February to mid-April. Affordable and very impressive. Two days
are optimal for this 90 km bike ride. Bus to
Listvyanka, at Angara River outlet, bike to southern tip of
Baikal, along the central axis of the lakeand the line of 40 tunnels and even more bridges of Circumbaikal railway. Experience the huge plain of ice-
covered lake that ends up with mountains on both sides. You feel yourself as a part of the Universe, standing on the geographic object, drawn on every terrestrial globe. Night stay in lodge, including dinner and banya. Here is museum of old steam engines. The rest of the way to Sludyanka can be easily covered next day. Return to Irkutsk by train. Cost: USD160/two persons. Includes: guide,
transportation, bike rental, and full-board overnight hotel.
November to mid-March. Traditional weekend one-day tour of
Irkutsk skiers. Highlights include: 9 a.m. train from Irkutsk station (2.5
hr) with en route views of settlements and wild forest; skiing 18 km of
gentle descent through Siberian taiga (1-2 hr) from the highlands of
Pribaikalsky Ridge (plan your lunch somewhere halfway, as no firewood
further- tourists for many years burned all); views of Baikal and hiking
Circumbaikal Loop (old railway, monument of industrial architecture); rest at
river's issue, by the 100 year-old bridge; walk, ski, or skate to the small
town of Sludyanka on the southern tip of the lake; For a fee and with prior
arrangements, it is possible to have snowmobile support from Sludianka
rescue rangers. 7 p.m.-return train, arriving back in Irkutsk around 11p.m.
Cost: USD60,+10 each additional person, incl. transportation, guide, ski rental.
SKI WITH US DOWN TO OLD RAILWAY
IN ROCKS OVER BAIKAL
AROUND HALF OF BAIKAL. 3-4
days.
3-4 days incl. overnight train. Mid-January to mid-April. 700 km
expedition on foot, bike, bus, 4WD car and train over frozen lake and two of
Russia's regions. Two night stay in provincial hotel or with Bruit
family. Depart Irkutsk in the morning, 3-4 hours bus/van ride. Rest in
Buryat village with national cuisine meal and where possible to meet
Valentin, local shaman. Crossing Baikal, 45km (28 miles), can be done on foot
and/or ski, or with an aid of 4WD car. Biking across the lake is also memorable.
Can be difficult in sections with smooth ice or deep snow, but generally it is much
easier than on foot.
At the end of ice tour- lodge or homestay with dinner, simple but
nutritious. Banya usually possible. Next day - bus to Selenga river, where is
seasonal ferry; sometimes it is better to go whole way to Ulan-Ude. Shortly
after dark- return by overnight train to Irkutsk, arriving 8 AM next day.
Write us for suggested cost.
