Mountain country Khamar-Daban is one of the most beautiful circlets of Baikal. It frames the lake from the south. Pristine nature, Mountain Rivers, waterfalls, Siberian taiga, Alpine meadows…
Rout: Irkutsk – Listvyanka village –Bolshie Koty – Irkutsk.
Arrival in Irkutsk; a short city tour to meet with the main sights of Irkutsk and its historic and architectural monuments; transfer to Listvyanka (70 km from Irkutsk); arrival; a stop at the viewing point on Shaman Stone, where the guide will tell you a wonderful legend about Baikal and the Angara River; excursion to the Museum of Baikal, meeting inhabitants of flora and fauna of the lake, as well as an interactive diving to the bottom of the lake or visiting arboretum are possible; rising by the cableways to Chersky Mountain overlooking a gorgeous view on the mouth of the Angara and the south part of the lake; a walk through Krestovka village with visiting wooden St. Nicholas Church; visiting fish market and souvenir market; accomodation in a hotel (“Mayak”, “Legend of Baikal”), in the evening – preparing for the trek.
Breakfast; start of the trek from the hotel to leisure base “Shelter of Gold Miners” (22 km); the first part is a rise to Primorsky range (4.5-5 km) from Cheremshanaya Fall; further the route runs along the spine of Primorsky range overlooking awesome views on Baikal and taiga nicks leading to the Angara; ascending from the spine, the group comes to Baikal in about 9-10 km from Listvyanka; a hot taiga lunch is cooking on the shore or in the forest; after lunch the group moves by the path to Chyornaya (Black) Fall (8-9 km); then to “Shelter of Gold Miners”; the path runs through the forest as well as along the edge of the shore, raising up high in mountains; in the evening – arriving at the leisure base; accomodation in small wooden houses (in twos and in fours), toilet is outside; leisure base “Shelter of Gold Miners” is situated in a picturesque valley of Chyorny brook, on the spurs of Primorsky range, in 200 m from the shore of Baikal; dinner; Russian bathhouse.
Breakfast; trekking along the shore of the lake to Bolshie Koty (2.5-3 km); Bolshie Koty settlement is situated in 18 km (by water) from Listvyanka settlement, in the summer time there is a regular water communication with Listvyanka; there is the Museum of Baikal knowledge in the village, which represents over 400 different exhibits, a rich collection of insects, as well as constantly operating Scientific station; visiting the museum (extra pay); Further – trekking to Cape Skriper (3 km from Bolshie Koty). The path runs through Sennaya Fall, famous for its gold mines, and good hay meadows; Mount Skriper is isolated mountain range; it is formed of a rare breed on Lake Baikal – Jurassic conglomerate, which is a gritty rock with run-pebbles; lunch cooked on fire; returning to village Bolshie Koty; transfer by boat to Listvyanka; arriving in Listvyanka, hotel accommodation; dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast; transfer to Irkutsk to the airport or to the train station. Seeing off.
