Irkutsk Tours

Prices updated 3 June 2009.

2009 Guided Tours starting in Irkutsk

City Tour of Irkutsk
DURATION: 3 hours
OPERATES: All year round
DESCRIPTION: Irkutsk was founded in 1661 when the Russian military Cossack troops established a fortress on the right bank of the Angara River. From late 17th century, it was a political, economical and cultural center of Siberia. The city's Russian classical architecture dates back to the period of the 1880s when the city boomed after gold was discovered in the area. Most of the brick mansions and grand public buildings varying in architectural styles were constructed in the late 19th - early 20th century. The beautiful Russian Orthodox churches and a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building) are located in downtown. You will see many small one- and two-story wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century. Tourists visit either the Irkutsk Museum of Regional Studies or the Decembrists' House. During the city tour of Irkutsk, our guide tells you about the development of the Siberian city evolution, and shows the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.
INCLUSIONS: Guide service and a ticket to musueum.
EXCLUSIONS: Lunch.
COSTS:
1 person: $104 per single
2 people: $129 per group
3 people: $153 per group

One Day Excursion to Lake Baikal
DURATION: 8 - 9 hours
OPERATES: All year round
DESCRIPTION: The highway from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal goes through picturesque taiga-forest up and down the high hills. After 1 hour drive you come to a viewpoint facing the Shaman Rock, at the source of the Angara River. The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk. This old-style Siberian village is famous for its trade history. From the 18th century its ferry took merchants across the lake to Mongolia and China and the Far East. The Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) provides information about the origin and wild life of the lake. A video film gives you the opportunity to see the deepest point of the lake’s bottom (1.637 m) from the submarine boat. Lake Baikal is frozen over from late January to early May, the thickness of the ice near Listvyanka can be 70-80 cm. The part of the lake near the source of the Angara River is the only natural water place in Siberia, which never freezes over.
In the village, a variety of hot- or cold-smoked and salted omul and grayling fish is on sale. A great snack on the shore is omul, a delicacy of Lake Baikal, which has been just smoked for you. Several private cafes and restaurants offer traditional Siberian or European meals for you. You can taste pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhki (with cabbage, meat, or berries), and caviar sandwiches to feel the spirit of Siberia.
On your way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka, at your request, a car can take you to the Museum of Wooden Architecture (47 km from Irkutsk and 23 km from Listvyanka). This museum is an open-air museum that has a large collection of original wooden houses equipped with old-style furniture and domestic utensils, and “wooden tents” belonging to the various ethnic groups which inhabited this region. They were brought from several local villages. The museum conveys the lifestyle of 16th – 19th century Russia. Here you can learn about the various aspects of village life, see the interiours of a Russian fort and a 15th century watchtower, as well as glimpse at the lifestyle of the Buryat and Evenk people and see a Shaman yurt and other interesting things. You can observe the interiors of a Russian fort and the 15th century watchtower, a Siberian izba (house) and a chapel, a Shaman yurt and other interesting things.
INCLUSIONS: All transfers by private car, English/German speaking guide, entrance tickets to Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) or Museum of Wooden Architecture incl. Departure from hotel/homestay: 9:30 am. Coming back to Irkutsk at 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
EXCLUSIONS: Lunch & Dinner.
COSTS:
1 person: $383 per single
2 people: $415 per group
3 people: $448 per group
OPTIONAL: Lunch: $61 per person

One Day Excursion: City tour of Irkutsk and Trip to Lake Baikal
DURATION: 8 - 9 hours (city tour takes 2 hours)
OPERATES: All year round
DESCRIPTION: Irkutsk was founded in 1661 when the Russian military Cossack troops established a fortress on the right bank of the Angara River. From late 17th century, it was a political, economical and cultural center of Siberia. The city's Russian classical architecture dates from the period of the 1880s when the city boomed after gold was discovered in the area. Most of the brick mansions and grand public buildings varying in architectural styles were constructed in the late 19th - early 20th century. The beautiful Russian Orthodox churches and a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building) are located in downtown. You will see many small one- and two-storeyed wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century. During this city tour of Irkutsk, our guide will tell you about the city’s evolution, and will show the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.
After lunch you go by car to Listvyanka settlement. The highway from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal goes through picturesque taiga-forest up and down the high hills. After a 1 hour drive you come to a viewpoint facing the Shaman Rock, at the source of the Angara River. The small but tourist-wise village of Listvyanka is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk. This old-style Siberian village is famous for its trade history. From the 18th century its ferry took merchants across the lake to Mongolia and China and the Far East. The Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) provides information about the origin and wild life of the lake. A video film gives you the opportunity to see the deepest point of the lake’s bottom (1,637 m) from the submarine boat.
Lake Baikal is frozen over from late January to early May, the thickness of the ice near Listvyanka can be 70-80 cm. The part of the lake near the source of Angara River is the only natural water place in Siberia, which never freezes over.
In the village, a variety of hot- or cold-smoked and salted omul and grayling fish is on sale. A great snack on the shore is omul, a delicacy of Lake Baikal, which has been just smoked for you. Several private cafes and restaurants offer traditional Siberian or European meals for you. You can taste pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhki (with cabbage, or meat, or berries), and caviar sandwiches to feel the spirit of Siberia.
On your way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka, at your request, a car can take you to the Museum of Wooden Architecture (47 km from Irkutsk and 23 km from Listvyanka). The open air museum has a large collection of original wooden houses equipped with the old-style furniture and domestic utensils. They were brought from several local villages. The museum shows the style of life in the 16th to 19th century Russian villages and Buryat and Evenk tents. You can observe the interiors of a Russian fort and the 15th century watchtower, a Siberian izba (house) and a chapel, a Shaman yurt and other interesting things.
INCLUSIONS: All transfers by private car, English/German speaking guide, entrance tickets to Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) or Museum of Wooden Architecture incl. Departure from hotel/homestay: 9:30 am. Coming back to Irkutsk at 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
EXCLUSIONS: Lunch.
COSTS:
1 person: $410 per single
2 people: $448 per group
3 people: $484 per group
OPTIONAL: Lunch: $61 per person

One Day Tour: Visiting the Shamans
DURATION: 6 ½ hours
OPERATES: All year round
DESCRIPTION: Using our company's car, tourists and a guide come to the settlement of Ust-Orda, the administrative and cultural center of Ust-Orda Buryat National Region, situated 70 km from Irkutsk. Its population is about 10 000 people, mostly involved in herding cows and sheep in the vast Mongolian-like steppe. In Ust-Orda, the local guide meets the guests and takes them on an excursion of the Local Lore Museum, showing the history of Siberia from the Stone Age to the present day using fossils, rock-painting, pictures, authentic tools, robes and dresses, weapons and jewelry.
After getting dressed in Buryat traditional clothes, the tourists are invited into a yurt. Before entering, the main Shaman peforms the cleansing ritual on the guests making sure no evil spirits accompany them. Inside the yurt, everybody sitting around the fire tastes the Buryat tea, followed by oriental dishes typical of this region. To get to know what happens next, come to see it!!
INCLUSIONS: Transfer by car/mini van, guide services, folk program, shaman, excursion to the Ethnographic museum + and entrance tickets.
EXCLUSIONS: Lunch.
COSTS:
1 person: $907 per single
2 people: $459 per person
3 people: $369 per person
4 people: $323 per person
5 people: $295 per person
6 people: $265 per person
OPTIONAL: Traditional Buryat Lunch: $58 per person

Irkutsk & Lake Baikal Observation Trip
DURATION: 3 days / 2 nights
OPERATES: All year round
ITINERARY & DESCRIPTION:Day 1: Morning (day time) arrival in Irkutsk by train and shuttle transfer to Hotel “Victoria”(standard room) /homestay) with ESG/GSG. A chance to settle in and relax before embarking on an afternoon. Walking City Tour which takes in the city’s highlights. The tour also includes a visit to the Regional Museum. After the tour, free time to shop or wonder around this beautiful city.
Day 2: In the morning we set out by car to the beautiful Lake Baikal and spend a whole day exploring this unique and enchanting region. Today we will visit the Wooden Architecture museum and the Limnological museum (Museum of Lake Baikal) and glimpse at 16th – 19th Century Russia, as well as learn about the unique history, flora and fauna of the deepest freshwater lake in the world. In the evening we will return to Irkutsk.
Day 3: Final Day! Free time to explore the city before your shuttle transfer to the train station.
INCLUSIONS: Guide services, accommodation, city tour, 3 museum tickets, day transfers to/from station.
EXCLUSIONS: Lunch & dinner, boat tickets, night airport transfers, porterage.
HOME STAY COSTS:
1 person: $757 per single
2 people: $462 per person
3 people: $383 per person
4 people: $350 per person
5 people: $331 per person
6 people: $323 per person
Single supplement: $33 per single
VICTORIA HOTEL COSTS:
1 person: $1082 (low season), $1136 (high season) per single
2 people: $615 (low season), $656 (high season) per person
3 people: $533 (low season), $579 (high season) per person
4 people: $508 (low season), $522 (high season) per person
5 people: $495 (low season), $525 (high season) per person
6 people: $435 (low season), $514 (high season) per person
Single supplement: $197 (low season), $203 (high season) per single