Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest on the planet, which is famous all over the world. Geologists say that Baikal today shows us what the coasts of North America, Africa and Europe looked like millions of years ago, when they began to separate from each other.
Crystal clear, oxygenated waters that go to a depth of more than one and a half thousand meters, and another layer of sedimentary rocks beneath them hide a lot of bizarre life forms. Biologists call them endemic. This means that the organisms living here can be found exclusively in the waters of Lake Baikal. One of them is pink translucent fish of the golomyanki, giving birth to live cubs. Geologists claim that the age of the lake is about 20-25 million years, which explains the exclusivity and originality of the creatures living in it.
Surrounded by mountain ranges and sopkakmi volcanoes, the peaks of which are covered with sparkling snow covers all year round, Lake Baikal has been attracting tourists from all over the world for its unsurpassed beauties for hundreds of years.
Like several centuries ago, mountains today serve as a refuge for rare species of wild animals, and tiny villages that are located along the diameter of the lake are a stronghold of calm and serenity in the remote and inaccessible Siberian taiga.
Rest on Baikal - what is it?
Holidays here are as varied as the waters of an ancient lake: from banal grilling on the beach (but why, in that case, did you need to climb here? Better go to Egypt!) To extreme dragging of heavy packs and guitar songs around the campfire. However, the most popular was and remains a water holiday, whether it be a classic cruise or ordinary boat trips with the aim of fishing and enjoying the local beauties.
sights
Baikal has the power to surprise and satisfy the needs of all, even the most sophisticated travelers. Do you prefer natural attractions? Baidinsky caves at your service. These are quite large cavities of natural origin, created due to water erosion. In the XII-XIII centuries, they became a haven for Kurykans - tribes living in Siberia. Keep in mind that inside the wall, the floor and the ceiling of the caves are covered with an impressive layer of ice, which gives them a stunning view, but it can be difficult to visit if you do not stock up on warm clothes and appropriate shoes.
Also, lovers of natural beauty are strongly recommended to visit the Peschanaya and Ayu bays. And what is the fairy tale waterfall worth overthrowing its waters into the gorge from a 20-meter height!
The thermal spring Goudzhekit, next to which there are comfortable camp sites on Lake Baikal, will heal your body and spirit with healing waters.
The Baikal Astrophysical Observatory, which is famous for its powerful telescope serving to study the Sun, will help you plunge into the secrets of the Universe.
But you can comprehend the spiritual laws of the universe by visiting a Buddhist stupa! Yes, you heard right - Buddhism is in the heart of Russia! By the way, the stupa promises all pilgrims peace, wealth and wisdom, as well as the fulfillment of innermost desires.
Dangers and other surprises
Going on a journey along these stunning paths, remember that they are fraught with not only pleasant surprises. So, let me introduce you: cedar elfin. A unique plant that forms completely impenetrable thickets, tearing your clothes and mercilessly cutting the skin when trying to overcome an obstacle. In addition, with an inadvertently thrown cigarette butt flare up like a torch, which will be quite difficult to extinguish.
When planning a fishing trip or just a walk on the water, keep in mind that quite strong storms may suddenly appear on Lake Baikal, even though it is a lake.
Ticks, perhaps, occupy an honorable second place in the ranking of unpleasant surprises in Lake Baikal. These insects carry encephalitis, and therefore take the precautions very seriously.
But the first place in our list is occupied by bears! Despite the fact that these animals try to avoid human society, nevertheless, every season there are always some “lucky ones” who will nevertheless meet with a predator. With a very unfavorable outcome.
What to do on Baikal?
Although Baikal is a lake, it is not an analogue of the sea coast. Here, besides a traditional beach holiday, there are plenty of interesting leisure ideas. First of all, amazing fishing. And, as a result, gastronomic tourism - try to catch omul and cook it at the stake - we bet you haven’t tried anything tastier!
Going for a boat trip or even a real multi-day cruise, get to know the seals better - they are so sweet and curious that you will certainly make friends.
A beach holiday on Lake Baikal is also diverse: small bays with clear and warm water are adjacent to less hospitable places where you can literally feel a contrast of 10 degrees at a distance of a couple of meters!
When you get tired of sitting still, go camping - get to know the flora and fauna, study the myriad of stars and eat pine nuts with squirrels.
There is more than enough spiritual food here! Only one places of power for esotericists can count 20 pieces! In addition, if you are lucky, you can meet a real shaman or llama. The first will hold a mystical ritual with you, bringing good luck and prosperity, and the second will make a personal horoscope and even hold a psychological consultation in the best traditions of Buddhism.
Time to travel
Depending on your goals and preferences, the season of your vacation can significantly change. Beach vacations and fishing should be planned for July-August. But solitude, meditation and the search for spiritual truths should be carried out in the period from September to November. By the way, this is the best time for phototourism. In winter, the climate of Baikal is harsh, and the entire surface of the lake is drawn in by an ice shroud, which is incredibly beautiful. Well, by the way, hostels on Lake Baikal are ready to hospitably open their doors for you at any time of the year!
Bad advice!
- When resting with a tent, use exclusively live trees for the fire , and make the fire on dry grass. Only in this case will you be visited by huntsmen and environmentalists - with all the ensuing consequences.
- Write all sorts of nonsense on the rocks - let everyone see that you were here for sure!
- Fish exclusively with nets - do not let the fish supervision relax!
- Leave plenty of rubbish wherever you are - it will attract gnats, rodents that carry encephalitis ticks, and if you're lucky, even a bear!
How to get there
So, you decided to spend your vacation on Lake Baikal. But how to get into this kingdom of nature? It's simple - wherever you go, Irkutsk always serves as a starting point. And then you will have at your disposal a railway, a bus station, a pier (this way is only available in the summer) and a lot of minibuses leaving the city market.
Housing issue
Despite the fact that these are rather wild places, camp sites on Lake Baikal are presented for every taste and budget. You can choose Spartan conditions at the campsite, deluxe rooms at the mini-hotel or even a comfortable cabin on the boat. In addition, a tent and wild tourism are always at your disposal, but better with an experienced guide.
An unforgettable experience will give you a vacation on Lake Baikal! Chalets or tents, a cabin on a ship or even a shelter in a rural house of local residents - the choice is yours! The price category of rooms of various degrees of comfort is on average from 500 to 1500 rubles per night. But the place in the tent with his equipment is absolutely free, like all the local beauties!
Chalets on Baikal
The tourism business and related infrastructure on the lake began to develop relatively recently. Nevertheless, there is plenty to choose from!
The Kultushnaya camp site on Lake Baikal is located “only” 300 km from Irkutsk, on the coast of a warm bay, ideal for a family beach holiday. An important advantage of this camp site is the treatment of the entire territory with insecticides, which will protect you from the attack of dangerous encephalitis ticks. The rooms of various categories and capacities are presented here, and the prices are quite reasonable.
The Utulik camp site on Lake Baikal is a unique opportunity to be alone with nature, to feel harmony with yourself and unity with the Universe. It is located south of Lake Baikal (only 2 km), in the heart of the amazing mountainous country of Khamar-Daban. Here you will find forest, mountains, nature in its original form, magnificent rafting on mountain rivers. This is where all the most interesting hiking trails in the Baikal region begin, and in winter you will find a surprise in the form of a ski slope on Sobolinaya Mountain.
Chara Chalet on Lake Baikal is an ideal option for those who wish to retire in search of Truth, romantics and fishermen. By the way, it is here in February that all avid ice-fishing enthusiasts come to the festival!
Chalet "Surf" on Lake Baikal offers you accommodation in comfortable houses at the very edge of the water near the sandy beach. Here you will find both budget and luxury holidays, depending on the selected room category.
The energy camp on Lake Baikal is fully and fully consistent with its name. Here you can find everything that you may need for outdoor activities - a full range of beach activities, walks on the water surface of the lake and fishing, various sports, including horse riding, a classic Russian bath and much more.
And this is only a small part of all the accommodation options that Baikal can offer you.
Chalets on Baikal. Reviews
When choosing where to stay, it is worth reading the reviews of experienced travelers to avoid unpleasant surprises and disappointments. Chalets on Lake Baikal vary in pricing, geography and the contingent of vacationers. Here is the last factor to consider when choosing a home. So, the Energia camp site is aimed at young people who prefer active recreation and tourism, the Chara base is usually preferred by more respectable and wealthy guests, and the Kultushnaya camp site on Lake Baikal is famous not only for its affordable prices, but also for its abundance of vacationers.
Travel Recommendations
- Going to rest on Lake Baikal, regardless of the time of the year, do not forget to bring warm clothes, a raincoat, waterproof shoes.
- In the warmer months, a vaccination against encephalitis is strongly recommended before traveling. Moreover, this must be done in advance, since vaccination is carried out in 3 stages with fairly long intervals.
- Refrain from hiking in the Baikal region from the end of April to the beginning of July - so you will avoid meeting a bear and reduce the risk of tick attacks.
- When planning river crossings, always adequately assess the risks of flow and bottom topography.
- Away from the coast of the lake, a vulture that carries a lot of dangerous viral infections can become a big problem - stock up on repellents.
- And remember: the biggest danger of relaxing on Lake Baikal is that you fall in love with the lake, and you will certainly want to stay here forever! Have a good trip!