Where Pine-trees Touch the Sky

The tour program:

Arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, time at leisure.
A sightseeing tour of Irkutsk, during which you will see the historical centre, the Angara river’s embankment and the most prominent monuments of architecture. Excursion to the Znamenskiy Russian Orthodox convent with one of the most beautiful Siberian cathedrals noted for its iconostasis and graves on the territory (graves of the Decembrists, Gregory Shelikhov and others).
Within the period from the end of December till February – visit to the city’s central square with ice hills, fairytale castles and sculptures.
Lunch at a restaurant in the city centre.
Excursion to the Decembrists’ museum telling about the Revolt of December 14, 1825, its participants and their life in the Siberian exile.
Return to the hotel. Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Departure for a whole-day excursion to Baikal lake (65 km).
En route – visit to “Taltsy” Open-air ethnographic museum, which stretches for 70 ha and displays unique architectural monuments, utensils and other things reconstructing the history, culture and everyday life of the Eastern-Siberian peoples.
Here you will have a chance to experience the traditional Russian entertainment: sliding down an ice-covered hill on a cow skin. Optionally (for extra charge) – a ride on sleds or Troykas.
Arrival at Listvyanka settlement located on the shore of Baikal lake.
A stop at the Shaman-rock observation platform next to the Angara’s outflow from the lake, where you will hear a beautiful local legend and learn some curious customs connected with this place.
Lunch at a local restaurant (specialities made of Baikal fish).
Excursion to Baikal Ecological museum with a marvelous exposition on the lake’s flora and fauna including aquariums with live inhabitants of Baikal. Walking tour around the settlement; visit to the functioning Russian Orthodox church of St. Nicholas-the-Miracle-Worker (the 19th century) and the local fish market.
Transfer to the hotel, check-in. Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Excursion to the dogs’ farm, where you will learn the technique of operating the sleds and choose the suitable outfit. Snow-safari through the Siberian taiga: you are welcome to enjoy dog-sledding (4,5 km) and snowmobile riding (2 hours). In the break you will be offered hot tea with biscuits.

Lunch at the hotel or a local restaurant. Within the period from February till April you will have a chance to walk on the sparkling and transparent Baikal ice.

Optionally (for extra charge) – Russian banya (steam bath).
Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Transfer to the airport or railway station. Departure.

Number of people	Price per person, RUB
2-3	62 800
4-6	51 500
7-9	45 200
10 and more	42 300

Tour price includes:
- hotel accommodation in Irkutsk (1 night) and Listvyanka (2 nights) on twin-sharing basis;
- meals as per program;
- guided transfers and excursions as per program;
- dog-sledding (4,5 km) including guide’s services;
- snowmobiles or ATVs rent (2 hours) including guide’s services and necessary outfit;

Check-in time at hotels is 14:00. Check out time at hotels is 12:00. Earlier check-in and later check-out are charged for according to the hotel’s accommodation rates.