Irqutsk mixed from cinema23 on Vimeo.
Old blog about Lake Baikal that hasn't been updated for many years.
December 27, 2011
December 11, 2011
November 30, 2011
From Mongolia to Baikal
iPad and cold weather
If you arrive to Irkutsk, Siberia in winter, be careful using your iPad outside. Yes there are some free public WiFi hotspots, but batteries are afraid of cold, so they run out faster than usual. Its better to have maps printed.
November 28, 2011
November 26, 2011
November 25, 2011
November 24, 2011
Winter on lake Baikal
Dear readers. We are glad to announce winter 2011-2012 season. Lake Baikal opens great opportunities from the middle of January, when the lake freezes all over.
Also, its nice to travel in Russia, when its winter. Trains are not that loaded during this time, and you can easily organize an individual trip across Russia, stopping in the places of your interest. We hope lake Baikal is one of them.
Also, its nice to travel in Russia, when its winter. Trains are not that loaded during this time, and you can easily organize an individual trip across Russia, stopping in the places of your interest. We hope lake Baikal is one of them.
Saving while traveling
If you travel across Russia to Mongolia you might find the idea of saving $100 and 5 hours in one smart move from Irkutsk to Ulaanbaatar. If you take a direct train from Irkutsk to Ulaanbaatar it will cost you around 5000 rubles. They don't sell 3d class for this direction, so you will have to get a 'koope'.
So what you can do is to take a train to Ulan-Ude, and then take a bus to Ulaanbaatar. The train will cost you 700 rubles, and the bus will be 1200 rubles. So totaly you save about 3000 rubles on this transfer. But you have to book your bus tickets in advance. This you can do here on our website, take a look at menu on the right.
Also, if you want to learn how to buy train tickets in Russia online with no commission at the same price as at the station, then please take a look at Train tickets explained page.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly by phone, text or email.
So what you can do is to take a train to Ulan-Ude, and then take a bus to Ulaanbaatar. The train will cost you 700 rubles, and the bus will be 1200 rubles. So totaly you save about 3000 rubles on this transfer. But you have to book your bus tickets in advance. This you can do here on our website, take a look at menu on the right.
Also, if you want to learn how to buy train tickets in Russia online with no commission at the same price as at the station, then please take a look at Train tickets explained page.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly by phone, text or email.
November 23, 2011
Buy train tickets online in Russia
We've created a page specially for you, so you can learn about getting your russian rail road tickets done online. It is in our site's menu.
So, could you please help us to make it better. It is hard work without your support, so please, lets do this, it will be a great input into helping the organization to create better service. Thank you.
So, could you please help us to make it better. It is hard work without your support, so please, lets do this, it will be a great input into helping the organization to create better service. Thank you.
Good old Irkutsk 2011
I found some interesting shots while going through some files on my computer.
This is a very old tram.
Interior art work.
November 17, 2011
Russian Banya (steam sauna)
This is private banya at Nikita's on Olkhon Island.
There are also hot showers available for everybody,
but if you want to experience something really Russian,
go for this one. Cleans body and soul.
There are also hot showers available for everybody,
but if you want to experience something really Russian,
go for this one. Cleans body and soul.
November 15, 2011
November 6, 2011
October 16, 2011
September 23, 2011
September 13, 2011
A summer behind the Iron Curtain: documenting the fall of the Soviet Union
The best word to describe Tree Gore is “adventurer.”
Stories from his latest adventure sound like scenes from a Russian version of James Bond, and he ultimately hopes that his new project will inspire other young people to travel and explore the world beyond the classroom.
Gore, a UVU aviation student, and Christine Armbruster, a BYU student and photographer, set out to explore and document the tiny forgotten or unnoticed towns of Russia left destitute after the collapse of the Soviet Union. These towns, called monogorods, are settlements that were built around a single industry, much like mining towns once popular in America. After the collapse of the USSR, the nearly 2 thousand monogorods shifted from being government controlled to private ownership. Because of tough competition with the free market, many towns prospered while others were left impoverished or even barren.
While much has changed in Russia since the Cold War, its effects are still felt by the millions of people living there, yet no one is really paying them any attention. Fueled by curiosity and the desire to share the immensely important but untold stories of Russian life post-Soviet Union, Gore and Armbruster spent their summer roaming through Russia with just the clothes on their backs and two backpacks full of equipment to make their upcoming documentary “Half Day Around.”
The filmmakers prove that you don’t have to be a Columbus or a Werner Herzog to explore completely foreign territory. “My hope is that the film will help inspire other students to travel and learn about a different culture than their own. With traveling comes a type of learning that you can’t get anywhere else,” Gore said.
As he works on sorting out the footage, photos, and memories of all the experiences he had on the other side of the globe, Gore noted that the most important lesson he
learned is that “despite the fact there are bad people and horrific things in this world, the majority of people are great and eager to lend a hand.”
His entire journey was made possible through the kindness and generosity of friends, family and even people he had never met before. While in Russia, it was the strangers he met on the street that offered the young filmmakers a place to stay or volunteered to act as tour guides and translators. “Some people might say we were lucky,” Gore stated, “but the more optimistic view is that there are people out there willing to help others.”
Although the filming for “Half Day Around” is mostly completed, the project still has a long road ahead of it. Gore and Armbruster are hoping to raise the last of their needed funds by September 13, 2011. The filmmakers plan on presenting a teaser for the movie by December and are arranging gallery showings to display photos and profiles of people from the trip. The film will make its debut sometime next year.
For more information about the project visit the blog or help donate to the cause through www.kickstarter.com.
This article is from UVU Review website.
September 1, 2011
August 28, 2011
Navigate in Russia
Use http://maps.yandex.ru/ as they have even street views.
They don't have english version, but its easy to learn to use
because they are similar to other services.Website usually
loads with a view on the city you are in.
http://www.openstreetmap.org/ is very nice as it has
english interface, but I didn't find the link to switch to
the language. Not very detailed map, but it gives a better
idea that maps from other websites.
I hope it helps, if you find any better website, please
let us know. :)
They don't have english version, but its easy to learn to use
because they are similar to other services.Website usually
loads with a view on the city you are in.
http://www.openstreetmap.org/ is very nice as it has
english interface, but I didn't find the link to switch to
the language. Not very detailed map, but it gives a better
idea that maps from other websites.
I hope it helps, if you find any better website, please
let us know. :)
July 9, 2011
International Friendship Hostel
Don't forget to book IF hostel. It has
best deals in Irkutsk city right now.
Only 500 rubles pppn in a dorm for 4 people
and 700 rubles pppn for private twin room.
Book now with hostelworld. Or go to a page with
reviews and more info.
Also we organize all possible tours
trips and get aways to the nature
and to the lake itself. :)
Great deals, all transfers
and reservations
in one call.
Welcome to Irkutsk
and lake Baikal!
best deals in Irkutsk city right now.
Only 500 rubles pppn in a dorm for 4 people
and 700 rubles pppn for private twin room.
Book now with hostelworld. Or go to a page with
reviews and more info.
Also we organize all possible tours
trips and get aways to the nature
and to the lake itself. :)
Great deals, all transfers
and reservations
in one call.
Welcome to Irkutsk
and lake Baikal!
July 6, 2011
Children's Railroadn on Youth Island
Since 1939 in Irkutsk.
The railway station is located near the educational building. Everything is real there: a cash department, a waiting room with playing machine, an inquiry office with computer network. In this office one can apply for any information from train schedule to flight timetable and traffic roads! In a small cosy cafe passengers can drink a cup of coffee or eat an ice-cream.
Work days: Wed, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun.
Work hours:
10.40
11.30
12.20
14.30
15.20
16.10
16.50
Prices:
100
130
150
Its fun.
June 18, 2011
Chivirkuisky Bay. East Baikal. Buryatiya.
Meditative relax video about east part of the lake. Near Holy Nose peninsula.
June 16, 2011
Olkhon Ferry Timelapse
Watch how ferry to Olkhon Island works.
The actual transfer takes 15-20 minutes of real time.
Thanks to Shrabikus, great filmmeikah!.
The actual transfer takes 15-20 minutes of real time.
Thanks to Shrabikus, great filmmeikah!.
June 15, 2011
June 1, 2011
May 31, 2011
"Staraya Angasolka" village. The great escape.
Visiting South lake Baikal area, "Staraya Angasolka" village. Where "Alp Base Angasolka"is located. One of the best hostels and activity centers
on lake Baikal. Very small village, no cars and just few houses.
Welcome to the land of peace and pure nature.
Photos by Claire and Jeff (CA, USA).
on lake Baikal. Very small village, no cars and just few houses.
Welcome to the land of peace and pure nature.
Photos by Claire and Jeff (CA, USA).
April 25, 2011
Right on the shore!
Please tell us about great hostels and hotels on the shore of the lake Baikal. The closer to the water the better. We are trying to make a list of the best ones. Thanks. We have already found two hostels: Alp Base (in Staraya Angasolka), and Lesnaya 7 (in Bolshie Koty).
March 30, 2011
LIttle Church on Olkhon
Stories about orthodox church on Olkhon Island.
Church bell ringing video.
Visit Church website (in Russian) and forum (English part).
Also you can contact Sergey, he speaks English and French very well,
his contacts you will find on church website.
We head out toward Lake Baikal, to Olkhon Island. It is so peaceful. Unhurried and in tune with nature. Surrounded by the shimmering waters, framed by towering snow covered mountain peaks and covered by wide open tundra beside towering evergreens. It's feeling, its sense of earthy power, is unmistakable. And I'm not surprised at all to learn that has long been considered a center of shamanic energy. And a hub of shamanic activity. We spend three days there. I bicycle around, in addition to the four wheel drive tours we take. I discover the old cemetery with it's lake of Orthodox crosses and less overtly religious symbols of the Soviet era. I wander the dirt tracks of the village of Khuzhir, finding the 'internet cafe' and a beautiful new Russian Orthodox Church. It sits high on a hill with a commanding view. And it is quite clearly a new construction, post Soviet era!
A small orthodoxe temple on OLKHON island has been painted with beautiful frescos. You can often enjoy the bells ringing either in the morning or in the evening before the sunset.
Church bell ringing video.
Visit Church website (in Russian) and forum (English part).
Also you can contact Sergey, he speaks English and French very well,
his contacts you will find on church website.
March 28, 2011
Baikalling around
Moscow was like any other European city, and as such not that interesting
to me. Red Square, the Kremlin etc. all visited, but I'm not one for static
sights. My hosts were extremely gracious though, and so very eager
to help with informing me about the great city.
Spent the last night on the 34th floor of a decandently expensive hotel bar,
sucking in freezing Moscow views. Spectacular! Then we headed
to an underground bar: had the atmosphere of a pre-communist
conspirators meeting point. This impression was given creedence
by the Trotsky lookalike and his Bolshevik compatriots
on the table next to us. A very cool place.
The next day I got on the Trans-Siberian headed for a place called Irkutsk,
Siberia. Took four days, but we made it eventually. My thoughts turned
inward and I developed a kind of meditative
state throughout the journey.
Time lost its power and importance as I watched the timezones skip
by one after the other. Sleeping was hard, so I medidated at night.
I ate instant noodles everyday and felt happy for them. Intermittent train
stations gave respite to the endless repition of locomotive rythym.
When I got to Irkutsk ten thousand gold toothed taxi drivers greeted
me hungrily. With the golden wolf pack left behind I was free
to navigate myself to the IF Hostel, a wonderful place
run by a young Russian, Dimitri. Dimitri is creator of Baikal Сlub
and a fountain of knowledge for all travellers to this region.
Tomorrow I head to Lake Baikal, 20% of all the fresh water
in the world is there. It's more than a mile deep and heaven on earth,
so I'm told. I'll steam in Saunas and freeze
in ice cold water a million years old.
First day was joyfully uneventful, I just sat around mostly. My host,
Nina, and I struggled with English/ Russian language barriers for the most
part, trying to make one another understood as best we could.
Strolled onto the ice lake in the afternoon and enjoyed
a silent moment with myself.
The next day was pretty similar, although Yefghenny turned up.
He speaks english alot better, so this made communication easier
and the conversations soared. Sadly, we also said
goodbye to Nina.
On Thursday we headed to the ski slopes for some powder fun.
I've never skied before, so I fell over about 20 times, but my progress
was strong and fast, so by the end of the morning
I was navigating the smaller slopes masterfully. Not enough, however,
to manage the steeper stuff. This I didn't discover until it was too late
and I was already up in the danger zone.
By this time I was quite tired and didn't really have the strength
to control myself properly, so I fell harder and more often.
In all a very fun time, though my muscles
and bones ached severely.
Hitched a ride home with a very nice Russian girl.
She ended up staying with us for the rest of the night as we wound
down from a day on the slopes.
We wound down with food and Banya.
Banya is a kind of Russian Sauna, except super heated and as such very
intense. the idea is to stay in as long as possible, then run outside,
onto the frozen lake and into a small holed smashed through the ice.
The experience is invigorating almost to the point of spiritual enlightenment.
I must've taken the icy dive at four times in total,
and felt absolutely refreshed and exhausted
by the end of my last day on Lake Baikal.
In 15 minutes I get on a train and head for UlaanBataar,
Mongolia, where I'll be for about four days or so.
Takes about 25 hours or so.
more on David's blog
to me. Red Square, the Kremlin etc. all visited, but I'm not one for static
sights. My hosts were extremely gracious though, and so very eager
to help with informing me about the great city.
Spent the last night on the 34th floor of a decandently expensive hotel bar,
sucking in freezing Moscow views. Spectacular! Then we headed
to an underground bar: had the atmosphere of a pre-communist
conspirators meeting point. This impression was given creedence
by the Trotsky lookalike and his Bolshevik compatriots
on the table next to us. A very cool place.
The next day I got on the Trans-Siberian headed for a place called Irkutsk,
Siberia. Took four days, but we made it eventually. My thoughts turned
inward and I developed a kind of meditative
state throughout the journey.
Time lost its power and importance as I watched the timezones skip
by one after the other. Sleeping was hard, so I medidated at night.
I ate instant noodles everyday and felt happy for them. Intermittent train
stations gave respite to the endless repition of locomotive rythym.
When I got to Irkutsk ten thousand gold toothed taxi drivers greeted
me hungrily. With the golden wolf pack left behind I was free
to navigate myself to the IF Hostel, a wonderful place
run by a young Russian, Dimitri. Dimitri is creator of Baikal Сlub
and a fountain of knowledge for all travellers to this region.
Tomorrow I head to Lake Baikal, 20% of all the fresh water
in the world is there. It's more than a mile deep and heaven on earth,
so I'm told. I'll steam in Saunas and freeze
in ice cold water a million years old.
First day was joyfully uneventful, I just sat around mostly. My host,
Nina, and I struggled with English/ Russian language barriers for the most
part, trying to make one another understood as best we could.
Strolled onto the ice lake in the afternoon and enjoyed
a silent moment with myself.
The next day was pretty similar, although Yefghenny turned up.
He speaks english alot better, so this made communication easier
and the conversations soared. Sadly, we also said
goodbye to Nina.
On Thursday we headed to the ski slopes for some powder fun.
I've never skied before, so I fell over about 20 times, but my progress
was strong and fast, so by the end of the morning
I was navigating the smaller slopes masterfully. Not enough, however,
to manage the steeper stuff. This I didn't discover until it was too late
and I was already up in the danger zone.
By this time I was quite tired and didn't really have the strength
to control myself properly, so I fell harder and more often.
In all a very fun time, though my muscles
and bones ached severely.
Hitched a ride home with a very nice Russian girl.
She ended up staying with us for the rest of the night as we wound
down from a day on the slopes.
We wound down with food and Banya.
Banya is a kind of Russian Sauna, except super heated and as such very
intense. the idea is to stay in as long as possible, then run outside,
onto the frozen lake and into a small holed smashed through the ice.
The experience is invigorating almost to the point of spiritual enlightenment.
I must've taken the icy dive at four times in total,
and felt absolutely refreshed and exhausted
by the end of my last day on Lake Baikal.
In 15 minutes I get on a train and head for UlaanBataar,
Mongolia, where I'll be for about four days or so.
Takes about 25 hours or so.
more on David's blog
March 15, 2011
Winter at Alp Base Hostel
Welcome to Alp Base, in Angasolka village, lake Baikal Shore.
Located on Circumbaikal railroad. One of my favorite places on lake Baikal.
When you stay at IF hostel in Irkutsk managers will book Alp Base for you,
and give you full information on how to get there and to have the best
experience. Welcome to this small village, about 7 houses, no shops, no cars,
just train, 4 times a week both way from Sludyanka to port Baikal.
Write to us, if you are interested in spending some days at a quite Alp Base,
where you can make friends, go for outdoor activities, have all the comfort,
banya on the shore of the lake. Also at dining hall with good food.
For relaxing times, and great outdoor sport activities visit Alp Base.
Baikal Club 100% recommended!
Events and celebrations. Last New Year on these pictures.
 |
| Graffiti competitions |
 |
| Santa also like Alp Base! |
 |
| Rainbows! Extreme jump in the lake after 100 degrees sauna. :) |
 |
| Fun night! |
 |
| Fire show |
Book next New Year Holidays at Alp base. You will never forget!
 |
| Everybody Happy! |
Do you like activities? This is the perfect place.
 |
| Great Hiking Trails |
Would you like to relax? Then enjoy the quietness and chill atmosphere. No cars, no people, no civilization, just tiny village, small train once in three days, Great lake and bright stars at night.
Get fit with Alp base. Enjoy huge skating areas on the lake.
There is something unbelievable about this place.
Hard to tell about this. You must come and see yourself,
there is some magic feeling when I visit this place.
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