New Year on Lake Baikal

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Availability: December 29 - January 3

Challenge Siberian frosts and come and visit us in winter! Who has ever said you go for your holidays to suntan only? Feel adventurous – tackle Russia in winter for the New Year party! This is the time to see snow tops of high Baikal Lake mountain ranges, furry green pines in snow and blue waters of the Angara River that never freezes over! The one who visits us is ever charmed by the eternal beauty of virginal nature and always gets back. And if you join this nature crusade with the New Year celebration- you will get the double pleasure, enjoying cosy wooden hill top hotel, fine cuisine and hot Russian steam house.

Recharge your stamina after an unforgettable journey to Lake Baikal in winter and celebrate a real New Year at the place where Santa lives!

Day 1 (29.12)

Arrival at Irkutsk City airport, meeting and assistance. Transfer to Listvyanka settlement ^* to your Hotel which is located on the shore of the world deepest and the oldest lakes on the planet. Brief stop at the Shaman Rock viewpoint where you can get hold of numerous souvenirs and see how local people smoke fish. Upon the arrival traditional greeting with vodka and “raskolotka” dish. Lunch at hotel restaurant where you can try some authentic Siberian cuisine specialties ^** Time for leisure. Dinner and overnight in your Hotel

* Listvyanka is 70 kilometers away from Irkutsk. A trip to Listvyanka is the easiest and the fastest way to see the Baikal that's why the number of tourists in summer often exceeds the number of villagers. A small trading square is a kind of the village's center where one may seat in a cafe or buy the famous fish of the Baikal - omul

Day 2 (30.12)

After breakfast we invite you to Baikal Ecological Museum ^* displaying samples of the Lake’s unique features of flora and fauna: animals, minerals, various fish, microorganism species, pictorial and video presentations. After the museum we will lunch at Proshlyi Vek Restaurant - a lovely waterfront wooden house restaurant. After lunch we invite you to join for a famous Russian “rozvalni” single horse sleigh ride. It is one of the most common subjects found on lacquer boxes and other Russian art, and is a symbol of Russia. Ride in a “Rozvalni” could be a wild, exciting ride and a memorable event. We ride through Siberian forest and village and go to see the local Saint Nicolas – the Father Frost himself. After a fascinating adventure we visit a Russian Orthodox church which is also dedicated to Saint Nicolas the Wonderworker. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

* The Baikal Ecology Museum exhibits include various fish and animal species, microorganisms, sponges and crustacean samples, geographical and geological data, ship models, diverse pictorial and video material as well as a number of showcases and models of the lake and marine vessels

** Build in the middle of the XIX century by Xenophont Serebryakov. Dedicated to Saint Nicolas – the guardian of all the travelers.

Day 3 (31.12)

Breakfast and the whole day trip to Taltsy – a museum of old Russian wooden architecture in the open air ^* Experience Russian Winter Slide Adventure! Once in your lifetime you will slide on a bear skin from the top of the wooden slide, make racings with your mates and have a great fun! Return to the hotel and get ready for the New Year dinner. At midnight enjoy the dinner with champagne and fireworks and soak in the Russian indigenous festival spirit all night long!

* There is a numerous number of ethnographical and architectural sightseeing in the museum. The oldest building on a site is Spass Tower of Ilimsk Fortress (1667) and active Kazan Chapel (1679)

Day 4 (01.01)

Breakfast and time for leisure. Lunch at hotel restaurant. After meal we invite you to have a snowmobile ride through the Russian winter forests and enjoy Baikal panoramic views and a cup of hot tea on a hill top! You will be thoroughly equipped while an experienced instructor will give you a full lecture on life and safety matters. Return to your hotel. Time for leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 (02.01)

Breakfast, packing up and a check out. Transfer to Irkutsk City Hotel ^* Lunch and a city tour to follow. Our guide will take you around the historical center, a few active and non-active Russian Orthodox churches, you visit the Cathedral of the Holly Sign ^** and drive through central streets of Irkutsk. Make a stop by the embankment of the Angara River the only river that outflows the mighty Lake Baikal. See wooden houses of Irkutsk in winter and visit the museum of the Local Lore. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

* in case there are no available rooms left the check in will be after 1 pm after the city tour

** Apart from ornate and rich iconostasis the cathedral is famous with a church grave yard where you can see the tombs of Decembrist Mukhanov, Beschasnov, Trubetskaya and Russian Columbus Shelekhov

Day 6 (03.01)

Breakfast. Check out. Transfers to Irkutsk City airport.

Notes:

The tour opens on the 29th of December;
Average number of travelers – 6-9 people;
No special training needed;
East Siberia climate is the mostly continental climate in the world. Due to the changeable weather the tour itinerary may be slightly altered;
All the optional tours price stated separately from the tour price;
You may customize the tour and get an additional tour in Moscow. This price to be stated separately.
Moscow-Irkutsk and Irkutsk-Moscow plane tickets are not included due to the various incoming flights time and destinations. They are provided upon request on each group individually hence the price of the tour to be affected.

Tour budget (based on double occupancy)

Number of pax	3-5	6-9	10-15	16>
Price p/p, Rubles	54 150	44 850	42 400	41 800

Single supplement – 10 350 Rubles

Price includes

Transfers on arrival and departure;
Ground transportation as described in the itinerary;
All accommodations based on double occupancy as described in the itinerary;
All meals as noted in the itinerary;
All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;
Bilingual local guides throughout your stay.

Price does not include:

International and internal airfare;
passport and visa fees; medical and trip insurance;
evacuation costs;
airport taxes;
excess baggage charges;
photography and video fees;
food and beverages not included in the group meals;
tips to drivers or guides; items of a personal nature,
including alcoholic beverages,
laundry and telephone calls;
optional tours;
other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Please note that every effort will be made to adhere to the above pricing currency fluctuation beyond our control can affect final costs.