Winter Stay at Lake Baikal
In the heart of the Siberian winter, when Lake Baikal freezes into a blue ice cathedral
Duration
7 days
From
€810/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
Biting cold sculpts crystal landscapes on the surface of Lake Baikal. At minus forty degrees, the lake becomes an ice highway where the mysterious cracking of the ice sheet echoes. Olkhon Island reveals its cliffs wrapped in frost, its wind-swept steppes and shamanic sites where Buryat incense smoke still rises.
From Listvianka to the ends of Cape Khoboï, each stage unveils the multiple faces of this authentic Siberia. Cosmopolitan Irkutsk, with its carved wooden houses and Orthodox churches, paves the way to Buryat territories where nomadic traditions survive. Museums tell the epic of the Decembrists, those exiled aristocrats who marked the history of this land of extremes.
This winter journey transforms the world's largest freshwater lake into a polar playground, between snowshoe hikes and slides on the most spectacular natural ice rink in the world.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Listvianka
In the morning, we arrive in Irkoutsk, the "little Paris of Siberia" where our guide welcomes us.
We then take a tour of the city by transport while visiting its remarkable monuments, namely the Holy Saviour Church, the Church of the Epiphany, the Angara Embankment with the monument of Tsar Alexander III. We also observe the old wooden houses that are typical of the city.
Then we head to @[Baïkal](baikal), in the village of @[Listvianka](listvianka) for a journey of approximately 1 hour. Along the way, we can discover the Taltsy Museum of traditional wooden architecture. We stop a little at the mouth of Baïkal and the **@[Angara](angara_river)**. The latter is the only river that flows out of the lake among the 336 that flow into it. It is also the only place where the Angara never freezes.
We settle into the lodge in a comfortable room.Irkoutsk
Listvianka – Irkutsk
After breakfast, we meet our guide to visit the Lake Baikal Museum (Baikalski Muzey). We find there in particular the aquarium of nerpa seals or freshwater seals. A virtual dive into its depths is not to be missed.
Subsequently, we take the chairlift up to the Lake Baikal Museum which offers a magnificent panorama of the lake; notably the place where the Angara River originates; and we follow a paved path for the descent on foot for 15 to 20 minutes.
We enjoy a pleasant time walking around the village of Listvianka.
After lunch, we ride dog sleds or snowmobiles.
We can also choose to visit the Museum of the Decembrists.
We are then transferred to Irkoutsk.
Irkutsk – Olkhon
After breakfast, we head towards Olkhon Island for a 4 to 5 hour journey in a private minivan.
Along the way, we make a short stop in the village of Ust-Orda, which is the capital of Buryatia. This allows us to discover the museum of Buryat culture.
We then have a typical Buryat lunch in a small café located by the roadside.
From the gates of Olkhon, the bus travels across the ice to reach the village of Khuzhir located in the north of the island.
We settle into a guesthouse in the village with comfortable rooms.
We stop at Ogoi Island. 3 km long, this piece of land is home to an impressive Buddhist stupa.
Arriving at Khuzhir village, we treat ourselves to a beautiful excursion to discover, among other things, the famous Burkhan Rock or "the dwelling of the God of the lake".
We have dinner and spend the night at the guesthouse.
Olkhon Island
We have breakfast at the inn and then spend the day exploring by 4x4 to Cape Khoboï located at the northern tip of the island.
We travel on the ice of the Little Sea making numerous stops to admire the frozen surface of the lake, its legendary transparency, its turquoise blue color as well as the cliffs completely covered in ice.
We have a picnic during the excursion.
Return to the inn for dinner and the night.
Olkhon Island
After breakfast at the inn, we enjoy a free day to indulge in activities on Lake Baikal.
We have the opportunity to rent skates to venture onto the natural ice rink, or go hiking with snowshoes.
Finally, we return to the inn for dinner and overnight stay.
Irkoutsk
This morning, we are transferred to Irkoutsk in a private vehicle. We have lunch on the way (this is not included).
Then we settle into the hotel before enjoying free time in the city.
Departure
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Meals not indicated
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional services and services not mentioned
- Single room supplement at the hotel: €140
- Private transfer Irkutsk - Olkhon Island (one way): 215€
Included
- The accommodations mentioned or similar in standard double room
- Breakfasts
- Les transports mentionnés
- The visits mentioned with English-speaking guide and entrance tickets
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Russia for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Russia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada are in principle subject to a visa requirement to enter Russia. A tourist visa must be obtained from the competent Russian embassy or consulate before departure.
To obtain a tourist visa, the documents generally required are:
a valid passport with sufficient validity duration,
a completed visa application form,
a hotel reservation confirmation or a tourist invitation issued by an approved tourism operator in Russia,
travel insurance covering the entire stay on Russian territory.
A tourist visa is generally granted for a stay of up to 30 days. Its validity period and entry conditions (single or double entry) vary depending on the type of visa issued.
Mandatory registration
Any foreign traveler staying in Russia must register with the local authorities within seven business days following their arrival. In most cases, this registration is carried out directly by the hotel or accommodation provider. In the case of accommodation with a private individual, the host is responsible for completing this procedure.
It is advisable to keep the registration proof to present it upon leaving the country.
Geopolitical context
Due to the geopolitical context linked to the conflict in Ukraine, many EEA countries, Switzerland and Canada have issued travel warnings strongly advising against or prohibiting all travel to Russia. Direct air connections between Russia and much of Europe are suspended. It is imperative to consult the official travel recommendations of your government before considering any travel.
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport and an individual visa covering the duration of the stay.
When a minor travels without one or both of their parents, a notarized parental authorization may be required by Russian authorities upon entry and exit from the country.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire with the Russian embassy or consulate of their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, along with an invitation letter from an approved agency. The current geopolitical context requires maximum vigilance. Entry conditions evolve regularly: you must consult the consular recommendations of your country of residence before booking.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
In the current context, tourist travel to Russia is strongly discouraged. Should conditions permit, expect between 170 and 280 euros per day per person for a tailor-made trip, excluding flights. Our teams closely monitor the situation's evolution.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection that covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Siberia Baikal
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.