are organized. Armed with cameras, tourists move along the floating ice floes, looking for seals. They lie on ice floes to bask in the sun's rays.
Skis and skates. You can not only go skiing, but also go on a tour. There is, for example, a route from the Pereezd station.
Swim in the lane. This is a pleasure for healthy and brave people. Myna is an ice bath carved into the ice. Its depth is 0.5-0.6 m. Nearby there is a bathhouse and a bar with mulled wine.
Go skiing. On Baikal there are both civilized descents (with ski lifts and catering points) and more atmospheric ones (for example, from Mount Mamai).

A selection of the best places in Olkhon
The most beautiful places of Baikal

What to do in the warm season:

Ride ATVs. These cars can be rented in Listvyanka and other major resorts of Lake Baikal.
Get to know the local cuisine. Having a car, you can go sightseeing and go on a gastronomic tour along the way. Baikal serves Siberian, Baikal and Buryat cuisine.
Sunbathe on the beaches. The best beach is Saraisky. It is located near the village of Khuzhir. The sandy beach reaches a width of 1 km.
Go fishing. Boat trips to fishing spots are organized on Lake Baikal.

Universal activities for any time of year:

Photo and video tours. Here, excursion bureaus specially organize trips for tourists who want to capture the beauty of Lake Baikal. If you have a car, you can independently arrange filming for yourself wherever your car passes.
Go on an excursion. Having a car, you can get to any attraction on your own. Where the tour group goes, you will go too.
Fly in a helicopter. This is a very expensive entertainment. A group of people is selected for him who are able to pay half a million rubles for the flight. Usually 2 to 4 people fly. Helicopter excursions last at least 3 days, so they are chosen by those who have both time and money.

Ice

It is difficult to describe the Baikal ice with one epithet: it is so different and impressive. Shades of ice vary from soft blue to deep blue, from white to black - transparent, hiding the abyss. The ice is usually covered with a network of cracks, sometimes including "studs" or bubbles. Ice creates entire cities: hummocks or walls of icicles near the rocks. Each of its species has its own name: osenets, kolobovnik, sokui, lard, hills. In addition, this “crystal” sounds when cracking due to temperature changes.

To see frozen Baikal, it’s early to come in November-December: winds and waters are in the process of creating beauty. Ice, on which you can walk and admire its beauty, forms by February and lasts until the end of March . During this period, its thickness reaches 1–2 meters. The entire water area freezes, and only the source of the Angara escapes such shackles. A pleasant plus at the end of February - beginning of March will be more sun and clearer air, emphasizing the ascetic but expressive nature. In April, the ice becomes loose, and in the off-season there are very few vacationers.

The tourist season on Lake Baikal is short, but February and March make up for everyone. Many guests come for winter, although fewer than in summer. Many attractions and excursions are somehow related to ice. Winter roads are laid there, festivals and holidays are held, excursions are organized on amphibious boats, and various entertainments operate - ice skating rinks, husky and snowmobiling rides. They photograph the ice and cut out figures; they crawl on the ice, look at it, and even eat it. “The Kiss of Baikal” is a poetic name given to the custom of drinking strong drinks from a shot glass.

The easiest way to see the ice on your own is in Listvyanka , located 60 km from Irkutsk or an hour’s ride by minibus. At the end of the village behind Cape Listvenichny there are round bubbles; they are formed by frozen bottom gases.

The best place to find clean, transparent ice is the Maloye More Strait . The winds blowing there leave no chance for a single snowflake. However, it all depends on the weather; the surface of the lake can be swept away. In the north and east of Baikal, clear ice fields are also found, but in the south there are fewer of them.

Another attractive place lies between the villages of Bolshoye Goloustnoye and Peschanaya Bay . The area is famous for its striking displays of bubbles in the ice. The coast also abounds with rocks and grottoes covered with splashes, the Cormorant Stone, stilted trees in the bay and an observation deck on the Bolshoy Kolokolny Cape are picturesque. In February-March, hovercraft called “khivus” after the most common model go to these places. You can get to B. Goloustnoye by car along the highway.

Winter festivals

In February and March, winter festivals are held on Lake Baikal related to the lake, its nature and local customs. Participation in any of them will make the trip unique.

In the Irkutsk region, events are held as part of the winter games festival “Zimniada” . , the ice sculpture festival “Live on Baikal” is held annually in Listvyanka , in which craftsmen from all over the world take part. The crystal works are incredibly elegant. During the day the sun is reflected in them, and in the evening they are brightly illuminated. An ice skating rink, slides, a fair, master classes and creative performances by vocal and dance groups are organized for visitors.

Around the same dates, an international ice sculpture competition at the Olkhon Ice Fest festival on Olkhon. Here the authors work not only with ice blocks, but also use icy rocks, creating a landscape sculpture. The program includes entertainment and sporting events: hockey and football in felt boots, spinal bone breaking competitions and ice races. Every year, the Blue Ice music festival . Past events were distinguished by creative participants: some used Baikal ice in music, others placed a piano on the ice, and some specially wrote music inspired by the atmosphere of Lake Baikal.

The Winter Games includes annual sports competitions. Baikal Ice Golf is unusual - ice and snow golf. The ice surface proves to be an interesting experience for fans of this sport. In the Sakhyurta area on the Small Sea, skating races are organized in the Open Baikal International Marathon and Nordic walking starts as part of the Olkhon Nordic . Professionals and amateurs are welcome as participants.

The winter programs conclude with Maslenitsa , which is widely celebrated on the territory of the Taltsy architectural and ethnographic complex. Pancakes, folk entertainment, a fair, dances and songs fit organically into the village of old houses.

In Buryatia, the beginning of spring is celebrated with the national New Year Sagaalgan . The holiday lasts a week and involves several rituals that allow you to tune in to well-being and leave the bad in the past. On the table, for example, there should be food made from white products - cheese, cottage cheese, milk. White symbolizes purity. The local Santa Claus is the White Elder Sagaan Ubgen. At his residence in the Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia, he receives Morozov from all over Russia and the world, and with the onset of the New Year, he awaits guests at the main Christmas tree of Ulan-Ude on Soviet Square.

Guests of Buryatia who are partial to fishing can take part in the annual republican ice fishing competition “Baikal Fishing” near the village of Turka. There are several nominations, but the main winner always receives a solid prize - a car.

Baikal climate

Baikal has milder winters and cooler summers than most cities in Siberia. This is due to the fact that in summer the waters warm up to a depth of 200 m, accumulate heat and slowly release it to the atmosphere.

The climate of Baikal has marine features, but is characterized by greater contrast and variability. Strong winds suddenly arise here, which can radically change the weather. Gust speeds can reach 60 m/s. In June, fog often appears in these places.

Baikal is characterized by a large difference between day and night temperatures. During the day it can be up to +30 ⁰С, and at night - about +10 ⁰С.

Despite the fact that the weather on Lake Baikal is extremely unpredictable, you can still rely on statistics:

In June it is usually cool, there are frosts at night, and it can even snow (although this is rather rare). On Olkhon the average daytime temperature is +15 ⁰С, in Listvyanka +17 ⁰С, and night temperature is about +7 ⁰С.
Already at the end of June the weather becomes hot, around +30 ⁰С. July is the peak tourist season.
In August it is no longer so hot, but by this month the water warms up well. It is especially comfortable to swim in shallow bays and bays.