Russia: Funny Diving for Christmas - no comment

Uzury area of Olkhon Island, Baikal Lake

Amazing photos of the north village Uzury on Olkhon Island!

Must see.

Uzury area of Olkhon Island, Baikal Lake

Also these pages with A LOT OF amazing photos of Olkhon Island, and cape Khoboy:

http://dmitry-yurlagin.livejournal.com/157764.html#cutid1

http://dmitry-yurlagin.livejournal.com/157475.html#cutid1

http://dmitry-yurlagin.livejournal.com/159667.html#cutid1

Why Winter?

I always say that winter in Siberia is the best time to visit. Especially lake Baikal are.
Many people ask me: "Why Winter?" Here I would like to give some answers :)

First of all, its New Year time. Cities are largely decorated with lights, ice sculptures. Every office and shop has discounts and gifts!

People are more active and energetic. In summer, its vacation time in Russia. Many people are gone traveling, cities seem to be very relaxed; but in the winter people are at their most powerful state. Happily stressed and openminded.
Parties at home are very warm and full of tasty things. People stay more indoors, become closer, what makes them best friends ever.

Of course it is very cold sometimes, its hard to handle for some people (good clothes is very important). But the beauty of the cities and nature is overwhealming. It is much cleaner, and everything is white. Rivers and lake are frozen in the second part of January and thats where fun begins. Ice skating, winter hiking, skiing, snowboarding and many other sports and activities.

Also for "real" divers its THE time to come to lake Baikal for diving. Its crazy-stunnig-amazing thing to do. It can be compared to diving in Antarctica.

Please comment about this, tell us why do you think winter is better for traveling in Siberia.

Olkhon Island

Transportation

Minibus is the most popular transport to go to Olkhon Island. They leave in the morning every day and arrive around lunch time in Khuzhir -- the biggest village on the Island (Around 1200 local people). Minibusses usually pick people up from where they stay at in Irkutsk, or you can hop in near the central market or at the central bus station. Also you can book a minibus hostel-to-hostel transfer in advance by e-mail or phone.

Big regular bus leaves very early in the morning and arrives a little bit later, but costs a little less as well. Also, for the big bus you have to buy the tickets in advance in the bus station office, and there is a luggage fee, which has always been a challenge, even for local people.

Personal transfers are a bit expensive, but its cost-effective if you have a team to go with. The benefits are vivid: you can stop wherever you want, and usually the personal car is a lot more comfortable than public transport. Ask for price, its different and depends on the car, driver and your wishes.

Helicopters and airplanes are also available. It is the fastest and the most expensive way.

Accommodation 

Depends on the time of the year. You must be REALLY shure where you are going in winter. In summer its easier, but still  you must be ready to camp, if you really want to do it. But there are plenty of homestays on the island, so if you pay you will have a bed and a place to "take shower".

Actually showers are a luxury on the island. Banya (the oldest type of taking shower, a little bit like sauna) is available in plenty, for rent and sometimes is included in the price of stay. 

If you stay in Irkutsk for at least one night, you can get your accommodation organized and booked on Olkhon Island too. Usually managers at hostels and hotels have opportunities to do that, and it is usually super easy, and is cost effective.

Also some hosts on Olkhon Island started to use international booking systems, so you can find and book something online.

Basic Things to Do

All year

Rent a bike and go to various wild nature places with amazing views.

All day land-water tour with lunch on the very north tip of the island.

Take amazing beautiful pictures.

Meet many different people from all over the world. Exchange. 

Volunteering, interaction with local people. (teaching)
Camping. 
Hiking.

Party.

Summer

Rent fishing equipment and try to catch some fish form the shore.

Fishing tour with professionals.

Cross the lake on a ship, or go to nature excursion by water.

Camping and hiking.

Sitting by the fire at night on the shore.

Swimming, getting sun tan.
Ship cruises and short tours. 

Winter

Diving under ice.

Crossing the lake by ice.

Ship cruises start in the end of winter when south part of the lake melts.

Ice fishing from the end of January to the early April.

Finding the most quite places on earth to relax and read a book.
Ice skating.

Circum Baikal Rail Road

Good news, everyone! Taking "Circum Baikal" railroad has never
been easier than today.
Here is how to manage a custom trip on your own.
Don't forget to ask questions about anything.

IRKUTSK -- PORT BAIKAL VILLAGE
!!! BUT it is ONLY: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday.
1) Take a public local ('elektrichka' -- sitting train) train from Irkutsk train station to Sludyanka. About 100 RUB per person.
Leaves at 8:35 am, arrives to Sludyanka at 12:18 pm. 
This train is everyday 'elektrichka'. You can buy tickets on the train, or at the train station.

2) Take "Matanya" diesel train from Sludyanka to port Baikal village. Around 100 RUB per person.
(this is Circum Baikal railroad)
(Take some food and drinks with you, it is expensive on the train.)

Leaves at 1:30 pm, arrives to Staraya Angasolka at 2:22 pm,
arrives to port Baikal village at 7:40 pm. 

Matanya Diesel

Some cargo carriage

Travel with locals
4th class ;-)

PORT BAIKAL VILLAGE -- IRKUTSK


To return to Irkutsk you can take a ferry from Baikal village to Listvyanka village, across Angara river, that flows out of lake Baikal.
BUT Ferry is not that often!!!
As we know so far, it is only 3 times a day:  8:15am, 4:15pm, 6:15pm.

From Listvyanka there is a regular minibus and bus transportation to Irkutsk until 6:00-7:00 pm. Around 100 RUB per person.

Also you can take "Matanya" train back to Sludyanka.
Leaves Baikal village at 2:25 am, arrives to Sludyanka at 8:15 am.

!!! BUT it is ONLY: Monday, Tuseday, Friday, Saturday.

From Sludyanka you can take 'elektrichka' train to Irkutsk which
leaves at 8:40 am and arrives in Irkutsk at 12:22 pm.


EXPRESS to Baikal and Back
Also there is an EXPRESS train that takes you straight from Irkutsk
to Baikal village every wendsday and saturday.  
Leaves at 10:45 AM, arrives at 7:10 PM
You can take this express to go back to Irkutsk on thursday and sunday. 
Leaves at 10:50 AM, arrives at 11:18 PM


TUu-TUu! 
GOOD LUCK!

Transfer to Olkhon Island is POSSIBLE!

Since the ferry to Olkhon is not functioning any more because of ice, many people ask if it is still possible to go to the Island.
It is possible to go to Olkhon Island, but not everyday.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Leaving every morning from Irkutsk.
There is a boat and hoover craft that takes people across
the half-frozen waters.
It costs extra 150 RUB one way for the water transfer.
Please contact us for booking: +7 904 118 10 75

Irkutsk Circus

Welcome to Irkutsk Circus!

18 and 19 of December Grande Opening!
Tickets 300-700 electronic rubles. :)

Book now!

Continuing performances: 25-26 of December.
After New Year Everyday Circus Madness: 2-10 January!!!