Shamanka Rock
Shamanka Rock is one of the most popular places not only on Olkhon but in the whole Baikal region. It impresses with its appearance – the white marble, granite and quartz it’s composed of.
Visit
this place and you’ll feel its spirit and power, and will become one step
closer to the world of shamans. According to the local legends, the rock is the
place of inhabitance of the island owner, the spirit named Khan Khute-Baabay.
Shamanka Rock
Shamanka Rock is one of the most popular places not only on Olkhon but in the whole Baikal region. It impresses with its appearance – the white marble, granite and quartz it’s composed of. You’ll walk through a 12-metre passage in a rock, feel the spirit of this place of power and you’ll become one step closer to the world of shamans
Peschanaya Bay
Peschanaya Bay is a bay in the south-western part of the lake. One can
find here white sand, warm blue water, taiga and mountain landscape. All
together, it makes an impression of little Siberian paradise. It has a soft
microclimate, and the number of sunny days per year is the same as on the Black
Sea coast. Here you can see walking trees, the capes of Bolshaya Kolokolnya and
Malaya Kolokolnya (Big and Small Belltowers), view point on a cliff and many
other sites.
Choigan mineral spring
Immerse yourself in the sacred mineral springs of the remote mountain gorge. The fir-scented mountain air will enhance Choigan’s famous healing effects.
Khoyto-Gol
A rich and vivid steppe landscape surrounds the quaint Buryatian wooden village. Feast your eyes on the forests and mountains as you soak in the renowned local hot springs.
Village Orlik
The sprawling village lies in a lavishly forested environment near the beginning of the Sayan Oka River. Go rafting or hiking to see more of the impressive cliffs and mountains surrounding it.
Radon baths
Immerse yourself in one of the numerous radon hot springs around Lake Baikal. Their legendary healing water will reinvigorate you and take away your pain.
Buddhist monastery
Visit a colorful monastery to get to know one of Buryatia’s most enduring religious traditions: Tibetan Buddhism. The monks will be happy to tell you all about their beliefs.
Observation deck in Kultuk
Astounding vistas of southern Baikal open up from the observation platform in Kultuk. Look out at the wide blue lake and the splendid snow-capped mountains on the horizon.
Healing Springs of Arshan
The same geological forces that gave rise to Lake Baikal also produced a number of remarkable hot springs around its shores. Those springs offer a dazzling variety of experiences and effects between them. The heat in all their pools reaches extreme levels, but while the temperatures in Khakusy stay at around 45 degrees celsius, Kotelnikovsky blows the others out of the water by going up to 81.
13 "ovoo"
As you travel in Mongolia, you will encounter groups of thirteen ovoo — sacred stones devoted to the thirteen sky deities. Shamans and Buddhists alike conduct ceremonies at those sites.
stupa Dashi Homan
Admire the colorful Indian-style Dashi Homan stupa at the entrance to Tunka Valley. Walk around the sacred Buddhist monument several times to receive its blessing.
Selenginka river
The largest of Lake Baikal’s tributaries, Selenga River will surely impress you with its width and rich nature as you follow its course through Buryatia and Mongolia.
Sobolinoe Lake
The unique natural beauty of the Khamar-Daban awaits your discovery. Hike through the majestic old-growth forest and rest by the campfire in view of stunning mountains. After climbing steep coastal cliffs, go swimming in the alpine Selenginka River. Sobolinoe Lake will surprise you with the clarity of its blue waters.
Starokomarskaya road
This winding serpentine path will take you over the picturesque taiga highlands to the lofty Chersky Peak. Follow the trail of the tea caravans traveling from China to Russia centuries ago.
Lake Serdtse
A hidden gem waits to be discovered in the middle of the Khamar-Daban mountains: Lake Serdtse. The small alpine lake’s name simply means heart and refers to its peculiar shape. A small river, Mangutaika, eventually connects Serdtse with Lake Baikal.
Meteorological station
The abandoned Khamar-Daban weather station offers a chance to rest on the way to Chersky Peak. Admire the view of the highlands and bathe in the Russian banya.
Chersky stone
The stone owes its name to Ivan Chersky, the Polish political exile turned pioneering explorer of Siberia. He lent his name to many other places near the lake. Locals say he used to rest here and look out at its waters between expeditions.
Irkutsk
City tour Ulan-Ude
In Ulan-Ude, Russian culture meets Mongol traditions, creating a city like no other. Orthodox priests walk side by side with Buddhist monks among old pagan shrines. Residents leave token offerings to the roadside idols of shamanic gods.
Ulan-Ude
Ivolginsk datsan temple
Founded in 1945 during the religion’s lowest ebb in the Soviet Union, Ivolginsky Datsan — also known as Khambyn Sume — remains the must-see spiritual centre of Buddhism in Russia. Several temples, the Dashi Choinhorlin university and the houses of the lamas comprise a fascinating Buddhist microcosm.
Olkhon
A professionally guided sightseeing tour will help you capture the enchantment of Olkhon Island. Set out from the island capital of Khuzhir and sample all that this incredibly varied and beautiful island has to offer.
Olkhon
Ethnopark "Golden horde": lunch, excursion, workshop
The scenic backdrop of a steppe nomad camp at the Golden Horde Ethnopark presents unparalleled photo opportunities. Capture them to take pictures that will last a lifetime with a spectacular background formed by beautifully carved yurts and pavilions.
Nerpinary
Many endemic species call Lake Baikal home, but none of them get as much love as the Baikal seal. Locally known as nerpas, they will charm you with their diminutive, plump forms and astonish with their agility and intelligence. Some say they may even outsmart dolphins!
City tour in Irkutsk
People travel to Irkutsk from afar to see Siberia’s richest and most varied collection of wooden architecture. Ranging from the splendid lace houses preserved since Imperial times to the meticulously reconstructed buildings of the 130 th Quarter, it will leave you with a lasting impression of this unique architectural style.
Cruise to circum-baikal railway with lunch (5 hours)
Embark on a boat cruise along one of the most spectacular parts of Lake Baikal’s shoreline: the Circum-Baikal Railway. Here, the untamed splendour of nature at once contrasts and enhances one of the most astounding feats of engineering.
City tour in Listvyanka
Your tour of the scenic lakeside town of Listvyanka begins at an observation platform near the head of the Angara – the only river that flows out of Lake Baikal. Whether in winter or in summer, you will see its quick waters run free thanks to the heat coming from Baikal’s depths.
Listvyanka
Cable car to Chersky stone
At 728 meters, Chersky Stone towers over the settlement of Listvyanka and offers one of the best panoramic views of Lake Baikal. Take a cable car to the observation platform at the peak, and treat yourself to a visual buffet as you soar past the trees.
Baikal museum
When passing through Listvyanka, you owe it to yourself to spend some time at the Baikal Museum. Your visit will be rewarded with the fruits of decades of diligent scientific research into every aspect of that wonder of the natural world - Lake Baikal.