• Republic and the Region of Irkutsk, Russia.
• It covers 31,500 sq. km and is 636 km. long, an average of 48 km wide , and 79.4 km at its widest point.
• Its water basin occupies about 557,000 sq. km. and contains about 23,000 cu. km. of water, that is, about one fifth of the world's reserves of fresh surface-water and over 80 per cent of the fresh water in the former Soviet Union.
• The average water level in the lake is never higher than 456 m .
• The Baikal is the deepest lake in the world.
• Its average depth is 730 m . and its maximum depth in the middle - 1,620 m .

Lake Baikal's beauty is exceptional, and so is the beauty of the area surrounding it.

Scientists are still debating the lake's origin. Some are trying to prove that it emerged as a result of tectonic processes of orogenesis, while others consider it as having been formed as a result of the earth's crust gradually subsiding. So far nobody has been proved right

Baikal is easily the largest lake in Eurasia, and it is just as easily the deepest lake in the world (1,620 metres). On the merits of magnitude alone the lake is renowned as one of the earth's most impressive natural wonders, and rightfully so--Baikal is so large that all of the rivers on earth

What fewer people realize, however, is that Baikal's majestic expanse is situated in a region of surpassing beauty, its forested shores surmounted by the jagged, snow-clad peaks of the Barguzin mountains. In the winter Baikal freezes over, with ice so thick that the Trans-Siberian Railway was briefly run over its surface. At this time of year the lake provides an unsurpassed venue for the pleasures of a tour by sleigh. In the summer, its crystalline blue waters are transparent to a depth of forty meters, and its shores are ringed with the brilliant colors of seasonal wildflowers. Boat tours offered during the warm months are one of the best ways to gain an introduction to the lake, as is hiking amongst the forests, streams, and waterfalls of Baikal's parks. The lake region is home to an enormous variety of plants and animals, most of which--like nerpas,the lake's freshwater seals, and its trademark delicacy, the omul salmon-- are found nowhere else in the world. Bears, elk, lynx, and sables abound in the surrounding forests.

Compared to the surrounding area, winter is milder and summer cooler on Lake Baikal. The average air temperature is about 0F in January and February and about 55F in August . The surface-water temperature on the open part of the lake in August is 50 F to 60 F , and near the shore it is sometimes as high as + 70 C .

Lake Baikal long ago became famous for the purity of its waters and surrounding shores, a pristine state that had been seriously threatened by planned industrial development in recent years. Luckily, Baikal was one of the first regions to benefit from the new Russian government's reversal of decades of anti-environmental industrial policies. Since 1992 Lake Baikal and the entire surrounding area have been designated as a national park, and Baikal is today a naturalist's paradise and an idyllic holiday destination. With fine beaches, excellent hiking, birdwatching, and pleasure boating, Baikal is well-positioned to become one of the most attractive vacation spots in EuraAsia.

BAIKAL DUNES HOLIDAY CENTER

We invite you to come for a stay at Baikal Dunes tourist retreat lodge, located in the picturesque Academicheskaya Bay . Fine sandy beach occupies most of the Bay's area, and the water here is warm enough for bathing, since most days are sunny (by the annual amount of sunshine the place can be compared to the South of Italy).

Day 1 – Arrival in Irkutsk . Transfer to Baikal Business Center Hotel. Time at leisure. Sightseeing tour of Irkutsk including visits to the historical center, Znamensky Orthodox Cathedral, noted for its original iconostasis, graves of the Decembrists; richly carved old-style wooden houses and other atmospheric sights of Irkutsk . Lunch in a downtown restaurant. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight.

Day 2 – Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel to depart for a trip to Bolshoye Goloustnoye village by bus (1.5-2 hours). Departure by boat for Baikal Dunes tourist retreat lodge (2 hours boat ride). Upon arrival at Baikal Dunes accommodation in log cabins (the facility has modern amenities inside). Lunch. Time at leisure. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 3 – After breakfast You'll be offered to undertake short and pleasant hikes to see local nature landmarks of Peschanaya (Sandy) Bay. This is also the only place on Baikal Lake where one can see the so-called “Wandering Trees” that grow in sand with their roots high above the sand and exposed to the winds which blow from the sea side – quite a spectacular sight!

Day 4 – Full day at leisure at Baikal Dunes. Other tourist facilities here include a tavern with a bar, small conference hall, billiards, fitness center, sauna. Table tennis & volleyball court will also be at your disposal. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5 – After breakfast departure for Irkutsk . Accommodation at Baikal Business Center hotel. Dinner.

Day 6 – Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Tour price:

4-8 pax – 1199$ per pax,

9–16 pax – 1149$ per pax,

16-25 pax – 1069$ per pax,

single room supplement – 390$

Tour price includes: accommodation at Baikal Business Center hotel (2 nights) and at Baikal Dunes tourist retreat lodge (3 nights) on twin basis; full board (3 meals daily); all transfers; city tour; guide's services.

MYSTERIOUS LAKE BAIKAL

Duration of tour: 9 days

Season of Availability : from June 1 until September 30

The Route: Irkutsk – Olkhon island - Zama – Irkutsk

The tour type: Cruise, adventure

  Day 1 – Arrival in Irkutsk . Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the Delta hotel. Accommodation. Lunch in a downtown restaurant. City tour, visiting the local market. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 2 – Breakfast. Excursion to lake Baikal . En-rout visiting the "Taltzy" architectural ethnographical museum. Stop at Shaman Rock - sacred and mysterious place of the Buryats. Lunch in the restaurant "Last century". Excursion to the Baikal museum. Boarding of the yacht. Travel up to cape Kadilnay . Visit to the forester's house. Buying of souvenirs. Dinner.

Day 3 – Breakfast. Navigation to Peschanay Bay . It is considered to be the sunniest place in Lake Baikal . Walking tour to Babushka Bay . Seeing unique Baikal trees with elevated roots in the form of stilts. Lunch. Free time. Transition up to Aya bay. Dinner.

Day 4 – Breakfast. Sail to village Khujir. Lunch. A yacht tour along the shore of Olkhon Island . Visit to Shamanka rock – the buryats place of myths and legends . Sail to the Zama settlement. Seeing Zagan Khushun rock at sunset. Dinner.

Day 5 – Breakfast. Arrival at the tourist recreational center " Zama " with accommodation. Lunch. Excursion to cape Kaltugey . Fishing in Lake Corosevoe . Russian sauna. Dinner.

Day 6 – Breakfast. Hiking tour to cape Aral . Visiting the sites of ancient settlements. Picnic on the shore of Lake Baikal. Fishing in Lake “Pike”. Guitar's songs, stories and jokes around a camp-fire party. Dinner.

Day 7 – Breakfast. Hiking to the rock Burkhan Khilbur (4 hours). From this rock you have a bird's-eye view of Lake Baikal , Olkhon Island and Svjatoy Noz (Holy Nose). Lunch – packed meal. Return to Zama . Playing volleyball. Swimming. Dinner. Evening in a karaoke-bar.

Day 8 – Breakfast. Transfer to Irkutsk (320 km, 7 hours). Lunch – packed meal. Arrival in Irkutsk . Accommodation in theDelta hotel****. Dinner. .

Day 9 – Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. .

* The price includes everything listed above

•  Cost per person

•  1 –2 PAX - 2390 USD PP

•  4 PAX - 1640 USD PP

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THE PEARL OF SIBERIA

We welcome you to see and explore one of the oldest towns of Siberia – Irkutsk , and to enjoy the beauty of the Sacred See, the Pearl of Siberia – Baikal Lake !

Suggested itinerary: 3 days/ 2 nights

Day 1 – Arrival in Irkutsk . Transfer to Baikal Business Center Hotel. Time at leisure. Lunch. Sightseeing tour of Irkutsk including visits to historical center, Znamensky nunnery, noted for its original iconostasis, graves of the Decembrists; richly carved old-style wooden houses and other atmospheric sights of Irkutsk . Visit to the Regional Studies Museum . Time at leisure. Dinner.

Day 2 – Breakfast. Departure for a full-day trip to Baikal Lake (65 km). En route visit to a Buryats' holy place for offerings. Excursion to Baikal Ecological Museum , displaying the examples of the lake's unique features of flora & fauna: stuffed animals, a rich collection of minerals, different kinds of fish and other organisms inhabiting the lake. Lunch in a local restaurant. Walking tour of Listvyanka settlement, visit to the functioning Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicolas. Boat ride on Lake Baikal . Return to Irkutsk . Dinner.

Day 3 – Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

 Tour price:

2-3 pax – 840$ per pax,

4-9 pax – 750$ per pax,

10-14 pax – 690$ per pax,

15-19 pax – 665$ per pax,

single room supplement – 130$.

Tour price includes : accommodation in Baikal Business Center hotel (2 nights) on twin basis; full board (3 meals daily); transfers; city tour; trip to Baikal lake ; visits to Baikal Ecological museum and Regional Studies museum; guide services.