How to plan a vacation on Lake Baikal to bring maximum impressions with you

When to go to Baikal

If you want to comfortably look at the beauties of the region, take a trip in the summer. At this time, the weather pleases with warmth - during the day it can be up to 28 degrees. And from about mid-July to mid-August, you can even swim in Baikal, because the water in it warms up to 20 degrees.

You can plunge into the lake in September. True, such entertainment is unlikely to bring pleasure without prior hardening: the water temperature in autumn barely reaches 10 degrees. But the air is still warm - about 16 degrees. This time on Baikal is called the velvet season. In addition to aesthetic pleasure from incredible landscapes, you can also get practical benefits: the surrounding forests are full of mushrooms and berries, and fishing promises a good catch.

For those who are not afraid of severe frosts, a winter trip is suitable. The air temperature can drop to 30 degrees below zero, but this inconvenience is more than compensated by a breathtaking sight - the completely frozen surface of Lake Baikal. The lake freezes already in mid-January, but at this time you can hardly call a walk on the ice comfortable because of the piercing winds. But from mid-February to mid-March, winter on Baikal becomes less severe, and it is at this time that travelers go for unique pictures.

The spring season - April-May - is not popular here: the ice is melting, it's too early to swim, and nature has not yet gained colors. But during this period there are no crowds tourists And the trip will be much cheaper.

How to get to Baikal

First you need to get to Irkutsk. The fastest way - about 6 hours on the way - a direct flight from Moscow. If you buy a plane ticket in advance, the one-way price starts from 8 574 rubles. The cost of the flight for the next dates can start from 20 000 rubles.

Another option is to travel by train. True, it will take more than 3 days. Ticket price from Moscow to Irkutsk - from 9 659 rubles.

From the regional center you can get to all the sights of Baikal - there are ways for every taste and budget. For a taxi or car rental, you will have to pay several thousand rubles, and the price will increase depending on the distance of the trip. An economical option is regular transport, which departs from the Irkutsk bus station. There are regular routes to all tourist points with a convenient schedule, the cost starts from several hundred rubles.

Where to stay on Baikal

Please note that prices vary by season. In summer and winter, they will traditionally be higher than in spring and autumn.

You can rent a house in Irkutsk, because the distance from the city to Lake Baikal is about 70 km. The most budget option - a place in a hostel - will cost from 400–500 rubles per person per night. Hotel room rates vary from 700 to 15,000 rubles - it all depends on the category, amenities and location.

There are many places to stay around Baikal itself. For example, the cost of spending the night in hotels at different points of the lake - from 500 to 20,000 rubles from a person. A room in a guest house can do from 900 to 10,000 rubles.

For lovers of complete unity with nature, there are many campsites, the daily price for a place in which starts from 1 000 rubles from a person.

What to take with you on a trip to Lake Baikal

Even in the summer on Lake Baikal, warm clothes will come in handy. It can be cold at night, so sweatshirts, trousers and windproof jackets will come in handy. Don't forget to wear comfortable sneakers or trekking boots, because this trip will have to wind up miles of cross-country.

There are a lot of ticks in the region from spring to autumn, so it’s worth doing it in advance vaccination or at least stock up on special insect repellents. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.

In winter, you can not do without a down jacket and warm boots, a hat and a scarf, gloves or mittens. Be sure to take thermal underwear, several pairs of warm socks, a balaclava to protect your face from the wind and dark glasses so that the snow and bright sun do not blind your eyes. You can also buy waterproof pants or overalls to be fully equipped.

What sights of Lake Baikal are worth seeing

We collected a variety of options - from authentic villages with a rich history to the most popular beaches.

1. Listvyanka village

It is located near the mouth of the Angara River, and there are many hills here, from where breathtaking panoramic views of the Baikal. The most popular observation deck is located on Mount Chersky Stone, whose height is more than 700 m. To learn more about the history of the lake, and especially about the flora and fauna, take a tour of Baikal Museum. There you will be offered to make a virtual dive to the bottom of the reservoir.

Listvyanka is home to the largest astrophysical observatory, where scientists observe the processes in the sun. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the the estate of the Tyuryumins. Here you can ride a dog sled, go on a short trip on horseback and stay overnight in the forest, go kayaking on Lake Baikal or go to master classes in pottery and forge.

2. Great Baikal Trail

That's what they called the pedestrian route with a total length of 1,800 km along the western coast of the lake, which allows you to enjoy nature region to the maximum. You can make a short excursion and walk 2-3 km along Baikal. Or go on a one-day hike from Listvyanka to the village of Bolshiye Koty. You will have to overcome a lot - 24 km, but the route runs right along the shore of Lake Baikal. If you are ready to walk the entire trail, allocate at least a week, stock up on comfortable clothes, shoes, and even walkie-talkies - there will be many places along the way where mobile communications are not picked up.

3. City of Baikalsk

This place attracts primarily lovers of winter sports. Ski resort "Mount Sobolinaya"has 15 equipped slopes for skiing, and the season here lasts for half a year. On the territory of the complex there are hostels, hotels, many restaurants and baths, which will allow you to spend a full vacation. And in the summer you can try your hand at the annual festival running or ride a lift and at the same time see Baikal from a height.

With the onset of cold weather, an ice town is being built on the shore of the lake. In addition to interesting sculptures, a bathhouse made of giant ice blocks appears in it. In the beautiful scenery there is a real steam room with brooms, after visiting which you can plunge into the hole made in Baikal.

And in between entertainment, go on a one-day or multi-day mountain hike - for example, to the Devil's Finger rock or along the Khamar-Daban ridge.

4. Architectural and ethnographic complex Taltsy

The Siberian village will tell about the history and life of the four peoples of the Baikal region: Buryats, Russians, Evenks and Tofalars. AT Taltsakh the architecture and interiors of Russian huts, Buryat yurts, Evenki and Tofalar tents have been recreated. There is also a real historical value on the territory of the complex - the towers and palisade of the Ilim prison, preserved from the 17th century.

To delve deeper into the topic, visit the museum - its collections contain more than 27,000 unique exhibits. And finally, visit a real shaman, get acquainted with a white camel, try to make souvenir from birch bark or clay and go to a master class with a glass blower.

5. Sandy Bay

For white sand, the purest water of deep shades of blue and unique landscapes, this place was called the Baikal Riviera. The bay is even considered one of the visiting cards of the region. Old larches grow right on the beach. For years the wind has blown the sand from under their roots, and now it seems as if the trees standing on stilts.

In the neighborhood there are two more bays with bizarre names - Babushka and Vnuchka, and they are separated by a cape with the no less colorful name Ded. Take a walk to Cormorant Rock, breathe in the mountain air and look at the huge colonies of seagulls. On the way you will come across several ancient grottoes.

By the way, you can come here not only for a day to forget about the usual fuss. On the coast of the bay there is a camp site "Baikal dunes”, in which houses are rented for a long time. And for total unity with nature, there is a secluded place to relax like a savage.

6. Olkhon Island

The area of ​​the largest and only inhabited island on Baikal is 730 km². In winter, they get here on the ice, when it melts - by plane, and in warm weather, ferries run from the mainland. The place attracts tourists with unique landscapes: a small wooded part in the center is surrounded by steppes, and Mount Zhima, 1,276 m high, crashes into the water surface. Photo lovers should take care of additional memory for the camera, because there will be a lot of pictures.

Exploring the entire island on foot in a short time is unrealistic, so ask the locals for help - they will give you a ride in UAZ and show you the most interesting places and sights.

7. The village of Khuzhir

Although it is located on Olkhon, it requires special attention and at least one day to visit. It is the informal capital of the island, where the largest part of its population lives. Walk through the ethnographic Buryat village to learn more about the culture of this people and taste the national cuisine. On excursions to Khuzhir Museum of Local Lore among other things, you will be told about 20 parking lots neolithicfound on Olkhon.

Look at one of the main attractions of Baikal - Shamanka rock, made of marble, dolomitic limestone and shiny graphite. By the way, it is considered one of the shrines of Asia. In the rock there is a cave with a stone table on which ancient shamans performed rituals.

Do not forget to stock up on cash - in the village, far from everywhere you can pay by card. And if you are traveling by car, please note that it is in Khuzhir that the only gas station on Olkhon is located.

8. Coast of the Small Sea

Formally, this is not a sea, but a strait - a part of Baikal, separated by the island of Olkhon. This is the most popular place for summer holidays, where many beaches and camping sites are concentrated. There are many bays in the Small Sea. For example, Kurminsky is considered one of the warmest on Lake Baikal and is great for a beach holiday. From it there are trails along the gorge to the top of the Primorsky Range, as well as hiking trails to the natural arches of Cape Tsagan-Khushun and to the grottoes of Cape Uyuga. For fans of an even tan and water activities, there are two more cool places: Mukhorsky and Kurkutsky bays. In summer, the water in them warms up to 24 degrees, which is rather an exception for cold Baikal.

The largest village in the water area of ​​the Small Sea is Onguryon, and small Krestovsky lakes lurk near it. In them, you can cover yourself with healing mud from head to toe, which will be not only fun, but also useful. And then go on a water excursion to see the numerous islands of the sea - each is unique in its own way.

If you are an avid fisherman, the place will please you with a good catch - both in winter and in summer. Found in the sea pike, perch, omul, Baikal grayling and other freshwater fish.

9. City of Slyudyanka

At different times, hundreds of valuable minerals were found in the vicinity of the city, which are presented in the museum "Gems of Baikal». But Slyudyanka is interesting not only for geologists. Nearby is the Shaman Cape, where Neolithic rock art was found.

From here, as well as from Baikalsk, you can go on a trip to mountain ridge Khamar-Daban. And at the same time try to climb Chersky Peak at a height of 2,090 m. At its foot, the alpine Lake Heart is hidden. It is unlikely that it will be possible to go to it, but it is really worth admiring from afar.

10. Circum-Baikal Railway

Once it was a segment of the Trans-Siberian Railway, but during the construction of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station in the middle of the last century, part of the tracks was completely flooded. Today you can ride a train along the 89-kilometer section from Slyudyanka to the port of Baikal - for this, sign up for one of excursions.

The path will pass through tunnels. The longest, with a length of 777 m, is through Cape Polovinny. You will meet bridges, viaducts and stone tunnels, which are unique objects architecture and engineering at the beginning of the 20th century. And at the Slyudyanka station, don't forget to take a photo against the backdrop of the only station in the world built entirely of white and pink marble.