Baikal independent trips

There are three ways to discover Baikal by your own:

Pass a Baikal walking trail

We described a few Baikal tourist routes you can pass by walking. Read in a separate article about route features like their availability, difficulty, popularity, and so on.

Visit a Baikal city

Each Baikal city has its own character. Visiting even one of them gives you a rich experience of the great Siberian culture and history.
Click the green button to learn details.

Get a Baikal ferry tour

Don’t forget to take a ferry trip during your travel on Baikal!
In the text below we described a way you can use to enjoy the local nature’s beauty from the ship, without guide service.

Tourist routes of Baikal

If you love Nature you must visit Baikal Lake at least once in your life. Next few texts tell about how to reach the most popular Baikal walking trails and pass them without a guide. Choose a route and create your own Baikal independent trip!

Circum-Baikal Railway

A trip through the oldest and most beautiful railroad in Siberia. This route is a bit difficult for a foot trip, but the mix of the unique architecture of the 19th century and Baikal Nature beauty deserves your attention!

Great Baikal Trail

This fantastic route passes directly along Baikal shore.
The Trail consists of five points.
The green button get you a description of the first, the easiest, and the shortest part of the Trail.

Olkhon Island

This place is strongly recommended for a visit! The Pearl of Baikal is full of different Nature sights!
Every cape, wall, cave, stone, or tree keeps a mystery from ancient legends. Click the button to read more.

Warm Lakes

Enjoy the unique nature of South Baikal! Relic forest, Taltsinsky peak, Monomakh’s Hat mountain, waterfalls, and Warm Lakes!
Due to the mild climate, these places are called «Siberian jungle»

Cherskiy Peak

We can’t say this route is easy, but the climbing takes about five hours, and it’s worth it! As a prize, you’ll get an impressive view of the Khamar-Daban ridge on the top and a lake in the shape of heart!

Olkhinskoe Plateau

This straightforward route passes not far from Irkutsk. The plateau is popular due to the skalniks — remains of rocks.
Our heroes take a selfie in front of one of them.

Tourist cities of Baikal

We have made for you a selection of the most exciting cities of Baikal for tourists. Try to visit as many places as possible from the list below! After all, each settlement is a page from a huge book of the history and culture of Siberia. These places will contribute to the overall picture of your trip to Lake Baikal and will leave only pleasant memories.

Irkutsk

The biggest tourist city in the Lake area. People call Irkutsk «the Gate of Baikal».
The city is a starting point for many tourist routes.
From here, tourists begin discovering Baikal.

Taltsy

This open-air museum is a perfect place to learn about local people’s features of the architecture.
Besides that, here you can see the Siberian people’s way of life and feel like a peasant of the 18th century!

Listvyanka

The closest to Irkutsk tourist village on Baikal. This place is famous for Fish Market, Nerpinarium, Baikal Arboretum, and the museum of Baikal.
Please read how to reach Listvyanka in our text.

Arshan

Here you can conquer the Peak of Love, walk through the Forest of tears and improve your health in the Arshan hot springs.
Visit Arshan and feel the healing power of Baikal Nature!

Khuzhir

Many years ago, it was just a small village of fishers. However, today Khuzhir is a touristic center of Olkhon Island. 13 Columns of Serge and the Shaman Rock will be the start of your acquaintance with the Island.

Slyudyanka

Slyudyanka land is rich in minerals and gems, which tourists can see at the local Museum of Minerals.
Another proof of Slyudyanka land richness is a local railroad station made of pink and white marble!

Ulan-Ude

The central city of the Buryat Republic was founded in 1666. Learn more about the city’s sights in our text.
And don’t forget to taste Buryat cuisine dishes when you visit the Ulan-Ude, the Capital of Buddhism in Russia!

Baikalsk

«Sobolinaya mountain» is the main ski resort on Baikal. February and March are the top months for ski activities here.
In the summertime tourists make a stop in Baikalsk to have a rest before going to the Warm Lakes.

Ferry routes on Baikal

It would be strange to visit the biggest lake in the world and do not make a ferry trip. There are two ways to discover Baikal with the ship. The first one is to take a guide ferry tour and the second is to use the regular  tours in Listvyanka. Read the both ways by the link.