The most important thing about winter Baikal

Baikal is a unique place that stores not only 20% of the world’s fresh water reserves, but also a variety of natural areas and breathtaking landscapes for almost 2,200 km. This is the length of the coastline of Baikal! Lake Baikal is a rift (like the Grand Canyon in the United States) and is surrounded by a variety of mountain systems. The West Bank of Baikal is less populated and almost impassable, with the exception of the part of the Great Baikal Trail, which begins in Listvyanka and ends in Buguldeyk. A hike around Lake Baikal on foot will take more than 4 months, if you decide on such a trip! Therefore, to fully familiarize yourself with the lake and visit the various bays, bays and capes you will need a water cruise around the lake! Many people go to Baikal in summer, most often in July and August, as at this time there is the warmest annual temperature and numerous bays of Baikal warm up well. But few people know that there is a second tourist season, when Baikal is completely covered by ice shackles - this is the end of January - the beginning of April.

The Siberian winter is beautiful - a lot of sparkling snow, the purest transparent ice, shimmering with all shades of blue, evergreen cedars and fir trees, dressed in fluffy white coats and a sea of sun - this is remembered for a lifetime! Winter on Lake Baikal is unforgettable and strikingly different from the picture observed here in the summer. In winter and in the first half of spring you can explore almost the whole of Baikal and visit hard-to-reach corners on inexpensive road transport!

Due to the unique crystal structure and temperature regime, the ice of Baikal is very strong. In some areas, the wind blows snow from the ice cover, simultaneously polishing it and giving it a perfectly smooth shape – it seems like you are walking on glass! By the end of winter, the thickness of the Baikal ice is 1.5-2 m. That's enough to hold a whole train!

Many are attracted to the Baikal ice – travelers, divers, athletes, scientists, artists, photographers and even musicians.

Various events and festivals are held on the ice of the lake at this time in the framework of the Winter Games on Baikal - for example, the race with the loud name "Ice Storm" - 205 km. for 3 days in mid-February, the feature of this race is that some participants move on bicycles, and some on skates! There is also a marathon, golf, quad bike and dog sled race and much more.

The most popular tourist routes in the period from February to March are the area of the Small Sea and the surroundings of Olkhon Island, Taltsy-Listvyanka, the Circum-Baikal Railway. Of course, these are very beautiful and interesting places - you will never regret that you went there to explore the ice grottoes on the western side of Olkhon, skate or bike on the perfectly smooth ice of the Small Sea, meditate on one of the most picturesque capes - Shamanka Rock, meet sunrises and sunsets over the ice expanses. In snowy areas you can go skiing, snowmobiles or dog sleds! I can't list all the fun.

For more sophisticated adventure lovers, less popular routes are more suitable. For example, an ice expedition to the north of Lake Baikal, during which you will visit various hot springs on the western and eastern shores, visit the archipelago of Ushkanyi Ostrov, where in March you can observe a newborn seal - "squirrels", explore the most secret corners of the lake.

The expedition begins with Olkhon Island - one of the most sacred places on Baikal, the center of shamanism and just a very picturesque island. Here you will visit the holy shamanic place – Cape Burkhan, ride on the ice on bicycles or skates and from the very first moments of the trip you will feel the magical energy of the Baikal ice.

Further, the road leads us north through Cape Khoboy (translated from the Boer. – Fang) – the northern tip of Olkhon Island. Bypassing the hummock field (toros – piles of Baikal ice), we begin the way to the north. We visit the Ushkanyi Islands (the only archipelago on the lake), where we spend the night on the Big Ushkany Island and continue our trip to places with outlets of thermal waters on the shores of Baikal. The journey takes place entirely on the ice, snacks and picnics are also organized right here, which is fascinating in itself!

Hot springs on Baikal are well known outside our country. Their unique healing properties have been used by the local population since ancient times. In these places, located on the eastern shore of the lake, Evenks from ancient times healed their diseases and wounds. They are mainly located in the northeast of Lake Baikal, but there is also an exit in the western part - at Cape Kotelnikovskoye. They can help cope with many diseases, such as the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, gynecological problems, rheumatism and joint diseases. In addition, they will help the body to deal with the negative impact of the environment, which is especially important in our time for residents of megacities. During the expedition, we will visit the hot springs in Snake Bay on the Chivyrkui Bay, in Hakus and on Cape Kotelnikovsky.

In the Bay of Snake equipped with 2 wooden baths, at the same time you can swim four. The water temperature is about 42 degrees. It is believed that it helps with radiculitis and osteoporosis.

The name Hakusa comes from Evenki: according to 1 version of “akusha” – hot, according to 2 versions of “haku” – heat. And, indeed, here the water is hotter - its temperature is 47-50 degrees. By type of water belong to the silica highly thermal weakly mineralized hydrocarbonate-sulphate-sodium composition. Warm and hot baths expand the capillaries of the skin and improve peripheral circulation, reducing the load on the heart. Silicon thermal waters have a good effect on nerve endings and vessels, there is a very pleasant sensation, there is an active effect of water on the surface of the skin, on the joints and on the general condition.

At Cape Kotelnikovsky, our travelers are waiting for accommodation at a comfortable tourist base. The healing springs are located right on the territory of the base. This is the only known way out to the west of Baikal. The base is located one hundred kilometers from Nizhneangarsk and eighty kilometers from Severobaikalsk.

The duration of water procedures should be no more than 10-12 minutes, after which it is necessary to take a break.

Also during the expedition, we will visit the protected areas on the Ushkany Islands, in Davsha (where there is also a thermal spring) and on Cape Podeshnik, where we will live at the Sunny weather station. There are no crowds of tourists and cars. Only Lake Baikal, covered with magnificent ice and snow carpet and untouched Siberian forest, rich in game, will surround you in these places.

It is not recommended to go on such a trip on your own - you need proven guides and local drivers - Ice Captains. Transportation must also be appropriate. Movement mainly occurs on UAZs, specially prepared for the winter, or on prepared SUVs. Transport is very warm in the salons enough space for tourists and their luggage.

The southwestern part of the lake is also covered with ice, but due to underwater currents and gas outputs, it is not everywhere traveled by car. Here it is better to travel on a hovercraft of the type "Hivus". It is safer, but no less exciting. You will be able to visit such places as: Big Cats, Cape Cadilla, Big Holousnoe, Sand Bay, Buguldeika ... This area is famous for perfectly smooth ice with bizarrely frozen gas bubbles in it, which is why this part of Lake Baikal is especially loved by photographers.

Many people think that in the winter on Baikal is very cold. This is true if you are coming here in December or early January – the average temperature here is about 25 degrees below Celsius. But the main period for ice travel is February and March, when daytime temperatures fluctuate between -15-5 degrees. In March, temperatures can even be positive! If you consider that the territory of the lake and its surroundings is one of the sunniest places on the planet, you can literally sunbathe under the March rays of the Siberian sun Still, you can not do without good warm clothes - at night the temperature is much lower than the daytime and by the evening it will be better insulated. But this is nothing compared to what a beautiful sunset you will be rewarded for going for an evening walk. And what are the stars on Baikal... People in big cities can only dream of it!

For lovers of various activities, there is also something to do – as mentioned earlier – skates, bicycles, as well as walking passages, during which you can camp on ice or go ashore and spend the night in a warm house, cozyly located near the fireplace.

Living on Baikal is possible at completely different levels. There are both expensive luxury hotels like the Baikal Residence, located near Severobaikalsk, Baikal-View and Ostrog Baikal hotels on Olkhon, as well as budget options, like small campgrounds, hunting farms and guest houses. As they say, for every taste and wallet. But do not forget that you come here to enjoy nature and take a break from civilization!

And, of course, it is worth mentioning Baikal cuisine, because it is especially important to eat well in winter. Siberia is famous for meat dishes - one of them is a national Buryat dish - buuses or poses (the Russified name). It looks like manta or khinkali, but the recipe is slightly different, and the shape they differ. They need to be eaten with hot hands.

Baikal fish is a separate song. The most famous and most commonly consumed by tourists is the omul (endemic species found only in the lake). There are different ways of cooking - cold and hot smoking, dried, salty and even raw - Buryat national dish "zagudai" - fresh fish with salt, pepper, onion and oil. A little less popular, but no less tasty harius - river fish living in the lake and in the rivers of the Baikal region. His ear is especially good! For lovers of exotics – a golomyanka. This is a unique fish, consisting of 45% fat, rich in saturated omega acids. It can only be tried in smoked form at fish markets.

Baikal shores are famous for a variety of herbs and berries - this is for those who like herbal teas and fees. And how nice after walking on the ringing ice and crunchy snow to drink a cup of hot tea with herbs and honey! You can also take a pack of herbal collection with you to remember Lake Baikal, besides it is a great gift for relatives and friends.

In general, it does not matter what time of year you choose to travel to this amazing lake. The main thing is that the mood was appropriate, because Baikal is known for its positive energy, which can be recharged both in summer and winter.