EAST BAIKAL TREK

SIBERIAN Taïga & Baikal Lake experience

Summary:

Discover Siberia's vastness and isolation, on the footsteps of an old train line that never saw life. Through traditional Buryat villages and post communist Kholkoz, be immersed in what russia is all about: immensity and a very uniquely warm civilization. You'll experience the traditional banhya by a river, nurture your feet with shamanistic recipes, and feed like a russian bear on smoke trout and barley. Russia is unique, with its history, litterature, traditions and specially outlook on life; doing this journey along the Baikal lake and mountain range will change your perspective about the continent nation! Todays damaged western-russia relations make it the best time to undertake such a trip, and forge your opinion through cultural slap!

1.Departure Date:

Best departure dates are from June to October

2.Duration:

14 days

3.Group Meeting Point:

Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia.

4.Who can go?

a.Min age: adults only 

b.Physical condition: must be fit and healthy. This trip involves 8 continuous days of demanding hiking on mountainous terrain, while carrying your day pack.

c.You will need to:

i.To walk an average of 20km p/ day

ii.Enjoy remoteness

iii.Enjoy cultural difference

d.Group size: max 6 pax + 1 guide

5.Rating (1 to 10): Overall = 7 /10

Difficulty = 7

Isolation = 8

Danger = 6

6.This activity involves (%):

Transport: Walking = 80%  Train = 10%%  Van = 10%

Survival skills = 20%

Orienteering = 70%

Group Autonomy = 70%

7.Schedule:

Day 1, meet the guide in Irkutsk, briefing, board the train.

Day 2, train travel.

Day 3 to 9, trek through Dscherginski National Reserve, camp every night. Enjoy hotsprings along the way, taiga wildlife, remoteness, amazing indigenous and views and a lot of history !

Day 10, hike in morning to the last trek stage, then 4x4 transfer to Yianjima goddess temple. Overnight at hotsprings camp.

Day 11, hike all morning along the baikal shore, to your lake side B&B, discover local village life, fishing and and how the lake changes during the day.

Day 12, Boat to Olkhon and settle in the camp.

Day 13, rest day, local visits and heading to Khoboi Cape

Day 14, travel back to Irkutsk via some must see sites.

8.Weather / local conditions / Terrain:

Irkutsk is in Siberia: it is characterized by an extreme variation of temperatures between seasons. It can be very warm in the summer, and very cold in the winter. However, Lake Baikal has its effect, such that temperatures in Irkutsk are not as extreme as elsewhere in Siberia. The warmest month of the year in Irkutsk is July, when the average temperature is +18 °C (64 °F), the highest temperature recorded being +37.2 °C (99.0 °F).

Precipitation also varies widely throughout the year, with July also being the wettest month, when precipitation averages 113 millimeters (4.4 in). The driest month is winter.

9.Accommodation

In the train, in 2nd class bunks (6pax)

During Hike, in tents (2 or 4pax)

In villages and Hot springs, in local guest houses, twin share

In town in 3* hotel (local standard), twin share.

10.Food

Traditional local food, made of meat or fish, with potatoes, onions. Often in stews and soup. Supplemented by local hearty Buuz (big raviolis), pancakes with sour cream, or simply milky tea, soup from mutton, house noodles and also Salamat. Food in Russia is filling but not very refined. It is good but not delicate. If you are faint with alcohol, dont go near vodka, you can catch up with beer... Drinking alcohol with locals in Russia is a 'dangerous game', as most westerns have none of the drinking tradition that Russia has. You are warned !

11.Transport

Airport pickups and drop offs are made in mini vans.

Train, for the unmatched tranS-siberian leg of the BAM

Airplane (if this option is retained) in local airline

Local 4x4 vans for transfers

Motor Boat (ferry) across the lake

12.What to expect

Have you ever imagined you'd travel in time? well, this is your opportunity to do it. Russia thinks differently than the West, and it translates in everything of daily life. This is a trek in the pure Russian tradition:  Light weight, well catered, with nice relaxing moments by hot springs. Siberia is unique by many means: its people are made of different ethnical groups, their instinctive relation to nature, the outlook on life and mainly a different perception of the world.

Vegetation is made of pine trees and burch, with high Mountains around, rivers to cross, and stunning old trails in a Taiga like environment. Don't expect to wash every day, but when you'll have access to local banhya (sauna), you'll have to go with the full treatment (pine branch massage and ice bucket!).

13.Safety and security

We take safety very seriously.

There are no major risks but the ones inherent to trekking (body injuries, weather, isolation, etc.). We minimise these risks by preparing for them. But the best is to act mindfully and carefully during the trip. The area is well known to your experienced guide, and the route could differ depending on local conditions.

Should an incident happen, rescue protocols are established and your guide will ensure your prompt safety.

14.Remark:

a .One English speaking guide for the group.

b. Consider no internet or mobile phone network for most of the trip.

c.  This trek is demanding (because of its isolation)

d. Most goods will be carried by 4x4 to our night stage

15.Cost:

per person in a group of 6 (twin share, dormitory and shared tent) = AUD 3800

a. For less pax please contact us

b. For helicopter return please contact us

16.Inclusions and exclusions

a.inclusions

i.safety and specialist equipment carried by you or the guide

ii.all food and meals

iii.all accommodation specified in schedule (in twin share room or tents)

iv.transport and drivers as per the schedule

v.park permits and special permits

vi.local visits and museum fees

vii.invitation letter for visa application

b.exclusions

i.russian visa

ii.travel insurance

iii.international flights to 'meeting point'

iv.personal expenses (beverages, entertainment, etc)

v.tips to local guides

vi.personal equipment (we will send you a comprehensive kit list when booked)

Should you have any questions please contact us

iwanttogo@nolimitjourneys.com