BXA10. Eco Trails of Western Baikal
Type: Extreme
Duration: 5 days
Season: June - September
Recommended Group Size: 6-12 PAX
Transportation: minibus, on foot
Despite a great variety of outdoor activities hiking yet remains the cheapest and thus the most popular way of exploring the wilderness. All you need is a reliable tent and a sleeping bag, comfortable footwear and a backpack, minimum of personal belongings and good spirit.
Our hiking adventure starts from Listvyanka village - once a small fishermen community on the Western side ofLake Baikal that now has grown into a popular tourist center. The trail runs 60 km up north along the shoreline in a beautiful terrain. Easy access to the starting point is the main attraction of this route. And hikers explored this part of the shoreline long before the tourist boom on lake Baikal started in the late 90-s. Nowadays the trail from Listvyanka village to Bolshoye Goloustnoye village is the most advanced part of the Great Baikal Trail.
Itinerary:
Day 1.Early arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance at the airport/railway station. Transfer to Listvyanka village – a fast growing tourist center that is located on the shores of Lake Baikal 70 km away from Irkutsk. Accommodation in a guest house (in case of early arrival you will be offered breakfast). After you have had a rest our guide will introduce you to some points of interest such as the Museum of Baikal and St Nicholas church. Before dinner you will have enough time to discuss your plans for tomorrow and distribute the food ration among the participants. (BD).
Day 2. After breakfast we shall walk to the outskirts of Listvyanka village and follow a deserted forest road. The road first runs up the river valley with a hardly visible rise but after a while it goes strait uphill. From there the road goes down in the direction of Baikal lake. We’ll stop for overnight near the shore line, set up camp and cook dinner. Day trip 18 km. (BLD)
Day 3. After about half an hour from the start we bypass a small Russian village that a century ago was the outpost of gold diggers at Baikal area. The trail is relatively smooth with only one serious obstacle on the way. At first sight the steep rock called Scripper seems insurmountable if it were not for a narrow path that avoids the most dangerous places. Overnight in tents opposite a beautiful valley. Daily trip about 18 km (BLD).
Day 4. The last day of the trip will not cause any difficulties. The path is smooth and safe with no serious elevations. With favorable weather conditions we’ll end up our trip in Bolshoye Goloustnoye village long before dinner. From there our minibus will drive you back to Irkutsk (about 2 hours drive on a rough road). Accommodation in a guest house in Irkutsk. (BL)
Day 5. Transfer to the airport/ railway station. Departure from Irkutsk . (B)
Legend: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D - dinner