Olkhon Island

Meet guide and driver at the hotel (airport or train station) and drive north 250km along the Primorsky Mountains, tracing Lake Baikal’s western shore to the Olkhon Island ferry. Stops are done for Lunch en route at the road café and View point of Maloe more strait. Cross to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal’s largest (71km long, 18km wide), via a mesmerizing ice crossing - by hovercraft before Feb 10/15 or after Mar 20, or directly on the lake’s glassy surface when ice is thickest. Capture stunning shots of crystal-clear black ice, where transparent fields reveal the lake’s depths, and intricate ice hummocks sculpted by wind and waves. Arrive in Khuzir, the island’s main village, and take a guided walk to Cape Burkhan to photograph a sunset at the Burkhan cape (Shaman Rock). Check in to the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight in Khuzir guesthouse.

In the morning set off by 4x4 to Olkhon’s icy treasures, search for hidden ice caves and untouched shores for unparalleled photography. Visit the Maloe More Observation Point for sweeping views of Baikal’s frozen mosaic. Explore Yalga Bay’s enchanting ice grottoes that catch the morning light. See how translucent walls and icicle-draped ceilings are creating a natural cathedral of ice. Drive along the shore to capture vast transparent ice fields and rugged ice hummocks glowing in hues of blue. If ice conditions allow, visit Ogoi Island for a short hike to the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment and Dragon Cape, surrounded by pristine blue ice. Savor a traditional Uha fish soup with hot tea and snacks. Drive to Zamok Viewpoint and Nury Bay to photograph bubble-filled ice. Drive to Irkutsk in the afternoon, pausing for lunch at local road café in the villages of Elantsi or Bayandai. Transfer to the hotel/airport. (L)

Meet guide and driver at the hotel (airport or train station) and drive north 250km along the Primorsky Mountains, tracing Lake Baikal’s western shore to the Olkhon Island ferry. Stops are done for Lunch en route at the road café and View point of Maloe more strait. Cross to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal’s largest (71km long, 18km wide), via a mesmerizing ice crossing - by hovercraft before Feb 10/15 or after Mar 20, or directly on the lake’s glassy surface when ice is thickest. Capture stunning shots of crystal-clear black ice, where transparent fields reveal the lake’s depths, and intricate ice hummocks sculpted by wind and waves. Arrive in Khuzir, the island’s main village, and take a guided walk to Cape Burkhan to photograph a sunset at the Burkhan cape (Shaman Rock). Check in to the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight in Khuzir guesthouse.

In the morning depart by Russian 4x4 UAZ to explore 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. Walk on ice along the shore at Uzur bay, see coastal icy caves, make stops near blue hummocks and stretches of frozen beach along the way. Savor a traditional Uha soup lunch cooked over an open fire with hot tea (lunch-box in bad weather). Stops vary based on ice and weather conditions, ensuring the best frozen vistas. Return to Khuzir in the evening. (L)

Start with breakfast, then set off by 4x4 to Olkhon’s southern icy treasures. Visit the Maloe More Observation Point, then drive to Yalga Bay’s enchanting ice grottoes that catch the morning light. See how translucent walls and icicle-draped ceilings are creating a natural cathedral of ice. Drive along the shore to capture vast transparent ice fields and rugged ice hummocks glowing in hues of blue. If ice conditions allow, visit Ogoi Island for a short hike to the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment and Dragon Cape, surrounded by pristine frozen shores. Enjoy a lunch-box meal in a sheltered bay, with stops at Zamok Viewpoint and Nury Bay to photograph bubble-filled ice. Return to Khuzir for dinner and an overnight stay in the guesthouse. (L)

After breakfast, relax at the guesthouse before heading to the ferry station. Cross back to the mainland over Lake Baikal’s frozen surface, stopping to photograph more transparent ice fields. Drive to Irkutsk, pausing for lunch at local road café in the villages of Elantsi or Bayandai. Arrive in Irkutsk around 4:00 PM and visit the ornate Kazansky Cathedral completed in 1894 in Russian-Byzantine style. The red brick church features blue domes adorned with white carvings. The central iconostasis, made of granite, rises 13 meters high and weighs 70 tons. Transfer to your hotel, carrying memories and stunning photos of Baikal’s frozen wonders.

Meet guide and driver at the hotel (airport or train station) and drive north 250km along the Primorsky Mountains, tracing Lake Baikal’s western shore to the Olkhon Island ferry. Stops are done for Lunch en route at the road café and View point of Maloe more strait. Cross to Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal’s largest (71km long, 18km wide), via a mesmerizing ice crossing - by hovercraft before Feb 10/15 or after Mar 20, or directly on the lake’s glassy surface when ice is thickest. Capture stunning shots of crystal-clear black ice, where transparent fields reveal the lake’s depths, and intricate ice hummocks sculpted by wind and waves. Arrive in Khuzir, the island’s main village, and take a guided walk to Cape Burkhan to photograph a sunset at the Burkhan cape (Shaman Rock). Check in to the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight in Khuzir guesthouse.

In the morning depart by Russian 4x4 UAZ to explore 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. Walk on ice along the shore at Uzur bay, see coastal icy caves, make stops near blue hummocks and stretches of frozen beach along the way. Savor a traditional Uha fish soup with hot tea and snacks (lunch-box in bad weather). Stops vary based on ice and weather conditions, ensuring the best frozen vistas. Return to Khuzir in the evening.

ALTERNATIVE:

On request the northern trip can be substituted with the trip to the south:

Southern Olkhon Ice Caves & Crystal Shores*
Start with breakfast, then set off by 4x4 to Olkhon’s southern icy treasures. Visit the Maloe More Observation Point, then drive to Yalga Bay’s enchanting ice grottoes that catch the morning light. See how translucent walls and icicle-draped ceilings are creating a natural cathedral of ice. Drive along the shore to capture vast transparent ice fields and rugged ice hummocks glowing in hues of blue. If ice conditions allow, visit Ogoi Island for a short hike to the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment and Dragon Cape, surrounded by pristine frozen shores. Enjoy a lunch-box meal in a sheltered bay, with stops at Zamok Viewpoint and Nury Bay to photograph bubble-filled ice. Return to Khuzir for dinner and an overnight stay in the guesthouse. (L)

After breakfast, relax at the guesthouse before heading to the ferry station. Cross back to the mainland over Lake Baikal’s frozen surface, stopping to photograph more transparent ice fields. Drive to Irkutsk, pausing for lunch at local road café in the villages of Elantsi or Bayandai. Arrive in Irkutsk around 4:00 PM and visit the ornate Kazansky Cathedral completed in 1894 in Russian-Byzantine style. The red brick church features blue domes adorned with white carvings. The central iconostasis, made of granite, rises 13 meters high and weighs 70 tons. Transfer to your hotel, carrying memories and stunning photos of Baikal’s frozen wonders.