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Christmas Holidays at Lake Baikal ( VIRK4 )
Spend your Christmas holidays at this captivating tour to Baikal. Have a walk on crystal clear endless Baikal ice, learn the ancient legends of the mysterious Olkhon Island and enjoy genuine Siberian treats. This Christmas will be truly unforgettable!
- Introduction to your journey
- Your Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Departures and Prices
- What's Included
- Book
The Route
IRKUTSK • Listvyanka • Irkutsk • Ust-Orda Settlement • IRKUTSK
Irkutsk
Irkutsk, capital of South Baikal, is one of the largest Siberian cities and was a key stop for caravans from Buchara and even China. Today Irkutsk became a center of gold-mining production and is developing fast. In the city you can discover unique examples of Irkutsk architectural heritage, such as “White house”, which was first a palace of the merchants Sibiryakovs, then a residence of East Siberia governor-general.
The Taltsy Museum of Architecture and Ethnography
The Taltsi Museum of Architecture and Ethnography is located on 47th kilometre of Baikal Route. Construction of the museum began at the End of 1960. Damming of the Angara River threatened unique historicalbuildings, such as Spaskaya tower (1667) and the Kazan chapel (1679). These buildings were moved to a safer location.Land for the museum was allocated from the Taltsmsky area Incidentally,Taltsy Village was recently a well-knownglass factory It's now essentially flooded as a result of the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station.Several country manors of 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and some water mills were brought from various areas. These monuments formed the basis of the early museum. The museum opened to the public in May 1980 In February 1995, the Boris Yeltsin declared Taltsi a historic and culture monument. People like to spend Maslenitsa (RussianOrthodox Carnival) and the Trinity holidays at Taltsi, as well was regular days off.
Listvyanka
Listvyanka village is located on the shore of Lake Baikal 65 km away from Irkutsk city. This village was founded in the18th century and got its name from larch trees growing on the nearest cape. At the end of the 1920s, a Limnologicalstation was founded here; later it became the Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences. Its museum is already 10 years in existence and is visited annually by over 50,000 people. The exhibits acquaint visitorswith the history of studying and researching Lake Baikal, its fauna and its flora.
Ethnopark
Ethnopark is located in a picturesque area on the way to Lake Baikal.Guests are invited to get acquainted with the ethno-cultural identity of the indigenous population, carefully preservedby the Buryat people throughout the centuries. Ethnopark introduces the national cuisine and the most beautifulcarved yurt of Russia. In addition, there are yurts in which you can immerse yourself in traditional way of life. Guests will be able to participate in national rites, fun and games as well as dance master classes.
Day 1, 29 December
Today you arrivein Irkutsk. You will meet with the group at 10am* at the airport. You will start your day with an introductory 3h long Irkutsk city tour. Enjoy lucnh at a local restaurant before being transferred tothe open-air museum “Taltsy” (the drive time will take around 45 min). You will have about 1h30min tovisit the museum before traveling to the Listvyanka settlement. Check in in in the “Krestowaya Pad” hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure! Meals Included:Lunch.
Day 2, 30 December
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide at the reception. You will travel to the dog sledding centre today! Here, you will see Siberian husky dogs and for the extra charge you can try dog-sledding. Later you will be transferred to the Baikalmuseum for an informative tour. Check-out from the hotel. After a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, you will get a chance to visit Listvyanka itself and see Baikal seals show and Chersky Stone view point. You will now travel back to Irkutsk and check in at the hotel “Empire”. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure! Meals Included: Breakfast,Lunch.
Day 3, 31 December
Enjoy a breakfast at the hotel before meeting with the guide at 12:00. Transfer to Ust-Orda settlement (around 1h drive) where you will visit a unique ethnographic complex of Buryat culture (around 2h). The program includes meeting in accordance with traditions of Buryat people, visiting the zoo, excursion to local Buryat yurts and folklore performance.Enjoy Lunch at the centre (Traditional Buryat cuisine). Return back to Irkutsk. After some free time to relax and to get ready for the Hogmanay celebrations, you will meet with the guide to be transferred to the restaurant. Spend the New Year’s Eve dinner watching a traditional show and chatting with your fellow travellers. Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Gala Dinner.
Day 4, 1 January
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day in Irkutsk, so you will be able to rest at the hotel or have a walk in a beautifully decoratedfestive city centre. Meals Included:Breakfast.
Day 5, 2 January
Your holiday comes to an end. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. *The tour is operated in conjunction with our Russian partners and is not exclusive to IntoRussia clients. The tour operates with a minimum of 10 persons. Please note that our local partners reserve the right to change hotels to similar hotels of the same standard and change the order of excursions.
Krestovaya Pad 
3 crown
Address
664520, Irkutsk region, Listvyanka settlement, Gornaya street, 14 A
Location
Set just 50 yards from the banks of Lake Baikal, Krestovaya Pad Hotel offers spectacular views, a sun terrace and a sauna. Empire
3 crown
Address
Polskyh Povstantsev Str.1, 664011 Irkutsk, Russia
Location
Overlooking the Angara River, this quiet hotel in the historic part of Irkutsk is a 5-minute walk from Kirov Square.Please note that our local partners reserve the right to change hotels to similar hotels of the same standard and change the order of excursions.
Christmas Holidays at Lake Baikal
Flight details:
Please speak with us to get the best prices on flights added to your tour
Please note:
Deposit is required at booking stage
We use live currency update, price may slightly fluctuate daily
IntoRussia Ltd reserves the right to change hotels to similar ones of the same standard and change the
order of excursions
Extras:
If you are a group and want to add extra days or excursions, or you are looking for more independence,
contact our Destination Experts for a tailor-made package
2018, Departures and Prices
| DEPARTURE 2018 | Prices based on 2 passengers excluding flights | Single room supplement, price per person from |
| 29 DECEMBER - 2 JANUARY | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT |
2019, Departures and Prices
| DEPARTURE 2019 | Prices based on 2 passengers excluding flights | Single room supplement, price per person from |
| 29 DECEMBER - 2 JANUARY | ON REQUEST | ON REQUEST |
Included in price:
• Accommodation at the hotel "Krestowaya pad" in standard twin rooms, 1 night
• Accommodation at the hotel "Empire" in standard twin rooms, 3 nights
• English speaking guide service day 1 – day 3
• Sightseeing: Irkutsk city tour, excursion to Listvyanka village, visiting of the ethnographic complex
• "Golden Horde"
• Entrance tickets to the museum "Taltsy", Baikal limnological museum, tickets for the lift chair and Baikal Seals show
• Meals as per itinerary
• Transport service as per itinerary
• New Year's Eve dinner with a show program
• Full Russian visa support
Tour does not include
• International and domestic flights (speak with us to get the best prices on flights added to your tour)
• Russian visa fees paid directly to the Consulate
• Travel insurance
• Regional add-ons
+44(0)207 603 50 45