Cruise begins at the Maloye Morye (Small Sea) Strait located some 250 km~156 mi from Irkutsk (3-4-hour transfer - not included). This is the strait that separates Olkhon Island from the mainland. Cruise boat will be waiting for passengers at a small ferry pier in the area of Sakhyurta village right across the strait from the very southern tip of Olkhon Island. At noon, new passengers board the motor vessel “Tatiana” or “Sibiryak”. Accommodation in boat cabins. The cruise will start with a brief introduction to the motorboat and the safety rules. Meet the crew and your fellow travelers who have been already on board or just joined our cruise. Lunch on board of the boat.

Soon after take off you will pass narrow Olkhon Gate Strait to enter the vast expanse of the main waterbody of Lake Baikal. Today, you will enjoy a whole day water trip along the western coast of the lake southwards from Olkhon Island towards Peschanaya Bay of Lake Baikal. If the weather permits the boat will come close to Tsagan-Zaba Rock (the name is translated from Buryat language as “the White Cliff”). Tsagan-Zaba cliff is famous for the ancient rock engravings so called petroglyphs that date back to the Bronze Age (late 2nd millennium BC). If lucky, you will be able to observe this unique archeological site right from the vessel’s deck.

In the end of the day you arrive to Sennaya bay which is very close to famous Peschanaya Bay being one of the most popular tourist destinations at Lake Baikal. In the evening you can relax and wash off your tiredness in the most traditional Russian way – by visiting hot Russian banya (not included). Enjoy this Russian attraction, dive right into cool waters of Lake Baikal after heating up in the steam bath. Overnight on board of the ship. Includes: (L), (D).

Breakfast. Free morning for leisure and sunbathing. Take an optional 2-hour walk across the mountain path to the neighboring Peschanaya (Sand) Bay. This is one of the most picturesque spots at the lake. Peschanaya is renowned for being the warmest place at Lake Baikal and the only place at the lake where the average annual temperature throughout the year is above freezing. This secluded area is separated from the mainland by the tall mountain range and is accessible only by water or trekking. The bay is also famous for its sandy shoreline as well as the number of pine and larch trees “walking on stilts”. The trees that grow on the beach rise above the ground standing on tall naked roots because of the constant winds that blow the sand away from underneath of them.

Return to the motorboat for lunch. Depart for further 8-hour water trip passing Bolshiye Koty settlement and Listvyanka at the source of the Angara River until the boat reaches the Circum-Baikal Railway. Circum-Baikal track is a historical part of the Trans-Siberian railway lying along the north-western shore from the Angara River to the very southern extremity of the lake. In the early XX-th century this 84-km-long track was called "The golden buckle on the steel belt of Russia" as it took enormous funding to construct all of 39 tunnels, 47 stone galleries and over 14 km of supporting walls along the steep shoreline of Baikal. Nowadays, the Circum-Baikal Railway is commonly known as an open-air museum of civil engineering of the early XX-th century.

Overnight aboard at anchor near a small fishermen village. In the evening, take a walking tour with your guide to see the tunnels and niches cut in steep cliffs or enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Baikal observing the sunset from the boat deck. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Breakfast. Return to Listvyanka by boat . The crew leaves you at the main Listvyanka pier. End of service or continue exploring Lake Baikal on one of our excursion tours. Includes: (B).

Board the powerboat at the Listvyanka main pier. Listvyanka is located at Lake Baikal waterside near the Angara River source and only 65km (43 mi) from Irkutsk international airport (transfer from Irkutsk is not included). Departure from Listvyanka at noon. Boat ride to the south-west direction towards the Circum-Baikal railway (~2 hrs) which is a disused part of the old Trans-Siberian track that runs along the north-western shore of Baikal to the lake’s most southern end. Lunch on board of the vessel. Stop at the Circum-Baikal railway for a guided excursion to see the old hand-made tunnels, bridges and levees. Dinner and overnight aboard of the powerboat parked at a small bay near the mouth of the Shumikha River. Includes: (L), (D)

Early departure to Peschanaya (Sandy) bay. In the afternoon you reach one of the most picturesque spots of the lake. Peschanaya is the warmest bay at and the only place at the lake where an average annual temperature throughout the year is above freezing. This secluded area is separated from the mainland by a high mountain range and is accessible only by water. The bay is famous for its sandy shoreline and pine trees “on stilts” that rise above the beach with roots naked because of the wind that blows the sand away underneath of them.

You can take an optional 2-hour walk along the mountain path to the neighboring Sennaya bay and admire breathtaking views to these beautiful bays and steep rocky capes separating them. In the evening you may relax and wash off your tiredness in the most traditional Russian way – by visiting hot Russian banya (not included). Enjoy this Russian attraction, dive right into cool waters of Baikal after heating up in the steam bath. Overnight on board. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Today you will enjoy a whole day water trip along the west coast of the lake northwards towards Olkhon Island. If the weather permits the boat will come close to Tsagan-Zaba (translated from Buryat language as “the White Cliff”). Tsagan-Zaba cliff is famous for the ancient rock engravings so called petroglyphs that date back to the Bronze Age (late 2nd millennium BC). You will be able to observe this unique archeological site right from the vessel’s deck. In the end of the day you will pass narrow Olkhon Gate Strait to enter a vast water body that is called the Maloe Morye (Small Sea) Strait. The strait separates the Olkhon Island from the western shore of Baikal. This water area is renowned for its shallowness, and thus warm water which can be up to 25ºC (77ºF) in the summer. Leisure opportunities and the waters reach of fish has resulted this place to become a lakeside resort for thousands of Irkutsk citizens annually. Our boat will make a stop for the overnight at one of the bays near Olkhon Island where you spend some time angling, sunbathing, or even swimming in Baikal waters. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

The day starts with a short boat tour around the strait. End of the cruise at the small Sakhyurta pier at the mainland from where the pubic car ferry commutes to the southern tip of Olkhon Island. End of service. Take return transfer to Irkutsk or another side trip to explore Olkhon Island (not included). Includes: (B).

Board the vessel at Sakhyurta pier located in the middle portion of Lake Baikal across the Olkhon Gate Strait from Olkhon Island. Start your boat cruise with a trip from the south till the northern end of the Maloye Morye (Small Sea) Strait which is separated from the main Baikal waterbody by Olkhon Island. If time and weather conditions permit we will stop at one of isles of the strait. This is the Ogoy Island where Buddhist stupa had been recently erected. The white mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics stands on top of the hill from where you will be able to admire panoramic views of the strait. Walk around the sacral place clockwise as Buddhists do while making a wish. Natives believe your wish will come true. Overnight aboard of the vessel parked at one of the smaller bays at the Maloye Morye strait.  Includes: (L), (D).

Trip further north along the western shoreline of Baikal. Stop at Ritiy cape which is located at the western shore of the lake next to the widest part of Lake Baikal. This secluded place rested at the naked river valley is absolutely empty and uninhabited with no roads or any signs of human civilization. Locals avoided living in this area since it was known for anomalies happening here. Optional hiking on the forest trail of the Nature Preserve. Overnight aboard the boat at anchor. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Today, we will cross the lake from its western to the eastern shore. The boat will pass the Sacred Nose Peninsula and enter into the warm waters of the Chivirkuisky Gulf. Chivirkuisky Gulf is the second largest gulf of Lake Baikal. Due to its isolated location between the Barguzin Mountain Range to the east and the Sacred Nose Peninsula separating it from the vast Baikal waterbody from the west, Chivirkuy (as it is often referred locally) is a unique oasis of warm cozy bays, sunny sand beaches and magnificent sceneries. In spite of its size, the depth of the most part of the gulf does not exceed 10 meters (~30 ft) which makes its waters reach the temperature of 19…23ºC (66…73ºF) by early August.

Boat trip will lead us to one of the most popular bays of Chivirkuy Gulf called Zmeinaya (Snake) bay. Small grass snakes are occasionally met here, however, one can feel save since those are not venomous snakes. Several hot springs are found here. Temperature of the main one reaches 45ºC (115ºF ). Spend overnight near hot springs where one can relax and bath almost like in traditional Russian sauna. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Spend this day cruising near the shores around Chivirkuiskiy Gulf. You will see many smaller isles and secluded bays that are full of fish. In general, microclimate of the gulf creates a very comfortable environment for the local flora and fauna. Many species of fish including Baikal omul, black grayling and lenok which are typically met in the main Lake Baikal waterbody enter the gulf and pass further into the rivers during the spawning period. At the same time, the shallow gulf is a home for variety of other fish including pike, bass, roach, etc.

This is not uncommon for anglers to be lucky in this area, and a catch of the pike of 10 kg (22 lb) is not the ultimate dream. While cruising the gulf the boat crew will teach you fishing methods practiced by local fisherman at Lake Baikal. Our cook will grill a great meal for dinner today out of your catch. If one is not interested he can sunbath and observe the surroundings from the vessel deck or choose to stay and relax on a sand beach of one of the smaller bays where the boat comes in the evening for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Today, we’ll sail across the lake back to its western shore. The boat will pass Ushkany Islands that belong to Barguzin Nature Preserve. These are famous for being a home for the largest population of Baikal fresh-water seals. Ushkany Islands are the area restricted for visitors. There is currently no legal way to enter the preserved area. The only human population of the island is two persons who are the employees of the local weather station. Secluded coastline of the island with many pebble and cobble beaches is an ideal place where Baikal nerpas breed and later in the winter give birth to baby cubs on the ice near the archipelago. There may be hundreds of seals at a time who are trying to climb the boulders stuck from the water. Being very clumsy some nerpas roll over and fall back into the lake right away. If one manages to find a place on top of the rock seal will stretch the legs, shake off the water, and enjoy sunbathing. Seals are very sky and usually jump off the rocks and hide into the water once they hear any noise.

We’ll be passing by Uskkany Islands that you can observe from the distance. By the end of the day, you will return to the Maloye Morye Strait from where our cruise has started. Continue till Khuzhir which is the biggest and virtually the only settlement at Olkhon Island. We make a stop here to see the famous Burkhan Cape with Shaman Crag, a sacral place for Shamanist believers. This is one of Baikal’s most famous landmarks that can be found on many postcards. Natives believe that Burkhan, a religious cult figure, lives in the cave in this rock. Legends say that horseback riders used to dismount their horses when passing near the crag and walked here by foot so that clatter of horses hoofs doesn’t wake evil spirits. Overnight in one of the bays near Olkhon Island. Excursion around Khuzhir settlement. Overnight aboard. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Breakfast on board. 12:00 Cruise ends at the ferry pier on the mainland across the strait from the southern end of Olkhon Island. Transfer back to Irkutsk is available upon the request. Or you might consider a further side trip to Olkhon Island. Includes: (B).