ADVENTURE / BAIKAL The nature of Baikal
BAIKAL
The nature of Baikal
- Trekking to Shumak spings in East Sayan mountains and nature recreation on Olkhon island -
14 days / 13 nights
This tour will take us– to the south of Lake Baikal, in the dramatic Eastern Sayan Mountains that are at the border with Mongolia. With a backpack behind, we will trek in the picturesque Tunka National Park, the largest national park in Russia. Our destination will be the wild Shumak River Valley nested in the mountains, and the Shumak springs believed to cure all kinds of ailments and once worshipped by Buryat shamans. After the trekking adventure, we will head for Olkhon Island located in the very heart of Baikal, to enjoy Baikal’s nature and powerful energy.
Tour type: trekking, nature
Duration: 14 days/13 nights
Season: June 15 – August 20
Group size: 8-15 pax
Requirements: good physical fitness, own backpack, sleeping bag, camping mat and activity outfit. The tourists shall be ready to backpack, as the luggage transportation is NOT available, and overnight in tents.
Recommendation: for those traveling in June, it is highly recommended to get vaccinated again Lime disease
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival and meeting in Irkutsk, breakfast 5 hours’ transfer by coach to the starting point of our trekking trip – Nilova Pustin health resort. Lunch en route. Upon arrival check in at one of the sanatoria of Nilova Pustyn, which has its own mineral springs. Dinner in the cafeteria (Buryat traditional dishes with meat). (vegetarian menu available on your prior request). Visit the Datzan – buddist temple, dinner. Overnight. |
Day 2 | Breakfast, start of the trekking trip. First we will cross the bridge over the Ekhe-Ukhgun' River 1 km from Nilova Pustyn' and then will trek along an old forest road that leads to the very foot of the mountain range (8 km). From here and for the rest of the day we shall be going uphill. A rocky path milled by horses’ hoofs requires proper footwear. Lunch and short break near a small mountain lake. Trekking till the tree line, setting up our first tent camp, dinner over the campfire while watching sunset. Overnight in tents |
Day 3 | Breakfast. A difficult day - going up to the Shumak Pass, the highest point of the trail from Nilova Pustyn' to the Shumak River Valley (2500 m above sea level). Trekking time 4-5 hours. Lunch box en route. Great panoramic views of the Shumak River valley from the pass. If you climb a few hundred meters higher to the highest point on the ridge just west of the bottom of the Shumak Pass, you will take the above 360 degree panoramic view of the tops of the Sayan Mountains extending into Mongolia. Trekking to and along the Shumak Valley, short break, trekking to the tree line. Dinner over the camp fire near a waterfall (30 meters). Overnight in tents. |
Day 4 | Breakfast. 4-5 hours trek down to the Shumak springs, in dense cedar taiga forest, along the Shumak River. Lunch en route. Finally we will arrive to the Shumak springs. Altogether, there is over 120 small and large various mineral springs believed to cure all kinds of ailments. Here you can see gifts to Shumak left by those who were thankful for being healed and some basic info about the springs prepared by the volunteer friends of this beautiful place which has no permanent residents (it's 1500 m above sea level), no governing bodies, it is a so rare in Russia phenomenon of self-organization by the local visitors. Visit to mineral springs. Dinner. Overnight in old huts or in tents. |
Day 5 | Full day at leisure at the Shumak springs. (full board). You can visit the hut containing a little pool of hot (15°C) radon bath which can be enjoyed in the privacy or cover yourself all over with mineral mud and lie in the sun for an hour or so waiting for the mud to dry. Or take a 2 hours hike to the Sand pillars situated 7 km down the Shumak river. Overnight as on the previous day. |
Day 6 | Return trip. Familiar trail, light backpacks and already a perfect physical shape by the end of the trip make the way back a lot easier. Lunch box. Camp for the night in the proximity of the pass, only when the Sun is disappearing behind the tooth-like Sayan ridges. Dinner over the campfire. Overnight in tents |
Day 7 | Early breakfast, the Shumak mountain pass ascent. Multitudes of streams and the reddish Mongolian cows is the typical scene on the southern (Nilovka) slope of the Pass. Lunch next to a small creek. Easy hike down. Camping on a flat meadow way down below the Pass. Overnight in tents. |
Day 8 | Last trekking day. Going down the river valley to Nilova Pustyn health resort. Lunch en route. Dinner in the cafeteria. Overnight in the sanatorium as on the first day. |
Day 9 | Breakfast, transfer to Irkutsk. On our way we will pause at the Kultuk serpentine road. Lunch. Check-in at a hotel in Irkutsk, in twin rooms. Enjoy some time at leisure before Farewell Gala Dinner, with Trekker Certificate Award. Overnight at the hotel. |
Day 10 | Breakfast, check-out. Transfer to the boat station and departure by hydrofoil for Olkhon island, the largest island on Baikal. We will go along the western shore of Baikal to its central part, to Zagli Bay (5 hrs). Transfer by Russian 4x4 cars UAZ to the central settlement of Okhon Island - Khuzir. Accommodation in the guesthouse in twin rooms in plain wooden houses (sanitary facilities outside, banya available). Enjoy dinner of traditional Siberian cuisine. Russian Banya as an optional service (extra-cost). Overnight in the guesthouse. |
Day 11 | Breakfast. A walk through the settlement to the Shamanka Rock, also known as Burhan Cape, subject of numerous legends, a sacred site venerated by Shamanists and Buddhists alike, one of the 9 “holy of holiest” of Asia. It is considered to be home for one of the 13 Sky Dwellers – Khan Khute-Baabai, who has descended onto Earth to master humans’ lives. Optional visit to the local lore museum (extra-cost), to get to know the history, way of life and culture of the island’s inhabitants. Return to the guesthouse, lunch. Time at leisure recommended to spend on the 4 km long natural beach. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse. |
Day 12 | Free day when you can choose your preferred way of rest or activity. You can just relax, sunbathe on a sandy beach, bathe in Baikal waters or just explore the surroundings by walks. You can also order additional services (extra-cost): rent a kayak for a trip around the Small sea, take a horse ride, depart for a bike tour of the island, or go for a 4x4 tour to the northernmost point of the island Khoboy, to the mud lake Sharanur, or to the ancient wall of the Kurykans. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight in the guesthouse. |
Day 13 | Breakfast. Transfer to the ferry station for a short water transfer from Olkhon Island to the mainland. Continue the way by coach (5 hrs) to Irkutsk, with lunch in roadside café (at own expense). Check-in at a hotel, accommodation in twin rooms. Spend the late afternoon at leisure or explore on your own the city of Irktusk. Dinner in one of the city’s restaurants (at own choice and expense). Overnight in the hotel. |
Day 14 | Early breakfast, check out. Transfer by coach to Irkutsk airport, and departure for Moscow by a morning flight |
The Tour Operator reserves the right to introduce alterations to the itinerary due to weather conditions or other factors out of control by the Tour operator.
TOUR PRICE per person, summer 2008:
EUR 1 140 (attention : in groups of 8+)
- valid for own groups of Tour Operator 8+ pax
The price includes the following: meeting at the airport; transport services according to the program (incl hydrofoil tickets); accommodation according to the program; meals according to the program; necessary equipment; accompanying personnel (trekking instructor, driver), language-speaking guide
The price does not include: airfare to/from Irkutsk, spirits, Banya Day 10, optional services, sleeping bag and camping mat
Dates of departure: upon request for your own groups
