9 days and 8 nights
Upon arrival in Irkutsk you will be met by the cruise company representative and transferred to your hotel (early check-in is included). You will be given time to recover after a long journey, and in the afternoon you will be taken on a city-tour with a local guide. The tour will include all the major highlights, such as the Lower Embankment, the Square of Three Churches, Znamensky Monastery, historical part of the city and the so called 130-quarter. You will also have Museum of Decembrists’ tour with classical concert and champagne.
Irkutsk is the capital of eastern Siberia, that was founded in 1661 as a settlement for trading gold and furs. Nowadays it is known as one of the most picturesque stops along the Trans-Siberian Railway route with its world-known gem – Lake Baikal.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: hotel Irkutsk 3*
On this day, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the Burjat village Ust-Orda (±70 km from Irkutsk) that offers a deep and interactive insight into the Burjat history, traditions, food and family life in Siberia. You will visit the local museum and ethno-park, with traditional welcome ceremony, folklore concert including fascinating throat singing, playing on the “khomus” (Jew’s harp, mouth harp), and traditional dances. You will also take a look at the traditional Burjat yurtas, learn about everyday life of Buryats, and take part in culinary master-class. You will then stop at the small Buddhist temple with possibility to meet the monks.
The Buryats are the largest indigenous group in Siberia who has lived here before the Russians and are closely related to Mongolians. As the largest ethnic minority group in Siberia, the Buryats are estimated to number 436 000, half of which populate the Lake Baikal area. The Buryats practice Tibetan Buddhism with a touch a paganism. Their language is similar to Mongolian and is a member of the Altaic family of languages.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: hotel Irkutsk 3*
You will check-out from your hotel in Irkutsk and head to Listvyanka Village located on the shores of Lake Baikal. On the way, you are going to visit Taltsy - open-air museum of wooden architecture. On this day, you will have lunch in a Russian family.
Listvyanka is a village located on the shores of Lake Baikal in 70 km from Irkutsk. Ideal place to see true Siberian Nature, enjoy numerous hiking routes, try some authentic cuisine.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: country hotel Krestovaja Pad’ (Listvyanka)
In the morning, you will check out from your hotel in Listvyanka to be taken on Baikal Museum tour.
Then it will be time to board the ship where you will meet the crew and have a safety briefing.
In the afternoon, the ship will reach Kadilnaya Valley. If weather permits, we will go ashore by lifeboat (30-40 min) and walk to the beautiful edelweiss glades.
Free sauna is available onboard to relax after a busy day!
Kadilnaya Valley is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, between Listvyanka and Bolshoy Goloustniy. Kadilnaya Pad can be reached only by water, but it's worth it. This place is famous for its sandy beaches, coniferous forests, green meadows, and caves.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
In the morning, the ship will reach Ogoy Island. If the weather permit, we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) to have a walking tour of the island and visit the Stupa of Enlightenment.
In the afternoon, if the weather permits, we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) on Olkhon Island (Khuzhir settlement) to meet a local Shaman and observe a ceremony at the famous Shaman Rock
Ogoy Island is quite big island in Maloe More (Small Sea) that is located next to Baikal Lake. The most interesting thing about this place is that it was never inhabited. Olkhon is the largest island in the area. The island is known as Sacral center of Baikal and well known with its ancient legends and tales.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
On this day, we will reach Malie Ushkanyi Islands (Small Ushkanyi Islands) and you will be offered an optional tour to the seal rookery, which you can pay on the spot.
After lunch, the ship will reach Zmeinaya (Snake) Bay as we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) if the weather permits. You will be given free time on the beach to enjoy bathing in hot springs.
Zmeinaya Bay is located in Chivyrkuyskiy Bay and is well-known for its healing hot springs (the water temperature is up to 45 C!). The waters of the Zmeinaya Spring contain fluorine and hydrogen sulphide (so they have a particular smell and taste). It is believed that these thermal waters are good for healing musculoskeletal disorders.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
On this day, if the weather permits, we will go ashore on Olkhon Island (lifeboat, 30-40 min) to enjoy a jeep tour! Soviet-style off-road UAZ vehicles are used for this journey. The following route is to be covered: Uzury – Sagan-Khushun Cape (the northeast point of Olkhon Island) - Cape Khoboy.
Khoboy Cape is the most northern point of Olkhon island. The name comes from an old Buryat word meaning "fang" because of its shape, a vertically oriented marble rock, appearing much like a fang
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
This is your final sightseeing day aboard. You will visit Akademicheskaya Bay and have walking tour of the Babushka Bay, the famous Peschanaya Bay (Sandy Bay) and the Grand Belfry rock. The tour will last 1.5-2 hours, the distance is 1.5 km.
Another activity on this day is a walking tour to the Viewpoint Rock (2.5 hours) where you'll have chance to take some great photos (and bring back home these travel memories!)
In the evening you will be offered sauna with Baikal herbal tea.
Peschanaya Bay - often called the "Siberian Riviera" - is probably the most picturesque place on Baikal. Here, the famous "stilted" trees grow, from under which water and wind have constantly washed and blown out the sandy soil.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
On this day, you will say good-bye to the crew and the new friends you made during the trip. You will check-out after breakfast. Transfer to the airport is included.
Meals: B
Prices are per person.
The surcharge for single occupancy in a double cabin is 50% of the total amount for the cruise (upon request, the number of single cabins is limited!)
The price includes:
The price does not include:
Payment policy:
20% prepayment (non-refundable deposit) is required at the moment of booking, the remaining balance is due 79 days before the cruise.
Cancellation fees:
Other terms:
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