Baikal holiday houses. Where is the best place to relax on Lake Baikal with a child: personal experience

Is it possible to swim in Baikal, when is the best time to go on vacation to Baikal, where are the best Baikal beaches, how to get there and which camp site to choose. There are many questions, even more answers.

This will be my first post on the topic summer holiday on Lake Baikal, here I will tell you about the western side of Lake Baikal from Irkutsk and its best beaches: where they are, how to get there and the best tourist centers on the Small Sea, on Peschanka and on Olkhon with prices in 2019.

The summer season on Lake Baikal lasts from May to October, but the peak season when you can swim on Lake Baikal is July-August.

As I already noted, the weather on Lake Baikal is quite capricious. The Baikal winds Sarma and Barguzin arise suddenly and can not only cause storms, but also at one moment bring with them cold and a dramatic change in weather. The Baikal wind speed can reach 60 km/h!

And even without them, the hot thirty-degree heat in July during the day and at night can tend to zero on the thermometer. Only because autumn is coming and this is Siberia. Or maybe this won’t happen, depending on your luck.

When going to Lake Baikal, do not forget the local saying that best form clothing on Baikal is a swimsuit and a padded jacket.

In a certain sense, for a vacation on Lake Baikal to be a success, you must be lucky with the weather. Unfortunately, weather forecasts even for the near future on Lake Baikal rarely coincide with reality.
Although there are still some trends in the weather on Lake Baikal based on long-term observations and you can focus on them:

  • In May on Baikal— the weather is changeable, the ice is not melting everywhere yet (in April, for example, it is quite possible to go and see winter Baikal and its famous ice). But the main thing is that ticks appear in huge numbers almost everywhere in May on Lake Baikal. They say that only Olkhon does not have this scourge, but I haven’t checked.
  • In June on Baikal— it can be quite cool and frosty at night; there have been years when we had snow in June. And ticks continue to commit atrocities; without an encephalitis suit and vaccinations, a trip to Lake Baikal in May-June is a rather risky undertaking.
  • In July on Baikal- already from the end of June, the hottest temperature of the year usually sets in (above 30-33 degrees) and a peak is observed tourist season with all that it entails, when several times more people come here than in any other summer months.
    The already limping tourist service on Lake Baikal is often in a state of shock in July. The tourist centers are overcrowded, the campsites are full, the ferries break down and people then queue for days to cross to Olkhon, and in general, everything is expensive and fussy to the point of disgrace.
    Because of this, I consider July generally the worst time to travel anywhere, and Baikal is one of the brightest examples of this rule of mine.
  • In August on Baikal— in my opinion, the best time to visit Baikal is in the summer; the weather may not be as hot as in July, but the water warms up well and its temperature can be quite comfortable, especially in shallow coves and bays.
    There are still a lot of people, but local residents people from Irkutsk try to take a vacation in July, and in August they come to Lake Baikal for the weekend.
  • In September on Baikal- usually very beautiful and if I didn’t go to Baikal in August, I usually go there in September, Golden autumn, bright colors, unusual beautiful landscapes, mushrooms, berries, pine nuts. At times I even want to become Pushkin or Aivazovsky.
  • In October on Baikal— at the beginning of the month there are still hot days, and the water in the bays warmed up over the summer attracts daredevils to swim in Baikal even at this time of year. But the weather is different from year to year, you can’t guess, officially in October the high tourist season on Lake Baikal closes, at this time cold winds begin to blow even stronger and more often, the first snow may fall and in general it is already quite cold and dank. But this period of time on Lake Baikal also has a certain aesthetics.
    In general, Lake Baikal is always beautiful, but sometimes it is too cold for you to want to admire this beauty not on TV.

Beaches on Baikal where you can swim:

If icy water doesn’t scare you and you are a big fan of winter swimming, then there are no problems, this means that you can swim EVERYWHERE on Lake Baikal. 8) And almost all year round. Well, swimming in an ice hole is one of the favorite winter activities on Lake Baikal, and ice diving is a very extreme and indescribable emotion.

The maximum temperature to which the water warms up in the bays of Baikal is 24-25 degrees, but on average good water in Baikal in the summer it is something around 20 degrees.

But where to go on Lake Baikal if you want sandy beaches, warm water and traditional tourist services? Let's figure it out.

The shore of Lake Baikal is unique because it is very diverse. The only thing that doesn't grow here is palm trees. Inaccessible cliffs and tall cliffs, huge boulders, centuries-old pines and Baikal larches - this is a typical Baikal landscape, which is found almost everywhere. But there are also real beaches here, no worse than on Black Sea coast, and in other places not too inferior even to Thai beaches.

The bays or bays of Baikal, which I will talk about today, are distinguished by shallow water and sandy beaches, which means they are great places for swimming, camp sites on Lake Baikal are usually concentrated around these places on Lake Baikal. And as you might have guessed, all of them are not located in mega-popular areas with tourists.

Wild beaches there are quite a few on Baikal; many local residents have “their own” places where they go with a tent in their own car from year to year. This can be much more convenient and comfortable than living in camp sites. Especially if you find a place away from noisy and not very cultured neighbors, lovers of Stas Mikhailov or Civil Defense and who believe that outdoor recreation involves immoderate libations with all that entails. For everyone Russian resorts Unfortunately, there are a lot of them.
But I'm not sure that's the case. how some people go to Baikal with tents - in off-road jeeps, with a trailer loaded last word camping equipment - regular tents, anti-storm tents and insect awnings, electric generators, boats and all the necessary household utensils and provisions, that this format of travel can generally be called too budgetary and affordable for the average person. I believe that for the money, how much all this can cost, you can organize yourself a real trip around the world. Here to each his own.

I’ll tell you about the largest, most famous and more or less accessible Baikal beaches, where you can reach by boat. public transport. Still, this is the best combination of comfort and money spent on a trip to Baikal.

I marked all the best beaches of Baikal on the map, I recommend saving it to your Google account.

All Baikal beaches on the map:

A post shared by Russia Siberia(@cha_female) on Aug 5, 2017 at 10:42pm PDT

The best camp sites on the Small Sea on Lake Baikal:

You can book houses on the Small Sea directly on the spot. average price— 500-1000 rub. per person, depending on seasonality. Facilities are usually in the courtyard, an outdoor shower or bathhouse; there is no running water in this room. Rooms with amenities cost twice or three times more. Meals are usually offered for a fee.

Be aware that availability at resorts can be tight during the high season. Therefore, some especially popular tourist centers can be filled for many weeks in advance and it is better to book them well in advance of the travel date.

Book a camp site in Sakhayurt:

  • Tourist base "Baikal Rainbow"- one of the best places in Sakhyurt according to tourists, with an excellent location. Just 3 minutes to the beach, close to Mukhor Bay, free Wi-Fi and rooms with all amenities. Price from 2160 rub. per room per day. Breakfast can be purchased separately for 280 rubles. Now there is a special promotion for this camp site - you can book places there with a -33% discount.
  • "Guest house "Eldorado" it is also well located, almost on the very shore of Lake Baikal and offers everything you need for relaxation, there is even a kettle and a microwave, except that the Internet is not enough. Price from 2000 rub. per day
  • Guest house "Azatey"“—appeared on the booking site recently, but the database itself has been well known for a long time and has a good reputation. Spacious rooms with a private bathroom, views of Lake Baikal and a private kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. Price from 2800 rub. per room per day.

Book a camp site on Zuun Hagun:

  • Guest House "Zoon"— located in the village of Shida, there is everything you need for have a nice rest, there is even an iron and a coffee maker, which is extremely rare in these places.

Book a camp site on Mandarkhan:

  • Mandarkhan View— offers rooms with views of Lake Baikal. The room has a refrigerator and electric kettle, kitchen utensils for self-cooking. Price from 2600 per room

Book a camp site in Togota:

  • Recreation center Togot— offers rooms of different classes, its own pier with rental of boats and catamarans, its own guide at the camp site conducts excursions for vacationers to the sights of the Small Sea and Olkhon. Prices from 3800 rub. per night

Book a camp site in Sarma:

  • Recreation center Chara- has very good feedback and is very popular among tourists. One minus is that Baikal is about 200 meters from the camp site. Well-appointed rooms with bath and shower, beautiful view to the lake, close location to the beach, parking for hotel guests, private transfer from Irkutsk and a restaurant with barbecue. Price from 3280 rub. per night.
  • Tourist base "Da-Shi"- a very good camp site on the Small Sea with private beach and comfortable rooms. The Sarma Gorge is only about two hours away on foot. Price from 3600 rub. for a double room.

Book a camp site in Kurma on Baikal:

  • At Cape Uyuga you can book a campsite with a sauna and free parking for just 250 rubles. per night.
  • At the Pier recreation center from RUB 2,160. All the benefits of civilization are available for the room and it’s only 10 minutes to the beach.
  • Rancho Laguna is another one of the most popular camp sites on the Small Sea. Price from 1340 rub. for a bungalow with a shared toilet and bathroom, a room with amenities costs from 2340 rubles, and entire cottages are also available for rent here for large groups, which is quite convenient.

Beach on Olkhon:

I talked more than enough about Olkhon Island and the village of Khuzhir in my blog. True, I talked about the features of winter holidays there and shared my impressions of a trip to Olkhon in the spring. But the guide will be relevant at any time of the year:

In addition to the attractions and entertainment on Olkhon listed in my last post, you can also swim here in the summer.

Khuzhir and the entire tourist part of Olkhon are located facing the Small Sea, which means there are no such cold currents here as in Big Baikal and the water manages to warm up well over the summer.

Photo 1 of 25:© Shutterstock

Baikal keeps many secrets and attracts travelers from all over the world. However, organizing a trip to Baikal is not so easy. We hope our article will make this task a little easier.

© baikalika.ru

Lake Baikal - when to go

Summer is the most favorable time for trips to Baikal. June is the quietest month. The water is not so cold strong winds No. 80% of the time is calm or light wind.

In June there are still very few tourists on the shore. However, keep in mind that in June it is still quite cool at night. The second half of June is perfect for a boat cruise along Lake Baikal.

July - August are the hottest months when it comes to the influx of tourists and temperature. The water warms up to +15 degrees.

From October to December is the low season. Every day it gets colder here, storms are more frequent and last longer.

In autumn there are strong winds in the area of ​​Olkhon Island. At this time of year, strong winds blow on average 58 days out of 100.

© Shutterstock

Lake Baikal - how to go

First you need to get to one of the major cities near Lake Baikal, for example, Irkutsk. Trains go here and planes fly here. Irkutsk is located 70 kilometers from Lake Baikal.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Kyiv to Irkutsk. However, you can purchase tickets with transfers in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Flights with one transfer are offered by UIA, Aerosvit, and Aeroflot airlines. If you take care of your tickets in advance, you can snatch round-trip tickets for 4 thousand UAH.

You can get to the desired point on the lake shore from three points in the city: Train Station, trains and electric trains go from here, the bus station - with the help of buses, minibuses, the Raketa pier - ships and yachts.

In the latter case, keep in mind that water view transport can be used for 2-2.5 months. Navigation continues from the second half of June to the end of August.

© baikalika.ru

You can get to the coast of Lake Baikal different ways, depending on where you need it.

To Listvyanka: by bus from the bus station for 16 hryvnia. Travel time - 1 hour. By boat from the Raketa pier, for 30 UAH, you will be there in 1-1.5 hours.

To the Small Sea and Olkhon Island: by bus and minibus Irkutsk-Khuzhir, travel time - about 4 hours, price - 80 UAH. Also an option - minibus Irkutsk-MRS, travel time - about 3 hours, ticket - 80-85 UAH. On the motor ship "Kometa" for 300 UAH, flight Irkutsk-Nizhneangarsk with a call at Zagli Bay on Olkhon Island.

The motor ship "Barguzin" sails to Peschanaya and Sukhaya bays three times a week. Travel time is 6 hours, a ticket will cost you 135 UAH.

Lake Baikal - why go

Take a hike. You need to go to Baikal to take a hike and get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna of this area. Many species of animals and plants are found nowhere else in the world.

There are 848 species of endemic animals and 133 species of endemic plants on Lake Baikal. It is in the taiga of the Baikal region that you can meet the smallest deer in the world - the musk deer.

Try diving in the lake. There are 52 species of fish in the lake. The transparency of the water in Lake Baikal reaches 40 meters. You will see numerous algae, colonies of sponges, which are the main “cleaners” of Lake Baikal, and much more.

Duration of stay under water is 20-30 minutes, immersion depth is from 3 to 45 meters.

Relax on the Siberian Riviera . Rest on beautiful beaches Peschanaya Bay with rocky capes, taiga and picturesque nature around.

Rafting on Irkutsk. An extreme type of recreation on a tributary of the Angara, a river flowing from Lake Baikal.

© baikalika.ru

Climb to the top of Munku-Sardyk. An unforgettable hike to the highest point of Eastern Siberia. The eternally white peak offers magnificent views of the lakes under the ice and the incredible nature of the Baikal region. The hike takes place in April-May.

And finally, just enjoy nature, be alone with the lake.

“Find time - and not a minute - hours to sit and communicate with Him early in the morning or late at night alone,” dikoiy enthusiastically talks about Baikal in his diary. “You can do it during the day, if you just move 300 - 500 meters away from the camp , find tall stone on the shore, the root of an old century-old larch or climb to the top of the nearest mountain.

Sit down, look and listen, talk to Him mentally or out loud, as you wish, talk as to a Friend, as to a Mother or Father (this is how people who live on Its shores address Baikal)"

Whatever your reason for going to Baikal, this trip will change you. “A feeling settled in my soul that has no name, which didn’t exist before, until I visited there, until I saw Baikal with my own eyes,” writes a tourist under the nickname lisamasha about her impressions, “until I touched its waves, until I I let him into my soul."

© baikalika.ru

Lake Baikal - where to stay

If you prefer a beach holiday, then head south to Peschanka: warm water, incredible nature. Here you can rent a room for 200 UAH. per person, but without amenities.

Listvyanka is a popular tourist town. It is called the local Rublevka, the prices here, of course, are off the charts, but if you monitor, you can find hotels with an adequate pricing policy. A room here will cost you from 300 hryvnia.

It’s convenient because it’s not far from here, for example, to the local landmark Shaman Stone. Listvyanka is located 55 kilometers from Irkutsk. However, if you, for example, want to relax on the islands of Baikal, then this option is not very profitable. You will have to take a detour of 250 kilometers.

© Shutterstock

In this case, it is better to choose Slyudyanka. There are many good places for camping. According to reviews from tourists, there is a good mini-hotel at the Museum of Minerals on Slyudyanskaya Street, 36 (tel.: 8-39544-21440).

Here it is better to agree on a place in advance. Otherwise you will have to rent a room in a more expensive hotels, which will cost you from 500 UAH. per day.

From Slyudyanka it is very close to the island itself - Olkhon. And if you haven’t visited Olkhon, you’ve never seen Baikal. One of best options rest - settle there.

You will be able to see local delights and have a great rest. There are 8 settlements and two gas stations on the island (in the central part of the island and in the south).

Basically, all settlements are concentrated in the western part of the island, where the landscape is steppe. The largest settlements- Khuzhir and Kharantsy.

The village of Khuzhir is located in the center of the island. Despite the fact that there are almost no paved roads on the island, the tourist infrastructure is very developed here.

The settlement has many mini-hotels, cafes, shops, and two museums. There is even an Internet cafe. However, you shouldn’t count on the benefits of civilization; only one hotel has a traditional toilet with a toilet; otherwise, it’s just an ordinary hole in the ground.

© baikalika.ru

During the slow season, hotel rooms cost 100-300 UAH. per double room per night. There will be no problems with food. Local cafes offer tasty and inexpensive food.

260 km from Ulan-Ude there is an urban-type settlement - Ust Barguzin, on the banks of the Barguzin River, where it flows into the Baikal Bay.

There are wonderful places to relax - sandy beaches, warm lake water, and beautiful nature Transbaikalsky Nature Reserve. Here you can rent a room from private owners for 100-250 UAH. per day.

Ideal places for beach holiday- Peschanaya Bay, Small Sea, Mukhor Bay. The number of sunny days is equal to the city of Sochi. To rent a room with amenities here will cost 400 UAH, without - from 150 UAH.

  • You can book hotels on Lake Baikal at hotels.tochka.net

© baikalika.ru

I would like to add that real travelers unanimously declare that you should come to Baikal only with a tent, away from hotels, camp sites and all trampled tourist trails.

“To understand and feel Him, the Great, you need to come here only as savages,” Dikoi advises in his blog. “And not to the camp sites, which are mainly located on the shores of overgrown bays with warm and brown water.

Geographically, these bays are also Baikal, but they are full of people, there are no such spaces, such rocks as on open Baikal, there is water that people are already afraid to drink.”

© baikalika.ru

Lake Baikal - what is definitely worth seeing

Olkhon Island considered the heart of Lake Baikal. It is the most picturesque and mysterious of all the islands in the lake; moreover, it the only island, inhabited by people.

The island is separated from the mainland by the Olkhovsky Gate Strait. And on the other side of the island there is the most deep place lakes - 1642 meters.

Olkhon Island is unique in its diversity of landscapes: from plains to hills, from steppes to forests.

The island is known as a center of shamans. They even say that somewhere on the island there is the grave of Genghis Khan. At Cape Burkhan, near the settlement of Khuzhir, spirits are still worshiped to this day. It is here that the Shaman Rock is located, which is a kind of visiting card of Baikal.

© commons.wikimedia.org

The best way to see the island is to buy a seat in a tour car. The price is quite affordable - 100 UAH. per person.

For this money, you will be driven around the island for 5 hours with stops in picturesque places, you can take a walk on your own, and during this time the driver will prepare you a delicious hearty lunch with fish soup.

During the excursion you will be able to see the Three Brothers rock group on Cape Sagan-Khushun, Cape Shunte-Levy. The latter offers incredible views of Mount Izhimei, 1274 meters above sea level. She happens to be highest point Olkhona.

The beautiful Cape Khoboy is the northernmost on the island. The tourist attraction here is the original rock arch.

Cape Khoboy is located at the widest point of Lake Baikal (79.5 km). Only in very clear weather can you see the opposite shore from here - the outline of the Holy Nose Peninsula.

© victorprofessor.livejournal.com

On the eastern part of the island there is a settlement called Uzury with a population of only 5 people. They don’t know what electrification is, but in the village there is a weather station with solar panels.

To get to the island, you need to use ferry crossing MRS-Olkhon, which is located in the village of Sakhyurta. The ferry to Olkhon is free. It is part of the federal highway.

However, in the summer there are so many people wanting to get to the island that ferrymen make money by selling seats at the front of the queue. The small ferry fits 8 passenger cars, on the big one - 20.

Shuttle minibuses travel out of turn, so getting to the island is much easier with them.

© victorprofessor.livejournal.com

Mount Yord. Not far from the settlement of Elantsy on the right bank of the Anga River there is another highlight of Baikal - sacred mountain Jord. In the valley rises a dome-shaped mound forty meters high, made of large granite slabs.

It is worth noting that its outlines are so regular that it seems as if it was man-made. Geologists are puzzled, because there are no signs that people brought the slabs of the mound here, or that it was created artificially.

This mountain played a very important role in the lives of local residents. Once a year this place became a center of pilgrimage for peoples from all over the Baikal region.

During the general celebration, a ritual dance was a prerequisite; thousands of people stood in a circle and danced around the mountain. According to local residents, sometimes two or three thousand people came here, then they made two or three circles around the mound.

This tradition was lost for more than a hundred years, and only in 2000 the festival of the indigenous peoples of Baikal, which is called the Jorda Games, was revived. Now this festival at Mount Jord takes place every four years.

© baikalika.ru

Shaman stone. An amazing landmark of Lake Baikal is located at the source of the Angara River. (This natural landmark should not be confused with the Shaman Rock at Cape Burkhan on Olkhon Island).

For a long time, shamans performed rituals here, and local residents believed that the owner of the Angara, Ama Sagan Noyon, lived here.

There are many legends about the shaman stone on Lake Baikal. Here is one of them. A resident of this area, Baikal, wanted to marry his daughter to Irkut, a young and handsome warrior.

However, ironically, the girl fell in love with the Yenisei, with whom she ran away. Then the father got angry and threw a stone after him, now it is the Shaman Stone. And Irkut is a tributary of the Angara River.

Due to the construction of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station, the water level in the Angara has risen. Therefore, today, in sunny weather, you can see only part of the famous Shaman Stone, which protrudes 1-1.5 m above the water.

The Shaman Stone is located in the village of Listvyanka, 70 kilometers from Irkutsk. The village can be reached by car. In warm weather - by boat from the Raketa pier.

Every day minibuses leave from the Irkutsk bus station as they fill up with people. Bus No. 524 runs every half hour, the first leaves at 08:30 in the morning, and in an hour you will be in Listvyanka.

© commons.wikimedia.org

Petroglyphs- these are the oldest rock paintings on Lake Baikal. Their age is more than 2 thousand years. The “rock paintings” belong to the New Stone and Bronze Ages.

The drawings were first discovered in 1881. However, unfortunately, time and nature have done quite a lot of damage to these unique monuments history, only five fragments have survived to this day.

These drawings depict various animals and birds, ancient shamans in a ritual dance before a hunt. Academicians called the rock paintings “a real pearl of the ancient culture and art of the peoples of Eastern Siberia.”

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Holidays on Lake Baikal in the summer are the dream of many. When we talk about our trip to the lake, people exclaim, “Oh, yes, I’ve been dreaming of getting there for a long time!” Today I collected it in one place useful information about holidays on Lake Baikal: prices for accommodation, transport, food, entertainment, how to get to the lake, what interesting places to visit. Here you can also find some tips, reviews and recommendations that will certainly be useful if you are going on a trip.

In the Barguzin Bay

Lake Baikal is one of the symbols of Russia, the most deep lake the world's largest source of fresh drinking water...many epithets apply to it. Clear water, picturesque shores and bays covered with coniferous forests, secluded bays - all this attracts tourists, who are only becoming more numerous every year.

Mostly, people come to Baikal in the summer (from June to September). The weather here is most comfortable at this time, when there is little rainfall and it is warm. In addition, some tourists travel in winter (January-March), these are amateurs active rest: skating on the ice of Lake Baikal, dog sledding, snowmobiling. There are many fans of ice fishing - avid fishermen do not need to explain why they should go to Baikal in winter;-)

Holidays on Lake Baikal in summer: nuances

We visited Baikal twice - the first time we oohed and aahed at the beauty, and the second time everything was great too, but some moments caught our eye. I’ll tell you about them.

A trip to Baikal is chosen by romantics who want to take a break from the bustle of the city and the noise of big cities, be alone with nature, and find peace in their souls. There are specifics here, don't wait heavenly holiday all inclusive with first class service, people come here for something else.

  • The weather on Baikal is changeable, strong winds often blow from the lake, the ideal weather is in July and August.
  • The water in the lake is generally quite cold. Although Baikal is called a sea, the water temperature in it is rather northern seas, not at all southern. There are places where it warms up well by the end of July-August, and if swimming is very important to you, I recommend choosing these places: the coast of the Small Sea, Chivyrkuisky Bay, Enkhaluk and some other places on the east coast. It’s shallow there and you can’t get out of the water for a long time on hot days. In other places you can only take a dip.
  • More details about.
  • During the high season, tourists leave behind a lot of garbage in especially popular places.
  • Logistics. The lake stretches more than 600 km in length and it leaves its mark. For example, between Olkhon and Barguzin Bay there is no more than 50 km in a straight line, but you will have to travel around the lake by land. Yes, you can sail by ship, they rarely sail on this route, and hiring a private one is expensive.
  • Ecology. We regret to admit that the ecology of the lake has been greatly damaged. On our first visit (5 years ago), we didn’t hesitate to take water from the lake and drink it, but now in some places we have to filter it because of algae. Before leaving, check the news, in recent years forests have often been burning, because of this, smog hangs over the lake, so you can’t really see anything.
  • Infrastructure. Almost all coastal villages are small and cannot boast of a developed infrastructure, but you can almost always buy the necessary things, products, and rent housing.

How to get to Baikal?

The most convenient way is to first get to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude, two major cities near the lake, and from there go to the right place. If you are heading to west coast, then you should go to Irkutsk, and if to the east - to Ulan-Ude.

From the European part of Russia or cities Far East The best option is to fly by plane. Flights from Moscow to Irkutsk and back will cost 22-23 thousand rubles per person. From Vladivostok expect about the same amount, from Khabarovsk it is a little cheaper.

Recently, the low-cost carrier Pobeda began selling tickets from Moscow to Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude; on sale you can get them for free (999 rubles each), but this is in the off-season. Their usual price is about 7000-8000 thousand one way, which is also very good.

If time allows or you live not so far from Lake Baikal, then you can go by train.

We have detailed instructions I wrote everything down there in detail.

Traveling to Baikal by car is a separate adventure. The distance from Moscow is more than 5 thousand kilometers, and Russian roads this is a brand ;-) Although now the federal highway M-53 “Baikal” is in relatively good condition, there are still unpaved sections between Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk, but they will soon be completed. Around Baikal itself, everything is not so joyful - holes, ruts, unpaved roads on many roads.

Sights, where to go

To begin with, you can get acquainted with the main cities of the Baikal region: and. Follow the links to find descriptions of the main interesting places in these cities.

The most popular places holidays on Lake Baikal are, the coast, Olkhon Island,. These resorts have the best developed infrastructure, a large selection of accommodation, but in the high season there are many tourists, and the prices for everything are inflated.

Beach in Listvyanka

I recommend it to everyone - the perfect combination of privacy and everyday amenities. This is an island with incredible energy; it was not without reason that ancient people considered it a place of power where shamans performed their rituals.

Olkhon Island, Shamanka Rock

It is best to come to Lake Baikal with children to one of the many bays of the Small Sea. In August, the water warms up to a comfortable temperature, and the entrance to the water is gentle.

On east coast go to Chivyrkuisky Bay, Enkhaluk.

The Eastern Shore is simply a wonderful place! Sandy beaches, picturesque pine trees and fresh air. Yes, it takes a long time to get there, but all the effort is worth it, believe me. There, on the eastern shore, there is the oldest reserve in Russia - Barguzinsky.

If you prefer the real thing wild holiday with a tent in the taiga, then you should go north of the lake - to the area of ​​​​Severo-Baikalsk and Nizhneangarsk. I haven’t been there yet, so I can’t tell you specifically, but many people praise it.

Beach in Maksimikha

I advise you to visit only Western or only East Coast, especially if you don’t have much time - moving from one coast to another will take time and effort.

Arshan, valley of the Kyngarga river

On the way from Irkutsk you can stop by the ethnographic museum under open air.

— a description of our two-day hike.

In winter, many people go snowboarding or alpine skiing to Baikalsk, but in the summer to swim at southwest coast It’s not worth it - the water in this place in the lake is not very clean.

Read also:

Prices for holidays on Lake Baikal

The total cost of the trip to Lake Baikal will be no less package tour somewhere in a warm country with an all-inclusive beach. Be mentally prepared for this.

You can save a lot only by living in a tent, cooking over a fire and driving your own car in a large group (so that you can share the cost of gasoline) or even hitchhiking.

Accommodation prices

Prices for holidays on Lake Baikal in 2017 in guest houses and budget hotels start from 800-900 rubles. 3* hotels cost from 1800 rubles per day per room, there are also luxury complexes for 5 thousand per room per day. There are few large hotels and hotels on Baikal, mostly private guest houses or base. The cost of accommodation depends on the season: in July-August prices rise, and in the off-season you can book with a good discount.

Transport prices

Public transport is well developed between Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and other popular places on the coast. In general, the cost of one km of travel is 2.5-3 rubles, which is quite expensive. To save money, you can look at the BlaBlaCar website and share the cost of gasoline with someone, and at the same time get there along the way - the locals themselves often use it, those without cars.

By your car. Gasoline on Lake Baikal is slightly more expensive than in the European part of Russia and the Urals. In addition, there are almost no network gas stations far from the main highways, and the quality of gasoline is questionable; try to refuel to the fullest in big cities.

There is also horse-drawn transport

Food prices

A hearty lunch in a cafe will cost 350-450 rubles. Local kitchen quite simple, but be sure to try the Buryat poses (buuzy), and smoked omul - the most important delicacy and wealth of Lake Baikal.

To save money, you can buy food in supermarkets and cook it yourself. shared kitchen(if there is such a possibility), or on fire/gas, if you are traveling as a savage. The cheapest supermarkets in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, on Olkhon and Listvyanka are all 20-25% more expensive.

Buy omul for home and souvenirs at the central market in Irkutsk - you will save twice. There you will also find herbs and much more at good prices.

Gifts of the forest and our own reserves :)

Entertainment prices

Everything here is individual and depends on the specific case. For example, entrance to the Taltsy ethnographic museum costs 150 rubles, and to the nerpinarium in Listvyanka - 500 rubles. Excursions on ships and boats are popular - from 400-500 rubles per hour. Can be ordered group excursion- for example, a full-day trip from Khuzhir to Olkhon Island cost me 1000 rubles including lunch.

On the coast you can ride a banana boat, you can rent an ATV and other water things, go paragliding - demand creates supply, and now there are many options for you to choose from.

The best recreation centers on Lake Baikal

We have selected the best places to stay on the lake with the highest ratings and reviews.

— located in the place where the Angara flows from Lake Baikal, at the entrance to Listvyanka. Suitable for family have a relaxing holiday, is located away from the highway and is therefore quiet here.

Cost from 1900 rubles per room (2 people) with breakfast.

- one of the most popular hotels in Listvyanka, located right next to the bus station in the very center of the village. View from the windows of the rooms on the lake, there is a restaurant-khinkalaya, friendly staff.

Cost from 4800 rubles per room (2 people) with breakfast.

- located at the very beginning of the village of Khuzhir in quiet place among coniferous trees. Large territory, children's playground, wooden houses - simple and tasteful. You can order additional food or cook yourself, which is convenient.

— the location couldn’t be better, it’s a few minutes’ walk to Cape Burkhan. Cozy homely atmosphere, all sorts of vintage things, interesting interior.

— is located on the very shore of Lake Baikal in an area called Sarma in the Small Sea. Private beach with sun loungers and sunbeds, sauna. Gorgeous view to the lake, its own bar-restaurant, swimming pool.

Cost from 3600 rubles per room (2 people).

— is located in Gremyachinsk on the east coast. There is a sauna, children's playground, comfortable rooms, and its own restaurant.

Cost from 4200 rubles per room (2 people) with breakfast.

— located in Maksimikha, 10 meters from Lake Baikal, the lake literally splashes under the balcony. Spacious rooms with carpets and balconies, own restaurant.

Cost from 3200 rubles per room (2 people) with breakfast.

— is located in Goryachinsk on the eastern coast of the lake. Cozy rooms upholstered in wood, a chic children's playroom and area, indoor pool, sauna.

Cost from 3000 rubles per room (2 people) with breakfast.

- east coast near Enkhaluk. A large cozy area, wooden houses, delicious food, and a sandy beach nearby.

Cost from 1500 rubles per room (2 people).

You can live in a tent, that's good too

Finally

Holidays on Lake Baikal in summer are ideal for active people who adore nature, walks in the woods and sitting around a fire overlooking the sunset.

The stunning nature and beauty of Lake Baikal captures you from the first time, so you want to come back again and again. I wish you successful travels!

We propose to carry out interesting vacation on Baikal this year. We know everything about prices and best places. All detailed information information about housing is collected on our website. To make the right choice, we recommend that you read the comments of tourists who left their reviews of camp sites and hotels on the shores of Lake Baikal.

How much does a holiday on Lake Baikal cost?

Of course it all depends on several factors. For example, how far away do you live and how much transportation costs will cost. Are you planning independent travel or as part of an excursion, group tour. It is also important to decide what type of tourism you prefer and choose suitable places for this. Today there are several options available.

  1. Elite holiday on Lake Baikal. There is usually a more expanded range of VIP services here. For example, accommodation in comfortable hotel rooms or a sanatorium with all-inclusive meals.
  2. Inexpensive holiday. Take a “savage” journey by staying in a tent camp.

Where is the best holiday on Lake Baikal?

The lake is famous for its beauty. It is wonderful at any time of the year. There are excellent conditions for fishing, kayaking, kayaking and even a boat cruise. You can spend your time actively hiking along the picturesque shores or jeeping along forest trails. In winter, when the water is frozen with ice, ice skating is possible.

The most popular routes are Olkhon Island, Listvyanka, a walk along the Circum-Baikal railway, hot springs in Goryachinsk, swimming in warm lakes.

Recreation centers are especially popular here. Thus, tourists will be able not only to learn a lot about the lake itself and its flora and fauna, but also to get acquainted with the culture of the local residents.

On our website it is convenient to choose the best accommodation option for a large company or a family with children, as well as for an individual traveler.