Traveler’s Note: the Baikal knowledge base

Travel to Baikal

Every year thousands of tourists visit the Pearl of Siberia. However, Baikal is so huge! Tourists need about two weeks to say they really have visited Baikal… So many of our guests ask us a question: where should we start from?

Usually people visit the Lake to enjoy its nature and Baikal offers a lot of options to spend your vacation on fresh air!

You can have a nap on the Lake’s beach or conquer the mountains peaks! Forest trails, walking along the shore, ferry routes, caves, capes, Circum-Baikal Railway and much more! And beside that — rich traditions of local people culture and their tasty cuisine!

So, what’s the first point you need pay an attention to? We are here to tell you about it!

Traveler’s Note: the Baikal knowledge base

Travel to Baikal

Every year thousands of tourists visit the Pearl of Siberia. However, Baikal is so huge! Tourists need about two weeks to say they really have visited Baikal… So many of our guests ask us a question: where should we start from?

Usually people visit the Lake to enjoy its nature and Baikal offers a lot of options to spend your vacation on fresh air!

You can have a nap on the Lake’s beach or conquer the mountains peaks! Forest trails, walking along the shore, ferry routes, caves, capes, Circum-Baikal Railway and much more! And beside that — rich traditions of local people culture and their tasty cuisine!

So, what’s the first point you need pay an attention to? We are here to tell you about it!

Traveler’s Note: the Baikal knowledge base

Travel to Baikal

Every year thousands of tourists visit the Pearl of Siberia. However, Baikal is so huge! Tourists need about two weeks to say they really have visited Baikal… So many of our guests ask us a question: where should we start from?

Usually people visit the Lake to enjoy its nature and Baikal offers a lot of options to spend your vacation on fresh air!

You can have a nap on the Lake’s beach or conquer the mountains peaks! Forest trails, walking along the shore, ferry routes, caves, capes, Circum-Baikal Railway and much more! And beside that — rich traditions of local people culture and their tasty cuisine!

So, what’s the first point you need pay an attention to? We are here to tell you about it!

«Железный пояс Байкала»

В этом туре мы посетим Листвянку и совершим небольшой поход по Кругобайкальской железной дороге.

Дни проведения: суббота
Стоимость: 2000 рублей с человека
Продолжительность: около 10 часов

Иркутск

8:00-9:00 — мы заедем за вами на автомобиле

14:00-14:50

Листвянка

9:00-10:00 — Поездка на корабле на КБЖД

17:00-17:20

КБЖД

10:00-17:00 — Прогулка по железной дороге с посещением тоннелей и поддерживающих стенок, обед на природе.
17:00 — возвращение в Листвянку

1. Where and when tourists usually go on Baikal?

Calendar

The summer tourist season lasts from May till September.
At winter time Baikal waits for guests in February and March. It is the best time to see the famous Baikal Ice.
April — the month of floating of ice.
From October to January there is a strong cold wind on Baikal. It’s not the best time for visit.

Infrastructure

The high developed tourist infrastructure is on the Baikal west, with Irkutsk as its center.
The eastern shore of the Lake is more inaccessible, the infrastructure here is less developed.
It is more convenient to explore the east of Lake Baikal from the city of Ulan-Ude.

Routes

Tourist cities are cities and towns of Lake Baikal that are interesting to visit.
Tourist trails — walking routes (mainly forest and mountain) of varying complexity and accessibility.
We have noted the all tourist routes on the map below.

Baikal Tourist Map

For your convenience, we have divided the destinations into two parts — tourist cities (blue buttons) and hiking trails (green buttons). Click on the link below the map to read an article about the route or city.

Tourist cities

Circum-Baikal Railway

Warm Lakes

Cherskiy Peak

Tourist trails

2. Traditions and Culture

Baikal Natives

The history of Baikal it is the history of its people. On your journey, you will hear beautiful and sometimes frightening legends from the folklore of local residents — the Buryats.

Religion

The Buryat people living on the west shore of Baikal believe in Shamanism. The east shore is a part where the main religion of local people is Buddhism.

Cuisine

Dishes of local cuisine are delicious! Like in others cold regions of the world, in Siberia we prefer meat meals.

Click on the traditional Buryat symbol to visit the «Local People» page

3. The stuff you need on Baikal

Weather

The average temperature in winter is 15-25 degrees below zero.

In summer, temperatures in Irkutsk fluctuate around 25 degrees Celsius. However, do not forget that you are in Siberia! Even on the hottest day, it is better to take a light jacket with you to protect from the wind.

Wild Animals

It is very unlikely that you will meet a wild animal on the hiking trails where a lot of people go back and there.

However, it would be better to play it safe and put a flare or a device that emits a loud, scaring sound signal in your backpack.

Inventory

For leisurely walking around the city, bring your enthusiasm and desire to learn something new.

It’s another matter if your goal is to conquer mountain peaks and spend many hours hiking through forests. In this case, we advise you to bring sturdy shoes and clothes with long sleeves.

We’ll tell you more!

The 33 pages of our website contain almost all the information necessary to organize your trip to Baikal!

Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude

The cities of Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk are over three hundred years old! Over their long history, these cities have acquired unique and distinctive street and building architecture, beautiful ancient churches and Buddhist temples as well as many other landmarks that will surely take a place in your photo album!

Cultural Activities

Irkutsk’s museums and exhibition halls are always full of people, displaying works by local artists, craftsmen and more. The estates of the Irkutsk Dekabrists is the place you must visit — there you can see antique furniture, paintings, and household items with your own eyes, literally immersing yourself in the past!

Ship Tours

Every visitor to our region should experience the natural beauty of Lake Baikal from the deck of a ship! Ship tours along the lake’s surface are widely available in Listvyanka and Khuzhir. Group and individual programs are available, including hour-long walks along the shore and multi-day cruises out to sea!

Swimming in the Lake

Even at the height of the Siberian summer, the average water temperature in Lake Baikal is around 4 degrees Celsius; not every guest could withstand it for even a few minutes! There are just few places, such as the so-called Small Sea, where you can enjoy the water.

Conquering Mountains

To the west and south of Lake Baikal lie the giant mountain ridges of the Sayan Mountains and the Khamar-Daban. Visiting Slyudyanka, you can conquer the famous Chersky Peak; in the Warm Lakes area, you’ll find Taltsinsky Peak and Mount Shapka Monomakha. In Arshan, there’s a trail leading to Peak of Love

Active Leisure

Like many other tourist destinations, Baikal offers a wide range of activities to suit every taste and budget – diving, horseback riding, fishing, parasailing, ziplining, ATV riding, boat rides, and much more.

Health Care

The small village of Arshan is famous for its mineral waters, which help prevent stomach and joint problems. The village also offers various spa treatments, massages, acupuncture, and other services. Don’t forget the collection of Baikal herbs, which grow only on the shores of the Lake.

Rest on the Beach

The crowded shores of Lake Baikal in Listvyanka and Khuzhir are perfect for this purpose. If you want to bask in the Baikal sun without prying eyes, visit one of the lake’s many sandy or pebble beaches. You can reach them on your own or with a guide.

Baikal Forest Trails

Breathing is easy and free in the Baikal forest, especially after rain! The air is filled with the scent of the giant conifers growing along the shores of Lake Baikal! When the trail leads uphill, it can be challenging, but generally, walking along forest trails is not difficult and requires no special training.

What kinds of activities are available on Lake Baikal?

Once you arrive on the shores of the most beautiful lake on the planet, even the most experienced traveler will find something to enjoy!