Baikal Irkutsk Trans Siberian

Baikal Tour: Listvyanka & Circum-Baikal Railway 

Tours, Lake Baikal Sightseeing Tours
Tour Duration: 4 days
Group Size: 2 - 5 people
Specialty Categories: Cultural Journey, Sightseeing Trip
Season: May - September
Price Per Person: USD 985 - 1,175

On this fully guided tour you will visit Irkutsk, the beautiful capital of East Siberia. It was founded in 1661 as an outpost near Lake Baikal. Its importance grew as it became a transit point from Europe to China and an administrative center of the extensive area from Siberia to Alaska. Irkutsk survived tumultuous early years of Siberia exploration and now is one of Russia’s cities that possesses the unique historical heritage.

The city is situated on the banks of the Angara River only 65 km (40 mi) from Lake Baikal which is world famous for being the deepest lake in the world. More than half of the species that inhabit the lake are endemics which means they have evolved here and are not found anywhere else in the world. On your way from Irkutsk we invite you to take a tour to Taltsy open-air museum of wooden architecture. Museum funds include over 40 original wooden buildings with some authentic traits of Siberian wooden art. The most valuable and rare of them are the "Tower of our Savior" built in 1667 and the Khazanskaya Chapel built in 1669.

Then, the trip itinerary leads you to Listvyanka settlement, the most popular tourist destination at the lake. You will see the famous Shaman rock in the mouth of the Angara River and learn the ancient legend of old mighty Baikal and his only daughter beautiful Angara. Enjoy a tour to Baikal Museum where the aquaria with fish and Baikal nerpa, the only fresh water seal in the world, are displayed. After that take a short hike to the top of Chersky peak from where one can enjoy breathtaking views on the lake's expanse, the Angara River and snow-topped peaks of Khamar-Daban mountain range on the lake opposite side.

After the excursion part of the tour board a tourist train and take day-long trip along the disused part of the Trans-Siberian known as the Circum-Baikal Railway. The 84 km (53 mi) long track was called "the golden buckle on the steel belt of Russia" as it took enormous funding to construct all of 39 tunnels, 47 stone galleries and over 14 km (9 mi) of supporting walls along the steep shore of the lake. Nowadays, the Circum-Baikal Railway is commonly known as the open-air museum of civil engineering. Along the way you will make a few stops to see the tunnels and niches cut through the cliffs, enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake and picnic on its shoreline. We will meet you at Irkutsk railway station and transfer to one of Irkutsk hotels where you take a rest before the next day departure.

Tour Itinerary:
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Prices (per person):
- Superior accommodation (4* hotels):
* 2 pax: $1,175 p/p
* 3 pax: $1,060 p/p
* 4-6 pax: $970 p/p
* Single supplement: $435

- Standard accommodation (3* hotels):
* 2 pax: $985 p/p
* 3 pax: $870 p/p
* 4-6 pax: $780 p/p
* Single supplement: $245

Price Includes:
- Accommodation on DBL basis as stated in the itinerary
- All meals as stated in the itinerary
- Packed lunch box on Day 3
- All private car or minivan transfers
- Circumbaikal Railway ticket
- Museum entry fees
- English-speaking guide during transfers and excursions
- Russian visa support

Price Excludes:
- Air tickets or train tickets to/ from Irkutsk
- Health insurance
Baikal Tour: Listvyanka & Circum-Baikal Railway Baikal Tour: Listvyanka & Circum-Baikal Railway Baikal Tour: Listvyanka & Circum-Baikal Railway Baikal Tour: Listvyanka & Circum-Baikal Railway

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