Lake Baikal Cruise Russia (4 Days)

Holidays in Russia - Tour itineraries

A 4 day lake cruise including Peschanaya Bay, Olkhon Island and Sennaya Bar from £450 per person

The Ship

The cruise ship M/S Alexander Vampilov was renovated in 2000 and is equipped with modern navigation systems. Up to 32 guest can be accommodated in comfortable cabins with private facilities. The cabins have large windows which afford stunning views of Lake Baikal. On board there is a restaurant, bar and open deck for sun bathing.

During the cruise you will visit some of the main highlights of Lake Baikal including Olkhon Island and Peschanaya. Olkhon Island is one of the most beautiful places on the Lake. Olkhon means ‘windy sunny’ in the Buryat language as the winds drive away the heavy clouds past Olkhom and there are more sunny days here than on the Black Sea coast.

You will experience traditional Siberian hospitality and hear about ancient Shaman legends.

Itinerary
Day 1	Meet ay Raketa Pier in Irkutsk and embark. Head for Peschannaya Bay, enjoy a late breakfast, and simply relax and enjoy the passing scenery. Arrive at Peschanaya Bay, where there is a walking tour along the picturesque Bay. Optional visit to a Russian banya. Overnight on board as boat departs for Olkhon Island
Day 2	Arrive Khuzir village (Olkhon Island), where around midday you can visit a Shaman. Lunch is traditional Buryat cuisine. In the afternoon optional visit to the Enthnographocal Museum and explore the surrounding area - Shamanka Rock and Burkhan Cape, both sacred places of the locals. At around 1900 the ship sets sail for Sennaya Bay.
Day 3	Morning arrival in Sennaya Bay, where you can walk along the shore. Lunch on shore before the ship set sail for Port Baikal. You will cruise along side the Circum Baikal Railway before visiting Tolsty Cape and Port Listvyanka.
Day 4	Early morning arrival back in Irkutst.
Tour Highlights
Peschanaya Bay is an inimitably beautiful nook of the lake. The bay is famous for its enviable record of the sunniest days: it is the only place on the lake where the average annual temperature is +3.40°C. There is a wonderful surprisingly clean sandy beach 15 - 20 m wide. Peschanaya Bay is the only place on the lake where one can see miraculous 'walking-on-stilts trees', a real wonder of Baikal. They grow on a sand dune near Bolshoi Kolokolny Rock. The trees have risen above the earth on their stilt-like roots, from under which water and winds erode the soil. Olkhon Island. Maloye Morye is separated from the open Baikal by Olkhon Island stretching for 72 km along the continental shore. 'Olkho' means windy, sunny in the Buryat language (the original language of the region). By a process, still not understood, winds drive away heavy clouds past Olkhon, and thus, there are more sunny day here than on the Black Sea coast. Olkhon is the only island on Lake Baikal where there has been human habitation since pre-historic times.

Fixed Departure Dates	Price per person Twin Share
12 - 15 Jun 2008 3 - 6 Jul 2008 31 Jul - 3 Aug 2008 14 - 17 Aug 2008 4 - 7 Sep 2008	£450 per person twin-share in Upper Deck Cabin
Extra bed	£125
Note: cruise may be cancelled if the number of passengers is less than 20

Included in Cost of Itinerary
· Twin/double cabins on Upper Deck
· Full board whilst on ship
· Daily entertainment program aboard
· Local guides/interpreters on sightseeing tours as specified
· Fishing equipment and guiding
Not Included in Cost of Itinerary
International Flights	contact office for details
Russian visa	Click 'here' for details
Travel Insurance	Ask for details
Notes
1.Please allow a minimum of four weeks to obtain Russian visas. 2. Please note that this cruise is operated in conjunction with our Russian partners and may be cancelled if the number of passengers is less than 20. 3.Supplements: There is a charge for single room/cabin on this tour £360
Bookings
To confirm a booking, we require a deposit of £100 per person plus a signed booking form
ITINERARIES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS
Please note that all prices shown are subject to availability at time of booking.