Baikal - Tourism

It is possible to go on a tour to Lake Baikal via Irkutsk, Severobaykalsk or Ulan-Ude. 70 km from Irkutsk, there is Listvyanka village, a starting point of many excursions and round trips on Lake Baikal.

The main tourist route passes through the village of Bolshie Koty, Svyatoy Nos Peninsula, Olkhon Island and Peschanaya Bay. On the eastern shore of Lake Baikal you can see the Barguzinsky bay, with the recreational area “Baikal Harbor”, built next to it. Nearby, there is the village of Maksimikha where you can book a tour to the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula and the open air museum “Svetlaya Polyana”. Lodging for the nights is arranged in the villages of Enkhaluk and Sukhaya both in private residences and in rest homes. Between these villages there is the Zagza thermal source.

Rich in mineral springs and picturesque views, the Chivyrkuysky Bay is one of the most beautiful bays of Lake Baikal. Also, the places worth visiting are the Shaman Stone, Ushkan Islands, Shamanka Rock Cape on Olkhon Island, Capes Ludar and Ryty, Peak Chersky, Frolikha tract.

Around the lake there is The Great Baikal Trail. Taking it during the walking tour, the visitors can fully enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Baikal. To enjoy the sights of the lake they can also by taking train along the Trans-Siberian Railway. They can also start from Listvyanka, going along the Circum-Baikal railway. Circum-Baikal Railway is not only a going railway, but also a monument of culture, architecture and engineering art of the early XX century.

As far as winter concerns, the popular entertainment is ice diving in special diving suits, impermeable to cold. Under the water you will find the mysterious and exciting world of ice caves and galleries, and see the inhabitants of Lake Baikal in their natural environment. Ice fishing season on Lake Baikal comes on sunny March days.

1-2-day ice safari by quad bikes, snowmobiles, jeeps along the west coast of Lake Baikal to the village of Bolshie Koty or to Peschanaya Bay are also available for you. What is more, Listvyanka is a riding sports center. You can try to act as a dog team driver of a sleigh pulled by northern huskies, brought to Baikal and Kamchatka from Yakutia.