For many tourists, a trip to Lake Baikal is no less exotic than to the Canary Islands or to Bali. The reason for this is the remoteness of this Russian nature reserve from many central cities of the country, the long and sometimes difficult road, and the incomplete awareness of all the unique sights and features of this region. Meanwhile, here you can find service of the highest level, and food is no worse than in elite restaurants. All who are planning to come here are invited by the hospitable, comfortable, convenient in all respects recreation center "Chara". Baikal splashes a few minutes walk from its gates, the buildings are surrounded by pretty fir trees, the base employees put their whole soul into their work. That is why anyone who ever arrives at Charu will definitely want to come back here.
Location
In a convenient and picturesque place of the Baikal reserve there is a recreation center "Chara". Baikal in this area with the help of the island of Olkhon forms a strait called the Small Sea. On the shore of its bay Mukhor and is "Chara". 100 meters from the base, the Sarma River flows, carrying its waters to the deepest and most beautiful lake in the world. Its coast from the base gate is approximately 900 meters. From Irkutsk to "Chary" - about 250 km. The recreation center is located in a somewhat secluded place. Tourists here can enjoy the beauty and grandeur of nature without interference. In this area there are several other tourist centers, but they are located at a sufficient distance so that vacationers do not notice the presence of each other.
Driving directions
I am always sincerely glad to all my guests the recreation center "Chara" on Lake Baikal. How to get there by public transport? There are two options - a minibus or a regular bus, following the route Irkutsk - Small Sea. One way ticket will cost 1100 rubles. Round trip, respectively, 2200. Travel time is approximately 4 hours. Buses and minibuses leave from the Trud stadium in July and August at 9.00 and 12.00, and the rest of the time - only at 9.00. When you board a bus, you must definitely specify where it goes, because at the same time there are flights to other tourist centers of Lake Baikal from the Trud stadium.
Are you a car enthusiast and you are interested in the recreation center "Chara" on Lake Baikal? How to get there by car, we will now tell. From anywhere in the country you need to get to Irkutsk. Next, go to the Kachugsky (Yakutsky) tract and follow the excellent asphalt road to the turn to the village of Elantsy (about 130 km). This turn will be beyond the village of Bayandai. Turning onto Elantsy, you will need to drive about 35 km to the fork. Turn left on it (the direct direction leads to the ferry to Olkhon Island). Turning on this bend, you need to go another 10 km to the sign "Chara". From there, the base will remain 500 meters.
Base territory
The recreation center "Chara" (Baikal) is located on a site between low hills covered with young pines. Therefore, the air here is always clean, with the aroma of needles; it helps to cure or significantly weaken many diseases. The territory of the base is quite spacious. There is a large guarded parking lot, although many vacationers park their cars near rental houses. For sports enthusiasts, the base has a volleyball and a children's playground, a place for playing badminton, a children's playroom, table tennis tables, a shop with a bar, a cinema hall, a rental point for bicycles, beach, fishing and sports equipment. To diversify the leisure of guests, there are mangal zones with gazebos on the territory of the base, where people can fry barbecue. They are located in such places that no one interferes with each other. Fans of hot steam can rent a sauna with a small pool, a Russian bathhouse or a steam room on the lake at the Chara base.
Cost-effective accommodation options
Considering the needs and opportunities of people with different incomes, the hospitable Chara, a recreation center (Baikal) offers various accommodation options. The photos show how cute the individual houses are. There are several options for living at the base:
1. The most economical are ecological houses. There are no amenities (shower, toilet and wash basin) in them, only beds, a table, chairs and a mirror. Accommodation is possible in the summer months. The houses and all the furniture in them are made from trees of local species and are environmentally friendly. There are 11 of these houses in total. They are located in a separate corner of the camp site. The toilet and washbasins are located nearby, and the shower is a little off to one side, on the territory of Chara. Washing costs 200 rubles per hour.
2. Non-standard. This is also an inexpensive accommodation option, but with amenities. The standard rooms are double and triple. They are located in two-story buildings. Each room has a set of furniture, including beds, a wardrobe, a table, chairs, bedside tables, a mirror, as well as a TV and a kettle. The hygiene room has a toilet, washbasin, shower, and bath hygiene products.
Comfort options
For those who can afford to pay more, and for those who like to relax in comfort, the recreation center "Chara" (Baikal) provides the following accommodation options:
1. Separate cottages. They, like all buildings at this camp site, are made of environmentally friendly materials. For greater convenience, each of these cottages has a spacious veranda. Equipment - an entrance hall with hangers, a bedroom (there are beds, a wardrobe, bedside tables, a table, a mirror, a TV, a fridge) and a bathroom (with a washbasin, a shower and a toilet). Towels and bath amenities are provided. A distinctive feature of cottages is the presence of underfloor heating, which makes it possible to relax in them in the winter. Cottages are designed for 2 or 3 people, but each room has the ability to install a cot.
2. Lux. These rooms are only doubles, but they are so spacious that they can accommodate 3, and 4 people. The design of the suites is magnificent, very suitable for romantic couples, for newlyweds and for everyone who loves and appreciates aesthetics. This room has a large and comfortable bed (double), a wardrobe, a table, chairs, bedside tables, a mirror, a sofa, armchairs, a refrigerator, a TV, a bathroom with a shower, a washbasin, a toilet and a hairdryer. Towels and all necessary hygiene bath products are provided.
Nutrition
Several options of food are offered to their guests by "Chara", a recreation center (Baikal). There is a restaurant, a dining room, a fireplace room and a bar. The restaurant is designed for 40 people. The service is conducted by friendly and efficient waiters. Food is cooked by professional chefs. The menu includes dishes of Russian, Buryat and European cuisines, a lot of dishes from Baikal fish, which is considered a delicacy. The restaurant is ideal for fun celebrations - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries.
For the comprehensive nutrition of vacationers, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, a dining room is provided for up to 100 people at a time. "Chara" is a recreation center (Baikal is generally a hospitable place) where you will not be allowed to go hungry. You will be offered several types of hot dishes, many snacks, side dishes, meat, fish.
The fireplace hall is very popular among vacationers, especially on cool days. This room for up to 30 people has an unusually cozy design that contributes to pleasant relaxation, intimate conversations. Hot drinks are served here - coffee, tea, as well as alcohol. For children, there is a large selection of soft drinks, and for all there are a lot of types of local pastries.
There is a bar on the outdoor Chary terrace, which offers fantastic views of the surroundings. This place is ideal for organizing receptions.
Entertainment
The recreation center "Chara" has many advantages. Lake Baikal, which is only a 4-6 minute walk away, is one of them. Legends make up the crystal clearness of its waters. Its mineralization is so small that it is actively used as distilled. However, this water is not just cold, but icy. Even at the peak of the season, its temperature does not rise above +9 degrees. But βCharyβ tourists will have a surprise: even babies can swim in the bay, where the base is located, since here the water temperature is warmer in summer than on the South Aegean Sea and is +25 ... +26 degrees. The reason for this is the huge island of Olkhon, which obscures this water area from icy waters. A summer beach holiday at the base is one of the main ones. In winter, he is replaced by ice skating. The second most popular place is fishing. Such a fish as on Lake Baikal is nowhere else, so many lovers of this activity come here for fishing. Vacationers at the base can cook their catch at the stake in specially designated and equipped areas.
Excursions
A diverse excursion program offers its guests the recreation center "Chara". Lake Baikal, the photo of which can be taken not only from the shore, but also from the ship during a water excursion around the Small Sea, will open to vacationers from the most unexpected directions. In addition to walks on the lake, tourists are expected to hike to Mount Zhelaniy (free of charge), to Sarma Gorge (20 km) and to Eagle Rocks (10 km one way). For those who cannot walk so much, and for all travel enthusiasts, the recreation center Chara offers tours by minibus. These are trips to Irkutsk, to the nerpinarium, to the Dream Cave, unique in its stalactites and stalagmites , to Aya Bay, famous for unearthly landscapes, to Olkhon Island and the Yordynsky Games, to the Ekhe Erd hill if tourists rest during this festival.
Additional Information
The recreation center "Chara" (Baikal) is open all year round. Regarding prices, the whole year is divided by season:
- medium (01.01-01.05; 06.19-05.07; 08.16-01.10);
- high (07/05/16/08);
- low (01.10-01.01; 01.05-19.06).
The highest prices for accommodation are in high season. Children under 12 years of age during this period are given discounts up to 15%. In the middle and low seasons, children live at the base for free. The current prices can be found at tour operators offering tickets to the base "Chara".
Three meals a day (complex) costs at the prices of 2015 980 rubles per person per day.
There are no ATMs on the base, telecards are not always available for sale, the rooms do not use electric kettles, hair dryers and irons and there are no laundry and dry cleaning services.
Reviews
Many people fell in love with the recreation center "Chara" on Lake Baikal. Reviews about this place are only good. Tourists note the wonderful terrain, excellent living conditions, excellent food, unusually pleasant and welcoming staff, high professionalism of the guides. In general, reviews indicate that this place is a good combination of price and quality.