We will travel on our own “Khivus” air-cushion boats. This is the best option for traveling long distances on ice. Our “Khivus” boats are new, warm and very quiet, so the maximum comfort is guaranteed. They are also maneuverable and very fast, and we can easily get to any corner of Baikal.
We travel in small groups of up to 10 people: this way the guide will be able to pay attention to all the participants, take into account the pace of each participant and create warm atmosphere in the group.
You will be accompanied by professional guides with over 7 years of experience. Each of the guides strives to make your trip truly memorable. They'll tell you about the history of Baikal, local traditions, nationalities and help resolve any issues along the route.
We will stay in double rooms in comfortable hotels on the shores of Baikal, where you can admire the ice patterns of the lake right through the panoramic windows. The hotel restaurants will prepare delicious breakfasts and dinners for us, and for those who wish, we can arrange a hot Siberian sauna. Single accommodation is available for an additional fee.
We’ll meet at Irkutsk airport. Very soon we will have our first date with Baikal! We’ll go to Olkhon Island — the real heart of Baikal and its sacred center. Here you can feel the powerful energy and even meet shamans. On the way, we will stop at a Buryat yurt and have lunch with national ethnic cuisine. Then we’ll arrive in the village of Khuzhir, check into a comfortable hotel and meet for dinner together.
In the morning we’ll have breakfast in the hotel restaurant and enjoy a wonderful view of winter Baikal. Today we have a busy day: we’ll drive to Khoboy Cape. Its name means “a fang, a molar” in Buryat language — the form of the cape really does look like a fang. On the other side, it reminds a woman’s profile. Khoboy is considered a sacred place, and served for performing cult rites. In winter, the cape looks like a fairy-tale ice castle. On the way there we'll stop at Kharantsy Island and near white marble Sagan-Khushun Cape. And, of course, we will constantly feel the winter magic of Baikal and explore the ice floes shimmering in the sun, ice caves and islands.
Then we’ll have lunch: we’ll taste hot fish soup and drink herbal tea. We’ll also take part in a traditional ritual — “kiss of Baikal”. In the evening we'll return to the hotel, have dinner and relax. Those who wish can visit the hot sauna (not included in the price).
On this day we will go on an excursion to Aral Cape — a hidden corner of Lake Baikal. We’ll also see Elenka Island — it’s a 14-meter rock, rising above the endless ice. We’ll visit a true place of power — Surkhaite and see the healing springs with silver ions. Afterwards we’ll explore Zunduk Cape, which is shaped like a horse’s mane. We will see Zama Cape — picturesque light pink rocks, and Aral Cave — a place of power and the largest cave on Lake Baikal. Ice is very clear here, so we can go ice skating!
We’ll return to the hotel in the evening.
In the morning we’ll board a “Khivus” hovercraft and drive to Listvyanka. On the way there we’ll visit Ogoy Island — this is one of the places of power of Baikal, where the Buddhist Enlightenment Stupa is located. We’ll explore Sagan-Zaba Cape, which means "white rock" in Buryat, and see ancient petroglyphs, some of them are more than 4 thousand years old!
Then we’ll have lunch in a cafe and visit Bolshoy and Maly Kolokolny Capes, Peschanaya Bay and unusual stilted trees, and admire the different types of ice. And we'll make a stop to appease the spirits and ask them for an easy journey. Also we'll see bubbles of methane gas frozen into clear ice.
Finally, we’ll get to Listvyanka and check into a hotel.
In the morning you’ll have free time to relax. You can also take a cable car ride to Chersky Stone to see panoramic views of Baikal (included in the price) or choose another activity: for example, dog sledding or snowmobiling (for additional charge).
In the afternoon we will visit Taltsy — a unique open-air museum with a rich exposition of wooden buildings brought from all over Siberia.
Special prices are valid until 05.12.2025!
The group will meet at Irkutsk Airport (IKT) at 10:00 local time. Our guide will be waiting for you with a "Strannik" sign at the airport exit. If you arrive earlier, you will need to wait for us in the waiting area. We will also have your flight details and phone numbers, so we’ll contact you in any case!
If you arrive earlier than the start of the program, please let us know the name and address of the hotel where you plan to stay. We will pick you up from the hotel on the morning of the first day before the group meeting at the airport.
On the last day of the tour — independent transfer by taxi from Listvyanka to Irkutsk airport (not included in the tour price), it will take about 1 hour. Check out from the hotel until 11:00.
The geography of our tourists is quite wide and everyone prefers different departure options. We did not include the return transfer in the price so that everyone could depart at a convenient time or stay in Listvyanka for a few more days.
Group meeting at Irkutsk Airport (IKK) at 10:00.
We recommend taking flights that arrive at Irkutsk before 09:30 local time.
You can also get to Irkutsk by train. In this case you will need to get to Irkutsk Airport on your own on the 1st day of the tour to meet the group.
On the last day of the tour — independent transfer by taxi from Listvyanka to Irkutsk Airport (not included in the tour price), it will take about 1 hour. You can book plane or train tickets for any convenient time.
Note: We kindly ask you not to purchase the tickets until the manager sends you a confirmation and guarantees that the tour will take place.
All transfers are carried out by comfortable transport.
Note: The price of the trip is based on double accommodation. If you are traveling alone, we will try to find a roommate for you from the tourists of our group, but we cannot guarantee this. Usually there is a roommate, but if there is not, you will need to pay extra for single accommodation.
If you need a single room and don't want to stay with anybody, specify this in the comments to your application.
On New Year's Eve, the weather on Baikal is usually calm with average temperatures of −15...−10 °C. In the middle of January, the southern part of the lake begins to freeze. Temperatures can drop to −35...−40 °C. However, after freezing, temperatures stabilize and do not fall below −20 °C during the day. Average temperature in January is −21 °C. Severe frosts, down to −35 °C, usually occur in January and early February.
In winter on Lake Baikal you need to be prepared for both the intense sun and the real Siberian winter.
The itinerary is suitable for anyone who doesn’t have medical contraindications for physical activity. During the trip you won’t have to carry your personal belongings, except during short walks from the transport to the places of accommodation. You can take a suitcase with you for this tour.
Children are allowed to participate from the age of 7 and only if accompanied by their parents.
The checklist #4 will help you prepare for this trip.
Since this is a group tour, the food is the same for all participants. Unfortunately, we cannot prepare an individual meal for you. If you have an intolerance or allergy to any of the products, please notify the manager in advance. We will pass this information on to the guide or accommodations. However, we kindly ask you to follow up on this matter during the trip. If you have strict dietary restrictions, we recommend bringing suitable food with you or buy it on the spot.
Winter Baikal is a fairy-tale world, similar to the Snow Queen's kingdom. Every day we’ll enjoy the clear ice covering the lake, see crystal splashes, caves with fancy patterns, air bubbles in the ice and get to the hidden places where you rarely see other tourists!
This will be a comfortable journey full of vivid impressions, because we’ve thought everything out to the smallest detail:
See you in the endless expanses of icy Baikal!