Stanislav
English and Arabic
Hi, I’m Stanislav. I love sharing the quiet side of a destination: a scenic walk, a good conversation, and time to take it all in. I’m here to help you feel at home along the way.
Fantastic Baikal Crossing
Seven winter days across frozen Baikal, from Irkutsk and Olkhon to hot springs, ice caves, and Ulan-Ude.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Group size
- 3-8
- Difficulty
- 1/5
- Minimum age
- 1+
Overview
Cross frozen Lake Baikal from west to east on a seven-day, six-night winter journey. The route combines Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Olkhon Island, Ust-Barguzin, the Chivyrkuisky Gulf, and Ulan-Ude. Along the way, ride a hovercraft and off-road vehicles, skate on clear ice, visit caves and sacred places, meet Baikal huskies, and bathe in hot springs.
The trip is rated 1 out of 5 for difficulty and welcomes groups of 3-8, including children from age 1. Winter conditions control the route and activities. Contact Clubok for available dates and a complete trip quote.
Clubok takes care of domestic connections, transfers, accommodation and halal meals throughout the agreed trip. Share your arrival city in Russia and dietary requirements; we put the complete arrangements and price in writing before payment.
Tour route
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Meeting and travel
Clubok arranges domestic connections to Irkutsk and meets you at the airport. The planned arrival is before 10:00, with the city programme starting at 14:00; we coordinate your flights and transfers around that schedule.
The route finishes in Ulan-Ude after the farewell dinner. We arrange your onward domestic flight, an overnight train to Irkutsk or an overnight stay to suit your connection. Your written quote lists the chosen route, any additional night and the final transfer.
Your day-by-day journey
1Day 1 - Irkutsk
Meet at Irkutsk Airport and begin a three-hour city tour at 14:00. Explore the historic and modern center of Eastern Siberia, then gather in one of the restaurants in the 130th Quarter to meet the group and discuss the journey ahead.
2Day 2 - Listvyanka
Drive about one hour to Listvyanka. Stop at the Taltsy open-air architectural and ethnographic museum, then take the chairlift to the Chersky Stone viewpoint. After lunch, visit the Baikal Museum, meet Baikal seals, ride with huskies, and browse the fish market for local omul.
3Day 3 - Hovercraft to Olkhon
Travel by hovercraft from Listvyanka through Peschanaya Bay and Bolshoye Goloustnoye to Olkhon Island. Skate where the ice is mirror-smooth, see the bay's stilt-root trees and methane bubbles, and arrive near sunset for views of Shamanka Rock at Cape Burkhan.
4Day 4 - Southern Olkhon
Explore the south of Olkhon by UAZ vehicle. Visit ice caves and formations, then cross to Ogoy Island and its white Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment. Return to Olkhon for a hot dinner; studded-tire bicycle rental may be available separately.
5Day 5 - Northern Olkhon and Ust-Barguzin
Travel north to Cape Khoboy and Three Brothers Rock. After a hot fish-soup lunch, cross Baikal at its widest section by UAZ to Ust-Barguzin. End the day with a banya on the shore of Barguzin Bay and, if conditions allow, a dip through the lake ice.
6Day 6 - Chivyrkuisky Gulf and hot springs
Ride snowmobiles on Barguzin Bay, then visit the ice caves of the Chivyrkuisky Gulf and the hot thermal springs at Zmeinaya Bay. Spend a second night in Ust-Barguzin.
7Day 7 - Ulan-Ude and Ivolginsky Datsan
Drive roughly four hours to Ulan-Ude. Visit Ivolginsky Datsan, a center of Russian Buddhism, and walk through the city center before a farewell dinner. Continue to the Ulan-Ude hotel, airport or overnight train to Irkutsk arranged by Clubok in your onward travel plan.
Accommodation
Six nights along the route across Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Khuzhir and Ust-Barguzin. We confirm the properties and room arrangements before payment. If your onward connection requires a further night in Ulan-Ude or an overnight train, we arrange it and include it in your complete quote.
Your guides
Your Clubok package includes
We include the services below in your agreed package. The complete quote reflects your arrival city, dates and travel arrangements. Displayed estimates and demo prices are not final quotes.
- Six nights of accommodation along the route.
- The Irkutsk city tour, listed excursions, museum admission and regional recreation fees.
- Hovercraft, off-road and boat or snowmobile transport specified in the confirmed itinerary.
- Domestic connections within Russia and airport or station transfers specified in your complete Clubok quote.
- Halal breakfast, lunch and dinner during the agreed trip, including free days; meal timings follow your arrival and departure schedule.
- English- and Arabic-speaking guide support, plus 24/7 WhatsApp assistance. Remote routes may have limited connectivity.
- Travel insurance arranged for your itinerary; we confirm the insurer, covered activities and policy terms before payment.
Budget separately
These costs are not covered by the tour price. Optional activities are your choice.
- International travel to and from Russia and personal visa or document fees.
- Optional rentals and activities outside the confirmed programme.
- Souvenirs, personal purchases and upgrades you choose outside the agreed quote.
What to pack
Bring thermal base layers, a fleece or wool mid-layer, a windproof insulated jacket and trousers, warm mittens, hat, balaclava or neck gaiter, thermal socks, and sturdy non-slip winter footwear. Pack indoor clothes, spare underwear, and swimwear for the hot springs.
Also bring a daypack, high-SPF sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a headlamp, spare insoles, a boot dryer, and a thermos. Confirm any specialist equipment with Clubok for your dates and expected temperatures.
Booking and cancellation
Before you pay, Clubok sends a written quote with the deposit, balance due dates and cancellation schedule for your complete trip. Domestic tickets, accommodation and activities may have different refund conditions; we explain any non-refundable amounts in that document.
Contact Clubok to request a change or cancellation. We coordinate with the providers and confirm any applicable charges and refund. Weather-dependent activities may be rescheduled or replaced; the options and any price adjustment are agreed with you.