Day 1

Arrival in Irkutsk. Our guide will meet you at the airport or at the train station. Transfer to the place of accomodation.* A guided walking tour of the city, including an introduction to the "wooden Irkutsk", a leisurely stroll in the central part of the city and a walk along the bank of Angara river.

* For this part of the tour accommodations are provided in apartments of the local residents, in double rooms.

Day 2

Breakfast. Departure from Irkutsk to Olkhon* (minivan transportation, 300 km, 7hours). About 40 minutes after the van leaves Irkutsk we will cross the border of the Ust-Ordynsky national district. Along the way the we will stop at various sacred places. Lunch at a café. Ferry to Olkhon. Transfer to the main town of the island - Khuzhir. Accomodations at the tourist camp "Solnechnaya" **. Rest / free time. Dinner.
*The Olkhon island is visited every year by thousands of tourists attracted to its primeval wilderness, the warm water of its creeks and the wonderful Baikal fish, which is prepared on open fire right after it has been caught and then consumed under the accompaniment of legends about innumerable riches hidden in these lands.
** The tourist camp is situated at the outskirts of the Khuzhir village, not far from the cape of Burkhan and a wonderful sand beach of Saraisky bay.

Day 3

Breakfast. A tour of the Burkhan cape *, which is one of the nine main sacred places in Asia. According to the Buryat beliefs, people (especially women and young girls) shouldn’t go near the cliff. Near it lies the Youth bay, a swim in which is believed among the locals to grant youth to both mind and body. Return to the tourist camp. Lunch. Rest and free time at the nearest sand beach. Dinner.

* The Shaman-cliff is one of the nine main sacred places in Asia (it was formerly called "Stone Temple"). In ancient times, shamans used to perform their rites in a cave in this cliff. Later an “Altar of Buddha” was situated there.
The cliff was given a new name, when Buddhism began to spread among the local population of Buryats. Thus, it became known as Burkhan ("God", "Buddha").

Day 4

Breakfast. A tour to the northern part of the island, cape Khoboi* (optional, for an additional fee). This tour’s itinerary includes the most picturesque bays and capes of the Olkhon island. Picnic lunch. Return to the tourist camp. Dinner.

* This cape lies near the widest part of lake Baikal. There is a field on this cape, which has over centuries seen most of the Olkhon shamans come here for joint meditation sessions called tailagans. Eared Baikal seals frequent the waters near this cape and can be often seen.

Day 5

Breakfast. Transfer to Listvyanka* (minivan transportation, 400 km). This village is known as the Baikal Gate. It is situated on the shore at the only outlet of the lake Angara river. Lunch at a wayside café. A stop at the Shaman Stone at the point where Angara leaves Baikal. Accomodation in a small private hotel. Optionally – a guided tour with a visit of the Baikal environmental museum*.
Upon arrival, accommodation in a guest house or cottage. Lunch. A walk around Listvyanka, with a visit to the local trade square, where you can buy souvenirs, taste some shashlyk (meat pieces roasted on coal) and different sorts of Baikal fish prepared in every imaginable ways. Dinner.

* The museum has an ample collection of the Baikal flora and fauna – very impressive since the Baikal lake is the deepest, most ancient and unique fresh-water lake in the world.

Day 6

Breakfast, transfer to the pier, ferry across Angara to a Circum Baikal railway* station in Baikal harbor. From there, we take a sightseeing train, which makes stops at the most interesting places along its way to the town of Sliudyanka. Transfer to a private estate of the Zhigalov family, accommodation, a visit at the local museum of minerals**. Dinner.

* The Circum Baikal railway is of itself one of the main attractions in the southern part of Baikal region. On this relatively short sidetrack of the Trans-Siberian railway one can find great amounts of very interesting engineering constructions.
** The private collection of this museum counts over 10000 mineral samples from all over the world.

Day 7

Breakfast. A walk along the Baikal shore to a holy Shaman Cape*. This cape is still used by the shamans from all over Baikal lands, Mongolia and Tyva for their rituals and even ritual sacrifices. Rest at the Baikal shore, return to the estate. Dinner.

*This cape, which protrudes into the Baikal waters a long way off the shore line is since ancient times regarded as a sacred place by the local people.

Day 8

Breakfast. A trip up Sliudyanka river, easy tracking up the picturesque banks of this small mountain river*.
Picnic lunch in the forest. Return to the town of Sliudyanka. Dinner.

* Sliudyanka river, which gave its name to the town, runs down the slopes of Khamar-Daban and is famous among the tourists for its crystal clear waters, fantastically arabesque cliffs and wild vegetation along its shores.

Day 9

Breakfast, transfer to the Tunkinsky national park. The picturesque valley of the Irkut river is at one side confined by the Tunkinsky bald peaks, at the other – by the gentle slopes of Khamar-Daban range. Along the way we will stop at various sacred Buddhist and shaman places. Arrival at the village of Arshan, situated on the bank of a violent mountain river at the bottom of the mountains. Accommodations in the homes of local residents. Dinner.

* Arshan is one of the most stunningly beautiful spa resorts of Baikal. The local people have known about its mineral waters since ancient times.

Day 10

Breakfast, a stroll to the mineral springs followed by a climb up a steep path along the edge of canyon to the waterfalls and a visit at the local datsan*. Lunch, free time, dinner.

* This Buddhist monastery is situated in a wide glade surrounded by mighty cedar pines.

Day 11

Breakfast. Departure to Irkutsk with a stop along the way on a serpentine road over the village of Kultuk*. Lunch in a café with a view at lake Baikal. Arrival in Irkutst, accommodations in private houses.

* Kultuk village is situated at the southern end of lake Baikal. This stop will be done at a point of the road above, which provides a marvelous view on Baikal and the Khamar-Daban range.

Day 12

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport or train station.