Spend a Day Exploring Irkutsk and Lake Baikal

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: 130 Kvartal, Irkutsk Russia

Meet your guide at the hotel in Irkutsk to start your journey.

Irkutsk was founded in 1661 when the Russian military Cossack troops established a fortress on the right bank of the Angara River. From the late 17th century, it was a political, economical and cultural centre of Siberia. The city's Russian classical architecture dates from the period of the 1880s when the city boomed after gold was discovered in the area. Most of the brick mansions and grand public buildings varying in architectural styles were constructed in the late 19th -early 20th century.

You will see many small one- and two-storeyed wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20thcentury. During this city tour of Irkutsk, our guide will tell you about the city’s evolution and will show the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cathedral of The Epiphany, Sukhe-Batora St., 1A, Irkutsk 664011 Russia

The Epiphany Cathedral is a true adornment of Irkutsk. This church looks quite unusually. It is colorful and ornate and does not resemble classic orthodox churches. The matter concerns its decoration: the church’s façade and its tholobate are decorated with pictures of the saints in whole-length. Besides, the church is fancy decorated with ornamented tiles, and brightly painted like Russian popular prints.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Roman Catholic Church, Sukhe-Batora St., 1, Irkutsk 664011 Russia

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is one of the most beautiful buildings located in the historical part of Irkutsk. The Polish community constructed the cathedral, therefore, it is also known as the Polish Roman Catholic Church. Its history starts in 1819. The construction works were completed by the end of 1825, but the church burned down during the fire in 1879. In 1884, the extant stone Cathedral was constructed at the site of the fire. An organ hall, opened in 1978, operates until now.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Shaman Rock, Khuzir, Olkhon Island, Иркутская обл., Russia, 666137

After lunch (own expense) you will go by car to Listvyanka settlement. The highway from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal goes through picturesque taiga-forest up and down the high hills. After a 1 hour drive, you come to a viewpoint facing the Shaman Rock, at the source of the Angara River. Observe the best view of Lake Baikal here from the top of the mountain and ride a cableway for the best views. Don't forget to take a ribbon to tie at the top.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Listvyanka near Baikal Lake, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, 664520

The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk. This old-style Siberian village is famous for its trade history. From the 18th century, its ferry took merchants across the lake to Mongolia and China and the Far East.

Lake Baikal is frozen over from late January to early May, the thickness of the ice near Listvyanka can be 70-80 cm. The part of the lake near the source of Angara River is the only natural water place in Siberia, which never freezes over.

In the village, a variety of hot- or cold-smoked and salted omul and grayling fish is on sale. A great snack on the shore is omul, a delicacy of Lake Baikal, which has been just smoked for you. Several private cafes and restaurants offer traditional Siberian or European meals for you. You can taste pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhki (with cabbage, or meat, or berries), and caviar sandwiches to feel the spirit of Siberia.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Baikal Limnological Museum, Listvyanka rp, Listvyanka 664520 Russia

The Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) provides information about the origin and wildlife of the lake. A video film gives you the opportunity to see the deepest point of the lake’s bottom (1,637 m) from the submarine boat.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Taltsy Museum, Baykal'skiy Trakt, 47 км, Тальцы, Irkutskaya oblast', Russia, 664518

On your way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka a car can take you to the Museum of Wooden Architecture (47 km from Irkutsk and 23 km from Listvyanka). The open-air museum has a large collection of original wooden houses equipped with the old-style furniture and domestic utensils. They were brought from several local villages. The museum shows the style of life in the 16th to 19th-century Russian villages and Buryat and Evenk tents. You can observe the interiors of a Russian fort and the 15th-century watchtower, a Siberian izba (house) and a chapel, a Shaman yurt and other interesting sights.

At the end of the tour you will get back to your hotel in Irkutsk.

Duration: 1 hour