Gift of Baikal

Day 1

Meeting at the airport and railway station of Irkutsk with a sign "Gift of Baikal" in the summer at 8.00 and at 9.00 (specified additionally, depending on the time of your arrival), in winter from 8.00 to 8.30:
- at the airport at the entrance to the city inside the airport building
- at the railway station on the stairs at the entrance to the city, inside the station building.

Transfer to the place of departure of the minibus.
Landing on a minibus, departure to Baikal – Small Sea.
In case of late arrival of tourists, departure on a day trip bus.
On the way you will see a variety of landscapes of the Baikal region: the picturesque spurs of the Baikal ridge, the Tazheran steppe, the mountainous shores of the Small Sea and the island of Olkhon. Having passed the village of Elantsy, pay attention to the bronze figure of the flying eagle - the patron of the steppe expanses of Tazheran and Olkhon. The wingspan is about 7 meters, the weight is about 4 tons, and the height of the stele is 9 meters. Another interesting monument is installed on the observation deck of the Kurkut Gulf. Here immortalized in bronze Tramp - the hero of the Russian folk song "On the wild steppes of Transbaikalia."
Upon arrival at the Small Sea accommodation and lunch at the tourist base.
After lunch, a car tour (on the base schedule).
Dinner.
Guide: The tour is conducted by the driver/instructor.

Meals: Lunch, dinner.

Cities: Irkutsk

Attractions: Small Sea

Ponds: Lake Baikal

Day 2

Breakfast. Free day.
On this day you can just relax, admiring the beauty of the Sacred Sea, ride ATVs, go on a mini cruise or go on a car or water excursion (additional fee when booking or on the spot).
The most interesting and popular excursions:
Car excursion to Olkhon Island to Cape Khoboy (all day) - 2800-3200 rubles. Man. (depending on the type of group).
Having resorted to poetic images, we can say that Baikal is the blue heart of Siberia, and Olkhon is the heart of Baikal. The island is the geographical, historical and sacred center of the lake - the center of ancient legends and historical legends.
So, Cape Burkhan is an extraordinary rock, which since ancient times is sacredly revered by the indigenous population of the island. Currently, it is considered a state natural and historical monument, and in ancient times, cult sacrifices were made here to the owner of the island, who according to legends lived in the cape cave. The history of Burhan attracted the attention of not only domestic but also foreign archaeologists. In the 70s of the last century, a joint Soviet-American expedition worked here, one of the results of which was the hypothesis about the Asian origin of the indigenous population of North America. Many archaeological finds and discoveries have also been made in this area.
The purpose of our trip - Cape Khoboy is located near the widest place of Baikal (79.5 km), and in clear weather from it you can see the opposite shore, the mountainous contour of the St. Nos peninsula. On the cape there is a platform where all-Olkhon shaman tailagans are performed.
Water excursion to the island of Ogoi (about 3 hours) - 1600 rubles. Man.
The Buddhist Stupa, erected on the island of Ogoi in the summer of 2005, is officially referred to as the Stupa of Enlightenment, the Conquest of Demons, containing a statue of the Female Form, the mother of all Buddhas. In other words, this stupa refers to a type of stupa in which various Buddhist relics are nested. The island of Ogoi, stretching a narrow wriggling strip of land from south to north for 6 km, from the air strongly resembles the dancing goddess Dikanja with outstretched arms, directed to the north. The stupa, built at the highest point of the island (512 m), at an altitude of 60 meters above the level of Lake Baikal, was located just in the heart of the island. Volunteers from different places took part in the construction of the stupa: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, New York, London, Lisbon. Everything necessary for construction was transferred on boats and then manually lifted to the top, and the heaviest loads - by helicopter. The stupa project was designed by an Irkutsk architect. The construction was led by a lama from Bhutan.
Car excursion to the Sarmin Gorge (about 5 hours) - 2200 rubles. Man. ;
Sarmin Gorge is one of the legendary places of Baikal. The Sarma is the largest of the rivers (42 km long) flowing into the Small Sea. The river originates from the northern slopes of the Three-headed char. For millions of years, the ice stream of the Sarma River washed in the Primorsky Range powerful gorge "Sarminskoe", on both sides of which rise two rocks, creating an unusual, somewhat sinister pattern of the Sarmin Gate.
Here, rolling over the Primorsky Range from the vast Prilensk elevation, the arctic air rushes into the valley narrowing to the mouth, which at the exit to the basin of Baikal forms a kind of natural wind tunnel. Thus is born the most powerful wind of Sham.
The approach to the Sarmin Gorge in ancient times was separated from the rest of the shore of Lake Baikal by a wall of stones. Shamans of the ancient tribes inhabiting Baikal separated the sacred territory of the mouth of Sarma from outside visitors.
The excursion to the Sarmin Gorge begins along the picturesque road along the Mukhor Bay, the warmest and shallowest section of the Strait of the Small Sea. Behind the Huzhir-Nugai Bay begins a vast delta of the Sarma River, with several low sand islets, nesting places for birds. Further journey takes place on the road in the valley of the river, which in 1643 passed Cossack Pentecostal Kurbat Ivanov.
The sight of tourists opens a vast space, with chaotically scattered huge boulders against the background of emerald grass, as if the spirits of the mountains were playing pins. The whole road is a change of amazingly picturesque landscapes: it is a blooming mountain valley, and a dense forest thicket, and a trail leading along a cliff over the river and, of course, a mountain river with its changes and rapids.
Car excursion to the Lost Bay (about 5 hours) - 2200 rubles. Man.
The vast expanses, the Big Sea, mountains and rocks, and no soul... this Baikal opens to you during this tour. We cross the expanses of the Tazheran steppes and Baikal opens before us, and then into the mountains, into the forest part of the coast, up to the very top, Cape Cross. It is breathtaking from the ascent, and here is a panoramic view of Baikal, small cozy coves below, in one of them we will go down a little later, but in the meantime: enjoy the views and unity with nature!
Further along the forest road we will go down to the bay, in which there are almost no people, since it is very difficult to get here, the coast of the bay is perfect flat pebbles, it is so pleasant to walk along them and hear them rustle under your feet. The water is often warm enough for swimming. While you are enjoying Baikal, we will organize a picnic.
Guide: local/driver during the tour.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Cities: Hujir

Attractions: Cape Khoboi, Small Sea, Olkhon Island, Cape Burkhan, Sarmin Gorge, Ogoi Island

Ponds: Lake Baikal

Day 3.

Breakfast. Free time.
Lunch.
Transfer to Irkutsk by minibus.
Meeting.
City tour. The city was founded in 1661 by the service Cossacks of the explorer and the boyar son Yakov Pokhabov as a fortress - a wooden fortress at the place of the connection of two rivers: the rapid Angara and the staid Irkut. From this river came the name - Irkutsk. The tour introduces the most interesting places of the city, architectural and historical monuments and events. Your attention will be drawn to: The Eternal Flame, the Polish Church, the Savior Church, the Cathedral of Epiphany, Kirov Square, next to it once adorned the Kazan Cathedral, the Linguistic University, the Znamensky Women's Monastery (there are graves of the Decembrists on the territory), the monument to Admiral Kolchak, the place of his execution. Karl Marx Street, merchants’ mansions, Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, Walk along the Angara River Embankment - Alexander III Monument, White House, University, Local History Museum.
We will also walk through the modern 130th quarter, filled with the spirit of antiquity.
After the tour, check in to the hotel. Free time.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Cities: Irkutsk

Attractions: Spasskaya Church, Znamensky Monastery, Monument to Alexander III, Moorish Castle (Irkutsk Museum of Local Lore), Siberian Palace, 130 quarter, Lower Embankment of Angara

Ponds: Lake Baikal

4th day

Breakfast. Eviction from the hotel before 12:00.
Transfer to the airport or railway station by the time of departure of flights and trains.

Meals: Breakfast.

Cities: Irkutsk