Things to do in Irkutsk Oblast, Siberian District: The Best Cultural Tours

There are a lot of stereotypes about Russia and Siberia. For example many people think Siberia is a dark frozen wild place. In deed 6 months per year this area is really frozen (from November till April the air temperature is from -5 C to -35 C). But it is not dark at all! Irkutsk is one of the sunniest places on the planet (we have 318 (!) days of bright sun shining during the year) Some people believe that Siberia is a place with bears walk alone the roads. But bears dont walk along the roads here! It is imposable! Because we have no roads!!! (Russian joke about roads quality in Russia) So during this tour you will get to know the truth about Russia, Siberia and russian people!

Inclusions: Guide

Exclusions: Tips (optional), Private transportation

Come to Russia for a "once in a lifetime" experience! During this immersive trip you will learn the melodic and mysterious Russian language while traveling through the immensity of the Russian territory with the mythical Trans-Siberian railway. Traveling by train will offer you incomparable views of the Siberian landscapes. This 14 days trip includes daily Russian language classes with a native certified Russian teacher. You will have dozens of opportunities to apply your new language skills by interacting with the local people, sharing with them unforgettable moments and learning more about the famous Russian soul. Three main stops are planned during this journey so that you can discover more in-depth some of the most fascinating places or Western Russia and Siberia: departing from Moscow the train will stop in Kazan, Yekaterinburg and the Baikal Lake, before a final stop in Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean. A journey of more than 9000 kms across 7 time zones!

Inclusions: 4 train tickets (2nd class), Accommodation in hotels (standard double room) and with host families, 30 hours of Russian language lessons, Excursions with an English-speaking local guide, Meals mentioned in the programme, Significant time spent with a Russian teacher throughout the journey (in addition to lessons), Visa support (voucher and registration fee in Russia)

Exclusions: Gratuities, Flights (flight to Moscow, flight back from Vladivostok), Meals not mentioned in the programme, Personal insurance, Personal expenses

We are here to propose to you a personalized trip on the Circum Baikal Railway. It will perfectly fit you if you hate crowds and want to get 100% in harmony with nature. This is for you if you are looking for a route that reflects the most iconic spots along the way and doesn't take a lot of time; or if you would like to hugely diversify your knowledge on the subject of the railway construction and the history of the country and be treated as a welcome guest as well as a client. The Circum Baikal Railway is rightfully considered the most beautiful part of the Trans-Siberian Railway. An open-air monument of engineering ideas with its numerous tunnels, bridges, viaducts, and protective walls has become one of the most favorite destinations on Baikal. And we are inviting you to join us on this trip and explore “the golden buckle of Transsib” in a very elegant and convenient way. With us, you will observe the most iconic places for a reasonable price and accompanied by a skilled guide.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Air-conditioned vehicle, Snacks, Guide service throught the tour, 4 hour boat excursion

Exclusions:

You will be picked up from your hotel by a comfortable minivan. On the way to Listvyanka you will visit the wooden ethnography museum Taltsy and the Baikal limnology museum to find out more about the Siberian exploration by Russians, local people settlements, and scientific study of the lake. In Listvyanka you will rise by a cableway to an observation platform "Czerskiy Stone", with stunning views of Lake Baikal and the source of the Angara River. Then you can visit the famous fish market and taste endemic Baikal fish. What's included: - private transfer: Irkutsk - Listvyanka – Irkutsk - guide service during the tour - Irkutsk city tour around historical center of the town - tickets for a chair lift to the observation point "Cherskiy Stone" - tickets for "Taltsy" museum - tickets for Baikal Limnological Museum - free time to explore Listvyanka and visit a fish market - opportunity for customization

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Guide service throughout the tour, Visit to an open-air Taltsy museum , Chair lift ride to an observation point, Visit to Baikal Limnological Museum

Exclusions:

This authentic trip is for those travelers, who want to get acquainted with Asian traditions, with Buryats (local population), who have been shamanists since the old times and started to become Buddhists in the XVIIth century. You will have a chance to meet locals, ride horses and even to live in the gers (nomadic tents). You’ll also have a conversation to real shamans and try national food of Buryats. Living in civilized world, spending plenty of time with phones, laptops and other gadgets, we started to lose connection to the present moment. Vacation in the wild nature of Siberia with fresh air, surrounded by Baikal lake, will fill you with energy and restore health.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Tickets to the museums, Guides services for 11 days, Traditional ritual by shaman, Entrance tickets to the national parks , Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Accommodation is excluded. We can add it at your request depending on the type of roo you choose, Meals

Listvyanka is the best place to visit Lake Baikal especially if you are restricted in time.The minibus / private car will pick you up from the hotel and you will start your way to Listvyanka, which is 70 km away from Irkutsk. After a while there will be a stop and you will visit Talzy. It is an open-air museum of wooden architecture. The next stop will be at the rock of Shaman, the place which is full of legends and mysteries. Soon after this stop we will visit Baikal museum which discloses the secrets of water purity, flora and fauna of the lake. Then we go to the fish market where you can try Baikal omul. After all these cable way will bring you Chersky’s stone – the picturesque place at the top of 748m above sea level.

Inclusions: Private transportation, a bottle of Baikal water, Taltzy museum tickets

Exclusions:

Touch the ancient culture of the Buryat people, who for centuries inhabited the shores of Lake Baikal! During an excursion in the Golden Horde ethnic park, you will see the most carved beautiful yurt of Russia and the houses of local residents, enjoy ethnic music and national dances, and also try traditional dishes.

Inclusions: Lunch

Exclusions:

This tour is an elegant way to get acquainted with a cozy Siberian city called Irkutsk and the nearest town on Lake Baikal which is Listvyanka Village. You'll find yourself on the shores of the deepest and oldest lake on earth, race its waves on a boat excursion, ride a chair lift while observing Baikal with the taiga forest beneath your feet, and snow-capped mountains in the distance, learn some curious facts about Siberia’s exploration, taste delicious Russian cuisine and regional drinks. What's included: • Private transportation Irkutsk - Listvyanka – Irkutsk • Service of an English-speaking guide throughout the tour • Irkutsk city tour around historical center of the town • Visit to the observation point using the service of the chair lift • 40-min boat excursion on Lake Baikal • 60-min free time to visit an open-air fish and souvenir market

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Lunch

The Trans-Siberian Train- a term that thrills adventurers of all kinds. Of the different branches of the Trans-Siberian Train, the Trans-Mongolian is the most traveled route, mainly due to the fact that in one journey one could explore three different countries, and three different distinct cultures. But long train rides over the vast open Siberian taiga and tundra might just not meet the preferences of many travelers. We have thus designed a trip that focuses on the true real gems of this long train ride. Our journey begins by Lake Baikal of Russian Siberia, on to the land of the Mongol Nomads, and ends in Beijing, the Chinese capital. Featuring two of the most spectacular sections of the Trans-Mongolia railway, and with enough time to explore at ease the unique culture and spectacular sites along the route, this is the perfect trip for those wishing to combine an iconic train ride with up-close encounters with local cultures.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Accommodation at hotels selected including breakfast, Train tickets for the train rides segments indicated in the program on a half-compartment basis, Transfers by private A/C vehicles at each train stop, Meals as indicated in the program, English speaking guide at each train stop, Entry fees for all shows and sightseeing as per program

Exclusions: International airfare to Irkutsk, and from Beijing, Travel Insurance, Russian Tourist Visa, Mongolian Tourist Visa, Chinese Tourist Visa, Food, meals or drinks aboard the train, Excess luggage, Gratuities

Ethnographical tour around the Lake Baikal area, an exiting visit to the region where Shamanism is still practised. It is a brilliant way to experience the Buryat people’s traditional hospitality and cuisine, to enjoy their dancing and music. You are invited to take part in the original ceremony of "meeting-and-greeting" guests at a Buryat dwelling, view the folk art, make offerings to the local spirits, and feel like a medieval nomad. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Round-trip private transfer, Professional local guide, Folk program, Visit to Shaman, Buryat national lunch, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified