Baikal's Wild West

Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk, gathering of the group: at the airport and at the railway station at 08.00-08.30, inside the building, at the entrance to the city with a sign "Jeep Tour". Meeting at a later time - by arrangement.
Breakfast at the cafe.
Sightseeing tour of the city of Irkutsk.
We start from the place where in 1661 Yakov Pokhabov founded the Irkutsk fort, here we will see the most memorable and ancient shrine of Irkutsk - the Savior Church, next to the colorful Epiphany Cathedral, the Polish Church, the Eternal Flame, the Moscow Gate, the monument to the Pioneers. We will visit the Znamensky Monastery, next to which there is a monument to Admiral Kolchak. Then along Karl Marx Street (historical name – Bolshoy Prospekt) we will go to Gagarin Boulevard. No less interesting sightseeing objects are located here: a monument to Emperor Alexander III, erected in honor of the completion of the construction of the Great Trans-Siberian Railway, the only Mauritanian castle in Siberia - the building in which the Irkutsk Museum of Local History is now located, the White House (or Siberian Palace) - a house owned by merchants Sibiryakov, and then for a long time served as the residence of the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia.
Then we will visit a new tourist center with restored historical buildings - "Irkutsk Sloboda" (or the so-called 130th quarter). We'll meet Babr here.
Departure to Baikal, to the Small Sea. Small Sea is the middle part of Lake Baikal, the site is located opposite Olkhon Island.
Lunch is on its way.
Arrival at the recreation center "World of Baikal", accommodation in comfortable rooms (san. knot and shower in the room).
Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Cities: Irkutsk

Attractions: Small Sea, Spasskaya Church, Znamensky Monastery, monument to Alexander III, Siberian Palace, 130 quarter

Ponds: Lake Baikal

Day 2

In the morning you will wake up and from your rooms you will see it – the Sacred Sea of Baikal (all rooms have a view of Baikal).
Breakfast at the base.
Departure for a full-day jeep excursion to Olkhon Island.
This tour will allow you to drive the entire island of Olkhon from its southernmost part to the northernmost.
Route: tourist base - ferry crossing through the Strait of Olkhon Gate - Zagli - Mare's Head - Cape Burkhan - Sarai Beach - Urochie Peschanoe - Sagan-Khushun - Khoboy - tourist base.
Duration: about 8 hours + walk 2 km along Cape Hoboi.
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. Located in the central part of Baikal, near the greatest depth mark (1637 m), at an equal distance from the northern and southern extremities of the lake, Olkhon concentrated on its territory all the diversity of natural landscapes of the Baikal shores. Even in its shape, it resembles the outlines of Baikal. In myths and legends, the Buryat Olkhon is called the dwelling place of the formidable spirits of Lake Baikal. At the end of the twentieth century, the shamans of the Republic of Buryatia recognized Olkhon Island as “the main sanctuary, the cult center of common Mongolian and Central Asian significance, personifying the sacred ancestral home of the Buryats.”
Our way we start from the camp, move to the ferry on Olkhon Island. Strait Olkhon Gate: Strait separating Olkhon Island from the mainland, length - about 8 km, width - about 1 km. As we move towards the center of the island, we will see:
Zagli Bay (Tashkai Bay) is the sunniest place in the Irkutsk region.
The shape of the cape resembles the head of a horse drinking water from Baikal.
Cape Khorgoy - Here is the highest point on Hadai Mountain, which opens a wonderful panorama of the southern part of the island
Finally, we have a wonderful view of the “business card of Baikal”, one of the nine shrines of Asia – Cape Burkhan or Shamanka Rock.
Shamanka was the most revered holy place on Lake Baikal, where sacrifices and vows were made since the appearance of the first shamans.
North of Cape Burkhan is the magnificent sandy beach of Sarai Bay, which stretches for 3 km between Cape Burkhan and Pos. Harans.
Then we move to the north of the island to Cape Hoboy.
Peschanoe Tract - constant winds blowing from the sea, carry sand from the shore and form sand deposits, which are called "Moving sands". At the edge of the forest, you can find stilt trees that rise above the sand 30 – 40 cm at their roots.
Sagan-Hushun - "white cape" - extremely picturesque rocky promontory length of about 1 km. The rocks of Sagan-Khushun are included in the list of natural monuments of Baikal. This place stands out among the monotonous coast with spectacular pyramidal rocks, known among the local population as the "Three Brothers".
And here is the main purpose of our trip: Cape Khoboy.
Hoboi is a sacred place, a place of power and powerful energy, the northernmost cape on the island of Olkhon. In its appearance, it resembles a sharp fang (just “fang” and is translated as “oboe” into Buryat). Cape Khoboy is located near the widest place of Baikal (79.5 km), and only in good 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. After trekking to Cape Hoboy - stop for a picnic.
Back to the recreation center.
Dinner.
For extra charge: Russian bath.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner.

Attractions: Olkhon Island, Cape Burkhan, Saray Bay, Peschanoe tract, Sagan-Khushun rocks, Cape Khoboy

Ponds: Lake Baikal

Day 3.

Breakfast at the base.
About 8:30 departure to Irkutsk.
Along the way, you will find an exciting adventure on jeeps - safari along the Tazheran steppes (4 hours).
The tour begins from the tourist base towards the “Big Sea” – open Baikal. The first object of visit will be the Cove of Azure. Finding it from land is not so easy, but having visited here once, I want to return again and again, in sunny weather, its waters resemble the azure sea coast. Further, the path passes along the western coast of Lake Baikal. From any point, fascinating panoramas of the “big” sea open, and in clear weather the east coast is well visible.
Bypassing numerous ascents and descents, the group falls into the Snake Gorge. Do not be afraid, there are no snakes, just the gorge itself resembles a trail from a creeping snake. The gorge will lead to the bay with the same name. But not only by its name is this place interesting, if you are lucky, you can see the Baikal seal. Almost all summer near the bay live one or two seals. This is where they hunt.
From the edge of the water, we will again climb to the top, to the top of Tang Khan Mountain. This is the highest point of the coast of the Small Sea. It is from here that a fantastic view opens: Olkhon Island, numerous bays and bays, the islands of the Small Sea, the endless Tazheran steppe. It is impossible to cover everything with one look. Here I want to stay and recharge the energy of this place. The locals consider this mountain sacred.
Baikal is a Sacred Lake and on its banks there are many secrets and mysteries. We will get to know one of them closer. Before us is the Valley of Stone Spirits! You will see many bizarre stone statues, various in size and shape. The Valley of Stone Spirits is a place of power that should be visited by everyone who comes to Baikal.
Let's get to the track.
On the way, stop at 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.
Lunch is on the way to the cafe.
Arrival at the airport and railway station, the end of the program.
Estimated time of arrival in Irkutsk: 18-19 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Cities: Irkutsk

Attractions: Small Sea, Mount Tanhan, Valley of Stone Spirits