Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest on the planet, which is famous all over the world. Geologists say that Baikal today shows us what the coasts of North America, Africa and Europe looked like millions of years ago, when they began to separate from each other.
Crystal-clear, oxygenated waters that go down to a depth of more than one and a half thousand meters, and the same layer of sedimentary rocks beneath them, hide a lot of bizarre life forms. Biologists call them endemics. This means that the organisms living here can only be found in the waters of Lake Baikal. Some of them are pink translucent golomyanka fish that give birth to live young. Geologists say that the age of the lake is about 20-25 million years, which explains the exclusivity and uniqueness of the creatures living in it.
Surrounded by mountain ranges and volcanoes, the peaks of which are covered with snow blankets sparkling in the sun all year round, Lake Baikal has been attracting tourists from all over the world for hundreds of years with its unsurpassed beauty.
Like several centuries ago, the mountains today serve as a refuge for rare species of wild animals, and the tiny villages, located along the diameter of the lake, are a stronghold of calm and serenity in the remote and inaccessible Siberian taiga.
Rest on Baikal - what is it like?
Recreation here is as diverse as the waters of an ancient lake: from banal grilling on the beach (but why, in that case, did you need to climb here? Better go to Egypt!) to extreme carrying heavy backpacks and songs with a guitar by the fire. However, the most popular was and remains water recreation, whether it's a classic cruise or ordinary boat trips to go fishing and enjoy the local beauties.
Attractions
Baikal is able to surprise and satisfy the needs of everyone, even the most sophisticated travelers. Do you prefer natural attractions? Baydinskiye caves at your service. These are rather large cavities of natural origin, created due to water erosion. In the XII-XIII centuries, they became a haven for the Kurykans - tribes living in Siberia. Be aware that inside the walls, floors and ceilings of the caves are covered with an impressive layer of ice, which gives them a stunning view, but can make it difficult to visit if you do not stock up on warm clothes and appropriate shoes.
Also, lovers of natural beauty are highly recommended to visit Peschanaya and Ayu bays. And what is the Skazka waterfall worth, overthrowing its waters into the gorge from a 20-meter height!
Goudzhekit thermal spring, next to whichwell-maintained camp sites are located on Baikal, heal your body and spirit with healing waters.
The Baikal Astrophysical Observatory, which is famous for its most powerful telescope for studying the Sun, will help you plunge into the mysteries of the Universe.
But you can comprehend the spiritual laws of the universe by visiting the Buddhist stupa! Yes, yes, you heard right - Buddhism is in the heart of Russia! By the way, the stupa promises all pilgrims peace, we alth and wisdom, as well as the fulfillment of innermost desires.
Dangers and other surprises
As you set off on your journey along these stunning trails, remember that they hold more than pleasant surprises. So, let me introduce you: cedar dwarf. A unique plant that forms completely impenetrable thickets that tear your clothes and mercilessly cut your skin when you try to overcome an obstacle. In addition, when a cigarette butt is carelessly thrown, they flare up like a torch, which will be quite difficult to extinguish.
When planning a fishing or just a walk on the water, keep in mind that Baikal, even though it is a lake, can suddenly have quite strong storms.
Ticks, perhaps, occupy an honorable second place in the rating of Baikal's unpleasant surprises. These insects carry encephalitis, so take precautions seriously.
But the first place on our list is occupied by bears! Despite the fact that these animals try to avoid human society, nevertheless, every season is sure tothere are several "lucky ones" who still meet with a predator. With a very unfavorable outcome.
What to do on Baikal?
Baikal is a lake, but still not an analogue of the sea coast. Here, in addition to the traditional beach holiday, there are a lot of interesting leisure ideas. First of all - amazing fishing. And, as a result, gastronomic tourism - try to catch omul and cook it on a fire - we bet you have never tasted anything tastier!
When you go on a boat trip or even a real multi-day cruise, get to know the seals better - they are so cute and curious that you will definitely make friends.
Beach holidays on Lake Baikal are also diverse: small bays with clear and warm water here coexist with less hospitable places, where literally at a distance of a couple of meters you can experience a temperature contrast of 10 degrees!
When you get tired of sitting still, go camping - get to know the flora and fauna, study the myriad of stars and eat pine nuts with squirrels.
Spiritual food here is also more than enough! There are only 20 places of power for esotericists! Also, if you're lucky, you might meet a real shaman or lama. The first one will conduct a mystical ritual with you, bringing good luck and prosperity, and the second will make a personal horoscope and even hold a psychological consultation in the best traditions of Buddhism.
Time to travel
Depending onyour goals and preferences can significantly change the season of your vacation. Beach holidays and fishing should be planned for July-August. But solitude, meditation and the search for spiritual truths should be carried out from September to November. By the way, this is also the best time for photo tourism. In winter, the climate of Lake Baikal is severe, and the entire surface of the lake is covered with an icy shroud, which is stunningly beautiful. Well, by the way, the camp sites on Lake Baikal are ready to hospitably open their doors for you at any time of the year!
Bad advice
- When resting with a tent, use only living trees for a fire, and build a fire on dry grass. Only in this case, huntsmen and environmentalists will visit you - with all the ensuing consequences.
- Write all sorts of nonsense on the rocks - let everyone see that you were definitely here!
- Catch fish exclusively with nets - don't let the fishing authorities relax!
- Leave plenty of trash everywhere you go - it will attract midges, rodents that carry encephalitis mites, and if you're lucky, even a bear!
How to get there?
So, you have decided to spend your vacation on Lake Baikal. But how to get into this realm of nature? It's simple - wherever you go, the starting point is always Irkutsk. And then you have at your disposal a railway, a bus station, a pier (this path is only available in summer) and a lot of minibuses leaving the city market.
Housing issue
Despite the fact that these are rather wild places, Baikal camp sites are presented for every taste and budget. You can chooseSpartan camping conditions, luxury rooms in a mini-hotel or even a comfortable cabin on a boat. In addition, a tent and wild tourism are always at your disposal, but it is better with an experienced guide.
Unforgettable impressions will give you a holiday on Lake Baikal! Camp sites or tents, a cabin on a ship or even a shelter in a rural house of local residents - the choice is yours! The price category of rooms of different degrees of comfort is on average from 500 to 1500 rubles per night. But a place in a tent with your equipment is absolutely free, like all local beauties!
Baikal campsites
The tourism business and related infrastructure on the lake began to develop actively relatively recently. But still there is plenty to choose from!
The camp site "Kultushnaya" on Lake Baikal is located "only" 300 km from Irkutsk, on the coast of a warm bay, ideal for a family beach holiday. An important advantage of this camp site is the treatment of the entire territory with insecticides, which will protect you from the attack of dangerous encephalitis mites. There are rooms of various categories and capacities, and the prices are quite reasonable.
The camp site "Utulik" on Baikal is a unique opportunity to be alone with nature, to feel harmony with yourself and unity with the Universe. It is located south of Lake Baikal (only 2 km), in the heart of the amazing mountainous country of Khamar-Daban. Here you will find forest, mountains, nature in its original form, magnificent rafting on mountain rivers. This is where all the fun starts.routes for hiking in the Baikal region, and in winter a surprise awaits you here in the form of a ski slope on Mount Sobolinaya.
The "Chara" camp site on Baikal is an ideal option for those who want to retire in search of Truth, romantics and fishermen. By the way, it is here in February that all avid fans of ice fishing come to the festival!
The camp site "Priboy" on Baikal offers you accommodation in comfortable houses at the very edge of the water near the sandy beach. Here you will find both budget and elite holidays, depending on the chosen room category.
The camp site "Energy" on Baikal fully corresponds to its name. Everything you need for an active holiday is collected here - a full range of beach activities, walks on the water surface of the lake and fishing, various sports, including equestrianism, a classic Russian bath and much more.
And this is only a small part of all the accommodation options that Baikal can offer you.
Custom centers on Baikal. Reviews
When choosing where to stay, you should read the reviews of experienced travelers to avoid unpleasant surprises and disappointment. Camp sites on Baikal differ in pricing policy, geography of location and contingent of tourists. This is the last factor to consider when choosing accommodation. Thus, the camp site "Energia" is focused on young people who prefer active recreation and tourism, the base "Chara" is preferred, as a rule, by more respectable and we althy guests, andThe tourist center "Kultushnaya" on Lake Baikal is famous not only for its democratic prices, but also for the abundance of tourists.
Recommendations for travelers
- When going to rest on Lake Baikal, regardless of the season, do not forget to bring warm clothes, a raincoat, waterproof shoes.
- In the warm season, it is highly recommended to get vaccinated against encephalitis before traveling. Moreover, this must be done in advance, since vaccination is carried out in 3 stages with rather long intervals.
- Restrain from hiking in the Baikal region from late April to early July - this way you will avoid meeting a bear and reduce the risk of tick attacks.
- When planning to cross mountain rivers, always adequately assess the risks of the current and bottom topography.
- Away from the coast of the lake, midges carrying a lot of dangerous viral infections can become a big problem - stock up on repellents.
- And remember: the biggest danger of a vacation on Baikal is that you will fall in love with the lake, and you will certainly want to stay here forever! Bon voyage!
