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Lake Baikal Cruise

Make the most of Lake Baikal during a short visit to the region or a Trans-Siberian stopover
©Photo by Sergey Makarov 
Set off on a short but stunning voyage on the oldest, deepest lake on earth – magical Lake Baikal, the ancient, life-giving blue heart of Siberia.
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 on board 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 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

This voyage of discovery is the perfect introduction to Lake Baikal’s natural beauty and its spiritual significance to the shamanistic Buryat people of the Baikal region. As you breathe in the fresh air, soak up the spectacular scenery from the deck of the Sibiryak and relax on secluded white sand beaches, you’ll see why Lake Baikal is considered one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

The planet’s largest freshwater lake by volume, Baikal spans a total area of 31,722km (roughly the size of the entire nation of Belgium). 70% of Lake Baikal’s territory is inaccessible by land, making a boat cruise the best way to maximise your time in Baikal and escape the tourist crowds who flock to the lake’s shore-based resorts in the summer months.

Your cruise departs from the port at Listvyanka, a charming village located at the Angara Riverhead, 66km from the region’s capital, Irkutsk. The 25m Sibiryak is one of the most inviting comfort-class cruise vessels on Lake Baikal. Accommodating just 12 passengers, the Sibiryak promises exceptional service from the 4 onboard personnel.

You’ll get the opportunity to disembark and enjoy some of the region’s most spectacular land-based sites throughout our journey, and even take a cooling dip in Baikal’s crystal clear waters at one of the secluded beaches within the Baikal National Park. Our cruise ends in the village of Sakhurtya, a hub for tourists and locals coming and going from Irkutsk.

Whether you have a limited amount of time in Baikal or are cruising the lake as part of an extended visit to the region, this three-day cruise will ensure you miss none of Baikal’s most photogenic highlights.

3 days
from
$
945
USD
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Arrival

Departure

Accomodation

Trip style

Irkutsk

Irkutsk

Cruise vessel

Cruise

Duration

Action rating

Group size

Type of tour

3 days / 2 nights

     

1-12

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 (11:00-12:00 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 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:Olkhon Island

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 the 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 – the gateway to Olkhon between the island and the mainland. At around 2 pm, we disembark the Sibiryak in Sakhyurta village (Maloye More).

From where you can arrange a transfer to Irkutsk or your departure back home or take a post-package tour on Olkhon Island – the heart of Lake Baikal.

Inclusions

Accommodation

River cruise vessel "Sibiryak" for 2 nights

Meals

All meals onboard

Guides

English-speaking representative on board and for the land-excursions

Other

Russian visa support documents

*Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for comprehensive visa service here.

Not included

Flights, travel insurance, visa, optional excursions, airport transfers, tips

Dates & Prices

DatesAvailabilityPriceSingle sup. 
2019 dates coming soon
Guaranteed Departures		 Available US $ Reserve
3 days
Irkutsk
from
$
945
USD
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary
3 days
from
$
945
USD
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary
Click here to subscribe

If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 2 9388 9816