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Lake Baikal
City tour of Irkutsk & Listvyanka

Irkutsk was founded in 1661 when the Russian military cossack troops established a fortress on the right bank of Angara River . From late 17 th century, it was a political, economical and cultural center 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.

Listvyanka 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 . The Museum of Lake Baikal provides information about the origin and wild life 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 board. Lake Baikal is frozen over from late January to early May, the thickness of 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.

ADVENTURE # B002
Itinerary   1 day
Group size   1 person to variable
Season   All year round
Price/pers    
  • ../images/aventures/map-irkoutsk.htm" target="_blank" onclick="openWin2(this.href,this.target); return false;">Map of Irkutsk
  • ../images/aventures/b001a_map.htm" target="_blank" onclick="openWin(this.href,this.target); return false;">Map of Listvyanka
In order to book this voyage, contact us

INCLUDED

  • English/German/Japanese/Spanish/Italian/French speaking guide
  • Museum Fees, transfer by private cars
Not included
  • Food & accomodation

PROGRAM

Musee de l'architecture en bois1 day
Irkustsk
You will see many small one- and two-stored wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20 th century.

During this city tour of Irkutsk, our guide tells you about the Siberian city evolution, shows the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.

Listvyanka
After lunch you go by car to Listvyanka settlement. The highway from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal goes through picturesque taiga-forest up and down high hills and in about 1 hour you come to a viewpoint facing the Shaman Rock, at the source of Angara River . The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk .

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.


IrkoutskSeveral private cafes and restaurants offer traditional Siberian or European meals for you. You can taste pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhki, sandwiches with caviar to feel the spirit of Siberia.

On your way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka, at your request, a car can take you to the Museum of Wooden Architecture. 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 16 th to 19 th century Russian villages and Buryat and Evenk tents.