Lake Baikal Mini-Cruise
After the winter-time freeze, Baikal becomes a balmy summer boating paradise – a vast expanse of calm water with shimmering azure bays and a shoreline hugged by dramatic mountains, pristine forests, and quaint ethnic villages. This relaxing three-day Lake Baikal cruise will take you to some of the most picturesque beauty spots in and around Lake Baikal, travelling onboard the modern cruise ship Sibiryak with just 11 other guests. In three days, you’ll be able to take in a truly memorable taste of Siberia’s unique culture and nature – including a scenic journey on the magnificent Circum-Baikal Railroad and a walking tour of the Baikal National Park.
Lake Baikal mini-cruise highlights:
- Discover one of the most extraordinary man-made attractions in Baikal, the Circum-Baikal Railway. Cruise to one of the most picturesque stretches of the train line, set between the coast and the dramatic slopes of the Primorsky Range. Later, we’ll disembark for a walking tour of the railway’s abandoned tunnels and galleries
- Steam into Peschanaya Bay as the sun rises, a secluded cove renowned for its long, white sand beach, clear shallow water, and majestic, panoramic mountain backdrop. Hike the scenic two-hour mountain track between Peschanaya and Sennaya Bay within the protected Baikal National Park
- Olkhon Island is the largest island in Lake Baikal, housing forests, mountains, Buryat settlements, and sacred shamanic sites. Pass through the narrow Maloe More, the 70km strait that separates Olkhon from the mainland
Arrival
Departure
Accomodation
Trip style
Listvyanka
Maloye More (Olkhon)
MS Sibiryak
Mini-cruise
Duration
Action rating
Group size
Type of tour
4 days / 3 nights
up to 12 people
Scheduled
Itinerary View map
Day 1:Listvyanka village
Your Baikal cruise begins in Listvyanka, a charming village at the source of the Angara River and the gateway to many of Lake Baikal’s most spectacular sites.
Board the Sibiryak vessel (12:00 pm) at the port in Listvyanka and meet your captain and crew for the next three days. First, we “set sail” for one of the most picturesque sections of the Circum-Baikal Railway, one of the engineering marvels of Tsarist times. After lunch on board, we take an afternoon walking tour of the railway’s abandoned tunnels and galleries (appx 1,5km walk). Starting at Ulanovo station, we pass between the shore of the lake and the beautiful forests and peaks of the Primorsky Range. Dinner is served on board in one of the sheltered bays overlooked by the Circum-Baikal Railway.
Day 2:Peschanaya Bay
Our ship sets out very early in the morning to treat you to a stunning view over Peschanaya (Sandy) Bay as you wake up. The bay is famous for its unique trees tall trees with stilt-like roots, clear sparkling water and picture-perfect beach.
You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the beach at your leisure, we also take a two-hour walking excursion from Peschanaya to Sennaya Bay within Baikal National Park. The scenic mountain track between the bays provides breathtaking views of the lake and the spurs of the Primorsky Range. As an option in the evening, we’ll organise an authentic Russian banya (sauna) experience on the bay. Finish your banya experience the traditional Baikal way, with a cooling dip in the lake! Dinner on board.
Day 3:Maloye More
At about 6 am we depart Sennaya Bay and cruise along the west coast to Olkhon Island, the largest island in Lake Baikal. Along the way, you’ll discover what makes this ancient and mysterious island such a sacred place for the native Buryat people and the shaman religion. Olkhon is considered the geographical, cultural and spiritual centre of the lake – a place of legend, myth, and history.
During our 8 to 10 hour journey, we’ll cross the narrow Maloye Sea Strait (Maloye More) – the gateway to Olkhon between the island and the mainland.
Day 4:Olkhon Island
We enjoy our hours onboard of Sibiryak and enjoy the small islands of the Maloye More. At around 12:00 pm, we disembark the Sibiryak in Sakhyurta village (Maloye More). From where you can arrange a transfer to Irkutsk for your departure back home, or take a post-package tour on Olkhon Island – the heart of Lake Baikal.
Inclusions
MS "Sibiryak" for 3 nights
All meals onboard
English-speaking representative on board and for the land-excursions
Russian visa support documents
Russian visa and visa fees
Optional excursions
Airport transfers
Alcohol
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Availability | Price | Single sup. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18 - Jul 21, 2020 (L to MM) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
| Jul 25 - Jul 27, 2020 (MM to L) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
| Jul 29 - Aug 1, 2020 (L to MM) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
| Aug 5 - Aug 7, 2020 (MM to L) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
| Aug 8 - Aug 11, 2020 (L to MM) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
| Aug 15 - Aug 17, 2020 (MM to L) Guaranteed Departures | Available | US $880 | TBA | Reserve |
Other versions & similar tours
Listvyanka to Maloye More (Olkhon)
$
Day 1: Listvyanka village
Your Baikal cruise begins in Listvyanka, a charming village at the source of the Angara River and the gateway to many of Lake Baikal’s most spectacular sites.
Board the Sibiryak vessel (12:00 pm) at the port in Listvyanka and meet your captain and crew for the next three days. First, we “set sail” for one of the most picturesque sections of the Circum-Baikal Railway, one of the engineering marvels of Tsarist times. After lunch on board, we take an afternoon walking tour of the railway’s abandoned tunnels and galleries (appx 1,5km walk). Starting at Ulanovo station, we pass between the shore of the lake and the beautiful forests and peaks of the Primorsky Range. Dinner is served on board in one of the sheltered bays overlooked by the Circum-Baikal Railway.
Day 2: Peschanaya Bay
Our ship sets out very early in the morning to treat you to a stunning view over Peschanaya (Sandy) Bay as you wake up. The bay is famous for its unique trees tall trees with stilt-like roots, clear sparkling water and picture-perfect beach.
You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the beach at your leisure, we also take a two-hour walking excursion from Peschanaya to Sennaya Bay within Baikal National Park. The scenic mountain track between the bays provides breathtaking views of the lake and the spurs of the Primorsky Range. As an option in the evening, we’ll organise an authentic Russian banya (sauna) experience on the bay. Finish your banya experience the traditional Baikal way, with a cooling dip in the lake! Dinner on board.
Day 3: Maloye More
At about 6 am we depart Sennaya Bay and cruise along the west coast to Olkhon Island, the largest island in Lake Baikal. Along the way, you’ll discover what makes this ancient and mysterious island such a sacred place for the native Buryat people and the shaman religion. Olkhon is considered the geographical, cultural and spiritual centre of the lake – a place of legend, myth, and history.
During our 8 to 10 hour journey, we’ll cross the narrow Maloye Sea Strait (Maloye More) – the gateway to Olkhon between the island and the mainland.
Day 4: Olkhon Island
We enjoy our hours onboard of Sibiryak and enjoy the small islands of the Maloye More. At around 12:00 pm, we disembark the Sibiryak in Sakhyurta village (Maloye More). From where you can arrange a transfer to Irkutsk for your departure back home, or take a post-package tour on Olkhon Island – the heart of Lake Baikal.
Included
MS "Sibiryak" for 3 nights
All meals onboard
English-speaking representative on board and for the land-excursions
Russian visa support documents
Not included
Russian visa and visa fees
Optional excursions
Airport transfers
Alcohol
If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 2 9388 9816