Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal: Winter Route Through 8 Places
A series of places on Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal, in winter, on ice and shore. The route covers about 72 km and takes about 27 minutes in the video. Especially noticeable are the Shamanka Rock with its 13 sergs and the trail to it, as well as the village of Khuzhir and the ice of the lake with hummocks and swells.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Dragon's Tail
- End
- North of the Island, Cape Khoboy
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- Maria Muradova
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Dragon's Tail — Described as one of the most photogenic spots on Baikal.
- Ogoy Island — Key stop on the southern excursion, with clear ice of Baikal.
- Khuzhir — Village on Olkhon Island where the group stayed.
- Shaman Rock — Sacred site on Olkhon reached by the Shaman trail.
- Irkutsk — Main tourist route passes through the city; the group traveled from Irkutsk to Olkhon Island.
- Olkhon Island — The largest island of Lake Baikal, known for its steppe landscapes, sandy beaches and the habitat of the unique Baikal fauna.
- Cape Khoboy — Northernmost point of Olkhon Island, visited on the northern excursion.
- North of the Island, Cape Khoboy — The northernmost point of Olkhon, where there is a high rocky cape that offers panoramic views of the expanses of Lake Baikal.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- In winter, an ice crossing is opened on Lake Baikal; in summer, they get to Olkhon Island by ferries. The road from Irkutsk to Olkhon by minibus took about 6 hours.
- Transport
- On Olkhon, the main modes of transport are "loaves" (UAZ loaves) and "hivus" (airboats). Khivus is considered the safest transport on ice, as it easily overcomes cracks.
- Transport
- Excursions on loaves last about 6 hours, on hivus - about 4 hours. There are more stops on loaves, as they can drive on the ground; on loaves, a dry lunch is usually provided.
- Avoid
- The Shaman Rock is a sacred place: there are rules at the entrance that must be followed. Locals gently ask not to remove it loudly so as not to disturb the spirits.
- Avoid
- The ice on Lake Baikal is heterogeneous: there are cracks and hummocks, so you need to be careful and careful, especially when running on ice - the author broke her arm by falling on the rocks near Cape Trident.
- Tip
- Pure transparent ice is not found everywhere - it all depends on the weather and luck. Ice, methane bubbles and splashes are also worth seeing.
- Tip
- Olkhon has about 300 sunny days a year, so you need a down jacket and sunscreen; strong winds make the ice around the island clean.
- Where to stay
- The village of Khuzhir on Olkhon is the main base: there are hotels, tourist camps, grocery stores and cafes.
- Tip
- Along the ice, you can try ice skating and studded bicycles; Lake Baikal is the largest skating rink in the world.
- Transport
- It takes about an hour from Irkutsk to Listvyanka by minibus; Listvyanka is a popular point for the first acquaintance with Lake Baikal, there is a Baikal Museum.
- Tip
- On the island of Ogoy there is a Buddhist stupa of enlightenment; according to belief, in order for a wish to come true, you need to make it and go around the stupa three times clockwise.
- Food
- On Olkhon, it is worth trying buuza and zagudaevka with sour cream; hot-smoked smoked fish is also offered on ice.
Video on this route
BAIKAL! The best trip to Russia in winter