Olkhon Island

Meet guide and driver in Irkutsk (or Listvyanka +) and travel north 250 km (155 miles) to the Olkhon Island. Stop for Lunch en route at the road cafe, then make the ice crossing to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal's largest island at 71km long and 18km wide. Olkhon is populated primarily by the Buryati who are of Mongolian descent and whose Buddhist practices coexist with their shamanism. From the end of January till the end of March stops are done on ice to see clear black ice and ice formations along the shore. Explore Khuzir, the island's main village and walk through the settlement to the Cape of Burkhan to see the Sunset at famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple) which was generally regarded as one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse in Khuzir. Twin & triple rooms with private bathrooms are prepared for the group. (D)

In the morning depart by Russian 4x4 to explore North of Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Heading north and make stops at Kharaldai cape, Sagaan-Khushun Capes, Shunte and Uzur bays, coastal icy caves, frozen blue hummocks and stretches of beach along the way. Luch enroute, Uha soup made on fire with hot tea is served in the car (or lunch-box in case of bad weather). Return to Khuzir village at midday and drive to the ferry-station. Make crossing to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. Approximate time of arrival in Irkutsk is 20-21:00. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel or airport/railway station. (B, L)

Meet guide and driver in Irkutsk and travel north 250 km (155 miles) to the Olkhon Island. Stop for Lunch en route at the road cafe, then make the ice crossing to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal's largest island at 71km long and 18km wide. Olkhon is populated primarily by the Buryati who are of Mongolian descent and whose Buddhist practices coexist with their shamanism. From the end of January till the end of March stops are done on ice to see clear black ice and ice formations along the shore. Explore Khuzir, the island's main village and walk through the settlement to the Cape of Burkhan to see the Sunset at famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple) which was generally regarded as one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse in Khuzir. Twin & triple rooms with private bathrooms are prepared for the group. (D)

In the morning depart by Russian 4x4 UAZ to explore North of Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Heading north and make stops at Kharaldai and Sagaan-Khushun Capes, Shunte cape, including the 200m./650'-high cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island. Lunch enroute, Uha soup made on fire with hot tea (lunch-box in case of bad weather). Walk on ice along the shore at Uzur bay, see coastal icy cave, frozen blue hummocks and stretches of beach along the way. Return to Khuzir village in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Start from Khuzir village and drive by 4x4 to the South of Olkhon. The main stops are: Observation spot to the Khuzir village and Yalga bay. Continue driving along the shores. Lunch-box enroute. Stops are done to see clear blue ice and various ice formations. Visit view point Zamok and Nury bay to see the ice with bubbles. Return to Khuzir village in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. Depending on the weather and ice conditions the number of visits can vary. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to the ferry-station. Make an ice crossing to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. Stop en route at the road cafe in the Buryat village of Elantsi or Bayandai. Approximate time of arrival in Irkutsk is 17:00. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel or airport/railway station. (B)

Meet guide and driver in Irkutsk and travel north 250 km (155 miles) to the Olkhon Island. Stop for Lunch en route at the road cafe, then make the ice crossing to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal's largest island at 71km long and 18km wide. Olkhon is populated primarily by the Buryati who are of Mongolian descent and whose Buddhist practices coexist with their shamanism. From the end of January till the end of March stops are done on ice to see clear black ice and ice formations along the shore. Explore Khuzir, the island's main village and walk through the settlement to the Cape of Burkhan to see the Sunset at famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple) which was generally regarded as one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse in Khuzir. Twin & triple rooms with private bathrooms are prepared for the group. (D)

In the morning depart by Russian 4x4 UAZ to explore North of Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Heading north and make stops at Kharaldai and Sagaan-Khushun Capes, Shunte cape, including the 200m./650'-high cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island. Lunch enroute, Uha soup made on fire with hot tea (lunch-box in case of bad weather). Walk on ice along the shore at Uzur bay, see coastal icy cave, frozen blue hummocks and stretches of beach along the way. Return to Khuzir village in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to the ferry-station. Make an ice crossing to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. Stop en route at the road cafe in the Buryat village of Elantsi or Bayandai. Approximate time of arrival in Irkutsk is 17:00. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel or airport/railway station. (B)

Bus picks up group members in Irkutsk from 08:30. Departure is at 10:00 for Khuzir, the island's main village and the 6 hours journey. Drive north 250 km./155 ml. along the Primorsky Mountains on Baikal's western shore to the Olkhon Island ferry. Make the crossing (by ice in winter, by ferry-boat in summer, by hovercraft during the interseason) to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal's largest island at 71 km long and 17 km wide. Approximate arrival time is 16:00 - 17:00. Our guesthouse accommodation in Khuzir village has shared washing facilities but very nice atmosphere. Free time. In the afternoon group members can explore the village and visit the museum of Local Lore. A walking excursion can be done through the village down to the 4km sandy ice beach and the Cape of Burkhan to see the sunset at the famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple). Dinner is at 19:00 at the guesthouse. (D)

Trip around the highlights of Olkhon: Breakfast at 9am. At 10:00 - 10:20 depart by Russian 4x4 vehicles to explore Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Heading north and make stops at Sagaan-Khushun Cape, Shunte cape, coastal icy caves, frozen blue hummocks and stretches of beach along the way, including the 200m./650'-high frozen cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island. Picnic-lunch made on fire (lunch box in winter) is at Khoboi cape. Return to Khuzir in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. (B, L, D)

Breakfast at 9am. Bus picks up travelers before 10:30 (12:00 in January) and drive to the ferry-station. Cross the strait by ice road (by hovercraft in January - paid in cash by tourists directly to the captain) to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. Stop for lunch at the road cafe in the villages of Bayandai or Elantsi. Approximate arrival time in Irkutsk is 16:00. Bus makes it last stop at the central market in the center of Irkutsk. (B)

Meet in Irkutsk at 08:30 - 09:30. Departure is at 10:00 for Khuzir, the island's main village and the 6 hours journey. Drive north 250 km./155 ml. along the Primorsky Mountains on Baikal's western shore to the Olkhon Island ferry. Make the crossing (by ice in winter, by ferry-boat in summer, by hovercraft during the interseason) to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal's largest island at 71 km long and 17 km wide. Approximate arrival time is 16:00 - 17:00. Our guesthouse accommodation in Khuzir village has shared washing facilities but very nice atmosphere. Free time. In the afternoon group members can explore the village and visit the museum of Local Lore. A walking excursion can be done through the village down to the 4km sandy ice beach and the Cape of Burkhan to see the sunset at the famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple). Dinner is at 19:00 at the guesthouse. (D)

Trip to the North: Breakfast at 9am. At 10:00 - 10:20 depart by Russian 4x4 vehicle to explore Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Heading north and make stops at Sagaan-Khushun Cape, Shunte cape, coastal icy caves, frozen blue hummocks and stretches of beach along the way, including the 200m./650'-high frozen cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island. Picnic-lunch made on fire (lunch box in winter) is at Khoboi cape. Return to Khuzir in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. (B, L, D)

Trip to the South: Breakfast. Starts from Khuzir village and drive by Russian 4x4 vehicles to the south. The main stops are: Observation spot to the Khuzir village and Yalga bay. Continue driving along the shores of Baikal and visit Nury bay, the ice spots with bubbles. Lunch-box enroute. Stop is also done at view-point Zamok - Maloe More observation spot. Return to Khuzir village in the afternoon. Dinner and night in the guesthouse in Khuzir. On request Banya (Steam bath) in the evening. Depending on the weather and conditions of the road the program and the number of visits can be different. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, board the public bus at 10:00 - 10:20 and drive to the ferry-station. Cross the strait by ice (ferry-boat in summer) to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. Stop for lunch en route in the Buryat village of Bayandai. Approximate arrival time in Irkutsk is 16:00. Bus makes it last stop at the central market in the center of Irkutsk. (B)