Duration: 15 hours
Group: 1-15
Season: All year round
Language: English
Tour type: Trekking and Hiking, Nature and Wildlife, Adventure.
Tour price: from 11000 rubles per person
Looking for an itinerary for a one-day tour to Olkhon island? It is impossible to see all of Olkhon in one day, but a daytrip can be fun and rewarding. This itinerary is designed to be a general interest tour.
For a comprehensive exploration of the island, you have to spend at least 3 days there.
Olkhon Island is the largest island (72km/45mi long) on Lake Baikal located 300km/186mi northeast of Irkutsk. It offers a surprising combination of diverse and beautiful landscapes. Olkhon is ideal for wild nature lovers!
In addition, Olkhon boasts a rich history. Archeological findings such as petroglyphs, sites of ancient settlements, remains of stony walls and cult holy places allow to touch the history and ancient culture of islanders.
Olkhon is also a centre of Shamanism, and there are annual spiritual gatherings on the island, as well as ethno-music parties in summer.
Itinerary
Irkutsk – MRS (Sakhyurta) – Khuzhir – Cape Kharantsi – Peschannaya bay – Tri Brata cliffs – Cape Khoboy – Irkutsk
Description of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Car:
7:00 Departure from Irkutsk for Sakhyurta village (MRS). Lunch in the cafe of Buryat cuisine (paid extra, about 200-300 rub per person).
12:00 Arrival to Khuzhir, the main Olkhon’s settlement.
12.00-16.00 Tour to Cape Khoboy (80km/50mi, round trip). Tour is carried out by UAZ, either on ice or by land, depending on season. There will be several stops along the way and a picnic. Usually it includes Ukha – soup with Baikal fish cooked over a campfire.
In the evening arrival to Irkutsk.
Stops along the way:
Cape Kharantsi
It is located 4km/2.5mi from Khuzhir, and there is a settlement of the same name on the cape. Kharantsi village has still preserved the way of life of the indigenous islanders.
Peschannaya bay
The bay is notable for a sandy beach with high dunes 6.5km/4mi long stretching deep into the island. The dunes formed as a result of winds blowing from the lake and moving sand from the shore area. On the edge of a forest where the dunes finish, “trees on stilts” or “walking trees” can be found. Larches and pines stand on their bare roots rising 12 in (30 cm) above ground. After World War II there was a camp for prisoners in the bay. The number of prisoners, on different data, came to 1,200 people.
Sagan-Khushun Cape and Tri Brata cliffs.
Sagan-Khushun is located on the western coast of Olkhon Island. The cape was recognized as a natural monument. There are several archaeological sites on the cape such as the ruins of a wall and a moat about 2000 ft (600 m) long.
The name «Sagan-Khushun» is translated from the Buryat language as «White (Sagan) Cape (Khushun)». Sagan-Khushun is a very spectacular cape formed of white-marble rock massif. The cape is about 1km/0.6mi in length.
A group of big cliffs standing in a row in the southern part of the cape is named Tri Brata that is translated as “Three (tri) Brothers (brata)”. The composition includes three picturesque pyramid-shaped rocks with a cave and grottos.
Cape Khoboy
It is the most northern cape of Olkhon Island. The cape is located close to the widest part of the Baikal.
Khoboy is a magnificent place. Standing on its rocky cliff you can enjoy panoramic view of the Maloye Morye (Small Sea) strait. When the weather is good, a natural monument the Ushkany archipelago and the Sviatoy Nos peninsula can be seen. The view is especially beautiful at sunrise. In winter, caves of the cape look magnificent decorated with glassy splashes of ice and fabulous icicles.
Khoboy is translated as ‘fang’ from the old Buryat language and indeed the stone towering over the cape looks much like a fang. The cape has the second name “Virgin”, because a huge rock looks like a figure of a woman from the waterside.
Depending on the season, there are two ways of getting to Olkhon Island. The price of the one-day tour to Olkhon island is calculated based on the season:
1. May – December
Ferry crossing. It takes about one hour and is free for passengers and cars. During summer, it is operating the whole day with an interval of about an hour.
Price of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Car:
1 PAX – 42000 rub
2 PAX – 21000 rub per person
3 PAX – 16000 rub per person
4 PAX – 13000 rub per person
5 PAX – 12000 rub per person
6 PAX or more – 11000 rub per person
2. December – May
The ferry crossing stops operating and an amphibious air-cushion vehicle, (hovercraft), connects Olkhon with the mainland (Sakhyurta village, MRS).
Hovercraft “Khivous” is an amphibious air-cushion vehicle designed for all-season operation to the places where there is no way to travel by land. “Khivous” is able to move 60-80 km/h. Its cabin is warm and comfortable.
Traveling in mid-February to March 20th you will be able to enjoy the most impressive view of the lake, which is totally covered with transparent ice.
Price of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Car:
1 PAX – 45000 rub
2 PAX – 23000 rub per person
3 PAX – 17000 rub per person
4 PAX – 14000 rub per person
5 PAX – 12000 rub per person
6 PAX or more – 11000 rub per person
The price includes:
– Pick up/drop off service
– Transfers according to the tour program
– Lunch on Khoboy Cape
– English-speaking guide
Price does not include: Lunch in the cafe of Buryat cuisine in Sakhyurta (about 500 rub per person).
Schedule:
September: Wednesday, Saturday
Description of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Bus:
6:30 Departure from Irkutsk for Sakhyurta village (MRS). Bus transfer. Breakfast.
11.30 Arrival in Sakhyurta village (MRS), ferry crossing to Olkhon.
11.50 – 16.30 Tour of Olkhon by UAZ (russian off road car). Lunch.
Sights:
– Khuzhir village,
– Burkhan cape,
– Khargoi cape,
– Kurikan wall
16.30-18.30 Boat tour of the Maloye Morye strait
18.30 Transfer from Sakhyurta village (MRS) to Irkutsk by bus. Stop for dinner.
23.30 Arrival in Irkutsk.
Price of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Bus:
Price: 17,000 rub per person
The price includes:
– Bus transfer (Irkutsk – MRS – Irkutsk)
– tour of Okhon (by UAZs)
– Breakfast, lunch, dinner
– 2-hour boat tour of Maloye Morye strait
Description of the one-day tour to Olkhon island by Boat:
6:45 Departure from Irkutsk for Listvyanka. It is possible to start the tour in Listvyanka (the ticket is 200 rub cheaper).
08:15 Boarding the ship in Listvyanka and departure for Olkhon
12:15 Arrival to Olkhon Island (Zagly Bay).
12:15-16:50 Tour of Olkhon island with lunch. Tour attractions:
– Khuzhir village
– Burkhan cape
– Shamanka rock
– Khargoi cape
– Kurykan fortress wall
17:00* Boarding the ship in Zagly Bay and departure for Listvyanka
21:00 Arrival in Listvyanka, transfer to Irkutsk by bus. It is possible to end the tour in Listvyanka.
22:30 Arrival in Irkutsk
*Begining August, departure from Zagly Bay is at 16:30
Price of the One-day tour to Olkhon Island by Boat: 18,000 rub per person
The price includes:
– Transfer by bus Irkutsk-Listvyanka (round trip)
– Transfer by boat Listvyanka-Olkhon (round trip)
– Guide (Russian language)
– Olkhon tour
– Breakfast (snacks)
– Lunch in Khizhir
The price does not include:
– Transfer from your hotel to a departure point. Price 3000 rub
– English-speaking guide. Guide services for the whole tour day cost 18,000 rub
If your vacation time is limited, we offer you to get to Olkhon Island by plane. In comparison with land and water transport, flight takes 1 hour.
Khuzhir is also available from Ulan-Ude. You can do a complex route starting from Irkutsk via Khuzhir with an endpoint in Ulan-Ude.
Schedule
Irkutsk – Khuzhir, Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Monday
8:00-9:00 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
15:35-16:35 Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Friday
8:00-9:00 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
15:35-16:35 Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Sunday
8:00-9:00 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
15:35-16:35 Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Irkutsk – Khuzhir, Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Monday
9:30-10:30 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
14:00-15:00 Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Friday
9:30-10:30 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
14:00-15:00 Khuzhir – Irkutsk
Sunday
9:30-10:30 Irkutsk – Khuzhir
14:00-15:00 Khuzhir – Irkuts
If you’re looking for something unique, book Baikal Ice Yachting, luxury and adrenaline fuelled experience! Sail an ice boat over Siberian lake Baikal.
Winter tour to Maloye Morye and Olkhon Island. During the trip you will see landmarks which are not available in any seasons except winter.
“Around the Baikal” tour. During this boat tour you will travel by variety of water vehicles watching slowly changing landscapes or getting adrenaline rafting the fast mountain rivers.
On the Baikal Caves tour you will explore several caves and admire their spacious halls and narrow passages, stalactites and stalagmites, crystals of ice and corallits. Most of Baikal caves are even older than the lake!
Book the Dogsled Tour along the Circum-Baikal Railway and enjoy working with powerful Baikal huskies, the beauty of the Baikal’s winter nature and the architecture monuments of the Circum-Baikal Railway.
When you are at Lake Baikal area you can have the unique opportunity to visit a Shaman in Ust-Orda village or on Olkhon Island. You’ll be able to ask the Shaman all your questions and take part in the rituals of the Shamanism.
Whatever rout of the Full-day snowmobile tour you choose, either through taiga or over frozen surface of the lake, make sure you’ve got your camera with you because the views are breathtaking!
A Real Icy Banya! Such an exotic place actually exists and is located on the shore of Lake Baikal.
Want to see the Circum-Baikal Railway in winter but afraid of riding over the frozen lake? Take a the tour by hovercraft and enjoy winter views of the Circum-Baikal Railway from its warm and comfortable cabin.
One-day Fishing trip on Lake Baikal give you a chance to spend a day enjoing the stunning beauty of the Baikal’s nature and experience the excitement of fishing.
Circum-Baikal Railway tour. Spend a day in a comfortable train moving along Lake Baikal shore by the old railroad through tunnels and bridges built during the Tsarist Russia in 1902-1904.
Explore the Circum Baikal Railway more thoroughly with the Baikal Railway Walking Tour. Walk through the old tunnels and visit the most significant structures of the Baikal Railway.
On the Baikal Helicopter tour, you will see the unforgettable Baikal landscapes and the Circum-Baikal railway from a bird’s-eye view.
Spend your vacation in the Floating hotel “Ecotur” which is located in Chivyrkuysky Bay, the most magnificent bay of Lake Baikal.
Hot Springs Arshan tour.A real fairy tale awaits you on Arshan tour! Down caps of treetops, blue, green, black, white ice of Lake Baikal, sun, walk along the lake on foot and by car, hot springs with amazing views of the majestic snow peaks bring resemblance to the Swiss Alps and Tibet at the glance of a globe rover.
Check out the full list of the most interesting tours in Russian cities.
