Dates: February 22 - 28, 2026*
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Number of participants: 7 — 12
Cost per person:
— 139 900 rubles to 11 – 12 participants, or
— 151 900 rubles to 9 – 10 participants, or
— 164 900 rubles to 7 – 8 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before September 23, 2025)Estimated cost of flights Moscow – Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude – Moscow: 20 000 – 28 000 rubles.Single supplement: 25 000 rubles
(provided along the entire itinerary, except day 2)*can be combined with Yamal expedition March 1 - 6, 2026TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO LAKE BAIKALDay 1. February 22, 2026 (Sunday). IRKUTSK - TALTSY - LISTVYANKA - BOL'SHOE GOLOUSTNOE - PESCHANAYA BAY - LISTVYANKA Morning group gathering at Irkutsk airport. Quick breakfast in Irkutsk (Sky Lounge Karaoke)
10:00 – 11:00 – Transfer to Listvyanka village by a comfortable bus. The drive from Irkutsk to Listvyanka takes about an hour. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of the Siberian taiga and the beautiful Angara River — the only river that flows out of Lake Baikal.
11:00 – 12:30 – Visit to the Taltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture. Located in a forest on the banks of the Angara, Taltsy is an open-air museum that showcases unique wooden architecture from the 17th to 20th centuries. You’ll see traditional Siberian homes, chapels, farmsteads, and dwellings of Russian settlers, Buryats, and Evenks. The museum immerses you in the lifestyle of the people who lived on the shores of Baikal centuries ago.
12:30 – Arrival in Listvyanka. Boarding the hovercraft "Khivus"
13:00 – 20:00 – Excursion to Peschanaya Bay. Bubbles in Bolshoe Goloustnoe. Peschanaya Bay is one of the most scenic and warmest spots on Lake Baikal, famous for its “walking” trees with exposed roots and crystal-clear ice. On the way, we’ll stop near the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye to see the famous frozen methane “bubbles” trapped beneath the ice — a surreal and stunning natural phenomenon. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the ice, sip hot tea, and go ice skating on the vast frozen lake. The day ends with a breathtaking sunset over Baikal, as the sky and icy surface glow in golden-pink hues.
20:00 – Return to Listvyanka, hotel check-in
20:30 – Russian banya with ice hole. Dinner (omul, grayling) or at Proshly Vek Cafe. In the evening, you'll experience the joy of a traditional Russian banya, with the option to dip into an ice-hole in Lake Baikal — a truly Siberian ritual. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local Baikal fish — omul and grayling — grilled over an open fire or baked in a traditional oven. Alternatively, you can dine at the nostalgic “Proshly Vek” Café, styled after the late 19th century, where the interior and cuisine capture the spirit of old Listvyanka.
Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinnerAccommodation included: Malina Hotel or similar Day 2. February 23, 2026 (Monday). LISTVYANKA - IRKUTSK - MAMAY - MAMAY GORGEBreakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – 11:30 – Visit to the Interactive Baikal Limnological Museum in Listvyanka. Explore the secrets of the world’s deepest lake through fascinating exhibits about Baikal’s flora, fauna, and geology. The highlight is a virtual dive aboard a deep-sea submersible to the very bottom of Lake Baikal.
11:30 – 12:30 – Chersky Stone Viewpoint and Baikal Fish Market. Take a scenic chairlift ride up to Chersky Stone, where you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Angara River delta and the vast expanse of frozen Baikal. Afterward, visit the local fish market with its impressive selection of Baikal fish — from smoked omul and grayling to the rare and transparent golomyanka.
12:30 – 13:30 – Transfer from Listvyanka to Irkutsk (70 km, 1 hour)
13:30 – 14:30 – Lunch, Siberian cuisine
14:30 – 15:30 – Sightseeing tour of the historical part of Irkutsk. Take a walking tour through Irkutsk’s historic center with its ornate wooden houses, 18th-century churches, and merchant estates. The tour includes a visit to the Volkonsky House Museum, where you’ll learn about the lives of the Decembrists exiled to Siberia.
15:30 – 19:00 – Transfer from Irkutsk to Mamai (200 km, 3.5 hours). Travel deep into the mountains toward Mamay, located at the base of the Khamar-Daban range. Short stops will be made for tea and rest along the way.
19:00 – 20:00 – Transfer to the mountain gorge. Hop on a snowmobile (as a passenger) for an exciting ride through the snowy Mamay Gorge — surrounded by fir trees, untouched nature, and fresh mountain air.
20:30 – Accommodation in the guesthouse. It's a peaceful and magical mountain retreat.
21:00 – Dinner, and optional outdoor hot tub. Enjoy a warm homemade dinner, and for those who wish — relax in a steaming hot tub under the stars (available at additional cost).
Meals included: breakfast, dinnerAccommodation included: guesthouse, rooms for 3-4 people per room/floor or in one large room Day 3. February 24, 2026 (Tuesday). MAMAY - MAMAY GORGE - IL'INKA - ULAN-UDEBreakfast.
10:00 – 13:00 – Start the day with a walk through the picturesque Mamay Gorge — a snowy wonderland of ancient fir trees, powdery snow, and crisp mountain air. For those in the mood for fun — enjoy snow tubing down gentle natural slopes.
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 – We descend from the gorge by snowmobiles once again, taking in the stunning winter scenery and the thrill of the ride.
15:00 – 18:00 – Transfer from Mamai to Ilinka (200 km, 3 hours)
18:00 – 19:00 – Visit to the hot springs. Unwind in open-air hot springs — the perfect way to soothe tired muscles. The contrast between the warm mineral water and frosty air creates a truly rejuvenating experience.
19:00 – 20:00 – Transfer from Ilinka to Ulan-Ude. Final leg of the day — we head to Ulan-Ude, the cultural capital of Buryatia.
20:00 – Dinner. Accommodation at the hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunchAccommodation included: Hotel "Mergen", or similar, standard, double occupancy Day 4. February 25, 2026 (Wednesday). ULAN-UDE - TARBAGATAI (OLD BELIEVERS SETTLEMENT) - ULAN-UDEBreakfast at the hotel.
10:00 – 12:30 – In the morning, we’ll visit Ivolginsky Datsan — the spiritual heart of Buddhism in Russia. The monastery is home to a globally unique phenomenon: the incorrupt body of Lama Dashi-Dorjo Itigelov, which has remained preserved since 1927 without embalming. The peaceful atmosphere invites reflection and connection with ancient traditions.
12:30 – 13:30 – Transfer to Tarbagatai - we drive through the scenic Siberian countryside toward a village rich in history and culture.
13:30 – 18:30 – You’ll be warmly welcomed by the Semeiskie — descendants of Russian Old Believers. A vibrant folklore program awaits: traditional songs and dances, cultural workshops, and stories about their heritage. Lunch will feature authentic Old Believer cuisine — hearty, rustic, and made from age-old recipes. A visit to the local ethnographic museum is also included.
18:30 – 19:30 – Return to Ulan-Ude
19:30 – Enjoy a delicious Buryat dinner with national dishes like buuzy (steamed dumplings) and handmade noodles. Afterwards, take a stroll through the city center — past theatres, temples, and the world’s largest Lenin head monument.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinnerAccommodation included: Hotel "Mergen", or similar, standard, double occupancy Day 5. February 26, 2026 (Thursday). ULAN-UDE – KHAIM – UST-BARGUZIN – CHIVYRKUI BAY – ZMEEVAYA BAY – ZABAIKALSKY NATIONAL PARKEarly breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 – Departure to the Barguzin region, Zabaikalsky National Park. We begin our early journey to the northeastern shores of Lake Baikal — a land of wild beauty and deep spiritual heritage.
08:00 – 10:30 – Transfer Ulan-Ude – Khaim (115 km). Our first stop is at a riverside café in Khaim, where you can enjoy hot drinks and soak in the serene views of untouched Siberian nature.
11:00 – 14:00 – Transfer Khaim – Ust-Barguzin (150 km). On the way, we stop by Turtle Rock and the mystical Barguzin Gates. Here we’ll participate in a traditional ritual to honor the local spirits — an important element of the indigenous Buryat and shamanic culture.
14:00 – 15:00 – Lunch or picnic lunch
15:00 – 20:00 – Zabaykalsky National Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal in the Republic of Buryatia. It’s one of the most remote and stunningly beautiful parts of Baikal, featuring pristine wilderness, spiritual heritage, and rich biodiversity. Covering more than 270,000 hectares, the park includes forests, mountains, bays, and stretches of untouched coastline. It was established in 1986 to preserve the unique ecosystems of Baikal. The park is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site "Lake Baikal", and it offers a rare blend of spectacular landscapes, rare wildlife, and ancient spiritual traditions of the indigenous Buryat people. By off-road vehicle (UAZ “Bukhanka”) we’ll explore the breathtaking Chivyrkuysky Bay, famous for its winter ice caves, frozen grottoes, and natural ice sculptures. The journey ends with a dip in the hot thermal springs of Zmeevaya Bay — a surreal experience of warm waters surrounded by snow and ice.
21:00 – Check in in a hotel. Dinner
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinnerAccommodation included: Hotel "Sindbad", or similar (in Ust-Barguzin or "Hot Key" in Goryachinsk/Maximikha), standard, double occupancy Day 6. February 27, 2026 (Friday). ZABAIKALSKY NATIONAL PARK — ULAN-UDEBreakfast 11:00 AM – Departure to Ulan-Ude (260 km, 3.5 hours without stops). We begin our return journey to Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. The scenic route takes us through vast snowy steppes and rolling hills, with optional stops for photos.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch featuring Buryat dishes such as buuz (steamed dumplings), shulen (meat soup), and other regional specialties.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – We’ll explore the historical center of Ulan-Ude, visit the famous Lenin Head monument on Sovetov Square (the world’s largest), and admire 19th-century merchant mansions, churches, and Buddhist temples. The tour includes time for souvenir shopping — a chance to pick up local crafts, wool products, and carved wooden or bone items.
6:00 PM – Farewell dinner (national cuisine). Our final dinner together will be a warm, festive gathering with traditional Buryat music and a delicious selection of regional dishes — a perfect end to our unforgettable journey.
Meals included: breakfastAccommodation included: Hotel "Mergen", or similar, standard, double occupancy Day 7. February 28, 2026 (Saturday). IRKUTSK - FLIGHTBreakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.
Meals included: breakfastAccommodation included: no