Lake Baikal

The world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake, with Irkutsk as the gateway, and Olkhon Island, Listvyanka and Ulan-Ude on the east shore around the lake.

Lake Baikal lies in Eastern Siberia. It is about 636 km long and up to 1,642 m deep, holds about one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water, and is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The lake area spans Irkutsk Oblast and the Republic of Buryatia; for travelers, Irkutsk on the west shore is the main gateway, while the east shore centers on the Buryat capital Ulan-Ude. Highlights: on Olkhon, the lake's largest island, Shaman Rock, Cape Khoboy and winter ice caves; the lakeside town of Listvyanka about 70 km from Irkutsk, with the Baikal Museum; the Circum-Baikal Railway's tunnels and stone bridges along the south shore; and, on the east shore, the Tibetan Buddhist Ivolginsky Datsan and Buryat culture. In summer you can hike the Great Baikal Trail and take boats to see seals; in winter you can take photos on the crystal-clear "blue ice" and ride hovercraft and ice-going off-road vehicles. Plan 5–7 days: Irkutsk 1 day, Listvyanka 1 day, Olkhon Island 2–3 days, Ulan-Ude 1–2 days. You can reach Irkutsk by the Trans-Siberian Railway or by flight; Olkhon requires a minibus and a ferry (an ice road in winter). Before traveling, check for changes in visa, flight and payment policies.

Destinations

• Irkutsk & Lake Baikal
• Olkhon Island
• Ulan-Ude
• Barguzin Valley & Svyatoy Nos

Itineraries

• Trans-Siberian Railway Eastern Section: Vladivostok to Lake Baikal – Travel west along the railway via Khabarovsk and Ulan-Ude to Irkutsk and Olkhon Island.
• Lake Baikal Summer Classic Loop – Depart from Irkutsk, head up to Olkhon Island, and finish with the Circum-Baikal Railway to Listvyanka.
• Lake Baikal Winter Blue Ice – Head to Olkhon Island during the frozen period to explore the northern and southern routes, see blue ice and ice caves…
• Lake Baikal Eastern Shore & Barguzin – Enter and exit via Ulan-Ude, travel through the Barguzin Valley and Svyatoy Nos Peninsula, and explore Chivyrkuisky Bay.
• Trans-Siberian Railway: Moscow to Beijing – Cross Russia by train in stages, traveling through Lake Baikal and the Mongolian steppes to Beijing.