Entertainment on Baikal in winter. Baikal excursions and sights. Extreme holidays on Lake Baikal in winter

Winter Baikal in terms of beauty and impressions will give odds to Iceland and Norwegian fjords. This is the biggest ice rink in the world! Constant winds carefully blow snow off the lake and islands, tourist camps are open all year round, and Baikal omul is smoked right on the shore.

Find out from our experience (and our photos!) how to relax in winter on Lake Baikal, how to get there and have a good time.

When to go to Baikal

Baikal ice is the most fantastic spectacle and you will definitely want to come to the lake when the ice has already risen, but has not yet melted. The strongest ice, it is believed, rises on the lake after the January frosts. Many recommend going in March: the weather is warmer, the sun is brighter, the ice is still strong. But! In March, an unexpectedly early spring may begin and you will come to gray ice, which began to melt, and an ice road closed to traffic.

In February 2015, we went to the Baikal island of Olkhon for two weeks and caught on the edge of a sharp warming. In a couple of days, the ice lost its blue crystal clearness and became gray and faded, rustling underfoot with thousands of small ice scales. The bus took us away from the island, no longer a long way across the ice, but the shortest way to the nearest shore. The winter ice road was closed after our departure. So we would recommend the end of January and February for the trip.

How to get to Baikal

The easiest way to Baikal runs through Irkutsk: the largest number of planes and trains arrive in this city. It takes 6.5 hours to fly from Moscow to Irkutsk by plane, and 5-6 days by train. There is another option to fly / drive to Ulan-Ude and Severobaikalsk, but if this is your first trip, we recommend choosing the route through Irkutsk, as the easiest. We recommend staying on Olkhon Island. There will definitely be the most beautiful views. Below, for example, is a photo of Shamanka rock.

Do you think that if you came to Irkutsk, then Baikal is here? Ha! You won't get to the lake on foot, but scheduled buses Or there are no trains. The shortest straight line to the lake is about 70 km, and if you go, for example, to Olkhon Island, then all 250 km.

Our final destination was on the island of Olkhon in the village of Khuzhir. A commercial bus runs to Olkhon, places for which can be booked through any hostel. The bus leaves Irkutsk once a day and travels about 3-4 hours. For tourists, a ticket cost 900 rubles in the winter of 2015. If you did not come to Irkutsk by car, then the alternative is to rent a car at a price of 1500 rubles per day.

The bus to Olkhon turns onto the ice road at the first opportunity, because the asphalt road ends, and driving along the dirt comb is a dubious pleasure. The ice road is the first wow-impression of Baikal: you are driving on solid water, and road signs flash past you.

Tourist bases on Lake Baikal in winter

There are many tourist centers on Lake Baikal and the choice is limited only by your budget. Since we were going not just to see, but also to capture the beauty of Baikal on slides, we chose Olkhon Island as one of the most beautiful places. Further, they already chose a hostel on the principle of "cheap, but warm."

Most cheap option, which we could find cost 500 rubles per person per day in a house for two: a toilet on the street, a kitchen-dining room in a separate building, to wash in a bath. The small wooden house was heated by electric batteries and was warm and cozy. We didn't need more.

To choose a camp site, please be patient. Look at the Yandex maps: find Baikal, type "hostel" in the search and follow the links. You can search through Yandex and Google with the words “hostel on Baikal”, but there will be more rubbish with the offer of tour packages.

Decide in advance if you want to cook your own food. Not all camp sites provide meals in winter. On Olkhon, for example, in Khuzhir, there are a couple of small grocery stores that have everything you need for self-cooking.

Take your skates with you. Even if you don’t feel very confident on the ice, happiness even from 5 minutes on the biggest ice rink in the world is worth it.

Holidays on Lake Baikal in winter

The most important entertainment is walking on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal. Drawings of air bubbles in transparent ice can be looked at endlessly. Cracks narrow and wide knowledgeable people they say that the lake breathes. You will often hear the rolling loud sound of cracking ice. And close to the shore you can find a heap of ice boulders as tall as a person.

In the village of Khuzhir on Olkhon, there are places where you can rent a bicycle with studded tires at an affordable price. We took it for a day: we rode to the neighboring village of Kharantsy and returned back to Khuzhir on the ice. Despite the fact that we knew about the meter thickness of ice on the lake, we did not dare to go on it for a long time, until a “loaf” car drove onto the ice next to us and drove off into the distance.

In the winter of 2015, it was also possible to rent ATVs in Khuzhir, but the price of 4,000 rubles per hour seemed unreasonably high to us, and in two weeks we went around most of the island's beauties.

Safety on Baikal

The ice thickness on Baikal easily reaches 1 meter. We saw how the locals sawed out large cubes of ice near the shore of Olkhon, and there was still a decent thickness before the water. But you need to understand that while the ice has not risen and if you are by car, then plunge into the invigorating Baikal water quite possible.

For excursions by car, we strongly recommend that you follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, do not leave the marked road and communicate with local residents who know well Current state ice. The ice road for cars on the lake is opened no earlier than the strongest ice rises, and it is closed as soon as the thaw begins.

Baikal is the most deep lake on the planet, the largest natural reservoir fresh water located in Eastern Siberia. The lake stretches from northeast to southwest for 620 km in the form of a giant crescent. The width of the lake ranges from 24 to 79 km.
The beauty of winter Baikal is not inferior to that of summer. After the water surface is covered with ice, another more possibilities see all the beauty of Baikal nature. Meter thick transparent dark ice, turquoise hummocks, ice grottoes with hanging icicles, and, most importantly, winter Baikal from a bird's eye view - in a post about it unique lake.

In terms of the area of the water surface, Baikal ranks sixth among the largest lakes in the world.
The area of the frozen surface of Lake Baikal is more than 30 thousand km², which is approximately equal to the area of countries such as Belgium or the Netherlands.

The freeze-up period runs from early January to early May.

Baikal freezes entirely, except for a small area 15-20 km long, located at the source of the Angara.
By the way, it is interesting that 336 rivers and streams flow into Baikal, and only one river flows out - the Angara.

By the end of winter, the ice thickness on Lake Baikal reaches 1 m, and in the bays - 1.5-2 m.

At severe frost cracks, which are locally called "stanovye cracks", break the ice into separate fields.
The length of such cracks is 10-30 km, and the width is 2-3 m. Breaks occur annually in approximately the same areas of the lake.

A huge sheet of ice is either compressed or expanded, creating a lot of pressure inside itself.
They are accompanied by a loud crack, reminiscent of thunder or cannon shots.

As a result, hummocks are formed along the backbone cracks - a heap of ice fragments.

Thanks to cracks in the ice, fish in the lake do not die from lack of oxygen.

Horizontal cracks inside the ice surface

The frozen air forms bizarre columns in surface layers ice

Baikal ice is also very transparent, and the sun's rays penetrate through it, so planktonic algae, which release oxygen, flourish in the water.

Olkhon
The largest and only inhabited island Lake Baikal. Length - 71 km, width - up to 12 km.

WITH northwest coast The lakes form the straits of the Small Sea and the Olkhon Gates.

Strait Olkhon gates
Cape Cross

Not far from the outer side of Olkhon - deepest place Baikal (1642 m).

Mount Zhima is the most high point islands
Height above sea level is 1274 meters, height above Baikal is 818 meters.

Khoboy translated from the Buryat "fang"
Cape Khoboy is the most north point Olkhon.
It is located near the widest point of Baikal (79.5 km).

Rock Three Brothers (Cape Sagan-Khushun)

Ice grotto and splashes (splashes).

These splashes on the stones are formed when the lake freezes at the very beginning of winter.
They are called sokui.

Sokui grows especially fast during strong winds accompanied by a blizzard, when the wind splashes on the sokuy, in addition to water, a mass of wet snow.

Harantsy Island

Edor Island ("Lion's Head")

Ice icicles in the grotto

Rock Shamanka

One of the shrines of Asia, which has become the famous image of Baikal

The two-peak rock is composed of marble and dolomitic limestone, in places abounding in graphite spangles.
The surface of the rock is covered with bright red lichens.

The name of the cape "Burkhan" appeared after the penetration of Tibetan Buddhism into the Baikal region at the end of the 17th century.
Buryat-Buddhists began to call the main deity of Baikal with the word "Burkhan".
And Cape Burkhan with a through cave in the Shaman-rock was considered his dwelling place.

Near the cape is the village of Khuzhir with a population of 1.3 thousand inhabitants - the largest locality on the island.

Currently the main occupation local residents is the service of tourist flows.
Electricity appeared here only in 2005.

Oltrek Island and Borga Dagan
Clearly visible traces of snow drifts.

Ogoy Island

Stupa of Enlightenment at the top of the island

Cape Ogoy

In winter, Olkhon Island is connected to the mainland by an ice crossing.
Its length is just over 10 kilometers.

Seaside Ridge

Settlement of Listvyanka
The basis of the village's economy is tourism. Here they sell Baikal omul and souvenirs.
From here to Irkutsk is 65 kilometers.

The most western point Baikal

Kultuk

Khamar-Daban is the oldest massif of the planet, stretching from west to east for more than 350 km.

The border passes along the ridges of Khamar-Daban Irkutsk region and Buryatia.

marble quarry

City of Slyudyanka

The Circum-Baikal Railway originates from the city.

The main course of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Angasol loop.
This duplicate section of the Circum-Baikal Railway from Slyudyanka to Irkutsk was put into operation in 1949.

Prior to the introduction of the duplicate section, there was another, now historic, railway running along north coast the southern tip of Lake Baikal from Slyudyanka to the village of Baikal along the southern part of the Olkhinsky plateau.

Currently, the Circum-Baikal Railway is called a branch with a length of 89 km.

The Circum-Baikal Railway uses 38 tunnels with a total length of 9063 m (the longest of them is the tunnel through Cape Polovinny with a length of 777.5 m), 15 stone galleries with a total length of 295 m and 3 reinforced concrete galleries with holes, 248 bridges and viaducts, 268 retaining walls.

In terms of saturation with engineering structures, the Circum-Baikal Railway has no equal in Russia and occupies one of the first places in the world.

Recreation center Sharazhalgai

Railway bridge across the Polovinnaya river
You can read more about the Circum-Baikal Railway in my post for 2010.

Formation of clouds over mountains in Buryatia

Baikal limnologists
Limnology is the science of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of lakes and other fresh water bodies.

Station of limnologists on the ice near the village of Bolshiye Koty

Interior
The American equipment, which can be seen on the left in the photo, costs about $35,000.
It is lowered to the bottom of Baikal at different points to read various data on the state of the lake.

Balloon

For all questions regarding the use of photographs, please email:

Which of us does not like to relax ... And even more so - to relax beautifully, enjoying the delights of nature ... Our country is famous for various resorts which are in no way inferior to foreign ones. This also applies to winter holidays.

One of the most magnificent places where you can fully enjoy the delights of a real Russian winter is Siberia. If you really want to, then you can go fishing, go skiing or horseback riding and try much more - such a vacation can be called extreme. This is an amazing pleasure and a lot of impressions. Contemplation amazing nature around gives an amazing and indescribable feeling of peace.

The main attraction is Lake Baikal in winter, a photo of which can be seen below. This the purest lake captivates with its beauty. Transparent blue ice beckons to walk on it. But first things first.

Nature on Baikal in winter

Baikal is one of the deepest and big lakes in the world. It is he who contains a fifth of the fresh water of the whole world. Arriving at Lake Baikal in winter, first of all you will feel the difference in the air. It's so pure that you can't breathe. This alone will blow your mind. Then the eye will open beautiful scenery. The sun shines on the snow-covered mountains. Fluffy coniferous forest. Blue clear sky. Transparent surface of the lake.

Those who have never been to Baikal may wonder if Baikal will freeze in winter. The answer is yes! Simply amazing Baikal in winter, the ice freezes slowly, but then it becomes so strong that you can even move on it by truck. This allows you to visit those places that are inaccessible to tourists in summer time of the year.

The miracles you will see are:

Turquoise ice blocks like shards of glass. They rise above the lake, resembling precious stones.
Standing on the ice, it becomes a little scary when you realize that there are hundreds of meters of water under you.
The night sky is strewn with stars, as if someone had scattered glitter on a black sheet of paper.
And what dawns are here ... The red sun, rising above blue ice Baikal, gives such a combination of colors and reflections that you begin to understand how perfect and harmonious everything is created in this world.

If you decide to choose independent rest on Lake Baikal in winter, that is, there are several places that we advise you to visit.

Irkutsk Museum "Taltsy"

This museum is located at 47 km of the Baikal tract. It is located under open sky and is considered in our country one of the best museums such a plan. Its territory is 70 hectares. This museum has more than 70 architectural monuments peoples of the Irkutsk region 17-20 centuries. In addition, there you can see ethnographic collections of the 10th-20th centuries.

This museum is cultural center throughout Siberia. At any time of the year, a huge number of people come here to see exactly the Siberia that is written about in books. The museum has a stable. As well as pottery and birch bark workshops. In winter, you can ride a sleigh with bells and see the snow town. And if you are cold and hungry, you can taste hot pancakes and drink a cup of tea in the Traktir cafe. The museum is open daily, all year round.

Old Angasolka

The village of Staraya Angasolka is located on the route of the most unusual railway in Russia - the Circum-Baikal. Having reached railway station called "Angasolka", the next part of the path can be walked. The route to the village of Staraya Angasolka lies along the riverbed of the same name. Its length is 4 kilometers. You can also get there by car along the icy Baikal. You need to leave the village of Kutluk. The length of the path is 8 km.

This village is located on the shore of Lake Baikal. Around a lot of attractions and beautiful coastal scenery. In addition to sheer cliffs and stone galleries, round-Baikal tunnels and an arched bridge will attract your attention.

In Staraya Angasolka you can visit:

House-museum of the artist, traveler and poet N. K. Roerich.
Children's and youth climbing camp "Angasolka".
Bird market.
Taiga decay.
Arched viaduct "Angasolsky".
Kirkidai Tunnel.
Khabartuysky tunnel, etc.

You can rest and have a tasty meal in the dining room, which is located in the Roerich Museum.

Settlement of Listvyanka

This village is the starting point for many travels around Baikal. It got its name because of the large number of larches growing here.

Excellent in Listvyanka observation platform allowing you to admire all the charms of the area. From it you can see the source of the Angara. Angara is the only river, which originates from Lake Baikal. In winter, the source does not freeze due to the fact that water enters it from the deeper and warmer layers of Baikal.

In Listvyanka you can visit:

Museum of Lake Baikal, where, in addition to historical data about the lake, you will get acquainted with the living exhibits that live in it.
An arboretum overlooking Lake Baikal, equipped with playgrounds for walking all year round.
Nerpentarium, where you will see trained Baikal seals.
Chersky stone. This is the top of the mountain with a gazebo and an observation deck. It was named after the geologist who explored Baikal. With this observation deck you can see the peaks of the Khamar-Daban ridge, the source of the Angara, the port of Baikal, the Listvyanskaya pier, the shipyard and the whitening Baikal observatory.
Zoo in the estate "At the Bears".
Museum "Dolls of modern art".
"Retro Park" Osipovs.
Souvenir and fish markets.
Sled dog center.
vacuum telescope.
In addition to all this, Listvyanka has a ski slope.

Big Goloustnoe

The village of Bolshoe Goloustnoye is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal. It was founded in the 17th century, near the pier. It got its name from the river that flows here. The Goloustnaya River originated from the slope of the Primorsky Range and, having made a loop of 120 km, fell into Baikal. At the same time, it has 8 channels, but today water flows only through three.

The sights of the village include:

Dry lake. This unusual lake once every five years it is filled with spring water. The rest of the time it either dries up completely, or the water level is very low.
Ancient caves.
Ushkanya fall.
Hunting cave. It's huge underworld, with wells, cavities and halls, decorated with calcite deposits.

On this moment Goloustnoye has a large number of tourist bases. A huge plus of a winter holiday on Baikal is the fact that from Bolshoy Goloustnoye you can easily get to Peschanaya Bay along the icy Baikal.

Cape Green

One of the most the most beautiful places Baikal is Cape Green. It is surrounded on all sides by the Angara River.

The air here is amazing. It has the characteristic smell of a thunderstorm, which indicates that it is highly ionized. Accordingly, it is very useful. The forests here are mixed. Aspens and birches, pines and spruces grow in them. Cape Verde is perfect place for walks along the Angara.

Sakhyurte settlement

This village is located on the shore of the Olkhon Gates Strait. It is here that the Tazheran steppes are located. Here you can also see the sights of the Small Sea. Just in this place of Baikal under the thickness clear ice You can watch underwater life. The ice here is clean and transparent, one gets the feeling that you are looking through glass into a huge aquarium. This becomes possible due to the fact that the strong Sarmi wind blows snow off the surface of the lake.

Village Shamanka

The village of Shamanka is located along the Irkut River. It is surrounded by a beautiful cedar-pine forest. In winter, this place is like a fairy tale. Frosty air, silence and the crunch of snow underfoot cause incomparable sensations.

Here you will see a long suspension bridge which leads to the village. Its length is more than one hundred meters. If you get to the village of Shamanka, be sure to visit the store in the center and taste the delicious local pastries.

Arshan

This is a place that is definitely worth a visit. Here is a gorge, famous for its high canyons. They are definitely worth a stroll. And also - a small waterfall and the famous mineral water.

What to do on Lake Baikal in winter

Now let's talk about what, besides walking, tourists who decide to relax on Lake Baikal in winter can do. What awaits them?

It should be noted that leisure for travelers who purchase tours to Baikal in winter is organized at the highest level. Everything is foreseen here.

Recreation centers on Baikal in winter work to the fullest, meeting and entertaining their guests. So, what types of recreation are common on winter Baikal?

Ice diving

This activity is suitable for lovers of extreme recreation. It allows you to look at the underwater life from the inside and observe the inhabitants of the depths.

Under the ice there are peculiar "caves" that allow you to move freely.

And you will experience the strongest emotions when you look up and see people walking and cars driving above you.

Fishing

Fishing on Lake Baikal in winter will certainly please any fisherman - both beginners and amateurs. It's all about abundance various kinds fish are rarely seen. There are more than 50 of them. Agree, a reason to go fishing. In addition, omul is found here. This fish has already become almost calling card Baikal. In addition to it, here you can catch pike, grayling, whitefish, etc.

The Small Sea is the most popular among fishermen. Local experts will gladly show you the best places.

First you need to drill a hole. This process is not easy, since the ice is quite thick. And then next to the hole you need to make a small depression, fill it with water and mormysh. Mormysh himself goes to the hole and serves as bait for the omul. Some professionals catch omul lying down, peering into the depths.

Fishing on Lake Baikal in winter will not only bring you pleasure from the process, but will certainly please you with the result. You can try "split".

Splitting is an omul, which, after being caught, is left to freeze on ice, and then wrapped in a towel and smashed with a hammer or axe. The fish is then simply dipped in salt and pepper and eaten.

Dog sledding

One of the most common entertainments on Baikal is a ride on sled dogs. Tourists can learn how to drive a team themselves.

Listvyanka is called the center of sledding sports. There are currently about four dozen sled dogs. The route passes through the taiga and the coast of Lake Baikal. It is simple, so anyone can easily get to their destination. end point- this is the recreation center "Shelter of prospectors", overnight stay is carried out there. And then - departure back to Listvyanka.

Rafting on an ice floe

Does Baikal freeze in winter? The non-freezing Angara River is another extreme fun. lovers thrill can go to the village of Listvyanka in February and test the strength of a specially sawn piece of Baikal ice.

This ice is lowered onto the river and the travelers are sent to sail. Before doing this, you must put on life jackets.

Ski holidays

Many camp sites on Baikal in winter can offer their guests this type of recreation.

For example, the Sobolinaya Mountain resort on Khamar-Daban. Here, at an altitude of a thousand meters, there is an excellent ski resort.

Fans of mountain slopes will definitely be pleased with the presence of 11 different slopes and seven lifts. Still there, on Khamar-Daban, there is Mount Mamai. There is a lot of snow here and there are no trails, which, of course, pleases freeride lovers.

Ski center "Eastland". There are three ski runs and one toboggan run. There is also a park for snowboarders. For beginners there are instructors. There is also equipment rental.

Mineral springs

Properties mineral waters Arshan is known to many. They contain little silicon and iron and no harmful impurities at all.

You should definitely visit the village of Zhemchug. There are many mineral springs rich in useful elements.

The hot springs of Lake Baikal in winter are the perfect addition to your vacation. Here they are unique in some way. Rest on Lake Baikal in winter is also an opportunity to use their healing properties in the presence of various diseases. The temperature in them does not fall below 37 gr. There is also a balneary specially designed for vacationers.

"Scientific" rest

If you are tired of active rest or just not his supporter, then you can go to the village of Badary. There is one of the largest telescopes in the world - the Siberian solar radio telescope. Through it, you can track active solar formations.

And in the village of Listvyanka you can observe celestial objects. It is there that the Baikal Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences is located.

Hovercraft riding

If you crave adventure, then hivus (ship on air cushion) is exactly what you need. Since it is all-terrain, it does not require a specific route.

Tours by car

Off-road tours on ice can significantly reduce the time spent on the road during the warm season. You will not only be able to get to the most nooks and crannies Lake Baikal, but also fully enjoy the scenery from the windows of a jeep.

Just in winter, moving on the ice on Lake Baikal, in just two days you can see many sights of the Small Sea, visit the Shamanka rocks and Olkhon Island, Cape Khoboy and much more.

Helicopter ride

Helicopter tours are now very popular. It lasts two or three hours. The helicopter can carry three passengers. During it, you can admire the beauty of the icy Baikal and take pictures of the landscapes. At the request of customers, you can make several landings in different places- to see the sights.

Results

We have listed the main types of recreation on winter Baikal. This, of course, is not all. If you wish, you can add hunting, relaxing in a bathhouse, snowmobiling and skating, horseback riding in the taiga, and so on. Just endless possibilities. At your request, you can choose either a health-improving and educational vacation, or an extremely active one.

You will get a lot of impressions. Nobody will remain indifferent. Contemplation of the beautiful nature around gives a delightful feeling of peace.

All of the above can be attributed to the pluses. As for the cons, there are few of them, and for the most part they depend on the person himself. Do not underestimate the Siberian frosts. The taiga is quite severe in winter. And if you are not ready to endure the cold, then you are not recommended to go there. Do not neglect the help of conductors. They must be nearby when riding snowmobiles or in dog sledding. Do not travel without their escort.

Remember that if you decide to go for a solo walk in the taiga, you run the risk of encountering wild animals, which is very dangerous. Follow safety precautions and listen carefully to instructors.

If you're not sure of yourself, then you don't have to choose extreme views recreation. Enjoy the calm. But in any case, if you have the opportunity to visit Lake Baikal in winter, the photos of which are simply amazing, then you should not refuse it. You will definitely appreciate it great place and you will want to come back here again to take another look at this beauty. You can talk for a long time about the beauties of winter Baikal, but seeing them is a completely different matter.

Great in winter. It is quiet, calm and fabulously beautiful here. IN New Year, Christmas and January holidays recreation center "Chara" is always glad to see guests! We offer you winter tours 2018 to Lake Baikal and ice fishing at reasonable prices.

Journey to the heart of Baikal

Have you long dreamed of seeing legendary lake, but the usual cost of a tour to Baikal is unbearable for you? This is a tour at the most affordable prices! Visit the heart of Lake Baikal - Olkhon Island and get inspired unusual landscapes to the core.

5 days / 4 nights

from 38 800 rubles

We invite you to celebrate February 23 and March 8 in an unusual way. Go to Baikal, watch fabulous ice grottoes, take pictures against the backdrop of sunsets and walk along Baikal ice.

4 days / 3 nights

from 25 800 rubles

Winter ice fishing

Are you a professional fisherman or do you like to relax by fishing? Take a break from the city noise on the shores of the quiet waters of the Small Sea.

5 days / 4 nights

from 24 500 rubles

Offers for Irkutsk citizens

Recreation centers on Lake Baikal in winter 2018: prices

The climate in the Baikal region is close to the sea - the winter is milder, and the summer is not as dry as in the entire Siberian region. A large mass of water works like a thermostat - winter period on Baikal goes beyond the calendar winter.

When people talk about trips to the tourist centers of the Small Sea on Lake Baikal in winter, they usually mean the month of March. In March, it is already warmer, the daylight hours become longer. However, due to the large temperature difference, it is impossible to spend the night in tents at this time.

Ice caves of Baikal

The winter fairy tale of Baikal - ice grottoes with stalactites and stalagmites, giant icicles growing up from the bottom and hanging from the ceilings of the caves. When sunlight pierces this icy splendor, everything around is immersed in an iridescent radiance.

The thickness of the ice on the lake in March reaches two meters in places. However, not everywhere: in one of the places of Baikal there is a fairly large clearing.

The transparent mirror surface looks amazing, especially under the March sun. And at the very beginning of winter, splashes, or sokui, form on the stones of windward rocks - ice can cover rocks up to ten meters in height. After the lake freezes completely, its level drops, and severe gaps form under the sokuyami. It is under the splashes that it hides most of Baikal caves. In summer it is problematic to get there, and in winter, on the Baikal ice - no problem. Therefore, trips to tourist centers on Lake Baikal are no less popular in winter than in summer.

Entertainment and recreation on Lake Baikal in winter 2018

Mount Sobolinaya is a chic place for skiers: slopes prepared for downhill, comfortable lifts, developed infrastructure. In the period from November to April, the snow cover is quite stable - so you can train for half a year.

Ordinary skiers also have something to see - the coast winter lake dotted with all sorts of paths.

In addition to training, here you can go for health-improving procedures. If you want to ride for several days, recreation centers on Baikal in winter are at your service. Prices of various categories, as well as rooms - from ordinary standards to "luxury".

Another exciting activity is ice fishing. Most fishing spots on Baikal - the bays of the Small Sea. Here, the water temperature is always higher than in other water areas of Baikal, thanks to Olkhon - the island blocks access to cold water.

The ice fishing season in the southern part of the lake starts in January. Perch, pike, grayling, whitefish, omul - thanks to the chic local delicacies, your vacation will be remembered for a long time.

New Year on the Small Sea

The main winter holiday - New Year - on the Small Sea will definitely become an unforgettable event. Celebrate the holiday in a big way, admire the frosty magic in week tour. Holidays filled with positive emotions and impressions: festive festivities, a Siberian bath (it's time to improve your health), skating on the mirror-like surface of the icy Baikal, delicious dishes of Russian and Buryat cuisine - where without the famous Baikal poses and raw smoked omul!

New Year's Eve will be lit up with festive fireworks. Entertainment worked out to the smallest detail: disco, quizzes, contests. You can continue the holiday and celebrate Christmas here, among loved ones or just in a friendly company.

Ice car tours

Camp sites on the Small Sea in the winter of 2018 offer a bit of extreme sports - car tours on the ice of Lake Baikal. Do not worry - the thickness of the ice is about one and a half to two meters, it will even withstand a truck. But from the window you can see many amazing and beautiful places.

For tours, cars adapted for off-road use are used. Good spikes on the tires allow you to move freely on the ice cover.

Winter holidays it is also good for its low population - most vacationers, especially Foreign tourists takes vacations in the summer. For the same reason, the road to the lake will also be cheaper.

Baikal excursions and attractions

Attractions and excursions are available all year round - you can see all the same expositions as in summer. If you get bored street cold- welcome to warm museums.

Our camp site on the Small Sea is ready to accommodate you in warm and cozy rooms in winter!

Send a request for booking rooms from the site

The ice on the lake becomes late - in January, and when in February and March the cold days are replaced by an abundance sunlight, the thickness of the ice on the lake is such that you can safely travel on snowmobiles and off-road vehicles through the corners of Baikal that are inaccessible in summer.

Unusual safaris pass along the picturesque west coast lakes. Tourists often go on a trip along the famous Circum-Baikal Railway, which organically fits into the amazing landscape of sheer cliffs. Railway impresses with its technical perfection and gigantic volumes of construction work performed almost by hand; it is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most unusual and unique in the world.

Extreme holidays on Lake Baikal in winter

For lovers of extreme recreation, multi-day trips are organized on the ice of the lake, on rivers covered with ice crust, as well as on snow-covered taiga terrain. Often, such extreme safaris are combined with ice diving and fishing.

Winter diving is an extraordinary opportunity to look into the amazing undersea world through the crystal clear icy surface of the lake. Under water, swimming through caves, galleries and grottoes formed in ice, you can observe local animals in their natural conditions. But the most powerful impression from diving is the feeling of flying over a black bottomless abyss under the "sky" from the purest ice with people and cars overhead.

Winter fishing on Baikal

Any fisherman gets a sparkle in his eyes at the mention of the types of fish that Lake Baikal abounds in. Tour guides who accompany tourists from different cities and countries while fishing, amaze with stories about Baikal culinary customs. You will definitely be treated to an unusual dish "split", they will offer fish on horns, fragrant hot or cold smoked fish, delicious fish soup with smoke.

In addition to traveling by transport, vacationers are offered trips on sled dogs. Guests of Lake Baikal can learn how to drive a team, feeling like virtuoso mushers.