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Out of the 26 Islands on the Lake Baikal, Olkhon Island is the biggest. The Island has got the most amazing landscapes, it copied even the form of the Lake, and it is not a surprise that in the past it became the centre of shamanism - the ancient religion on the shores of Lake Baikal. There are plenty of sunlight on the island, natural monuments and ancient legends. You can appreciate the beauty of the island’s nature better if you travel on foot rather than in a car. Our tour path runs through the south shore of the island and along the coast. Because we want to show you many beautiful places as possible in one trip, in some places the tour combines walking and travelling by car.

Day 1 (Saturday)

10:00 – You don’t need to worry about finding us, we’ll collect you and the rest of the group at the airport in Irkutsk and transfer you to the hotel. The trip starts from visiting the capital of Eastern Siberia - the old city of Irkutsk. During the city tour you will see the historic centre, river Angara embankments, monuments, Znamensky monastery with one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Siberia, known for its iconostasis and tombs (the tombs of the Decembrists, Shelikhov by Gregory and others). After the seeing Irkutsk best attractions, you can visit the local art market where you will be able to buy souvenirs made by local craftsmen in the souvenir shop or in the antique store. It is also worth visiting the History museum (one of the oldest museums in Russia), or the Art museum - with its richest collection of art.

  DAY 2 (Sunday)

The second day is a tour on foot (3.1 miles) towards Lake Baikal through the steppes, passing the ancient Buryat villages, through the picturesque ridge spurs Baikal, the Siberian taiga and the landscapes of Mongolian steppe Tazheranskoy. On arrival to the Lake you will be taken on a ferry across the lake to Olkhon Island. The Crossing is approximately 40 min. The Olkhon Island divides the lake into the «Small» and the «Large» Seas. We will also sail through the famous strait Olhonskie Gate that lies between the island and the mainland. The ferry will take berth next to the Gulf of Zagli (Tashkayskaya Bay). From here we’ll begin to explore the immense spaces of the Island and the natural wonders of the Island. The bay has very little rainfall but plenty of sunshine.The bay is connected to Lake Nurskiy (or Noor) where in summer the water gets very warm. We will take overnight shelter in the bay as this is the most suitable place to put up your tents and have a hot dinner prepared on open fire.The whole trip will take about 6 hours.

(meals include: breakfast, dinner)

  DAY 3 (Monday)

Exploring on foot has its advantages - you are able to see much more than looking out of a car window, to stop in many places as you like and to take memorable photos. The trip starts after breakfast at the camp. We will make a long but interesting walk along the western coast of the legendary Island. This outdoor activity will allow to see the picturesque Hul Bay (a nursery place of the famous Omul - type of fish), the Kobilya Golova (Horse’s Head) Peninsula - where, according to the legend, Genghis Khan’s army stayed over, the Horgoy Peninsula with the remnants of defensive fortifications of ancient Kurykan tribes and the rocky cape of Shara Shulun opposite which you will see the Ogoy island - the cleanest Island on the Lake Baikal inhabiting the sacred Buddhist “Stupa” (mortar) of enlightenment. The total walking distance is 12.43 miles (20 km)In the evening you can enjoy a hot dinner cooked on the open fire and have a deserved rest after a busy day, listening to the quiet noise coming from the sea. Overnight in tents.

(Meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 4 (Tuesday)

Back on our feet in the morning! Today our itinerary will take us to the shore of the Shebetsky Gulf, then over the impregnable cape of Shebetsky (translated from Buryat «shebee» means the «wall»), which in the olden days had a kurykanskaya wall separating it from the land and to the Gulf of Togai. Near the bay there is an interesting lake called Khankhoi. From the north it is separated from the Lake Baikal by a big rock and connected to the Lake by narrow sand spit to the East. The lake has warm water and an abundance of fish, which makes it an attraction for the tourists, particularly for the fishing enthusiasts.

·        Breakfast at the camp.
·        Walking distance ~ 12.43 miles (20 km).
·        Lunch on the move.
·        Hot dinner cooked on the open fire.
·        Overnight in tents.

(Meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 5 (Wednesday)

This is the final day of our journey on foot. It will culminate in the Khuzhir fishing village - so called “the Capital” of Olkhon Island. Here you can forget about sleeping in tents or cooking on open fire as you will be relaxing in comfortable little wooden houses, take bath in a Russian sauna (extra price.), and finally charge your mobile phones.

·        Breakfast at the camp.
·        Walking distance - 12.43 miles (~ 20 km).
·        Lunch on the move. ·        Accommodating at the resort
·        Dinner at the resort.

(Meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 6 (Thursday)

Today we offer you individually or with a guide (extra price) to explore local attractions: have a walk arond the village, Khuzhir, visit the sacred mys Burkhan (Shaman-rock) - one of the nine sacred sites in Asia, equally honoured by Shamanists, Buddhists and Lamaists. Also you can visit the local history museum, where you will see a collection of ancient objects that reflect the lifestyle and culture of the islanders (extra price). Or, you can visit (extra price) a neighbouring village, where you can learn about crafts, folklore, and distinctive cuisine of Olkhon’s Buryats peaple.

(meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 7 (Friday)

Finally, for a change you will be travelling by a car today. Our trip will be to the Cape Khoboy - the northern tip of the island, near the widest location of Lake Baikal.On the way you will see all the diversity of Baikal natural landscapes: bays with very warm water in summer, sand dunes, mixed deciduous forests with fir-wood relic sites, picturesque marble rocks on the shore, covered with red moss. At the Cape opens a panoramic view of the northern part of Lake Baikal, in good weather you can see the outlines of the Ushkan islands and the peninsula Barguzin. The guide will tell you about the legends, traditions and customs associated with these placesIf you are lucky, you might have the opportunity to see the only freshwater Baikal seal.

·        Breakfast at the camp.
·        Excursion as per program.
·        Hot lunch cooked on the open fire.
·        Dinner at the camp.

(meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 8 (Saturday)

Today you have a free day, and everyone can choose entertainment at their choice. If you like to travel by car, we recommend visiting Lake Shara-Nur, in buryat - «Yellow Lake» (add. price). This is the only lake on the island with mineral water. There are varied natural landscapes and wildlife around the Lake. If you swim in the lake your body will become red because of the mineral salts in the water. The water in the lake is said has healing properties. Local people use the mud from the lake to cure various illnesses - such as arthritis. Or you could have an active leisure time - you could ride on a bicycle around (additional rental price.). Well if you don’t fancy any of the above you can just enjoy the sunny sandy beach at Saraysky Gulf.

·        Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort.

(meals include: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  DAY 9 (Sunday)

The trip back is quick and easy you will be transferred back to Irkutsk by bus.

·        Breakfast at the resort

Approximate time of arrival to Irkutsk is – 20.00 o’clock.
( Meals include: breakfast)

The tour price is £384 per person.

The price includes overnight at the hotel in Irkutsk (1 night),
overnight at the resort in Khuzhir (4 nights) two people in one room;
meals as per program;
transfers and excursions as per program;
instructor’s guide in the trip on foot,
equipment rent.
Additional price for staying one person in the room is £65.

The dates of the tour are fixed:

Tour start date	Tour end date
13/06/09	21/06/09
27/06/09	05/07/09
11/07/09	19/07/09
25/07/09	02/08/09
08/08/09	16/08/09
22/08/09	30/08/09
05/09/09	13/09/09