How to maximize your visit to Lake Baikal

A geographical phenomenon, panoramic Lake Baikal is estimated to have been formed about 25 to 30 million years ago. The highlight of Eastern part of Siberia, summer travellers can enjoy the awe-inspiring vistas of the blue waters to the towering mountain ranges across the shore. For the curious winter visitors, the powder-white frozen surface and icy road conditions give gobsmacking opportunities to witness rare sights. Whether travellers prefer to go swimming in the lake, drink its nectar pure water, trek around the southern trip or sledge, cycle in winter- Siberia does offer you enough.

Another one of many interesting Lake Baikal facts is its strategic location on the border of Irkutsk Oblast and Republic of Buryatia. The nature and coast along Irkust Oblast are diverse with several options for tourists to take in the sights. Hop on to a hydrofoil trip from Irkutsk across the water to Bolshie Koty. Nerpas (Baikal seals), an endemic freshwater seal found only in Lake Baikal, is another one of the many Lake Baikal facts. On the dry land amidst the forested and mountainous shores of the lake you could find elks, bears, wolves and lynx if you are lucky. The animals are generally shy and wary of human so you may not always spot them but there will be warning signs of their presence.

At 5,370 feet, the world’s deepest lake contains a fifth of the world’s fresh water. It provides habitat to over 2000 animal and plant species that only inhabit the lake and its surroundings. The lake is larger than the country of Belgium and the crystal-clear quality of the water offers visibility to a depth of up to 40 meters. For an appreciation of the size of the lake, hop on to a boat for a trip. As the land fades away from sight, you gradually sink into the enormity of the lake and feel like you are wandering on an ocean.

Olkhon Island on the territory of Irkutsk Oblast is a main attraction at Baikal. With its own lakes, terrain that includes steppe, forests and mountains, hiking is a favorite activity for adventurous travelers. A dip in Lake Baikal could be invigorating even though the water is icy and could send deep shivers down your flesh. Another interesting Lake Baikal fact is the presence of ethnic groups for years. The shamanistic Buryat people still reside in wooden cabins across the lake shore and their settlements can be seen from the water as you go boating on the lake.

Baikal is in the shape of a banana. It spreads 636 kms from north to south and is about 1637 m deep. This makes it the world’s deepest lake and contains about one-fifth of the unfrozen fresh water of the whole planet. The beauty of the place is that it is fed by 300 rivers and drained by just one – Angara River near Listvyanka. During the winter, you can drive across the lake (in January the lake is frozen upto a solid 2 m, which means almost 7 ft thick). The water turns into a deep shade of blue and the ice is a bright turquoise. You can also see streaks of white from crisscross patterns on the ice. It is possible to see right through the ice and view the lakebed. When you set foot, it feels like you are walking on glass. Boat trips, buryat culture, hiking trails, wilderness is characteristic of this place- The Pearl of Siberia and the deepest lake in the world.

If you have read The Princess of Siberia, then you can relate to the Volkonsky House-Museum. The museum is a house in duck-egg-blue and white of Decembrist Count Sergei Volkonsky. The house was renovated in 1980’s and tells the story of the family of Count Sergei and his wife Maria Volkonskaya (the main figure in the book) when in exile in Irkutsk.

It would be hard to guess but one among the very popular Lake Baikal facts is that Siberia was famous for timber architecture. Irkustsk takes the lead as the city to enhance the visitor’s experience. An entire quarter of space is recreated with wooden buildings and 130 Kvartal, is a pleasant place to stroll. The place is bustling with cafes, restaurants and commercial museums with an impressive 21^st century mall that culminates at the end of the space.

Usadba Sukacheva is a small park on the edge of the historical center in the town of Irkutsk. With a smattering of beautiful building laced with wood and arbors, the houses contain exhibits that are dedicated to the family of the 19^th century benefactor Valdimir Sukhachev. He lived here until the October Revolution. Period furniture and paintings by Spanish and Dutch art connoisseurs accentuates the ambiance of this tourist spot. The “perfect photo” opportunity is the recreated “winter garden” which is an indoor greenhouse replete with tropical plants.

A visit to the Znamensky Monastery will only add a subtle tinge of peace and calm to your visit. The gorgeous interior with mural vaulting, gigantic iconostasis and a gold embellished sarcophagus that holds the relic of Siberian missionary St Inokent will suffice to invoke your zen.

The Trubetskoy House-Museum, as per Lake Baikal facts is the second Decembrist house-museum that was revived after a renovation. A perfectly symmetrical mini mansion, it was built for the daughter of Decembrist Sergei Trubetskov. The mansion was built after the original Trubetsky house near the Znamensky Monastery was burnt down in 1908. There are two floors, in which the lower level is dedicated to the story of the Decembrists’. The upper level displays the personal items that belong to Trubetskoy’s French wife who passed away in Irkutsk.

Although many believe that Lake Baikal and its surrounding areas are inaccessible, Listvyanka is one of the most accessible places. It is located about 70 kms from Irkutsk and is one of the most picturesque areas of the lake. The Angara River flows from Baikal and the place is perfect to admire the crystal-clear water and the snow-capped mountain peaks of Chaman-Daban on the opposite side.

The Architectural and Ethnographic Museum Taltsy, located about 20 kms from Listvyanka is a great spot for those who enjoy culture and history. The open-air museums that have wooden buildings from the 17^th-19^th century bring alive a lot of unknown Lake Baikal facts and also depicts a lot of the life of the locals. The entry is priced affordably at 3.5 Euros and a personal tour would cost about 21 Euros.

If you want to delve deep into Lake Baikal facts, then visit the Baikal Museum which is just 4 kms from Listvyanka. It hosts an interactive session to get acquainted with the nature of Baikal and gives a virtual dive into the bottom of the place.

Listvyanka’s best viewpoint which is Chersky Rock that overlooks the source of the Angara and is named after Jan Czerski, a Polish explorer. Access it by a cable car from the Eastland ski resort. The resort is not very far from the Baikal Museum and the cable car journey is priced at 50 Euros for a return journey.

At an altitude of 700 meters, Chersky Stone viewpoint should be your next halt after the museum. Hire a chair lift to the top and take pictures of panoramic views and come down through the forest serpentine. Stick to the village path to enjoy some local food.

Lake Baikal won’t cease to amaze you. Nerpinariy is where you must head to regale yourself in the acrobatic performance of the freshwater seals.

Snippets of tourism in winter are an interesting feature of Lake Baikal. Day excursions on hovercrafts are popular in inter with stops in Peshanaya Bay, Bolshie Koty and Bolshoye Goloustnoye. You can see the Baikal ice complemented by bubbles that freeze in the icy conditions due to methane.

The Great Baikal trail is a definite feature in the Lake Baikal facts. A project that you could undertake on your own without any tour guide, it is a scenic route along the Baikal coast from Listvyanka. A section of 25 kms up to Bolshie Koty is recommended and all you need is a good pair of sports shoes. The grandeur of this trail is the change you will see in every 5 kms. First you have to cross the coniferous forests, followed by the rocky coasts, then climb down to the water and finally reach at the beach and the shore.

Want to visit the bygone Soviet era? Then head to Retro Park near the St Nicholas Church. It is full of wacky sculpture pieces that are modeled and fashioned from old Soviet-era cars and motorbikes. You can check a few samples on the railings of the embankment to know what to expect when you get there.

An interesting Lake Baikal fact that tourists would not be aware of or even expect is that Lake Baikal is close to the Mongolian region in China and the Mongolian market in the Arshan and Tunka valley is where traders bring Mongolian herbs, spices, clothes and leather goods from across the border. A makeshift market stretches for a few hundred meters along the spectacular Kyngyrga Valley and the interior territory of Kurort Arshan.

Tips for Hikers

Are you an avid trekker or hiker? Then visit the Buryat side of Baikal. A well-known Lake Baikal fact is that this part is where travellers travel with tents and go on hiking following the Mount Svyatoy Nos trail. When you arrive at the Bay you can set up camp there. Listen to music, eat, drink alcohol and just soak the culture. Early next morning start your trek to the mountain top. At an altitude of 1870 m, you have organized excursions that will take you to the top. It is the perfect viewpoint to see the breath-taking view and the perfect photo to frame your holiday experience.

How about a barbecue on the shores of the world’s deepest lake? Food and wine by the lovely calming waters against the backdrop of the mountains is something to lookout for; operators organize barbecues where tourists can take part in preparations of typical Baikal fish culinary delights. Tourists learn from age old recipes and you can enjoy a 5-course meal.

Interesting tour would be a journey in the Circum-Baikal Railway which will help you marvel at the engineering genius of the late 19^th century. The journey traverses through the dense Baikal National Park through the forest, going down to the river and following the stones in the tunnels with the warm breeze blowing through your face.

When travelling to Baikal, it is important to know a few things that will help you enjoy your trip without any hindrances. Stock yourself with anti-mite sprays. A mite bite may only cause high fever but a few odd ones could cause encephalitis and Lyme disease. Summer months can be quiet cold during the evenings. So apart from summer clothes, make sure you have a stock of warm clothing. If travelling in winter, you must ensure that you have adequate coats, jackets, gloves, scarves to wrap yourself warm. There are no ATM machines, so you need to be stocked with enough cash. Make sure you visit the travel exchange counters to convert your money into local currency to avoid any problem. English is not widely spoken and only a few locales in the city are well-versed with the language. You will encounter tourists and locals who are inebriated, and it is better to avoid them than to get into an argument.

If you are visiting any of the islands, you can hire quad bikes or bicycles to hop around the place. In the winter, you can hire skates to ride on a frozen lake. Kayaks and catamarans are also popular in summer. You can hire a kayak and canoe down the lake at a leisurely pace. It is advisable to consult locals about weather conditions as there can be sudden bouts of wind blows that can push you to the middle of nowhere.

Although summer would be the time you would want to visit, it is recommended to avoid the summer. Summer crowds and large tour groups could dull your experience and winter could be a great time to visit. October to April is the ideal time although you could catch the lake icy even in May. Winter is when you can experience the lake at its atmospheric best. The lake in winter is quintessentially Siberian and perfect. The weather is manageable if your dress appropriately. Lake Baikal is just five and a half flight hours from Moscow. You can fly to Irkutsk or even opt for the Trans-Siberian Railway to Irkutsk. There is also a journey that starts in Beijing and travels through Mongolian, where you can actually catch a slice of the Siberian plains and stop of at various points of interest. The Golden Eagle Train provides a more luxurious journey with fine compartments and dining. You can travel in groups at various halts and experience Russian history. There are a range of accommodation options available and you can book yourself into small hotels or luxury resorts that overlook the lake and offer extravagant services. You will find several eateries and restaurants in Irkutsk and Listvyanka. Try the local cuisine, the bakery items and fish delicacies to experience the local taste. If you don’t want to wander on your own, then there are several tour operators who offer customized tours to enjoy the beauty of the place. Prices vary according to the number of days and itinerary of the trip. You can also indulge in some shopping at the local market and stock up on cedar nuts, taiga herbs and Siberian fish that can be packed nicely to retain freshness. Nightlife in Lake Baikal is quite colorful with several bars and restaurants serving alcohol and great food to complement it.

Lake Baikal is a perfect place for those who seek some respite for busy lives and solitude to rejuvenate their senses and spirits. With its idyllic surroundings, gorgeous beaches and islands and scaling mountain tops, Lake Baikal is fast emerging as a top tourist destination for the discerning traveller. Tourists heading to Russia are now beginning to be inspired by the beauty of Lake Baikal and want to experience the magic of the lake and the surreal beauty of the place. So, look no further and plan your next holiday to this amazing place to unwind in the lap of nature.