Baikal. In Search Of Nature & Buddha
Baikal. In Search Of Nature & Buddha
Dates in 2016
From June to August on request
Dates in 2017
07.06-14.06.2017
8 days/7 nights
Group size from 6 pax
From 771 euro per person
Itinerary:Irkutsk —Listvyanka — Circumbaikal Railway — Arshan — Irkutsk
Baikal ismore than just the deepest lake on the planet. The Sea (as locals call it)boasts plenty of mystical stories and legends from all cultures and religions.Here Orthodox Christianity intermingles with the shamanism and Buddhism ofBuryats and Mongols.
Baikalboasts plenty of mystical stories and legends coming from all cultures andreligions: Orthodox Christianity intermingles with the shamanism and Buddhismof Buryats and Mongols. Join us on our journey on and off the shores of theSea, meet the locals, eat with them, and pay your respects to their sacredplaces.
Day 1
Irkutsk — Listvyanka (70km by car)
Upon early arrival from a red-eye flight, a meet & greet. Then we take youfor a hearty breakfast, followed by a tour of Irkutsk — a nice, clean,university city of nearly 600,000. You will be pleased with the vast open viewsof the pure blue water of the Angara River, the wide avenues, nice theaters,and European architecture mixed with the pretty wooden houses of the firstsettlers: the Cossacks. In the faces and character of local Russians here onecan see the imprint of those freedom-loving people.
Departure to Listvyanka village (1.5 hrs) with a stop en route for lunch at aSiberian tavern. Visit the Taltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture, ourintroduction to the history and traditions of the peoples of Siberia: Buryats,Evenks and Russians. We highly recommend trying the local specialty"sagudai" — Buryat-style ceviche made from local omyl fish caught nomore than 20 minutes earlier. The fish is so delicate that it doesn't lastlonger. Even in Irkutsk, which is a 1.5 hour drive away, you can't havesagudai. Check into the hotel in Listvyanka (half board).
Day 2
Listvyanka (8km by foot)
Listvyanka is a tiny village; its only street stretches for a dozen kilometersalong the narrow shore. The highlight of the place is the Baikal Ecology Museumat the Limnological Institute, which has a large display of the lake's uniqueflora and fauna. The museum remembers better times back in the USSR, but it'snow being renovated in bits and pieces. Next we go to the Baikal seal aquariumwhere every 20 minutes there is a very entertaining show featuring nerpa — theworld's only exclusively fresh-water seal.
Then it's time for a 2-hour hike to Chersky Mountain. From the top of themountain there's a superb panorama of Lake Baikal's southern part, as well asthe Angara River which flows out of the lake. This is an excellent place for takingpictures. Lunch will be served at a local home- meet the natives and satisfyyour curiosity. Time at leisure. Listvyanka market is a must not only forsouvenirs, but also for the amazing number of beautiful salesgirls — a localspecialty. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Listvyanka hotel (half board).
Day 3
Listvyanka — Bolshye Koty — Listvyanka (3km)
Today we cruise along the western shore of Baikal, headed north, towardsBolshye Koty, which was founded in the late 1800's by miners during the RussianGold Rush. Easy hike there and back (3 km) will take us to a gold mine, locatedon a creek in Pad'Chernaya. Here you can try your hand at digging for gold.
Return to Litsvyanka village by the same boat, lunch on board. Evening atleisure in Listvyanka. There are a few restaurants and hotel pubs in thevillage; ask the concierge for recommendations. Overnight in Listvyanka hotel(half board).
Day 4
Listvyanka — Circumbaikal Railway — Arshan, Buryat Republic
Check out. We take the ferry to Port Baikal depot. Travel on the historicalCircumbaikal Railway, built along the southern shore of Baikal in the early1900's and called "the golden buckle on the steel belt of Russia" dueto the scenery, difficulty of construction, and scale of investment. Picniclunch.
The last stop of the Circumbaikal Railway is Sludyanka station. We disembarkfrom the train and proceed by coach to Kultuk village (11km away fromSludyanka), then a further 100km to the Arshan settlement in the BuryatRepublic in the foothills of the Eastern Sayan mountain ridge."Arshan" stands for "healing spring" in the Buryat languageand its mineral springs made Arshan a famous local resort. Overnight at Tuyanaguesthouse (full Board).
Day 5
Arshan, Buryat Republic — Lamaist Datsan
We start the day with a visit to Arshan lamaist Datsan. Do as locals do: spinthe Buddhist drums, listen to the legend of the temple's creation and enjoymorning mass. "Tranquil" is the best word for this spot. Back to theguest house for lunch. Afternoon walk to Arshan's mineral springs. One of thenatural wonders here is a six-meter-high waterfall. The views are stunning, andthe place is adorable. Overnight at Tuyana guesthouse (full board).
Day 6
Arshan, Buryat Republic
Exploring Tunka Valley, we can't miss extinct volcanoes. Thoughts of a lostparadise, guarded by silent giants, come to one's mind. Solitude. Views ofmighty nature heal the souls of exhausted city-dwellers. Overnight at Tuyanaguesthouse (full board).
Day 7
Arshan, Buryat Republic — Irkutsk (244km by car)
Check out. Departure by coach to Irkutsk via Tunka National Park. We will makea few stops en route to pay our respects to holy places, both shamanistic andBuddhist. Lunch in one of the city restaurants.
Visiting the central Irkutsk market is a must. The market is huge, modern, anddisplays the abundant gifts of nature. The fruits of the forests, likemushrooms and berries, are exceptionally big and juicy. The salesgirls,representing various native origins, make a bright and picturesque view withtheir heaps of food, drinks and beautiful faces. People are friendly and smilea lot. Check into the hotel upon arrival in Irkutsk (half board).
Day 8
Check out. Transfer to Irkutsk airport.
Included:
— all transfers, incl. boat rides
— 7 nights accommodation TWIN & DBO, according to the itinerary
— breakfast always included, other meals as specified in the itinerary
— guide-interpreter (English/German/French)
— admissions
— visa support letter
Not included:
— early check-in on Day 1
— all items of a personal nature
— laundry
— drinks
— gratuities
— international/domestic flights
— visa
— travel insurance
The Tour Operatorreserves the right to introduce alterations to the itinerary due to weatherconditions or other factors out of the control of the Tour operator.
Participantswill need the following equipment:
— small backpack
— trousers
— t-shirts
— light waterproof jacket with hood
— long-sleeved shirt
— sweater
— wooly hat
— wooly and cotton socks
— footwear: trekking shoes, slippers
— photo and video equipment
— sunglasses
— flashlight with a set of spare batteries
— sunscreen and after-sun cream
— personal first-aid kit