Eastern Siberia, and the whole of Siberia in principle, are very beautiful and picturesque places. There is amazing nature and many attractions that can surprise any tourist. There are two Sable Lakes in total - Small and Large. Their total length is 2.5 km, the area is 600 m, and the depth reaches 50 m. Their main feature is that they are surrounded by taiga and mountains, which create incredible beauty. On the coast you can find many edible berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries. The water in the lakes is crystal clear and cold, because they are a continuation of a mountain river.
Location
The described lakes are located in Eastern Siberia, on the Selenginka River, next to the Khamar-Daban mountain range, which is not only the most picturesque and beautiful, but also one of the most ancient on the planet. This region belongs to the Kabansky district of Buryatia.
For all vacationers, there are different routes here, the complexity of which depends on the level of training and the time of passage, but usually they do not take more than one day. Moredetails about the routes will be written below.
How to get there
Now it's time to talk about how to get to Sable Lakes. There are only three options:
- On a personal car.
- On the bus.
- By train or train.
Private vehicle
The first option will be convenient for those who live not too far from the lakes, otherwise it will take a lot of time on the road. So, in order to get to the Sable Lakes, you must first get to the village of Vydrino. This settlement, although small, has a developed infrastructure. Arriving here, motorists will be able to fill up the car, eat at local cafes, buy drinking water, which is very useful on a trip. Vydrino is located in the Kabansky district of Buryatia, and the closest way to get to the lakes from there.
If the path lies from Irkutsk, it is worth going along the Baikal highway, which passes by the settlements of Kultuk, Slyudyanka, Baikalsk. The distance from Irkutsk to the village of Vydrino is a little over 200 km, and the travel time takes about 3 hours.
If the path lies from Ulan-Ude, then the route is exactly the same - along the Baikal highway. The distance, however, is slightly longer - almost 280 km, and the travel time, accordingly, has also been increased to 4 hours.
As you can see, the path is not so close, so it simply does not make sense to travel here by personal transport from more distant cities or towns, since half a day, or even more, will be spent on the road.
By bus
The closest way to go by bus to Vydrino is from Irkutsk. Travel time will be a little over three and a half hours, which is quite acceptable. The main disadvantage is that there is only one direct flight per day, and in other cases you will have to travel with transfers. Ticket price - 350 rubles.
From Ulan-Ude everything is much easier. About 18 flights depart from the bus station to Vydrino per day, with the latest departing at 23:00. Travel time is approximately four and a half hours, and the ticket costs from 540 to 650 rubles.
In general, the bus is definitely worth considering, since in the absence of personal transport it is a pretty good option.
Electric train or train
Perhaps the most comfortable way to get to Sable Lakes is by rail. There are quite a lot of trains in this direction, moreover, from different cities of the country. A train ticket costs differently, it all depends on the starting point of departure. Travel time by train from Irkutsk railway station to Vydrino station is 3.5-4 hours, and by train - 4.5. As for more remote regions, for example, from Moscow, the travel time will be 3 days and 13 hours.
Note that from more remote places it is much more profitable to get to Irkutsk by plane, and from there take a train or electric train.
As for the route to the Sable Lakes, this will be discussed a little later, but now I would like to tell you a little about where you can stay.
Accommodation and prices
The issue of accommodation is always one of the most important in any trip, especially one like ours. Vydrino is very convenient because, in addition to being the closest to the Sable Lakes on Baikal, there are several tourist centers, one of which is located almost next to the Sable Lakes. Let's talk about one of them in more detail.
Camp "New Snow"
The main advantage of this place is its proximity to the Sable Lakes.
Accommodation at the camp site will cost 14,400 rubles. for two for 10 days, which is quite acceptable.
For this money a double room with two beds is provided. The facilities include heating, toiletries and a shared bathroom. Rooms with a private bathroom will cost a little more, about 18 thousand rubles.
Besides this, the hostel provides rental of sports equipment: in summer - boats, in winter - skis, snowmobiles. At the recreation center, tourists will find a sauna, a small water park, a bar and a private beach. The Internet is also present here, but you need to pay 300 rubles per day for it. There are no problems with barbecue and fishing at the base, and food can be prepared in the shared kitchen.
Routes
It's time to talk about the routes, following which you can visit many beautiful and interesting places in the area, and most importantly, get to one of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in Buryatia - Sobolinoye.
There are two ways to get to the lakes: on foot and by airboat. Looking ahead, I would like to point out thatthe second option is much faster, but the first one will give you the most emotions. An airboat can be purchased if desired, but you can also rent it.
As for hiking, here you can walk on your own or as part of an excursion group. Typically, such group routes are designed for 5 days and cost about 7 thousand rubles. from a person. Three meals a day, all the necessary equipment are provided, and an experienced instructor leads the trip, but this is not about that now.
Airboat
Airboat journey to Sable Lakes on Baikal starts from the Snezhnaya River. Unfortunately, you can't go all the way, you have to walk. So, by boat you need to get to the arrow, where 2 rivers intersect - Snezhnaya and Selenginka. It takes 20-25 minutes to get to this place.
Upon arrival at the place, you can make a short h alt, and then set off on a journey that is not so close - about 6 km. You need to follow the Sable trail, which is marked with a sign and visible on the map.
The path is not quite difficult, but it cannot be called too easy, nevertheless, it will not cause difficulties for beginners. Water supplies can be replenished in the nearby river, by the way, in some sections the trail runs along the banks of the Selenginka. Along the way, you can easily fill your photo album with unique photos, because the views in these places are simply magnificent.
Also on the way there will be 3 crossings across the river, one of which will cause an adrenaline rush. She was madevolunteers and is a suspension swinging bridge, under which the seething Selenginka flows.
After the last crossing, there will be very little left to the cherished goal. In a few minutes, the beauty of the Sable Lakes will open up to the eyes of tourists. As for the walking route, it should be noted that it starts almost from Vydrino itself, from the Stela, located next to the bridge. From there there is a road leading to the Sable trail. The total length of the route is 18 km. On the way there will be places intended for rest.
Holiday features
Recreation in these places, first of all, is associated with traveling along the most beautiful routes that will introduce tourists to local attractions and other lakes, of which there are many. The places are picturesque, their views are breathtaking. Swimming in the local reservoirs will not work, because the water in them is icy, but it is allowed to drink it.
You can also go fishing on the Sable Lakes. Grayling is found here, but it is extremely difficult to catch it without proper skills. The fish itself is very tasty, especially if you make fish soup out of it, and even on the purest lake water. It is also worth remembering that fishing is prohibited here during certain periods of the year.
That, in fact, is the whole rest. Nature, clean air, clean water, routes to different places, silence, beauty.
Reviews
As the reviews of Sable Lakes show, people really like it here. Everyone notes, first of all, the unique nature, because how to find somethingsimilar in other regions is difficult. Tourists also like the living conditions, because strangers who came here on vacation very quickly find a common language with each other and continue to be friends in the future. Even not very comfortable options for routes to the lakes do not stop anyone. People come here from different parts of the country to enjoy the local beauties and take a break from boring everyday life.
That's it! Have a good rest everyone. Come to Siberia!
