BDX05. Russian Christmas at the Baikal

Lake

Itinerary:

Arrival in airport of Irkutsk. Transfer to the Zvezda hotel ***. Accommodation. 13:00 Welcome lunch at the hotel. Irkutsk city sightseeing tour: you can see the most interesting places of the city (squares, parks, churches, embankments, the oldest brick building of Irkutsk – The Church of Our Saviour, Kirov Square – place at city centre where Yakov Pokhabov's Cossak detachment established wooden fortress in 1661). In the evening free time for individual walks by snow streets of the city. (L)

 

Day 2 (06/01/2012).

Breakfast. Transfer to Listvyanka settlement located at the Baikal Lake shore (70 km). Accommodation at the Baikalskiye Terema hotel ***. Baikal Ecology museum tour. At the museum aquariums you can see fishes of the Baikal Lake, famous nerpa (Baikal seal) and dive to the bottom of lake by virtual bathyscaphe . After museum you can visit local market where you have a chance to purchase souvenirs made by Siberian skilled workmen with stone, wood, birch, glass and to taste smoked Baikal Lake fish (omul, grayling, whitefish). Lunch at local restaurant. Walking tour for the Tchersky Stone panoramic platform (700 m high). 5-km dog sledding. Russian Christmas dinner at the hotel. Visit of banya (Russian bath-house) is included to the price of hotel accommodation. (BLD)

 

Day 3 (07/01/2012).
Breakfast. “Taltsy” open-air ethnographic museum tour. Museum is located at the picturesque Taltsy Tract at the Angara River shore. Tourists can see more than 40 samples of East Siberian wooden architecture. Visit of the museum exposition will be combined with Russian traditional Christmas celebration activities: games, Christmas carols, dances, performances, troika riding. Dinner at the hotel. (BD)

Day 4 (08/01/2012).

Breakfast.Transfer by the ship “Khivus” on the ice of the Baikal Lake from Listvianka settlement to Baikal port. Circum Baikal Railroad fullday tour (the most picturesque part of Transsiberian Rail Road where tourists have a chance to watch rail road engineering works of the beginning of the 20^th century) by rail bus with lunch in box included. Arrival at Slyudyanka railway station at 19:30 approximately. Transfer to Arshan settlement located at the famous Tunkin Valley (137 km, 2 hours). Arshan is one of the most popular recreation and medical treatment places at the Baikal region. This place has an unique climate: winter temperature at Arshan is wormer that average winter temperature at this region for 10-15C. Accommodation at the Monetny Dvor (the Mint) mini-hotel. Dinner. (BLD)

 

Breakfast. Fullday Tunkin Valley excursion programme: water-falls, mineral springs, datsan (Buddist temple) founded in the beginning of the 20^th century, Mongolian market where you can purchace authentic local souvenirs. Dinner of Buryat national cuisine at the mini-hotel. (BD)

Day 6 (10/01/2011).

Breakfast. Excursion for hot (43C) mineral springs at Zhemchug (Pearl) settlement (40 km, 45 minutes) where for additional payment you can take a shower, bath, mud. Lunch at local cafe for payment on spot is possible. Transfer to Irkutsk (220 km, 3.5-4 hours). Accommodation at the Zvezda hotel ***. Farewell dinner. (BD)

 

Day 7 (11/01/2012). Breakfast. Check-out by 12:00. Transfer to the airport or railway station.(B)

Costs netto – winter 2011/2012:

774 EUR per person for joining in a fixed group.

Included:

• TWN accommodation in STD rooms

• meals per program: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners

• all transfers per program

• excursions (entrance fee per programme is included)

• service of English-speaking guide

• 5-km dog sledding

• banya at Listvianka

• 1^st class ticket for the Circum Baikal Rail Road excursion

Not included:

• visa

• insurance

• air tickets

• luggage rooms in hotels, airports and train stations

• banya at Arshan

• medical treatment

• alcoholic drinks

Supplements:

• Single accomodation — + 197 EUR per person.

Tour will be arranged for minimum tour capacity of 5 pax.

Comfortable and warm foot-wear and clothes are recommended.

The above day-by-day order of programme might be changed.