Grand Siberian Tour
About this tour
Siberia is a vast territory with unspoiled nature, local minorities and unique experiences. Whether it is summer or winter Siberia offers the best for people to enjoy freedom and be close to nature.
This tour consists of three important parts of Siberia, experiencing World’s oldest and deepest lake Baikal, traveling in the world longest Transsiberian railway and visiting so called Golden mountains – Altay! Combined must do Siberian tour.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Irkutsk, Russia
Arrival in Irkutsk international airport IKT. Meet and greet by a local guide. Transfer to city center and sightseeing tour around Irkutsk. City tour consists of visiting historic part of Irkutsk with wooden houses, Angara river which flows from lake Baikal just through Irkutsk and local orthodox church. Lunch in a local restaurant with typical Siberian dish. Accommodation – hotel Victoria 3* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 20 km, walking ~ 5 km.
Day 2: Irkutsk, Russia to Circum-Baikal express, Irkutsk, Russia
Morning transfer to Irkutsk train station. Old Baikal railway or also called Circum-Baikal railway*. Ancient railway which functioned in a past. Now it is used only as a tourist train showing the beauty of the lake Baikal meanwhile crossings bridges and driving through tunnels. During a day train makes multiple short stops for sightseeing. Short lunch break in a typical Siberian home on a way. Afternoon arrival at the Port Baikal train station, ferry crossing Angara river which flows out of Baikal and continues to Irkutsk. Arrival in Listvyanka, small town on the banks of lake Baikal. Overnight in Listvyanka. *Due to schedule change of trans-Siberian trains or technical reason or force majeure the itinerary can be modified and hotel can be substituted to another hotel of the same category Accommodation – hotel Mayak 4* or similar. Distance – By train ~ 159 km, by boat ~ 2 km, walking ~ 4 km.
Day 3: Listvyanka, Russia
After breakfast we will start sightseeing tour in the area of Listvyanka. One of the most experienced Siberian husky owners live near Listyanka, visit to his house where huskies live. During winter months they participate in competitions where dogs can run hundreds of kilometers in Siberian winter. Listen to his stories and see Siberian huskies. Afterwards a visit to Baikal museum which will show many important parts of the World’s oldest lake and its unique environment. Lunch in a local restaurant trying local fish. Walking for about 1 hour to Chersky Stone from here opens up a view over lake Baikal and Angara river. Visit open sky wooden architecture museum Taltsy, which represents ancient wooden houses and shows a way people lived here many years ago. Return back to Listvyanka. Visit to a local market. Overnight in Listvyanka. Accommodation – hotel Mayak 4* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 50 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 4: Listvyanka, Russia to Khuzhir, Russia
Morning departure to the Olkhon island. Sacred place for Buryat minority in the lake Baikal. Landscapes here changes from flat lands to forests and later to steppe. On a way stop to see Tajeran steppe. Here scientists have found facts confirming American descendants came from here. Still possible to spot some Neolithic rock paintings. Lunch on way trying local Buryat cuisine. Getting on a boat for a short crossing to the Olkhon island. This is one of the biggest lake islands on a world. Arrival in the Khuzhir village. Accommodation – hotel Baikal View 3* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 360 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 5: Khuzhir, Russia to Khoboy, Russia
After breakfast we sit in special UAZ jeeps which are able to drive these ground roads. We will reeach northern part of Olkhon island with its beautiful, untouched and stunning nature. Cape Khobov with a view over lake. The cliff - Peak of Love. Three Brothers Rock. At the evening return to Khuzhir village. Accommodation – hotel Baikal View 3* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 60 km, walking ~ 8 km
Day 6: Khuzhir, Russia to Irkutsk, Russia
Morning visit to the famous Shamanka rock which is considered sacred. Drive to a pier and take a ferry back to mainland. Driving to Irkutsk, on a way meeting local shaman. Lunch on a way. Arrival in Irkutsk and getting in a train heading West to Novosibirsk. Transsiberian railway experience for about 29 hours travelling approximately 1800 km from Irkutst west to Novosibirsk. Train Nr. 001 Rossiya, departure at 15:47, overnight in a train. Accommodation – Transsiberian train kupe compartment with doors and 2 double deck beds for 4 persons in total. Supplement for the 1st class cabin for 2 persons – 130 USD p.p. Distance – By bus ~ 300km, walking ~ 6 km.
Day 7: Irkutsk, Russia to Novosibirsk, Russia
On a way in the Transsiberian train passing through Krasnoyarsk, one of the biggest cities in Siberia and crossing Enisei river. Evening at around 19:46 arrival in Novosibirsk – biggest city in whole Siberia and third biggest city in Russia. Accommodation – hotel Marjins 4* or similar. Distance – by train ~ 900 km, walking ~ 2 km.
Day 8: Novosibirsk, Russia to Chemal, Russia
Transfer to Novosibirsk airport and domestic flight to Gorno Altaysk, capital of the republic of Altay. Arrival in Gorno Altaysk airport RGK. Transfer from Gorno Altaysk airport to Chemal village. We visit wooden St. John the Evangelist orthodox church which is located on an island. To reach it we walk on a bridge and see rapid Katun river below us. *Due to schedule change of domestic flights or technical reason or force majeure the itinerary can be modified and hotel can be substituted to another hotel of the same category Accommodation – hotel TurSib 3* or similar. Distance – by plane ~ 900 km*, by bus ~ 80 km, walking ~ 2 km
Day 9: Chemal, Russia
After breakfast we will have an active day. Rafting at the rapid Katun river with stop near the Kamyshlinsky Waterfall. Enjoying activity, views of a river and surroundings. Lunch at the local restaurant. Visit to maral breeding farm with horse back riding excursion. Accommodation – hotel TurSib 3* or similar. Distance – by bus ~ 60 km, walking ~ 5 km
Day 10: Chemal, Russia to Kosh-Agach, Russia
Today we will explore the most beautiful mountain highway in Russia. Seminsky Pass and Siberian pine tree taiga, rocky serpentine of Chike-Taman Pass, Ilgumensky Rapid on the Katun River, rock drawings of Kalbak-Tash sanctuary. Accommodation – hotel Rasul 3* or similar. Distance – by bus ~ 400 km, walking ~ 5 km
Day 11: Kosh-Agach, Russia to Uch Enmek, Russia
Early morning around 1 hour hike to the viewpoint for meeting sunrise over the North-Chuisky Ridge. After sunrise and all emotions, return to accommodation and have a breakfast. Travel along the Chuisky Trakt to Uch-Enmek natural and ethnographic Park and Karakol Valley. Here we will meet local Altai people, cook traditional nomadic meals, enjoy the throat singing. Accommodation – hotel Uch-Enmek or similar. Distance – by bus ~ 250 km, walking ~ 5 km
Day 12: Uch Enmek, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
Early weak up and morning departure to Gorno Altaysk airport. Domestic flight to Moscow. Otherwise land transfer to Barnaul/Novosibirsk (do not included to the cost). Further departure home.
What's included
Total price includes: • accommodation ½ DBL according to the program; • meals mentioned; • all transport and transfers; • one way domestic flight Novosibirsk – Gorno Altaysk in economy class; • TransSiberian railway ticket from Irkutsk to Novosibirsk kupe compartment; • English speaking local guide; • Excursions, activities and entrance fees; • Bottles water; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
Total price does not include: • Russian visa fee; • Dinners, supplement per each dinner ~ 10 USD. • International flights; • Personal expenses; • Day 12 Transfer from Gorno-Altaysk to Barnaul or Novosibirsk (~ 50 USD per pax); • Travel insurance.
What to know
*Due to to schedule change of domestic flights and trans-Siberian trains or technical reason or force majeure the itinerary can be modified and hotel can be substituted to another hotel of the same category
Route & locations
Irkutsk, Russia