Day 1: Arrive in Irkutsk. Car (bus) transfer to the Olkhon island (about 5-6 hrs with stops) – the largest island of the Pribaikal’sky National Park and the sacred shamans’ place. It stretches northward from the south, and two straits (the Maloye More and the Olkhon Gate) separate it from the western bank of the lake. Lunch at the restaurant on the way.

Arrive in the village of Khuzhir. Overnight accommodation in the tourist cottages (cosy wooden houses in traditional style, home made cuisine, facilities outside).

Day 2: Excursion to the northern part of Olkhon Island (transfers by car combined with walks), along picturesque rocky bays of Baikal to the Cape Hoboi. Cape Hoboi is the northernmost point of the Olkhon Island, offering breathtaking views to the both shores of Baikal. On the way, we will visit the famous rocks Three Brothers and romantic Love Cape. Lunch at the Baikal shore with famous Baikal ukha (fish soup from omul’). Overnight in tourist cottages, as per previous day.

Day 3: Excursion to the southern part of the Olkhon Island, to the salt lake Shara-Nuur. Visit the Tyshkiney Valley. Unique for Siberia steppe landscapes, gentle slopes and gulfs of Baikal with cleanest bright blue water make this excursion unforgettable. Lunch in the picturesque place near the Lake Shara-Nuur. Dinner and overnight in tourist cottages, as per previous day.

Day 4: Excursions in Khuzhir. Visit the museum of local lore which contains a diverse collection of ancient items of household and culture of Olkhon Island dwellers. Here you can see signs of Chingees-Khan warriors found on this island and listen to the legends about their stay in Olkhon. Visit the Cape Burkhan/Shaman Rock (a “calling card” of Lake Baikal, which, according to the legend, was a home to the Great Host of Olkhon Island - the patron of shaman religion). Shaman Rock is one of nine sacred places of Asia, where shamans’ rituals are carried out. Leisure time to learn about traditional way of life of local people, enjoy majestic rocks and wonderful beaches. Overnight, as per Day 3.

Day 5: Transfer to the port early in the morning. Board the motor boat “Jaroslavets”. Breakfast on board. Cross the Lake Baikal and arrive to its eastern shore. Passing by the famous Ushkanii Islands, where the biggest rookery of endemic Baikal seal is located (*boarding on the islands can be done only in special cases, according to special permit from the Zabaikal'sky National Park). Arrive in Chivyrkuisky Gulf of the Zabaikal’sky National Park, stop for overnight in Zmeevaya (“Snakes’ “) Bay. Leisure time, take bath in thermal spring. Lunch and dinner on board of the motor boat. Overnight in the tented camp and on board in the nice bay surrounded by mountains.

Day 6: Journey by motor boat (about 5 hrs) to the oldest in Russia Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, that had played a great role in saving most valuable Barguzin sable from total extinction. Arrival in the mouth of the river Shumilikha or Sosnovka (depending on sailing conditions that day). Overnight in the tented camp and on board.

Day 7: Transfer by motor boat to the mouth of the river Shumilikha in the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve (if previous stop was in Sosnovka). Quite often it is possible to see bear footprints on the sandy beach and observe ospreys and white-tailed sea eagles, rare birds enlisted in the Red Data Book.

Trek on the ecological trail along the river Shumilikha to the picturesque mountain lake – this route is one of the most beautiful in Baikal. During one day only, you will have an opportunity to see all nature zones of the Barguzin ridge. Along the route, sandy and stone beaches give way to the dwarf cedar thickets. Steep slopes of the Baikal shore are covered with mountain taiga forest with pines, mighty cedar pines and fragrant firs. There is a plenty of edible berries and mushrooms. The mountain peaks are covered with stony golets where you can observe rare mammals, black-capped marmots. In the afternoon, after rest on the mountain lake, the group descends back to the Baikal shore. Overnight, as per Day 6.

Day 8: Transfer by motor boat to the Bay Zmeevaya in the Zabaikal’sky National Park (*note: here visitors who did not take a trip to Barguzinsky Nature Reserve can join a group). Transfer by motor boat to the village of Monakhovo. Overnight in the tented camp.

Day 9: Transfer by car to the valley Glinka. Trekking along the Peninsula Sviatoi Nos (*note: those who wish can ascend the Plateau Sviatoi Nos). Leisure time. Red sand, yellow poppies, whimsical pine-trees and funny striped chipmunks have become the visiting card of the park. Bathing and rest on the wonderful sandy beach.

Car transfer to the village of Ust’-Barguzin (the oldest Cossaks’ settlement on Baikal, that was founded 3,5 centuries ago). Dinner and overnight in private hotels (spacious wooden houses, facilities inside, Russian steam bath is available) with local families will give you a wonderful opportunity to learn about local traditions. The hosts were trained in the course of special projects of the US Agency for International Development.

Day 10. Transfer to the Barguzin valley. Visit the national village Ulyun, learn about traditional way of life of the Buryats. Lunch with dishes of Buryat cuisine. Ascend the Plateau Suvo. Visit the picturesque rocks near Suvo village, a so called “Suvo Saxonia”. Impressive panoramic view to the Barguzin Ridge, Barguzin river valley, Barguzin and Chivyrkui gulfs, semi-island Svyatoi Nos. Return to Ust’-Barguzin. Dinner and overnight, as per previous day.

Day 11. Bus transfer (5-6 hrs) to Ulan-Ude, a capital city of Buryatia Republic. Excursion to the Ivolginsky Datsan (the biggest Buddhist temple) and short sightseeing tour of the city. Dinner in the Buryat jurt. Take a train (or transfer by car) to the village of Tanhoi, where the headquarters of the Baikal’sky Nature Reserve are located. Dinner. Overnight in the guest lodge of the Nature Reserve.

Day 12. In the Baikal’sky Nature Reserve. Excursion to the visitor center. Hiking excursion along the ecological trail “Jungle of Khamar Daban” (7 km) along the rapid mountain river Osinovka. You will be surrounded by huge plants reminding about the time of dinousaurs: huge centuries-old cedar pines, subalpine meadows, majestic mountains and waterfalls. Return to Tanhoi, dinner. Overnight, as per Day 11.

Day 13: Hiking route in the Baikal’sky Nature Reserve. In the afternoon, transfer to Irkutsk by mini-bus. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Transfer to the airport, depart to Moscow.

Possible extensions to this program:

- Daily program in Listvianka. Bus transfer (68 km) from Irkutsk to the village of Listvianka located on the Baikal shore. An excursion to the Baikal museum where you will learn about the history of the lake studies, its geology, plant and animal life. Visit to the Taltsy Architecture and Ethnography Complex, which houses more than 8,000 exhibit items dating back to the 17th century.) Shopping. Return to Irkutsk. Overnight at a hotel (facilities inside).

- A day-long voyage by train along the historic Circum-Baikal Railway, built in the beginning of the XIX century.

- Horseback riding and fishing trips

- Rest in a comfortable hotel in one of the most picturesque bays of Pribaikalsky National Park.

Notes

All visitors should have good trekking boots, warm sleeping bags, sleeping maths (inflatable ones are more comfortable than caremaths), warm and waterproof clothing, good raingear – please see the detailed list of equipment.