Our partner in Irkutsk, one of the oldest and most experienced local travel operators, arranges Trans-Siberian
tour with stopovers in major Russian cities, visa support, accommodation from budget
to Deluxe, transfers all over Russia, tours in Mongolia and China.
The "Baikal Chalet Listvyanka" offers a range of additional services for staying in tourists.
We can help you make your time at Baikal unforgettable ! We arrange excursions,
hikes, boat trips on the lake, quad rides, scuba diving, Circumbaikal railroad tours,
dog sledding in winter etc.
One day Excursion of Listvyanka town includes the most interesting sites and provides
good piece of information about local history, culture, traditions and nature.
The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal,
70 km from Irkutsk. This old-style Siberian village 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 best museum of Lake Baikal's flora and fauna (Limnological Museum) has a great collection of unique
facts, samples and creatures as well as a new aquarium with
seals, fish, sponges and Crustacea. It is a real highlight of the tour. The old church
of St. Nicolas, chair lift to the Cherskiy peak view point, Angara river outlet with
shaman stone, souvenir market are the other attractions of Listvyanka.
In the town, 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.
Hike to Koty
This fully guided adventure tour offers a
good combination of sightseeing in famous Listvyanka, beautiful hiking along the shore of Baikal and
accommodation in Bolshie Koty. Both settlements, Listvyanka and Bolshie Koty are located at the shore of Lake
Baikal, only 20 km away. Nevertheless two settlements differ a lot: Listvyanka is one
of the most visited places on the lake, Bolshie Koty is much smaller, clean and peaceful
village. There is no highway to Bolshie Koty, so one can reach the place only by feet or by boat.
Quietness and the natural beauty of the area will charm you and leave the peace of mind and
unity filling deep in your soul. Ideal place to relax and take a break from city life and
traffic noise to simply enjoy the
beauty and serenity of this region. Poor tourist infrastructure gives you limited possibilities
to dine and stay overnight in the village. "Bolshie Koty Chalet" is one of the best
options to enjoy the marvelous place with comfort and pleasure. Suite-in twin rooms,
Siberian cuisine, Russian sauna.
Dog sledding
After sightseeing around the Listvyanka settlement tourists will have a chance
to view an open-air dog cage to see how the harness is put on the dogs.
Instructor will tell you about the huskies' character, teach you to hitch dogs
up correctly and to drive them. You are sure to find common language with this
most devoted and most ancient man's friend. After the preparation, a dog team
of Russian racing huskies, brought from Kamchatka peninsula, lead you along the
forest trail. Controlling the wooden sledge at a steep turns, enjoying the
speed and the breath-taking beauty of the surroundings, the sheer excitement
and adrenalin rush from this experience is wonderful and evokes the feelings
of unity with nature.
Experienced guide-instructor will help you during the trip.
Circumbaikal Railroad Tour
The famous Circum Baikal Railroad going along the south-western shore of
Lake Baikal is one of the most complicated railways in the world. The
total length of its 39 tunnels is 7 km. Completed in 1904, the railway is 86 km long. You
can take photos of Lake Baikal, tunnels, bridges and railway stations.
Tourists take a Ferry from Listvyanka to Port Baikal. Departure from Port
Baikal at 11.40 am by a special tourist train to
Sludyanka. This journey has many scenic stops along
the way, longest one at 1pm. for a lunch and beaching on Polovinka station.
The tourist train guide provides detail information and unique video about Railway
history and outstanding character, Baikal's nature, plants and animals, Siberian climate.
From Sludyanka, the train goes to Irkutsk on the
Trans-Siberian Railway. A Packed lunch is included. Arrival in Irkutsk is
at 21.38. Transfer to hotel/homestay in Irkutsk or to Listvyanka.
Baikal boat trip
Boat trips are probably the most interesting tours on Lake Baikal. One, two, three hour
tour around the
southwestern shore and river outlet up to several days boat voyage to the Sandy Bay or
Olkhon Island may be arranged in Listvyanka.
While on the boat trip you may enjoy the beautiful views of Pribaikalskiy mountain
range green hills, pine tree forests, steep cliffs and Siberian flowers to the north of
Listvyanka. When the boat sail south a gorgeous view to the Shaman Rock in the Angara
river source is opening following by the panorama of old settlement of Port Baikal and the first bridges and tunnels
of Circum Baikal railway.
A rented boat of "Yaroslavets" type (24 m length, 4 m width) has two small passenger cabins,
table,benches and chairs on the deck and an awning to protect of wind, sun or rain.
Scuba Diving
in Baikal is a pure adrenalin and unique experience. Diving in the deepest lake in the world !
Best time is June-July and August. Winter diving is available for experienced open water divers.
An expert instructor (PADI, CMAS) picks you up from the Baikal
Chalet and transfer to the shore. Daily tour may include one or two dives from the shore in Listvyanka
or a day boat trip to the most interesting nearby diving sites.
We provide all necessary equipment: mask, flippers, aqualung and diving
suite (all European standards, leading scuba diving equipment providers, such as
Poseidon, ScubaPro, Aqua Lung). We use wet or dry suites depending on the water
temperature and season. Our instructor gives a brief introduction curse
and explain the most important features of Baikal, reminds you the instructions and
repeats the signals. The beginners practice near the surface and dive to the depth of 5-10 meters to observe
viriety of fresh water sponges, Sculpins and Crustacea. Experienced divers can enjoy
walls, kanyons, caves and Baikal creatures at the depth of 20-30 m.
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