Baikal Crossing

The most extensive and eventful tour of Lake Baikal begins with a sightseeing tour of the capital of Siberia. The story of Irkutsk contains many interesting facts that made this city unique. A sightseeing tour was dedicated to the most important and interesting sights. The guide showed us the oldest areas of the city, starting from the Spasskaya Church, considered the oldest stone building in all of Eastern Siberia and the recreated historical quarter on the slope of the Cross Mountain in the end of excursion.

The next day our groupwas departed for a six-hour trip to the island of Olkhon towards the Baikal ice. The panorama of winter Baikal, snow-capped peaks, transparent and sparkling ice in the sun, crisp snow and endless white expanses made a tremendous impression on us.

After accommodation at the hotel the group was taken on a sightseeing tour to Cape Burhan, the image of which comes to mind as one of the first at the mention of Lake Baikal. The landscape of the Shaman rock in the background of a beautiful crimson sunset impressed us very much. We were imbued with the legends about the cave which previously instilled terror in the hearts of the locals.

Today we enjoyed the spectacular winter views of the Small Sea and the Primorsky Range. First our group visited a sacred place for Buddhists - the island of Ogoy. According to the guide, The Shrine of Enlightenment installed on the island will grant peace and fulfill wishes. After lunch our trip ran along the southern part of Olkhon Island through several islands, grottoes and caves, decorated with water splashes frozen in the cold.

The third day of our stay at Olkhon we devoted to the most interesting thing - a visit to Cape Khoboy and crossing of Lake Baikal!

Our tour began with a visit to the northernmost point of Olkhon. Here we were able to see the winter splendor of grottoes, hummocks and bizarre ice stalactites.

Then began the long-awaited crossing of Lake Baikal where we would go past the deepest point of the lake. The incredible power and beauty of the ice bound by the thickness were trully breathtaking! We felt the power of boundless ice fields extending beyond the horizon, and the purity of the mountain air of these amazing places. A few hours later, we were satisfied and happy, already settled in a guest house in the village of Ust-Barguzin.

Today we went on a small but very interesting trip along the Chivyrkuy Bay. At one of the stops, accompanied by an instructor, we enjoyed fishing among the icy expanses of Lake Baikal and even managed to catch several fish. After lunch in the fisherman’s house, our group went on to conquer the vast expanses of the Baikal region. After several stops, having examined the ice grottoes, sakuy ice and made unique and vivid pictures, we went to Zmeinaya Bay, which is famous for its thermal springs. Such baths in the middle of a white snowy desert in complete silence brought us unique pleasure. On the way back to Ust-Barguzin, tourists, tired, but very satisfied, actively discussed the day.

After breakfast and a few hours' journey we arrived in Ulan-Ude. Thirty kilometers from the city is one of the main sacred places of Buddhism in Russia - Ivolginsky shrine. The guide told us the rules of conduct and the meaning of the actions taken by visitors to the shrine. The most beautiful building of the Ivolginsky shrine is the Dugan, in which lies the imperishable body of Lama Dasha-Dorzho Itigelov. They say that if you touch the llama, you will be healed of illnesses and your secret desires will be fulfilled.

After visiting Datsan, we went to the center of the oldest city in Siberia. After we walked around the city for a bit, examined the main sights and had dinner in one of the restaurants we took the train to Irkutsk.

In the morning, our friendly team arrived in Irkutsk again but now it was time to say goodbye. A week on Lake Baikal flew by realy fast. The tour "Crossing Baikal" brought us a sea of positive emotions and unforgettable experiences!

Baikal Crossing

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