The Sun of the East (Baikal)

1Day.

Arrival and meeting atGorno-AltayskAirport (09:00–10:00, local time, UTC+4 from Moscow).

Optional early pick-up (before 09:00) is available from the bus station and hotels inGorno-Altaysk.

Excursion to the symbolic monuments at the entrance to the Altai Republic, where guests will learn about Altai traditions and the cultural significance of the region for the Turkic world.

Breakfast on the bank of the Katun River.

Visit to a traditional Altai ail (nomadic dwelling). You will discover the customs and daily life of the Altai people and enjoy a performance of the famous Altai throat singing (kai).

Leaving the more populated and developed part of Altai behind, we travel along the legendaryChuysky Trakt,moving towards more remote and untouched areas.

Over the next two days, we will journey deep into Altai, almost reaching the Mongolian border. Along the way, you will witness a dramatic change of natural and climatic zones. As theChuysky Traktclimbs higher into the mountains, we enter theKuraiandChuya steppe regions -among the highest-altitude steppes in the world (up to 2,000 meters above sea level).

The majestic panorama of the NorthChuyaRange, vast steppes, and semi-desert landscapes offers countless opportunities to admire and capture truly unique scenery.

Accommodation in a hotel in Ongudayvillage.

Breakfast.
Today we continue our journey along theChuysky Trakt, traveling close to the Mongolian border.

We will cross theChike-Taman Pass and enjoy views of the beautifulKatunandChuyarivers, including their confluence at theChuya-Oozy Natural Park. Along the way, we will also see several rapids (Class III–V), popular among raftingsportsmens.

We will visit the Geyser Lake and the “Mars” area-unique locations known for their otherworldly, almost cosmic landscapes.

Dinner.

4 Day.

Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport. Flight from Novosibirsk to Krasnoyarsk.

Upon arrival: transfer and hotel accommodation.

Visit to the Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum, widely regarded as one of the finest museums of history and ethnography in Siberia.

Breakfast.
City sightseeing tour.

Krasnoyarsk is one of the oldest and largest cities in Siberia,with a400 years-history. Today, it stands as a major business, industrial, and cultural hub-the capital of Eastern Siberia.

Beautiful Krasnoyarsk, a city rich in history and architectural landmarks, stretches along the banks of the great Siberian river, the Yenisei, surrounded by mountains and taiga forests.

Excursion to thenaturalreserve,KrasnoyarskPillars. The tour includes a transfer to the reserve and a guided walk through the central rock formations.

Overnight stay at a hotel located within thenaturalreserve,KrasnoyarskPillars.
Dinner.

Breakfast.Transfer to the railway station. Departure for Irkutsk.

Today, we invite you to experience Siberia from the window of atrain,thathas its own unique charm. You will have the opportunity to truly appreciate the vastness and beauty of Siberian landscapes, as well as gain insight into the everyday life of its people.

Dinner. Overnight on the train (4-berth compartment accommodation).

Morning arrival in Irkutsk. Breakfast. Panoramic city tour by vehicle.

Historic Russian Orthodox churches and a Polish Catholic cathedral,ancientwooden houses partially sunk into theground,and elegant stone mansions once owned by wealthy Siberian merchants-all of these elements bring to life the history of Siberia and the Russian state.

Today, Irkutsk celebrates over 365 years of history. Thanks to its well-preserved historical center and its role as the “Eastern Capital of Siberia,” the city is rightly considered one of the most beautiful and fascinating in the country.

Transfer toOlkhonIsland, to the village ofKhuzhir(270 km).

Then we visitthe “Golden Horde” ethnographic complex. Thetour“Visiting aBuryatFamily” in a traditional yurt introduces you to the customs, cuisine, and folklore ofBuryatia. You will learn the secrets of making authenticbuuzand take part in the traditional circle dance“yokhor”.

Dinner featuring national cuisine.

Ferry crossing toOlkhonIsland-your firstmeetingwith Lake Baikal!

Breakfast.

Departure for an excursion to CapeKhoboy.

This striking column-shaped rock formation, which gives the cape its name, is surrounded by local legends. The cape is located near the widest point of Lake Baikal (79.5 km), where you can fully appreciate the immense scale of the lake—often referred to by locals as the “sea.”

Along the way, you will discover the diverse landscapes and natural landmarks of the island: the scenic steppes of northernOlkhon, the “Three Brothers” rock formation, and the famous stilted trees of thePeschanoyearea.

A picnic lunch will be served during a scenic stop.

Transfer to theUzuryValley, where a high-speed boat will be waiting. You will cross Lake Baikal to its eastern shore, arriving in the Republic ofBuryatia.

Transfer to theGoryachinskresort. Hotel accommodation.

Relax in the resort’s thermal pool. Just 15 minutes in the mineral-rich waters can help stimulate metabolism, boost the immune system, improve digestion-and simply offer the pleasure of swimming outdoors.

Dinner.

Breakfast.

Transfer to the capital ofBuryatia, Ulan-Ude (173 km).

En route, stops will be made along the shores of Lake Baikal, including the lighthouse inTurkavillage and the Turtle Rock-according to legend, a guardian of Lake Baikal.

Visit to the Ethnographic Museum.

Hotel check-in.

City sightseeing tour of the main attractions: the famous monument to Vladimir Lenin (known as the “Lenin Head”), the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the pedestrian Lenin Street, and the Odigitrievsky Cathedral.

You will experience the unique Eastern charm and distinctive spirit of this remarkable city.

Dinner.

Breakfast.

Excursion to theIvolginsky Datsan-the center of Buddhism in Russia.

“At the foot of theKhamar-DabanRange, across vast степи, in a მშვიდ tranquilvalley,lies the spiritual capital of the Traditional BuddhistSanghaof Russia-Ivolginsky Datsan. On sunny days, the gilded temples shine brightly, welcoming pilgrims and visitors from afar. Timeitselfseems to slow down here, while the air is filled with the rich, aromatic scent of blooming степные травы.”

Thedatsanis a large monastic complex, with temple interiors adorned with authentic works of art. It is also home to the residence of thePandito KhamboLama, the head of Russian Buddhists, as well as a Buddhist University where novice monks are trained, and the residences of lamas. The complex is protected by the state as a cultural and architectural heritage site.

Excursion “Visiting theSemeyskie(Old Believers)”.

TheSemeyskieare a unique and ancient branch of the Russian people-descendants of pre-PetrineRussia who were resettled in Siberia in the second half of the 17th century. To this day, their descendants inBuryatiahave preserved a rich and distinctive cultural heritage. UNESCO has recognized the spiritual culture of theSemeyskieof theTarbagatayDistrict as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

Visit to a traditional Old Believers’ homestead,acquaintancewith rituals, customs, and their unique polyphonic singing traditions.

Dinner featuring traditional Old Russian cuisine.

Return to Ulan-Ude.

11 Day. Final Day of the tour. Check-out from the hotel by 12:00.

Transfer to the airport or railway station.