The Ice Age

Day 1 - Irkutsk-Olkhon / Ethno Park / Observation platform

Today we start from Irkutsk and move towards Olkhon Island.

On the way:

• Watch ethno-show: throat singing, Buryat dances, a story about the culture and traditions of the people
• We take part in a master class on modeling poses (the most delicious national dish)
• Tasting taiga drinks and foods (berry tincture, tarasun (Buryat milk vodka), cedar moonshine, home ambassador's cargo, forest tincture and meat snacks)
• Bonus: The show ‘Breaking the Ridge Bone of Haer Shaalgan’. This is an ancient competition of male agility, skill and strength.
• Lunch in the cafe of Buryat cuisine (gastronomic immersion in the culture of the people)
• We visit the observation deck with the Tramp - here you need to say hello to Baikal J in a special way.
• In the evening we arrive at Olkhon Island and check in to one of the best hotels on the island.

Day 2 - Excursion to the north of Olkhon Island on UAZ 'Bukhanka' (Bukhaning)

They say: “I did not ride on the Loaf – I was not on Lake Baikal.”

• ‘Loaf tour’ through the most beautiful places of the northern part of Olkhon (we are looking for grottoes and caves, creamy-ice splashes on the capes, piles of blue hummocks and everything that Baikal will create for us for the season)
• For lunch - a delicious picnic with Baikal ear (and omul stroganine), local tinctures and tea on Baikal herbs. And we are prepared for our ice captains.
• Observe traditions and drink from the ice "Baikal kiss"
• In the evening we meet the sunset in a beautiful location.
• And be sure to dance for Baikal traditional dance Yohor right on the ice (master class by guide)

Day 3 - Excursion to the south of Olkhon on the hivus / Arctic station

Khivus – a hovercraft (aka ‘mad mattress’ J) – the safest means of transportation on the ice of Baikal

• Excursion on the hivus to the most beautiful places of the southern part of Olkhon (visit Ogoi (southern Cape Dragon Tail), grottoes, bubbles and splashes)
• Arrive at the Arctic station on ice. Here we will meet the polar explorer, introduce you to the station, drink tea from a wood-burning samovar and feed you with a polar dinner.
• We will participate in a master class on the preparation of splitting
• Send a postcard from the Arctic station (prepare J addresses)
• We are waiting for unique photo zones and attractions of the station (ice bowling, golf, Finnish sleds, carousels and skates)

Day 4 – Great crossing on the hivus (excursion along the west coast)

“The best route according to Baikal guides”

• We will make the transition on the hivus from Huzhir to Listvyanka. And this is 300 kilometers of icy beauty.
• We will make stops in the most beautiful places - on bubbles, in the Olkhon Gate Strait, near dead cracks, etc.
• We'll have lunch at the forest restaurant.
• In Listvyanka, we sit on our transfer and return to Irkutsk. Hotel check-in.
• Festive dinner in a merchant restaurant (we share our impressions of the dishes of merchants of the 19th century, hug, cry from reluctance to leave Lake Baikal, rejoice that we have found new friends and rebooted :)

Day 5 - Flying home

Dates:

• February 7-11 / 6 seats left
• March 13-17: 10 seats left

Why should I choose this tour?

• The most experienced tour operator
• Very experienced guide
• All included (except dinner)
• Best winter logistics and route
• Emphasis on gastronomic tourism
• Premium Tour
• Comfortable transport
• The best hotels in Baikal

Included:

• Accommodation in Khuzhir (Olkhon Island) - 3 nights (the best hotels on the island). Rooms of category Standard / double accommodation)
• Accommodation in Irkutsk - 1 night (before departure). Hotel 4*
• Breakfast, Lunch - 4 days
• Celebration dinner in Irkutsk on the last evening
• All movements along the route (hivus, Oise 'loaf', Mercedes Sprinter)
• Support by a professional guide-guide
• Ethno-programme and master classes (day 1)
• Visit to the Arctic Station (Day 3)
• All listed in the activity program

Not included:

• Dinner (3 pcs)
• Flights to Irkutsk