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 Where Cultures Meet
The goal of this tour is to introduce you to the cultural, ethnic and spiritual diversity of the Baikal area. Find out for yourself that Russia is not just about blond hair and blue eyes, but a place where Slavs and Asian tribes co-exist peacefully together for centuries. Perhaps these phenomena is owed to unforgivable nature of Lake Baikal, which sends a strong message that at the end of the day we all answer to the Mother Earth.
Highlights:
Feel the pulse, the power and the beauty of Lake Baikal.
Visit two cities, Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, so close to each other by train, yet so distant and different culturally and religiously.
Enjoy the simplicity of the Siberian countryside while hiking, driving or taking a train.
Learn about the founders of Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude cities. Walk the main streets to see day-to-day life.
Get in touch with culture and traditions of the Shaman and Old believer groups.
Discover Siberian hospitality in both urban and country environments.
If you are a museum or art fan, there are plenty of opportunities to see rare architectural, historical and artistic treasures in both Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude cities.
Virtual Tour (by Claudine and Leo Granbichler)
Itinerary: Baikal Map-Scheme
Day 1 - Irkutsk city - Listvyanka village
Irkutsk...arrival. Meeting. Breakfast. City tour. We will visit the Znamensky Russian Orthodox Church, museum of Fine Arts, drive through the central farm market and old city streets where you can enjoy lovely Siberian wooden architecture. After lunch, we will drive to Listvyanka village (~ 70km/43mi). On the way to Listvyanka, we will stop at the museum of Wooden Architecture "Taltsy". Supper. Overnight in Listvyanka a the local hotel (3 stars level).
Day 2 - Listvyanka village – Ust Orda town – Ulan-Ude city
Listvyanka…breakfast. Sightseeing tour. Visit to the Museum of Lake Baikal. Transfer by private car to Ust-Orda town located in Buryat district. In Ust-Orda we will visit a local museum followed by a folk dance, Shaman ceremony and at the end we will have Buryat traditional lunch. Late afternoon transfer to Irkutsk Rail station for departure to Ulan-Ude by overnight train.
Day 3 - Ulan-Ude city
Ulan-Ude… meeting. Breakfast. City tour. We will walk through the modern and old sections of the city and make a stop at the regional museum. Next, we will drive to Ivolginsky Datsan (Temple) the only Buddhist temple re-opened in 1945 on the territory of the former USSR. After lunch, we will drive to our next destination - the Ethnographic Museum of Transbaikalian People...Established in July 6, 1973, the museum today is one of the largest open air exhibitions in Russia made of individual sections representing the Evenks, Western Buryats, Eastern Buryats, Cossacks, Old Belivers life styles. Late afternoon return to Ulan-Ude. Supper. Overnight at the private family apartment.
Day 4 - Ulan-Ude city – Tarbagatai village
Ulan-Ude… Breakfast. Drive to Tarbagatai village (~ 50km). This village is founded by a religious group called Old Belivers. Folk concert. Demonstration of national costume. Traditional lunch. Late afternoon return to Ulan-Ude. Supper. Overnight at the private family apartment.
Day 5: Breakfast. Departure to your next destination.
If you are coming from the East, the tour starts in Ulan-Ude city.
Included:
Bilingual guide;
Family stay, single room (2 nights);
Hotel***, single standard room (1 night);
Full board (4 full days);
All transfers by private car as described;
Train Irkutsk -> Ulan-Ude, one way, 2nd class.
Admission fees to 4 museums;
Sokol orientation guide;
Not included:
Visa registration fee at the hotel upon arrival ($3-6);
International/domestic air or train fares;
Travel/Health Insurance;
Personal expenses
Special tour-related note:
Search for Accommodations
Search for Train Fares/Schedule
Visa Fees
Related Tours:
Barguzin Nature Reserve
Buddhist Russia
Custom Trans-Siberian Classic (6 stops)
Irkutsk the City
Lake Khovsgol highlights
Meeting the Lake Baikal
Noble Siberia
Old Believers of Eastern Siberia
Olkhon Island-the Siberian Alcatraz
Peoples of Kamchatka
Rafting the Irkut River
The Golden Buckle (Circumbaikal RR)
The Road of Courage
Trekking Baikal
Tuva Highlights
Ulaanbaatar the City
Ulan-Ude the City
Visit to Shaman Comments:
Hotel lodging options (required for visa registration):
Listvyanka lodging choice:
Hotels "Baikal" or "Baikalskie Terema".
Ulan-Ude lodging choice:
Hotels "Gesser" or "Buryatia".
Call our US office:
Tel/Fax: 1-724-935-5373
sokol@sokoltours.com
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