Two Religions Of Baikal: Shamanism And Buddhism

Itinerary

Day 1: Irkutsk - Siberian Paris

Stop At: Kirov's Park, ul. Lenina, Irkutsk 664027 Russia
You will learn all the most exciting facts about Irkutsk, see the greatest monuments, including the famous local Family one, churches and walk along the Angara shore, which is the only one, flowing out of Baikal
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: House of Europe, Friedrich Engels St., 21, Irkutsk 664007 Russia
The famous Lacy house will give you the perfect idea of the city's wooden architecture, you will make eye-catching pictures of Siberian houses
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: 130 Kvartal, Irkutsk Russia
This area is new comparing to the rest of the city, and this is the most entertaining part of the tour, including visits to local petty market, souvenir shops, cafes and exhibitions with galleries.

This is not the whole list of the sightseeings you'll see.
You'll be surprised after the tour that Irkutsk has so many things to show, and from the transit point to Baikal for you it will turn into the cozy and warm lovely Siberian town
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Listvyanka, the introduction to Baikal

Stop At: Taltsy Museum, Baykalsky highway 47km, Taltsy 664518 Russia
This museum will take your heart away, as it has its own charm of cozy Siberian atmosphere, where every guest will find something for himself. Children can participate in different games, try horse carriage ride, those who like nature will fall in love with the calmness and fresh air. those who love culture will be impressed by local ethnic groups exhibitions
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Baikal Museum, Listvyanka rp, Listvyanka 664520 Russia
It's for those, who want to know every fact about Baikal in one day. Fascinating exhibitions, aquariums with fisha and seals will make you learn Baikal like from inside, and the room with microscopes will make you become a scientist
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Listvyanka Market, Gorkogo, 111/3 Next to Hotel Priboy, Listvyanka 664520 Russia
Although it looks controversial, it will make you understand the real life of Siberians. Having a short summer, they enjoy every minute of it, lying at the small beach nearby, having picnics on the shore with piece of hot-smoked fish. You will also find the souvenirs, typical for this area
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: The way to Olkhon Island

Stop At: Sakhyurta, Sakhyurta, Irkutsk Oblast, Siberian District
On the way to Olkhon island we'll pass through Tazherany with its Mongolian-style rocks and steppes, see the famous two salted lakes, called reflections of Baikal, Buryat villages and meadows with cattle,
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Cape Burkhan/Shamanka Rock, Western bank of Olkhon island, Olkhon Island 666137 Russia
This legendary place will fill you with energy, as it's home for the main spirit of Baikal. From the past centuries people took care of it, tried to be silent, and, when you're there, you feel like you're not even on the earth . This cosmic feelings will never leave you indifferent
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Trip to the Northern end of Olkhon islan

Stop At: Khoboy, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, 666137
Cape Khoboy means Canine, and this is where people used to pray in the former times. The view from above is gorgeous, and vast spaces of water make you feel like a flying bird. The driver will cook a tasty lunch on fire.
Three Brothers Cape is connected to the beautiful Buryat legends, and at Cape Shunte everybody tries to make a wish, and it is believed that every thought here becomes true.
The trip will allow you not only to see, but to feel the beauty of Baikal lake

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Tazherany Sights Tour

Stop At: Yelantsy, Yelantsy, Olkhonsky District, Irkutsk Oblast, Siberian District
On the way back to Irkutsk – excursion to Tazherany steppe with the view to the main part of Baikal. You’ll visit the picturesque Valley of Stone Giants, full of mysterious legends; salt lakes, the sacred Ekhe-Yord mountain, where all the national festivals are held. You’ll also see the famous Marble Quarry, the popular photoshoot location.
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Shamanistic place on the way to Siberian Alps

Stop At: Tunkinskaya Valley, Arshan Russia
We will drive to the village of Arshan village, which is different from Olkhon; because of Sayany mountains, called Siberian Alps, and hot springs. Our route will pass along the serpentine road, and in a few hours you will be in the most Southern part of Baikal. On the way we’ll eat at the café, walk along Zun-Murino river, which, being located deep in the forest, gives you panoramic view of the valley and rivers. We will stop at the border with the Republic of Bouryatia at the Buddhist memorial. You’ll learn all the necessary rituals of greeting the spirits of the other land according to the traditions of Buryats.
On the way we’ll stop at the most sacred Bukha-Noyon mountain, where the shaman will make the ceremony of respect to the spirits of the area. It will possible to consult him in the questions of your health and future. The shaman is full of wisdom: He can tell you many things about Buryat culture, shamanism and Buryat peoples.

Upon arrival in Arshan, we will walk to the village, enjoy local cuisine, go along the Kyngarga River.
We recommend to visit the local resort: bath, shower, massage, sauna.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: The Waterfalls and Buddhist Temple

Stop At: Arshan, Arshan, Republic of Buryatia, Siberian District
Today, we will go to the most picturesque waterfalls of the village of Arshan. The way takes about 2 kilometers. We will make stops in the most beautiful places and admire the views of Tunka Valley. Looking at the white-colored rocks, drinking water from the healing spring, you will hear beautiful Buryat legends and enjoy the calm walk in the forest.
You’ll also go to the Buddhist temple, situated in the Holy Valley, where you can learn a lot about this religion, walk in a calm atmosphere and say your wishes to the spirits of mountains. You can also talk to the astrologer monk and learn the predictions for the coming year

Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: The Warm Lakes and Eastern Shore of Baikal

Stop At: Tankhoy, Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Siberian District
Today we will start our way to Ulan Oude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia.
We will pass Slyudianka, the station of active Transsiberian and at the same time old Circum Baikal railroad, with its famous Marble Building. On the way we’ll stop at the Warm Lakes; the favorite swimming place for locals. There is a small farmsted with sheep, horses and donkey. In the lakes there are fish and swans, and the view of the green pyramid shaped mountain, called Monomakh’s Cap, is fantastic.
In the evening we will arrive in Ulan Oude.

Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: The Tour of Sunny Buryatia

Stop At: Ulan-Ude, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Siberian District
Today there will be a guided tour of the capital of Buryatia. It’s famous for the biggest head of Lenin (the most unusual monument of Soviet times), the Buddhist temple at the highest top of the city with the huge golden statue of Buddha and the bell of wishes.
You’ll visit the open air Ethnographic Museum, with the old houses of Russians and Buryats. The museum has preserved an atmosphere of the past centuries, a unique way of life of the ancestors. You can feel like a real Cossack or Evenk (local tribe representative), entering the house with all the tools and house equipment of those times.
The excursion to the most famous Buddhist temple in Russia, Ivolginsky Datsan. This is where there is an imperishable body of the famous monk Itigelov is, and you can have a chance to look at it, as people believe, this will change the life for the better. Ivolginsky temple consists of a large amount of buildings, and while moving along the territory, you can see how Khuvaraks (students) live.

Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 10: The Real Buryat Nomads Culture

Stop At: Atsagat, Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia, 670040
Today you will visit the Buryat region with the famous Atsagat temple. Near Datsan there is the statue "Taban Hushuun Mal - five nomadic jewels", consisting of sculptures of camel, a mighty bull, a steppe horse, a sheep and a thin goat.

On day 11 it’s time to say good bye.
Full of emotions and Baikal energy you will return back home.
It is possible to take the flight from Ulan – Ude or return back to Irkutsk by car with the guide and the driver.

The guests are welcomed by the traditional "Ugtamja" ritual with Khadak, the symbol of the Buryat people 's hospitality, and the white meal, the symbol of value and clear thoughts, melodic song and words of welcome.
We’ll have a lot of entertainment today: the Galaxy yurt with the different ethnic groups’ photo exhibition, Buryat legends about the Universe and the starry sky, the knowledge of tradition and life in the ancient warrior yurt and in the traditional Buryat house of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
You’ll take pictures wearing Buryat national costumes.
Bouryate Yohor dance training will be at the end of the tour.
Lunch at Steppe Nomad (traditional Buryat food: buuza (big dumplings), Bukhlyor (lamb noodle soup), sweet Boova, milk tea).

Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.