Irkutsk-Listvyanka-Talti

A fascinating excursion to Listvyanka and the architectural and ethnographic museum of Taltsy

Listvyanka is the nearest point on Baikal relative to Irkutsk and is only 70 km from the city. This is a small, cozy (2500 people) fishing village located in a unique place - the source of the Angara River (1779 km) originating directly from Baikal. The Angara is the only river flowing from Baikal, and its source is considered one of the widest sources of rivers in the world!

This is a very busy one-day tour for those who are in Irkutsk for a short time, but want to get acquainted with the magical Lake Baikal!

The tour includes 5 separate excursions to the main attractions of the lake. You will get unforgettable impressions, knowledge and, of course, wonderful panoramic views worthy of the cover of National Geographic. Our tour begins in Irkutsk and you will get acquainted with the history and culture of the capital of Eastern Siberia - a city that remembers and combines the pristine wildness of Siberia and culture introduced by the Decembrists. You will see Orthodox churches of the 17th-18th centuries, houses of exiled Decembrists and get acquainted with unique turquoise huts, some of which are more than 200 years old!

The way to Listvyanka runs along the famous Baikal Tract - spontaneously laid at the turn of 17-18, simultaneously with the foundation of Listvyanka. At 47 kilometers there is the architectural and ethnographic museum of Taltsa, which is a unique museum of wooden architecture. Here you will get acquainted with the culture of the peoples of the Baikal region and wooden buildings, the main of which is the Ilimsky Ostrog Tower, founded in 1647 and moved here in the middle of the last century. The museum is located on the shore of the Angara Bay. In Listvyanka, we will start with a visit to the Baikal Limnological Museum, which is also a research center.

Here you will learn almost everything about Lake Baikal, see maps, models and diaramas dedicated to the geology, hydrology and geography of the Baikal Rift Zone. You will also get acquainted with the living representatives of the Baikal underwater world - various endemic species of fish, and most importantly you will see the Baikal seal - a unique and only freshwater seal in the world! We will also go to the deepest point of Baikal - 1647m and you will get a full impression of this unique lake! After visiting the museum, we will go to the heart of Listvyanka - its historical center Cross Pad, where we will visit St. Nicholas Church. Also, in winter there is an opportunity to ride dog sleds and snowmobiles. You will visit the largest and richest fish market of the coast - where you can taste omul - endemic fish - in different cooking options, as well as buy souvenirs.

The coast of Baikal is very beautiful in Listvyanka - you will see the endless expanses of the lake-sea and the majestic peaks of Hamar-Daban. On the way back, we will visit the Chersky stone, using the cable car - from here there is a bird's eye view of the source of the Angara, the village and the section of the Circum-Baikal Railway.