BAA7. Cocktail of Adventures
Type: Adventure
Duration: 8 days
Season: June - August
Recommended Group Size: 6-12 PAX
Transportation: train, minibus, horseback, on foot, raft
This one is a great adventure for outdoor lovers. The itinerary gives you a unique chance to experience in one tour some of the most popular outdoor activities that are available onLake Baikal in summer time. You'll have a chance to explore the historical sites of Listvyanka village and the legendary Circum Baikal railroad, go on a horseback riding trip in Tunka valley and challenge the rumbling waters of Irkut River.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance at the airport or train station. Transfer (70 km) to Listvyanka - once a fisherman village that is located on Lake Baikal shore. Ritual stop at famous Shaman Rock - a chip of an ancient mountain that marks the headwaters of the Angara River flowing out of the mighty lake. Check in hotel. Lunch. Sightseeing the village. Upon your wish - a visit to Baikal Museum combined with a visit to the trading square where you may see loads of souvenirs and smoked Baikal Omul fish on sale. Return to hotel. Overnight. (L)
Day 2. In the morning a small train will take you on a 6 hour ride along the legendary Circum-Baikal railroad built in the end of Russian Royalism and called the Golden Buckle of Siberia. As you reach Kultuk settlement you will be invited to a local guest house. Overnight. (BD)
Day 3. After breakfast transfer to the shore of Lake Baikal to see one of the 30 key symbols of the lake - Shamansky Cape , which was considered to be a sacred place for the locals - ceremonies and rituals. On July 7th, 2004 first time past many decades shamans of Buryatia, Mongolia and Tuva republic served a sacred ceremony on the spot. Picnic lunch. Visit to the Mineralogical Museum in Slyudyanka town. Return back to the guest house. Time at leisure. Overnight. (BLD)
Day 4. The next part of your itinerary runs in Tunka valley National Park that is about 1 hour drive from Sludyanka. In Zun-Murino village you'll meet your new local guide and have lunch before setting off horseback riding. You destination for today is Khalun Nugan Forest ('Bearch Tree Forest') where you stay for overnight in tents. En route you'll make a few stops for traditional Buryat rituals and offerings to the spirits. Dinner by the fire. Overnight in tents. (BLD)
Day 5. Ride back to Zun-Murino village. After lunch our minibus will take you to a small beautiful community Arshan located at the very foot of Sayan mountains . Accommodation in a cozy guest house. Enjoy an easy walk to the spa and an old Buddhist temple - (BLD)
Day 6. The next part of your journey starts from the confluence of Irkut and Bystraya rivers that marks the Zirkozunskoye gorge. Packing and introduction. The first stage of the rafting trip lasts for about 3-4 hours. There will be only a couple of rapids so you have plenty of time for hiking, photography and fishing. Overnight in tents. (BLD)
Day 7. Get ready for the second – the most challenging part of the rafting adventure. The span of the river between Zubkogan rock to the Big Rapid is relatively smooth. The next part comes more difficult with plenty of chess order rocks scattered in the river. As you approach the Big Rapid you’ll hear that sound of roaring water. A camera man may have his best shot from a small platform situated right above the obstacle. After the Rapid is conquered have lunch and carry on rafting. Dinner and overnight in tents. (BLD)
Day 8. Rafting to abandoned Vyguzovo Village where you eventually reach the calm waters and find yourselves near Shamanka Settlement. Packing up and transfer to Irkutsk City (50 km) on minibus. (BL)
Legend: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D - dinner
Tour Highlights:
- Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world which is estimated to contain approximately one-fifth of all the Earth's fresh surface water. That`s why Baikal is called the planet`s well.
- Listvyanka is located at the Lake Baikal coast 70 kilometers away from Irkutsk. A trip to Listvyanka is the easiest and the fastest way to see Baikal that's why the number of tourists in summer often exceeds the number of villagers. A small trading square is a kind of the village's center where one may seat in a cafe or buy the famous fish of Lake Baikal – omul
- Circum-Baikal railroad – the memorial of engineering art, the Golden Buckle of Siberia. The volume of earth-moving work done on every kilometer of the way was equal to 400 carriages that may be compared to the volume of work done during the Suez Channel construction. 424 engineer constructions were built along 84 kilometers-long stretch of the road from Khultuk to port Baikal including 39 tunnels with the total length of 8994 meters, 14 kilometers of supporting walls, 47 stone and 3 iron galleries.
- Wild nature of the Khamar-Daban Range
- Picturesque landscapes and challenging rapids of the Irkut River
- Lifestyle and traditions of aborigine people – the Buryats
Notes:
1.No special training required.
2.Outfit and gear: tents, life vests, dry bags, rafts.
3.Meals are cooked over campfire or on gas stoves.
4.Your safety: all gear and outfit are state-certified for safety and camping standards.
5.Climate conditions: Occasional rains and low temperatures at night are possible. Due to the changeable weather and calisthenics the tour itinerary may be slightly altered.
6.It is required that customers have waterproof raincoats, warm clothes and footwear to change. Fishermen are welcomed to bring fishing accessories.
Costs for individual tourists - on request
Included:
- DBL accommodation
- meals according to itinerary
- excursions per program with entrance fees
- all transfers per program
- train tickets 2nd class on Circum-Baikal railway
- local English speaking guides/interpreters
- subsidiary crew when needed
- special equipment (tents, rafts, safety jackets etc) when needed
- rent horses
Not included:
- air tickets
- visa
- insurance
- rent sleeping bags
All the costs are valid at the date of publication and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking