Yan Side of Baikal

from 33400Р (7 days) 6+

Travel attractions: the spiritual capital of Siberia, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, the main center of Russian Buddhism, one of the lifetime images of Buddha, the main Buddhist temple of tsarist Russia, the tea capital of the Russian Empire Kyakhta, miraculous sign with the main Buddhist prayer in the area of Ranjour, village of old-believers, the main mountain resort of Pribaikalye on Mount Sobolinaya, the oldest mountain range of the planet Khamar-Daban, warm lakes on the Snowy River, the origin of the Mongolian people, the hot mineral springs of the Tunka Valley, the mineralogical pearl of Siberia, the symbolic beginning of Baikal.

1 DAY (Saturday): Introduction to the cultural capital of Republic Buryatiya
09:00-12:00 Meeting the guide. A sightseeing bus tour through the historic center of Ulan-Ude with a visit to the Rinpoche Bagsha Buddhist Center. The program includes a visit to the central square of the city, the monument to Vladimir Lenin, the site of the Verkhneudinsk wooden fortress, the Hodegetrian Cathedral, the observation deck on the highest residential point of the city from which you can see the city from a bird's eye view.

12:00-13:00 Excursion to the city ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia.

13:00-14:00 Lunch at one of the cafes of traditional Buryat cuisine.
14:00-16:00 Transfer to the Ivolginsky datsan. Visiting the sacred place "Hitch of Gesar" on the high bank of the Selenga River, overlook of the Buddhist stupa of Badma Saseg, as well as the Lower Ivolginsk ancient Hun settlement.

16:00-18:00 Excursion through the territory of the Ivolginsky datsan, visiting Sogchen Dugan, Sahuusan Sume, Maanin Dugan, Jouyud-Dugan, and also the Palace where the imperishable body of the last Pandito Hambo lama of Tsarist Russia Dashy Etigelov rests. Meeting in the traditional style. Visiting lamas of astrologers and Tibetologists. Meeting in the traditional style.

19:00 Dinner at the hotel.

2 DAY (Sunday): Journey through the Selenga Valley Buddhist shrines
08:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00-13:00 Excursion trip to the place of birth of the famous imperishable Buddhist lama Etigelov in the area Ulzita-Dovo. Visit the memorial complex and the Buddhist stupa, visit to the mineral spring Ulzita (translated from the Buryat "giving good") and the summer house of Dashy Etigelov.

13:00-14:00 Lunch at a roadside cafe in the tradition of Buryat cuisine.
14:00-16:00 Visiting to Tamchinsky datsan – the residence of the heads of Buddhism throughout Russia in the XIX-XX centuries. Visiting the Talyn-Khargan area, where the first hambo-lama of Russia Damba Zayayev went to nirvana. Visit to the Palace of White Tara.

16:00-17:00 Visiting the countryside called Sheep Meadow (Khonina Nougat) were constructed suburgans in honor of the four pandito-humbo lamas, the abbots of the Tamchinsky datsan.

17:00-19:00 Arrival in the historical city of Russia called Kyakhta. Accommodation in hotel.

19:00 Dinner at the hotel.

3 DAY (Monday): The oldest Buddhist temple in Siberia
08:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00-13:00 Sightseeing tour around Kyakhta. A visit to the main historical monuments and one of the best museums of local lore in Russia – the museum named after academician Vladimir Obruchev.

13:00-14:00 Lunch in one of the city cafes.
14:00-16:00 Departure to the Tsongolsky datsan in the village of Murochi bordering with Mongolia. Visiting the Ranjung area. Not far from the main temple complex near the sacred rock in the Ranjun area, where the prayer inscription "Om mani padme hum" is displayed, the "Aryabala" temple is located, in which services are also held. This inscription was discovered by the first rector of Datsan more than 200 years ago, and the place became the object of pilgrimage of Buddhists from all over Central Asia and Transbaikalia, as well as one of the 9 Great shrines of Asia.

16:00-20:00 Transfer to Ulan-Ude. Dinner at the hotel.
17:00-19:00 Free time.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel.

4 DAY (Tuesday): Old Believers of Transbaikalia and the road to Baikalsk
08:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00-11:30 Transfer to the village of Tarbagatay (Bolshoy Kunaley, Desyatnikovo) with a stop on the observation platform at Mount Omulyovaya.

11:30-13:00 Excursion program on the territory of the Old Believers' village. A traditional reception in a family house with a folkloric program, a show of family costumes, as well as rituals and old games with guests. The program includes an excursion to the unique museum of the Old Believers 'everyday life, a visit to the Old Believers' Orthodox church and an old manor. Visit to the ancient church of the Cross Exaltation in the village of Tarbagatay.

13:00-14:00 Old Believers traditional feast lunch.

14:00-16:00 Return to Ulan-Ude. Transfer to the railway station of the city of Ulan-Ude.
16:06-20:22 Accommodation in a compartment of cars of a train. Departure to Baikalsk. Dinner on the train.

20:22-21:00 Arrival at the station of Baikalsk. Transfer to the hotel in Baikalsk and check-in according to the chosen accommodation level.

5 DAY (Wednesday): Journey to the Baikal Jungle
08:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00-11:00 A trip to the Snowy River, where at the foot of the ancient mountain ridge of the planet three picturesque lakes nestle comfortably: Emerald, Warm and Fairy. Water in the lakes in summer warms up to 28 degrees and is great for swimming (in winter time is good for skating). The road to these places goes along the Snowy mountain river through a dense forest with relic poplars in two or three girths, which mysteriously survived after the ice age.

12:00-13:00 Walk through the forest and around the lakes.
13:00-14:00 Lunch at the tourist base.
14:00-15:00 Free time for swimming.
15:00-18:00 A small hike along the Snowy River to the observation place.

18:00-19:00 Return to Baikalsk. Dinner at the hotel.

6 DAY (Thursday): Journey to the mineral springs of the sacred Tunka Valley
08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00-11:00 Entering the territory of Tunkinsky National Park, visiting the stupa Dashi Gama on the border with the Republic of Buryatia and in the sacred place of Khoryooma Shuneken.

11:00-12:00 Visit the ancient Russian settlement of Tunka, where we will visit the Intercession Church and the cone of the extinct volcano Noyony-Habtash.
12:00-13:00 Visit to the Khoymorsk datsan in the village of Arshan, founded by the outstanding Buddhist figure and teacher of the Dalai Lama XIII Agvan Dorzhiev.

13:00-14:00 Lunch in the village of Arshan in the traditions of Buryat cuisine.
14:00-15:30 Walk along the mineral springs along the Kyngarga River along the forest trail to the first waterfall.

15:30-16:00 Tasting the mineral water of the resort Arshan from natural sources. Walk along the market of healing Sayan herbs.
16:00-17:00 Transfer to the village of Zhemchug. Bathing in hot methane terms of Zhemchug mineral springs to wash off tiredness after a long journey.
17:00-19:00 Transfer to Baikalsk.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel.

7 DAY (Friday): Excursion around the spiritual capital of Siberia
08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00-10:00 Transfer to the village of Slyudyanka.
10:00-11:00 Excursion to the largest in Russia private mineralogical museum in the village of Slyudyanka.

11:00-13:00 Transfer to the hotel in Irkutsk and check-in according to the selected level of accommodation.
13:00-14:00 Lunch in one of the cafe in Irkutsk.
14:00-15:00 The beginning of a sightseeing tour around the city of Irkutsk. Stopping at the place of Irkutsk foundation near the Church of the Savior. Walking along the veterans alley to the memorial of the Eternal Flame, the overlook of the Epiphany Cathedral.

15:00-15:30 A ride along the embankment of the Angara River to the oldest in Siberia triumphal arch of the Moscow Gate. On the way, overlook of the central square of the city, across the main merchant street of the city with old mansions.

15:30-16:00 Visit to the oldest in Siberia nunnery in the name of the Sign of the Mother of God with burials of writers, public figures and Decembrists. The worship of the relics of St. Innocent Kulchitsky - the first ruler of the largest diocese in the world. Overlook of the only monument in Russia to Admiral Alexander Kolchak.

16:00-16:20 A ride along the Labor District of Irkutsk, on the way overlook one of the most famous prisons in Russia - the Irkutsk "White Swan". Visit to the most beatiful church of Siberia in the name of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God.
16:20-16:30 Drive along the central avenues of the city of Irkutsk. On the way, an inspection of the lacy wooden mansion of A.I. Shastin (House of Europe), a block of Decembrists with the old manors of princes S.G.Volkonsky and S.P.Trubetskoy.

16:30-16:40 Stop at the most beautiful monument in Russia to Emperor Alexander III, walk around Alexander Square, visit to the "Moorish Castle" and the White House.

16:40-17:00 The tour ends at the famous 130th Quarter near the monument to the symbol of the city of Irkutsk – the mighty Babr next to the famous Cross Exaltation Church.

17:00-19:00 Return to the hotel. Free time.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel.

8 DAY (Saturday): Return back home
8:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, railway or bus station.

Attention! If you intend to visit other places during the trip, we are ready to develop an individual program for you. In addition, you can change the number of excursions in the trip, replacing them with free days for rest.

The cost of the tour includes:

Meeting in Ulan-Ude.
Guide service throughout the trip.
All transfers by the program.
Accommodation in Ulan-Ude (2 nights).
Accommodation in Kyakhta (1 night).
Accommodation in Baikalsk (3 nights).
Accommodation in Irkutsk (1 night)
All breakfasts.
Entrance tickets to museums.
Recreational fees for visiting nature conservation areas.
Sightseeing tour of the historical part of the city of Ulan-Ude.
Sightseeing tour of the historical part of the city of Irkutsk.
Excursion to the Warm lakes.
Excursion to the Ivolginsky datsan.
Excursion program for the village Kyakhta.
Tour of the Selenga Valley shrines.
Excursion to the village of Old Believers in Tarbagatai.
Excursion to the Tunka valley.

The tour price does not include:

The cost of air travel, railway crossing or road to the starting point of travel.
The cost of additional meals, services and excursions not indicated in the travel program.

Attention! Children under 12 years old receive a 10% discount.

Attention! The cost of the air flight Moscow-Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude-Moscow (13 flying hours) for 2020 is from 15,400 rubles. for 1 person in the economy class. Most flights from Moscow are evening, so arrival to Irkutsk takes place the next morning. The cost of the Moscow-Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude-Moscow (8 days in transit) railway transfer for 2020 is from 18,900 rubles. for 1 person in the "coupe" class. All this must be taken into account when you planning your trip. When buying a trip, we can book tickets for the dates of interest for you at the lowest price on the market.

If you need assistance in obtaining a visa in the Russian Federation we can help you in a collection of complete package of documents (it will cost you from 7900 to 77200 rubles, depending on the type of visa and the consular fee).

WHAT TO BRING?

- IN WINTER TIME:

сrampons for walking on Baikal ice;
set of moisture-removing thermal underwear;
2-3 pairs of wool socks;
mountain winter gloves;
hat, covering the ears and face or balaclava with a hood;
fleece or wool jacket;
down jacket or Alaska-style jacket;
windproof light jacket or windbreaker;
warm waterproof shoes or trekking boots;
sunglasses and sunblock cream;
swimwear and plastic slippers;
thermos and a small hiking backpack;
cash, since there are few ATMs at Baikal;
camera, video camera, extra batteries and a tripod;
If you are taking any medications, do not forget to take them with you!

- IN SUMMER TIME:

windproof light jacket or windbreaker;
warm waterproof jacket or fleece jacket;
cap or bandana;
fleece hat;
trekking boots (preferably with a hard sole);
beach slippers;
swimwear;
sunglasses and sunblock cream;
thermos and a small hiking backpack;
spray for clothes, which includes the substance permethrin and alpha-cypermethrin;
cash, since there are few ATMs at Baikal;
camera, video camera, extra batteries and a tripod;
If you are taking any medications, do not forget to take them with you!

The price of travel depends on the level of accommodation:
Below are the hotels in Ulan-Ude, Kyakhta, Baikalsk and Irkutsk.

Attention! Surcharge for single occupancy + 20% of travel cost

Accommodation level: ECONOM

Hotel "Odon" (Ulan-Ude)

Hotel "Odon" runs a short way from the railway station at the foot of Bald Mountain. The hotel offers rooms with two single beds or one double bed, table, chairs, TV, refrigerator. In the bathroom: toilet, sink, bath and shower. On the territory of the hotel it is possible to relax from everyday worries. For this there are a swimming pool, sauna and massage room. Delicious breakfasts are served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Hotel "Yuzhnaya" (Kyakhta)

Hotel "Yuzhnaya" is located not far from the center of the historical city of Kyakhta. Modern service and cozy atmosphere are the main advantages of the hotel. The hotel strives to provide its guests with the most attractive accommodation facilities. The rooms are equipped with all the most necessary and are designed for both demanding guests and economical visitors. Each room has a digital TV, shower cabins, and refrigerator. The hotel have a gym, laundry and Wi-Fi.

Hotel "Molodezhnaya" (Baikalsk)

The hotel is located in the administrative center of Baikalsk, a 15-minute walk to Baikal, and the same time to the Sobolinaya Mountain resort. Rooms kept clean and tidy. The staff is friendly and courteous. Landscaped and well-groomed adjoining territory, with the creative compositions of stone and wood placed on it. There is a cafe, Wi-Fi, sauna, billiards, children's corner. Two-room rooms with 2 single or 1 double bed, equipped with TV, shower and small dining room (refrigerator, kettle, microwave oven).

Hotel "Fregat"

Hotel "Fregat" is located near the banks of the Angara River, in an ecologically clean and quiet area of the city. The convenient location of the hotel complex will allow you to reach the city center in 10 minutes, 5 minutes from Irkutsk International Airport and 15 minutes from the railway station. You will have everything you need for a pleasant stay and active life. Each room has a single or double bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe, a coffee table with comfortable chairs, TV and a telephone. The room rate includes breakfast buffet.

Accommodation level: STANDARD

Hotel "Baikal Plaza" (Ulan-Ude)

The first 4-star hotel in Buryatia is the perfect choice for the most demanding guests who prefer the highest quality of service. The hotel is located in the heart of the city at the intersection of major traffic lines and close to the main administrative buildings. In close proximity there are museums, theaters, cinemas and shopping centers. The hotel is located 15 minutes from the international airport "Baikal" and only 5 minutes from the railway station. Rooms with two separate or one double bed, decorated in a modern, elegant style and equipped with a comfortable work space. All rooms in this category have air conditioning and a minibar.

Hotel "Yuzhnaya" (Kyakhta)

The recreation center "White Sable" is located in the city of Baikalsk at the foot of the mountain "Sobolinaya". "White Sable" has everything for a comfortable stay: a sauna, a playground, a summer swimming pool, gazebos on greenery. Nearby is a beautiful two-story cafe, connected by a warm transition to the hotel. Free Wi-fi in the entire hotel. The small cozy double rooms are decorated in pastel colors, with carpeted floors. In each room: one large double bed or two single beds, bedside tables, a coffee table, a hanger with a mirror, a plasma TV, a minibar, an individual safe, a separate bathroom (an individual set of towels, a hairdryer, a shower, a washbasin, toilet). The windows of all rooms overlook the resort "Sobolinaya Mountain". In the room you will find everything you need for a comfortable stay. A complimentary breakfast is served daily.

Hotel "Irkutsk" (Irkutsk)

Hotel "Irkutsk" is a modern hotel complex with developed infrastructure. Located on the embankment of the Angara River, in a quiet historical part of the city, within walking distance of the main cultural and historical sights of Irkutsk. For your rest - the restaurant "Irkutsk" with European cuisine, a lobby bar. In the room - a comfortable double or two twin beds, desk, cable TV, telephone, free Internet access, refrigerator, air conditioning. In the bathroom - hairdryer, bath accessories. In the hallway there is a large wardrobe. For guests of the hotel "Irkutsk", visit the gym - for free! A complimentary breakfast is served daily.

Accommodation level: LUXURY

Hotel "Mergen-Bator" (Ulan-Ude)

The five-star hotel "Mergen Bator", located in the Buryat Business Center - for those who appreciate European comfort and Siberian hospitality! The Buryat Business Center, combining national architectural motifs and modern technologies, is a complex that offers you everything for efficient work and rest: modern offices, conference rooms, the Hotel "Mergen Bator", the restaurant "Mergen", bar "12" , fitness club of premium class "Bagatur". All rooms are equipped with a smart home system (temperature and climate control in the room, lighting devices, personnel call). Each room has one double bed or two separate, a bathroom equipped with bathtubs, shower cabins and Japanese bidets. The room rate includes a breakfast buffet in the restaurant "Mergen", as well as a visit to the fitness club "Bagatur" with a swimming pool, hamam and sauna.

Hotel "Yuzhnaya" (Kyakhta)

The hotel is located at the foot of the mountain "Sobolinaya", 500 meters from the ski resort and is one of the most elite places of residence of Baikalsk. The cozy atmosphere, the aroma of the coniferous forest and the service at the highest level make the rest here unforgettable. A wireless Internet connection is available. A spacious restaurant with a fireplace, where you can prepare Russian cuisine. Billiards with a real Russian bath. Each room has an entrance hall, a large bedroom, dressing furniture, a double or two single beds and a sofa, a TV and a telephone, a radio, a fully equipped kitchen, a toilet room (bath, shower, toilet). A complimentary breakfast is served daily.

Hotel complex «North Sea»

The fashionable nine-storey hotel complex “North Sea” is located right on the embankment of the Angara River, exactly in the middle between the center of Irkutsk and the airport, being only 5km from both points. Walking distance to supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, nearby promenade is ideal for walking. For guests there is a large secure parking and luggage storage. The cozy room with beautiful comfortable furniture made of natural wood and is equipped with a large double bed or two twin beds, a working place and a seating area. In-room air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, kettle, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, free Wi-Fi. The room rate includes breakfast buffet.

Price list:

Number of people in the group	1	2	3	4	5	6	7-10	11-13	14-18	19-23	24-32	33-39	40-49
SUITE, RUB.	206900	115300	102200	85300	75400	68900	65300	62400	59800	53900	50300	49400	49100
STANDARD, RUB	193900	103700	91100	74500	64700	58300	54800	51900	49600	43500	40100	39200	38900
ECONOM, RUB	187100	97500	85100	68700	58900	52500	49100	46400	43900	37900	34600	33600	33400

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