Day 1: Sunday
Arrival to Irkutsk. Transfer to the town of Sludyanka (110km). The town is
situated on the south-western tip of lake Baikal. We’ll make a stop on the
Koultuk hill at the fish market. Here you’ll have a picturesque view of
the lake and surrounding mountains. Transfer to Mr Zhigalov’s museum and
guest house. The Zhigalov’s family is very famous in Sludyanka and all
over Russia as well as their mineralogical museum, where over 10000
samples from all over the world are presented. After dinner you will hear
a story about the history of the museum and the life of stones by Valeri
Zhigalov of his wife Luba.
Day 2: Monday
Breakfast. Walk to the shore of Baikal to see one of the 30 key simbols of
the lake – Shamansky Cape, which was considered to be a sacred place for
the locals – Buryats and Evenki peoples. Here spiritual rituals and
ceremonies had been held. In July 7th, 2004 after long break shamans of
Buryatia, Mongolia and Tuva republic served a sacred ceremony on the cape.
Picnic lunch. Time at leisure. Dinner.
Day 3: Tuesday
Breakfast. Trekking up the Sludyanka river. You will go through real
Siberian Taiga – forest where we still drink from mountains creeks,
collect berries, mushrooms and cedar nuts. Picnic lunch. Return to
Sludyanka. Dinner.
Day 4: Wednesday
Breakfast. The next two days we go horse back riding through siberian
taiga forest and get aquainted with some of Buryat traditions. Packing up
to travel to the Tounka National Park, situated on the territory of the
Republic of Buryatia. On the way you will make stops by sacred places,
both shamanistic and buddhists. Arrival to Zoun – Mourino settlement. The
guide is waiting for us by the bridge across the Zoun – Mourino river. The
name of the river means “100 Horses”. Short hike over a hill to the
Margasan river. On top of the hill there is a place where locals make
offerings to the spirits of mountains and forests. We make a short ritual.
Then we mount horses and cross the river and ride to “Margasan” farm. Here
we have a very simple countryside lunch. Then we make another short
offering ritual to please local spirits for good journey. The first part
of horse back-riding goes to the place called the “Goat’s Neck”. Here the
rivers Zoun – Murino and Margasan come close together and separate again.
After a short rest we continue riding down to Khalun Nugan Forest (“Birch
Tree Forest”) where we stay overnight in tents or in hunters’ hut. Dinner
by the fire.
Day 5: Thursday
Breakfast. Returning back to the farm. Departure to Arshan resort. Arshan,
if translated from the Buryat language means “healing water”.
Accommodation in a guest house. Lunch. Walk to mineral springs, waterfall
of the Kingarga (“Drum”) river, visiting local buddhist temple – Datsan.
Dinner.
Day 6: Friday
Breakfast. Time at leisure. You may enjoing views of visit the souvenire
market. Lunch. Departure the beginning of our white water rafting
adventures on the Irkut River. Preparation for rafting, safety
instructions. First part of rafting lasts for 4hrs. We enter the Zyrkazun
canyon and overcome “The Koulitch Rapid” (2nd grade), then we pass “the
Maly Rapids”. Stop at the beach on the left bank. Setting up tents.
Dinner.
.
Day 7: Saturday
After breakfast we start the second rather tense part of rafting. At the
beginning of this length the river doesn’t have steep turns and in high
waters allow to relax on your vesseles. After 4-5km we have to overcome
the most serious obsticle of the route – “The Big Rapid” (2nd grade). We
can hear its its roaring in a distance. The mighty stream of water breaks
through the rocks swinging and jumping down. On the left bank there is a
good spot for taking pictures of the rapids. Now we have to stop for rest
and lunch. The continue rating we follow the river’s left turn. In about
one hour we go through a cascade of rapids and can relax until the next
rapid called “The Bull”. After this last for the obstacle we stop for the
night at the mouth of Zazara river. Setting up tents. Dinner.
Day 8: Sunday
Breakfast. Rafting down to the deserted village of Viguzovo, go through a
canyon. Soon we approach rapids “Motsky” and “The Dog’s Rapid”. After them
on the smooth waters we come down to Shamanka village with a view of
Shamansky Cliff. Lunch on the right bank. Packing up the gear. Transfer to
Irkutsk (50km).
Day 9: Saturday
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Seeing-off.
Price per PAX in a group, USD: Minimum 6 people. $800/per person
Price includes: all the transfers, 3 overnights in Sludyanka on FB basis (facilities outside), horseback-riding tour on FB basis, 2 overnights in Arshan on FB basis (facilities outside), rafting down the Irkut river on FB basis, rent of equipment, guides service, insurance.
RUSSIA TRAVEL PACKAGES
A selection of Russian tours to take as they are or adjust to your needs.
THE GOLDEN RING
Visit the heart of ancient Russia. What is the Golden Ring?
MOSCOW TOURS
What you can see in Moscow.
MOSCOW DAY TRIPS
Get out of Moscow and take a relaxing trip to some of these places
ST. PETERSBURG
Some of the sights to see in Petersburg
LAKE BAIKAL TOURS
Hiking and trekking around the world's deepest lake in the heart of Siberia
RUSSIAN DIGS
Come and work in the field on a Russian Archaeological dig. Full training given
on site.
TRAVEL TIPS & SERVICES
Getting around in Russia
Moscow and the Golden Ring of Russia.
Golden Ring 5 Days - 4 Nights.
City tour with Peter and Paul’s Fortress.
Petersburg tour Saviour on the Spilled Blood.
City tour with Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
City tour with St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Hermitage Museum with one Treasure Gallery.
Three Cathedrals of St. Petersburg.
Yusupov Palace with Rasputin Murder.