How to plan a trip to Lake Baikal on your own
Want to see the deepest lake in the world? Sounds exciting! Here’s what to consider when choosing an itinerary.
How to get to Lake Baikal?
The major cities closest to Lake Baikal are Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. You can fly directly to them from many cities in Russia, as well as from China, Mongolia and other countries. A one-way ticket from Moscow to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude costs about 20,000 rubles (approx. $245).
Trains also run from Moscow to these cities – they’re part of the Trans-Siberian Railway route. A coupe ticket costs about 15,000 rubles (approx. $180).
Find out how to buy plane and train tickets here.
From Irkutsk, the most convenient way to continue your journey is to set off on a trip along the Circum-Baikal Railway (departing from Sludyanka Station) and head to Olkhon Island. You can find tickets for a minibus to the village of Khuzhir on Olkhon (about 2,500 rubles – $30) online at olkhon-express.ru and baikalexpress.ru; they can also be bought at the bus station.
And from Ulan-Ude, you can travel to the Zabaikalsky National Park, the Barguzin Nature Reserve and the Goryachinsk thermal resort. You can buy bus tickets at the bus station ticket office (they cost about 1,500 rubles – approx. $18).
When is the best time to go?
The warmest months are July and August. You can take the ferries, go swimming and hike along the numerous hiking trails.
If you want to see Lake Baikal’s famous ice, go in February and March. That is when the lake freezes completely, becoming covered with patterns of cracks and bubbles. Just dress warmly!
During the off-season the weather can be unpredictable, but there are also fewer tourists.
How many days should you plan for the trip?
For the route Irkutsk – Circum-Baikal Railway – Listvyanka – Olkhon, you should plan on about a week. That way, you’ll have time to see the western shore of Lake Baikal without rushing. It’s better to spend three or four nights on Olkhon to have time to explore the surrounding area.
The Ulan-Ude – Ust-Barguzin – Goryachinsk route will take you about five days. However, if you plan to hike in the national park, you’ll want to add a few more days.
Where to stay?
In Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, there are plenty of hotels to suit a wide range of budgets. At Lake Baikal, the main tourist camps and hostels are in the village of Khuzhir on Olkhon Island, in the village of Listvyanka, in the village of Ust-Barguzin and in the resort town of Goryachinsk.
Find out how to book hotels without a Russian ‘MIR’ bank card here.
In the summer, you can also spend the night at campsites or in a tent at Lake Baikal. Pitching tents along the Circum-Baikal Railway is especially popular with tourists. But, remember! In order to visit protected areas, you need to obtain a camping permit online in advance – there may be no cell service on-site.
How to obtain a permit to visit protected areas?
There are three nature reserves, two national parks and five ‘zakazniks’ (wildlife sanctuaries) on and around Lake Baikal. They are managed by two organizations: ‘Zapovednoye Pribaikalye’ on the western shore (office in Irkutsk) and ‘Zapovednoye Podlemorye’ on the eastern shore (office in Ust-Barguzin). You can obtain a permit to visit the areas both online and at the offices. There, you can also book excursions along remote trails: for example, a trip to a Lake Baikal seal rookery.
