Siberia, Russia

Upon your arrival at the airport of Irkutsk, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and you will be transferred to the hotel.

Note: only 1 group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transports can be arranged at an extra cost.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring one of the largest cities of Siberia at your own pace. Irkutsk was nicknamed “The Paris of Siberia”, and one can admire some of the old, beautiful wooden houses that still survive downtown. On the other hand, it was used as an exile destination for some of the most distinguished Russians in the early 19th century, and became the center of bitter fighting during the civil war at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the evening, the group will re-assemble to enjoy a welcome dinner at the "Speshilov meeting" local restaurant (with the possibility of an optional folklore show during dinner- additional cost applies).

Accommodation at Irkutsk Irkutsk Courtyard Marriott or similar.

After breakfast, you will check-out and head to Listvyanka: a work settlement located 70 kilometers from Irkutsk, near the Primorsky Range and the point where the Angara River exits Lake Baikal. There, you will visit the ethnographical museum of wooden architecture “Taltsy” to see the local ancient wooden houses, as well as real Buryat and Evenk yurts. You will also learn more details about Lake Baikal and its unique biodiversity, will meet the Bailak seals in the aquarium, and will go on an interactive diving tour to the bottom of the lake.

After the museum, you will hike to the observation platform Chersky Stone, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Lake (700 m., 1,5 h. hike).

Finally, you will walk along the Baikal shore, visiting the ancient wooden Saint Nicolas Church, the fish market, and several souvenir shops.

Accommodation at Irkutsk Irkutsk Courtyard Marriott or similar.

After breakfast, you will head to the pier, from where you will take the ship or motorboat to the Circum-Baikal Railway: a historical railway, and one of the most picturesque sights around Lake Baikal. It includes 38 tunnels, 15 stone galleries, 3 concrete galleries, 248 bridges and viaducts, and 268 retaining walls, and, as such, is considered a marvel of engineering in Russia and the whole world.

You will spend the morning hiking on the railway, enjoying not only the details of this engineering construction but also stunning views of the Lake and the surrounding area.

Hiking details:
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Difficulty level: Moderate

In the evening, you will return to Listvyanka for the night.

Accommodation in Listvyanka: Baikal hotel or similar

After breakfast, you will be transferred once more to the pier, and from there, you will go by boat to Bolshiye Koty, for a 5-hour walking and hiking tour.

The settlement belongs to the Pribaikalsky National Park, and is near the Bolshiye Koty River that runs into Lake Baikal. In the 19th century, Bolshiye Koty was a local gold rush center. Later a glass factory was founded. Now it is an attractive tourist place, thanks to its secluded and preserved natural habitat.

In the afternoon, you will take the passenger boat back to Irkutsk.

Accommodation at Irkutsk Irkutsk Courtyard Marriott or similar.

After breakfast, you will go for a 3-4-hour exploration of Irkutsk.

The tour includes a trip around the lower embankment, a visit at Spassky church (the only, still-standing building of Irkutsk Kremlin), and the Znamensky Cathedral (behind whose walls there is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Omen", and the relics of the first bishop of Irkutsk, and Nerchinsk Innocent Kulchytsky). Also, you will get acquainted with Karl Marx Street, where you can admire unique buildings of the 19th and 20th century. Finally, you will pass by Gagarin Boulevard, the Alexander III monument, the White House, the National History Museum, and Quarter 130, whose ambience pleasantly combines the past with the present.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Recommended departure flights: after 4pm.

Note: only 1 group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transports can be arranged at an extra cost.