Other Side of Baikal. Winter Buryat Wonderland
Magnitude of Lake Baikal ice formations, gigabytes of photos of winter landscape, Buryat faith and traditions, Old-believers, their roots and folklore.
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616
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Trip-finder Baikal in winter Other Side of Baikal. Winter Buryat Wonderland
You can easily fly to Ulan- Ude from Moscow. This trip can also be included in your Trans-siberian journey with a stop in Ulan- Ude and a side trip to Ust- Barguzin.You can also continue to explore western shore of Baikal by taking the train to Irkustk or crossing the Barguzin Bay and getting to Olkhon island by the ice road. Buryat region located on the eastern shore of the lake is less crowded by tourists especially in winter which makes you get a closer contact with nature.
Estimated cost:
In the party of 4
616 €
In the party of 2
840 €
In the party of 4
616 €
In the party of 2
840 €
616 €
Tour duration:
4(5) days/4 nights
Season:
January - March
Destination:
Baikal
Experiences which you will never forget:
#Experiences
Itinerary
Photos
Map
Day 1
ULAN - UDE
- Arrival in Ulan - Ude by plane or by Trans-siberian train.
- Take an introductory tour of Ulan-Ude to see the biggest head-statue of Lenin and have a stop at Rinpoche Bakhsha buddist monastery to see the panoramic view of the city and learn about buddist traditions.
- Breakfast in a cafe followed with a transfer to Ust-Barguzin ( 270 km/about 4 hours), the village located on the shore of Baikal. Homestay in a family.
- Hotel can be arranged upon request.
Day 2
Ust-Barguzin - Chevurkuisky bay
- After home-made breakfast you will be driven by a famous Soviet 4X4vehicle known as ‘’Bukhanka” to discover some beautiful spots.
- You will have multiple stops at a viewpoints to see the ice-road, at islands with ice caves and grottos, at hot springs in Zmeevaya Bay where you might even enjoy a bath.Picnic lunch.
- You will also see fishmen yurts set on the ice where locals do ice-fishing. Learn the intricacies of this trade, get into the yurt, try to make a hole in the ice with an auger and learn about various baits, which ones are best for which fish.
- Dinner in a host family and overnight in Ust-Barguzin.
Day 3
Barguzin valley
- Home-made breakfast.
- This day you will drive inland along the Barguzin river surrounded by two mountain ridges.
- You will stroll along the village where houses are buried in two-meter snow drifts, see snow peaks as well as vast fields slightly covered with snow.
- You will also visit beautifully located small datsan and a sacred place for Buryat buddist- the image of Yanzhima goddess (known as Saraswati in Indian tradition). She is considered as a patron of motherhood and family in local tradition.
- On the way back you can also stop at unusual rock formations. Let your imagination see the skull and other freaky faces.
- Transfer tp Ulan-Ude ( 4 hours) to check in the hotel.
Day 4
Ivolginsky datsan and Old- Believers
- Ivolginskiy datsan ( 30 min drive) is a complex of Buddist buildings which make the monastery and university. Coming there in the morning will give you a chance to witness some of the religious rituals and learn more about Buddhist life in Russia. During the tour you will make the ritual goroo – a spiritual walk around datsan, visit the main temple and smaller ones.
- Transfer to one of the old-believers villages where you will be treated with delicious home-made lunch blended with stories and talks about local traditions. Old-believers is a branch in the Russian Orthodox Church which continued to develop after the split in the 17th century. Despite all prosecutions and hardships they managed to preserve their lifestyle, their values and love to land. All that is reflected in their folk traditions which you can experience in the village.
- You will also visit a small museum of old- believers as well as a church.
- Transfer back to Ulan-Ude to continue your Trans-siberian journey or overnight stay in the hotel.
Customize your trip
Price upon request
Skate to the horizon!
Skating on the biggest skating rink in the world is something you will never forget. If the wind is strong enough, you will be even flown by the wind. This experience can be added to the tour of Chevyrkuysky Bay. You will just need to take your skates on this day or rent them in the village.
Available on day 2
Price upon request
Overnight stay in a yurt ice camp+ banya
You will stay overnight in heated yurts standing right on the ice just a few meters from the shore. You will experience Russian banya right on the ice of Baikal lake, jump into the ice hole to refresh with Baikal water and enjoy staying in a heated pot with a sunset view. Delicious meal and gatherings at campfire right on the lake will make it even more memorable. This option is good to have if you travel with a group of friends( 6-10).
dinner
Available on Day 2
Price upon request
Skiing in taiga
Take a cross-country ski trip to taiga on ski skins ( skis topped with fur) like real hunters. This tour can be arranged for 2-3 hours as well as for the whole day.
Available on Day 2
Accomodation
Ulan- Ude
Marusya hotel
Ulitsa Banzarova, 7
Ust- Barguzin
Guest House
Ust- Barguzin
Bargudzhin- Tokum Hotel
Ust- Barguzin
Inclusions
Private English-speaking guide during the whole trip
Meals
Day 1 - Dinner
Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Breakfast,Lunch
Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch
Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Breakfast,Lunch
Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch
Accomodation
Homestay in Ust- Barguzin (Day 1,2)
3* hotel in Ulan-Ude (Day 3,4)
3* hotel in Ulan-Ude (Day 3,4)
Transportation
Private car or minivan, transfers to/from airport/train station
Activities
Museum and national park entrance fees
Excursion to Chevyrkuisky Bay and Barguzin valley
Excursion to Ivolginsky datsan
Old-believers village visit
Excursion to Chevyrkuisky Bay and Barguzin valley
Excursion to Ivolginsky datsan
Old-believers village visit
Exclusions
Meals: Day1- BL, Day2-D, Day 3 -D
Airfare or train tickets
Medical insurance
Visa
Airfare or train tickets
Medical insurance
Visa
Frequently Asked Questions
1 General overview
Is it a children-friendly tour?
+Meals
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+What people say
Moscow, Saint Petersburg
7 days 
Manja Hochmuth, Germany March, 2020
The food in the village was superb! You could actually taste the freshness of the ingredients and the love with which it had been prepared!
Our homestay in Ust-Barguzin was excellent. Nice people, nice village (reminded me a bit of my own which is just so much smaller... (-:). The food was good, just a loooot but I can see they do not want anyone to starve while they stay at their house... They were very accommodating and concerned to consider all food allergies or special habits. “