10d/9n - $830

Moscow - Irkutsk - Baikal Lake - Olkhon - Ulan-Ude

Immerse yourself in an incredible adventure that will take you from Moscow to Olkhon island, heart of the majestic Baikal Lake. 

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Across your journey you will discover the charm of the Trans-Siberian railway, meet with locals, enjoy traditional Russian games, have some drinks at the restaurant car and take some time to stare at the landscape from Moscow to Siberia, Europe to Asia. 

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You will then arrive in Irkutsk, "the Paris of Siberia", and later Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia and high place of Russian Buddhism. The peak of the trip will undoubtedly be the legendary Baikal Lake, its fauna and flora, as well as the mysterious shaman traditions occurring in the region. 

Meet with your guide and teacher at the Yaroslav Railway station in the afternoon.

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Settle into the sleeper wagon, enjoy a Russian toast to celebrate the beginning of the adventure.

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Overnight in the train

Train Moscow - Irkutsk

You will spend the whole 3 days in the traditional and very comfortable Russian train, enjoying a tea from the famous Russian samovar and admiring the landscape across the window. 

The Russian train is also a very pleasant way to spend time reading, playing chess or card games (such as "Durak" or "Mafia"...). A little bit of vodka with smoked fish are also available for those who wish.

Lunch in the restaurant car

Provodnitsa

Each carriage is managed by a key figure, in most cases a woman, called "provodnitsa". ​She is responsible for maintaining the order on the train, checking tickets and passports, and handing out bed sheets. She is also the person that wakes you up 30 minutes before you need to get off the train, so better befriend her.

Arrival in Irkutsk in the morning

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City tour

Upon your arrival in Irkutsk, you will be met by your local guide who will take you for a sightseeing tour of this mythical city.

Once called the “Paris of Siberia”, Irkutsk is one of the main historical and cultural center of Siberia. You will walk through the city center and have a look at the main monuments of Irkutsk: the Church of the Saviour, the Church of the Epiphany, various old typical wooden houses, and the Angara Quay with the monument of the Tsar Alexander III who launched the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

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Lunch in a typical Siberian restaurant (not included)

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Irkutsk Decembrists Museum

After the Lunch, you will visit the Museum of Decembrists where you will get acquainted with the history and life of exiled nobles, visit the famous "130th quarter" – a unique area of recreated merchant mansions and traditional Siberian architecture.

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Dinner (not included)

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Overnight in the hotel

Transfer to Olkhon Island (6 hours)

Olkhon is an island in the middle of the splendid Lake Baikal. Departure on a bus from Irkutsk and arrival at the port of Olkhon. From there, you will cross the "Little Sea" by ferry (the strait that separates the island from the mainland) and arrive in Skahurta village.

Lunch Buryat cuisine (not included)

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Khuzhir

Transfer to Khuzhir, the main village of Olkhon. You will find all the necessary conveniences for your stay on the island. Enjoy the wilderness in the village and its surroundings.

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Dinner (not included)

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Overnight in Khuzhir (Olkhon Island)

4x4 Excursion on Olkhon Island (optional)

Excursion on 4x4 to Khoboy Cape, the most northern point of the island. This drive will allow you to discover the splendours of Maloye More and its small islets. Walk to the cape. Visit to the small settlement of Uzury, in the east of the island. Drive through beautiful steppes, sand beaches, taiga, abandoned villages.

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picnic (barbecue: Russian shashlik).

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The Shaman's Rock

A short walk will take you to admire the famous Burkhan Rock, the Mecca of shamanic culture in Siberia. 3 km further, you will come across the beautiful sandy beach of "Sarayskiy Bay". For those who love swimming, do not hesitate to take a dive in the crystal waters of the lake.​​​

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The Baikal seals

With a little luck you can admire at the turn of a cliff on a column of Baikal seals, the "Nerpas", which are the only species of freshwater seals in the world.

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Dinner (not included)​

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overnight at the resort

Navigation on Baikal Lake

You will navigate along the Olkhon island by the "Maloye More" (small sea). You will cross the cape Khoboy and admire landscapes that aren't accessible from shore. It is a good opportunity to make rare photos. Then, you will reach the Eastern cost of the lake, and land in the village of Ust-Barguzin.

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Lunch on board (not included)

As the lunch will be on board, we will get some food ahead. There is a nice little shop on the island where you can by some food and prepare a lunch box.

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Ust-Barguzin village

Once reached the Eastern coast of the lake, you will land on a beautiful wild beach not far from the picturesque village of Ust-Barguzin where you will spend the night at local people home.

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Russian Banya

The banya is a Russian hot steam bath that stands out from the Finnish dry heat sauna. In order to stimulate blood circulation and clean the skin, people often hit each other with dried branches and leaves from white birch and oak called "Veniki".​

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Dinner (not included)

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Overnight in the homestay

Chivyrkuisky Bay and the Svyatoy Nos peninsula (optional)

The Chivyrkuisky Bay is one of the warmest bays of the lake Baikal. Along its shore there are a lots of small beaches. In one of these bays there is a hot spring with a temperature of +60°C.

Lunch (not included)

The "Holy Nose" peninsula

The Svyatoy Nos Peninsula ("Holy Nose" in Russian) offers another view of Lake Baikal.

The summit of Svyatoy Nos peninsula reaches an altitude of 1878 m (6160 ft). At this altitude, there is a tableland (area of high-mountain tundra) from where you get a staggering view of isthmus of Svyatoy Nos, Chivyrkuysky and Barguzinsky Gulfs, and the Ushkany archipelago. It’s possible to reach the top by following a path beginning in Monakhovo village.

Russian Banya

The banya is a Russian hot steam bath that stands out from the Finnish dry heat sauna. In order to stimulate blood circulation and clean the skin, people often hit each other with bunches of dried branches and leaves from white birch and oak called "Veniki".

Dinner (not included)

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overnight in the homestay

After the breakfast, a bus will take you to the capital of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude (285 km, 4h).

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Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia

Buryatia is a region of the Russian Far East, populated by Buryat-Mongols. The capital Ulan-Ude is a true symbol of the multiculturalism of Russia. It is home to Orthodox churches, such as the Odigitrievsky Cathedral, as well as Buddhist monasteries called "Datsan" or shamanic places. Ulan-Ude is also famous for holding the highest statue in the world of Lenin's head !

Lunch (not included)

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Ivolginsky Datsan

After lunch, you will visit the "Ivolginsky Datsan" located 23 km from the city. This colorful Datsan is the most important Buddhist Monastery in the region. It is also an important training center for monks.

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End of the trip, transfer to the airport or to the train station.

15.06.2020 - 24.06.2020

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Availability: 12 spaces left

Status

$830

Standard price per person

13.07.2020 - 22.07.2020

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Availability: 12 spaces left

Status

$830

Standard price per person

03.08.2020 - 12.08.2020

     Begin                          End

Availability: 10 spaces left

Status

$830

Standard price per person

The price includes

• All the activities and excursions mentioned in the programme

• Train ticket for Trans-Siberian "Platzkart" 

• A main guide accompanying for the whole journey

• All the transfers mentioned (by boat, car, bus and taxi)

• Excursions with English-speaking local guides

• Accommodation in hotels (standard double room) and with host families

• Meals mentioned in the programme

• Visa support (touristic voucher)

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The price does not include

• Meals which are not mentioned in the programme

• Tips and personal expenses

• Flights

• Personal insurance

The premium offer includes at least one of these services.

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• All flights (domestic and international)

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• Full visa support (online questionnaire and deposit at the visa center) 

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• All transfers from/to airports, hotels, railway station, etc.

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• Additional days, activities, hotels, destinations

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• Single room option

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• Personalisation of the tour / Individual tour

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• Additional guide speaking your language during the tour 

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• Insurance 

You have two options to book a tour​ with us

1. Book directly below by choosing your date to secure your spot, then fill in your information. It is completely free, no credit card required.

2. Or send us a message for more information and more dates.

1. Regular services

A deposit of 30% (thirty percent) will be required to confirm your order of any Service. Another part of the payment (70% (seventy percent)) shall be paid 1 (one) month before the start of provision of any of the Services.

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Terms of Cancellation

If cancellation of the ordered Services or any of the ordered Services occurs:

1) more than 30 (thirty) days before the start of provision of the Services, then the cancellation fee is €100 (one hundred euros) per person. If any of the applicable fees and/or charges (including, but not limited to banking, payment systems’, etc.) are higher than €100 (one hundred euros) per person, then the necessary amount is paid by a customer,

2) between 30 (thirty) days and 7 (seven) days before the start of provision of the Services – 30% (thirty percent) of the total price of the Services,

3) in less than 7 (seven) days before the start of provision of the Services, the cancellation fee is 100% (one hundred percent) of the total price for the Services.

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2. Premium Services

A deposit of 50% (fifty percent) will be required to confirm your order of any Service. Another part of the payment (50% (fifty percent) shall be paid 1 (one) month before the start of provision of any of the Services.

Terms of Cancellation

If cancellation of the ordered Services or any of the ordered Services occurs:

1) more than 30 (thirty) days before the start of provision of the Services, then the cancellation fee is €100 (one hundred euros) per person. If any of the applicable fees and/or charges (including, but not limited to banking, payment systems’, etc.) are higher than €100 (one hundred euros) per person, then the necessary amount is paid by a customer,

2) between 30 (thirty) days and 7 (seven) days before the start of provision of the Services – 50% (fifty percent) of the total price of the Services,

3) in less than 7 (seven) days before the start of provision of the Services, the cancellation fee is 100% (one hundred percent) of the total price for the Services.