A unique expedition tour to the northmost of Lake Baikal and to the Kotelnikovsky Cape Hot Springs
A unique expedition tour to the northmost of Lake Baikal and to the Kotelnikovsky Cape Hot Springs
Irkutsk – Kurkut bay – Kotelnikovsky Cape – Khakusy – Nizhneangarsk – Severobaikalsk – Kurkut bay – Irkutsk
The main goal of a winter vacation is to actively relax and recharge, and for those who enjoy extreme adventures in the wild and unique forms of relaxation, we suggest a true ice expedition to the north of Lake Baikal. The destination is the northernmost point of Lake Baikal and the hot springs of Kotelnikovsky Cape – a Baikal SPA resort with healing open-air mineral pools in the midst of pristine taiga.
During 7 days of our icy-thermal tour, we will:
– get acquainted with the winter Baikal and its unique ice;
– walk on the ice through the wildest and most mysterious Baikal territories;
– warm up and relax in therapeutic springs at the Kotelnikovsky thermal resort, located at the foot of the Baikal ridge.
Actually, this tour is substantial challenge both for technical equipment and for people.
Together with you we will travel for as much as 800 km of Baikal ice. We will traverse the hummocks and cracks. The scenery there is breathtaking. In some places, perhaps, we will walk in a cloud of snow. Communication via satellite phone is necessary, as there is almost no cell phone coverage.
Travelling through the frozen surface of Lake Baikal, you will find that the nearest settlements are separated from each other by a few dozen kilometers.
Despite all odds, we want to assure our tour is absolutely safe; the route has already been tested in previous outings.
Stick to the point!
What’ll we do?
1 Day, “Snowy-road”:
We will load to the vehicles about 10 a.m. and head towards a destination called the Small Sea (Maloe More), presumably located near lake Baikal. We’ll enjoy Baikal thyme tea on site, try the Baikal ice with own feet either by skating on the transparent ice or walking. We’ll also prepare ourselves and our technical equipment for the journey ahead through the winter Baikal trip to the final destination.
Day 2, “WHITE SILENCE”:
Wake up early, the truly expedition is waiting ahead. We have to the long-frozen transition to the northern shores of lake Baikal. Further we’ll we travel on a well-insulated amphibious hovercraft (Khivus). Thanks to its features, we’ll enjoy picturesque landscapes in the warm cabin. On the journey through the silent winter lake, first we will approach the main habited Olkhon island at lake Baikal, having viewed the northern “underside” of the island, named Cape Khoboy. Then we’ll survey another local anomalous point is Cape Ryty, which travelers try to avoid due to its notorious reputation.
A unique part of the ice itinerary in the north, which goes along the untamed shores of Lake Baikal in Siberia, where the grandeur of nature is at its peak and should be admired in silence.
Exactly are we give singular feasibility our guests in our tour to step on the ice of Lake Baikal with their own feet in the wildest and most unexplored its part. And in this way, we’ll go out into open ice and observe the blue hummocks and mysterious frozen water surface, which has ice cracks. Sometimes, you are as expedition participants, who help pave a path on ice.
We’ll arrive at holiday base in the late afternoon.
Day 3, HOT THERMAL SPRINGS (KOTELKI):
After long trip across Baikal ice, – we’ll be excited about finally being able to relax in the Cape Kotelnikovsky Hot thermal springs.
Plunge into hot mineral water, breathe in crisp air while enjoying a scenic view of the snow-covered foothills of the Baikal ridge. Imagine yourself with a glass of bubbly or something hot on the side of the pool – honestly, it’s something divine.
This experience will be unforgettable and superior to any beach resort.
Day 4, OTHER SPRINGS:
We will get out of KOTELKI for a while, we will ride Khivus again – today we are going to Cape Khakusy. It’s another one local health resort, where hot springs are beating. The healing therapeutic water composition is close to the Caucasian mineral waters. The journey will take us through the wild snow-covered taiga, freeze our noses a little bit and appreciate the minerality and curative effects of local pools. Contrasting procedures are a bliss literally for all systems of our bodies as they’re exhausted from city life.
DAY 5, “AND THE GREAT TAIGA DOES AS WE SAY”:
We’ll visit Niszneangarsk village, known for its harsh snowy environment and as the capital of Soviet Railway Construction. The village is also location of the most northern point of lake Baikal. Afterwards we’ll visit the Bam museum, which showcases the Baikal-Amur Mainline railroad project, in nearby Severobaikalsk city. This was the building project of the century (Baikal -Amur Mainline railroad) of that time. Afterwards we’ll return to the resort for warm dinner and magic mineral bubbles.
DAY 6, ICE ROUTE:
After morning hot thermal bathing, we’ll go on a road trip. On the way back we’ll have to continue our itinerary Cape Kotelnikovsky – Kurkut bay across the ice, walking around and enjoying magical realm of Ice. We’ll rest on arrival after long road, sharing impressions.
DAY 7, COUNTRY’S LARGEST SKATING RINK:
We ‘ll devote the last day to ice entertainment on lake Baikal, going through the ice of Small Sea, viewing the natural wonders of wildlife. Further we’ll explore the rocks, marveling at the variety of ice sokui, grottoes, ice edges that cover lake Baikal. Then, we’ll skate and take stunning photos. You’ll return home really refreshed and with a full baggage of positive emotions.
After lunch – we’ll come back to Irkutsk city.
REQUIREMENTS: age of participants from 18 years. Physically healthy, with no contraindications for bathing in mineral springs.
DURATION TRIP: 7 days
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: up to 10 people.
WHAT DOES BAIKAL TOUR COST?
THE COST OF ALL STANDARD TOURS INCLUDES:
transfer
meals
accommodation in comfortable twin room
THE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
insurance
visa processing
The tour runs from Irkutsk to Irkutsk (from Russia to Russia).
