Winter Coctail

Being the largest freshwater basin on Earth Lake Baikal is too cold to offer a good swimming season. One of the few places where the water gets really warm is the so called “Warm Lake” located in Snezhnaya river valley just 6 km away from the Big Sea. In Summer time this area is overcrowded with people but already in the second half of September it becomes lonely and in the mid of October you expect the first snowfalls. And as soon as they have started they never stop. You will make your way to the Warm lakes on a snowmobile crossing the ice shell of Lake Baikal from West to East and spend the next day ice fishing on the Warm lakes. And if you choose to go for a walk in the forest make sure you have your hood on because the snowcaps on the trees are so impressive and heavy that a slightest push can cause a snow shower.

Itinerarys

• 1 day
• 2 day
• 3 day
• 4 day
• 5 day
• 6 day
• Notes
• Cost (Rubles)
• The cost includes:

Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting and assistance for further transfer 70 km to Listvyanka village – a fast growing tourist center on lake Baikal shore. Check in a guest house and time at leisure. Meals at your own expenses.

After breakfast our guide will walk you to the dog sledding center. A short introduction to dog sledding and off you go ^*. The route runs on the ice of Lake Baikal from Listvyanka village up North to Chernaya valley (about 20 km) were you’ll have lunch at a small tourist facility. After both you and the dogs have had a rest you’ll return back to Listvyanka the same way. Dinner at your personal expenses. (BL)

* The sled is pulled by a team of 4-6 dogs depending on your weight and experience. For safety reasons the trip is assisted by a guide on a snowmobile.

On this day you will challenge a trans-Baikal snowmobile trip from Listvyanka village to Snezhnaya river valley (about 70 km) on the eastern side of Lake Baikal. All your belongings will be pulled on a special sled behind a snowmobile. Lunch will be organized right on the ice. You’ll reach the Eastern side of the Lake in the afternoon. Accommodation in cozy log cabins (all facilities outdoors). Dinner and overnight. (BLD)

After an early breakfast our guides will introduce you to some secrets of ice fishing. But to guarantee a good catch this is not enough. Baikal is a special place and one should first perform a short ritual to ask the Spirits for help. Enjoy Russian sauna before dinner. Overnight. (BLD)

Breakfast and transfer to Irkutsk by mini van (about 4 hours). Accommodation in hotel. Lunch and dinner at your own expenses. City tour on request. (B)

Transfer to the airport.

• The tour is available from February 1 till April 1.
• Group size – 4 pax.
• It’s required that customers are physically fit and prepared to stay in the cold for long hours.
• Average day temperatures -5C in March and -15C in February.
• Outfit and gear: light wooden dog-sleds harnessed by a team of 4-6 dogs, snowmobiles (1 for 2 pax) with sleds to carry your personal gear, helmets and parkas.
• Snowmobile assistance provided for the Trans Baikal crossing
• Ask your manager for a detailed list of personal equipment.

• transfers on mini van;
• DBL accommodation in guest houses and hotels;
• dog sled rent (5-6 dogs in a pack);
• snowmobile rent (2 pax on a snowmobile);
• meals as noted in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L – lunch, D - dinner);
• rent of ice-fishing tackles;
• guide;
• insurance;
• sauna.