Irkutsk
is the grand gateway to Lake Baikal
Welcome to Irkutsk
The de facto capital of Eastern Siberia, pleasantly historic Irkutsk is by far the most popular stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway between Moscow and all points east. With Lake Baikal a mere 70km away, the city is the best base from which to strike out for the western shoreline. Amid the 19th-century architecture, revived churches, classy eateries and numerous hostels, plentiful English-speaking agencies can help you plan anything from a winter trek across the lake’s ice to a short walking tour through the city.
Top experiences in Irkutsk
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Irkutsk activities
Tour to Circum-Baikal Railway
Program: • 09:00 Departure from Irkutsk. We pick you up from any point you requested • 11:00 Arrival in the starting point of trekking. From here we will start walking part of the tour. We will go downhill from the new line of the Transsiberian through the valley to Lake Baikal • 13:00 Coming to the lake, village of Staraya Angasolka. Staraya Angasolka is a small station and few buildings, there are art galley and good eatery with tasty pancakes during summer! • 13:15 Picnic (not included) and walking by the old Transsiberian line till the station of Kultuk.After the village we will follow the tracks, coming through three tunnels, several bridges and small stations (4 km). We will also see some leftovers of disassembled second line of Transsiberian. • 16:00 Lunch at cafe (not included). Our guide/driver will wait for you at the Circum-Baikal Railway monument, which is built right on the railway. After the final shots of the lake we will drive to the top of the mountain, where we can have a lunch (not included) with a beautiful view of the lake. By the way, "kultuk" in turk language means "dead-end". • 16:30 Departure from Kultuk • 18:30 Arrival in Irkutsk. We arrive to Irkutsk and drop you off to where you need
3 hours Irkutsk City Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Irkutsk Walking Tours, Irkutsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Siberian DistrictIrkutsk city center: War memorial, Church of a Savior, Moscow Gate, Catholic Cathedral), Orthodox churches (Kazan Church, Znameskiy Cathedral, Epiphany Cathedral), The oldest cemetery with the graves of Decembrist (first russian revolutionaries)House of Europe (Lace House)Historical places of Irkutsk«130th quarter» (old style district)Central Market, shopping mallAny other places upon your requestDuration: 3 hours
2.5-Hour Irkutsk City Walking Tour
Irkutsk is often called "Siberian Paris" in old books, and bloggers call it similar to Barcelona. Start your tour at noon from Moscow gates. Moscow gates, which are now reconstructed, used to be the historical point of city entrance of all travelers and merchants of the past. See the Monument to the founders of Irkutsk afterwards. Irkutsk was founded in 1661 by cossacks, built the first ostrog (wooden kremlin) here. This is the place of many inportant events for the city. Continue your walk to the Main Square. The main square of the city was built on the place of swamp, is surrounded by buildings of different times of the Old and New Histories. Next is the Old houses of Zhelyabov street. Vtorov mansion, Rogal House, museums and hotels, old and new buildings of Irkutsk. Flea market and city fire of 1879. After that you will see Karl Marx street, which is the main street of the city and used to be a part of ostrog wall, the border of the town.Next the tour will visit Kazan church. Called by some tourists Notre-Dam de Kazan, this church has very beautiful and impressive decoration. Walk to Old Town and see the protected Gryaznova street, saved part of the medieval wood and stone Irkutsk. See also the Raising of the Cross Church. This unique church combines elements of Orthodox Christianity and Buddhism. See a restored part of Old Town area, which was newly built several years ago and has many historical buildings before your tour ends.
Tour to Arshan
Day 1 You’ll be picked up from any place in Irkutsk at 10 am. Vehicle: a 8 sit minibus or a car. Distance between Irkutsk and Arshan is 250 km (150 miles) one way.in 2 hours, you’ll start a Circum-Baikal Walk – without a guide, using the prominent path – down the valley through the forest. You will reach Old Angasolka village, located on lake Baikal.Then you turn right, and start walking along the Circum Baikal Railway. You will be seeing an Angasolka Bridge, and 3 tunnels, and, of course, a magnificent view of Baikal.You will reach the village of Kultuk in 3-4 hrs, depending how much time you spend on taking photos or exploring the tunnels. Total walking distance is around 12 km. You will need a lunch box and water.Then, we will be continuing our tour. After a short while, we’ll see the 200 km long Tunka Valley. The valley is 50 km wide, stretches along the Mongolian border. Northern edge of the valley is guarded by the magnificent – 3000 meters high – Sayan Mountains.We’ll reach Arshan by late afternoon. Arshan is a small resort town. The “Arshan” means a mineral water source. There are two arshans in Arshan – the testy cold one and less testier but probably more healthy warm source of free mineral water.We go for introduction walk around the town after check in. Day 2 You’ll be picked up from any place in Irkutsk at 10 am. Vehicle: a 8 sit minibus or a car. Distance between Irkutsk and Arshan is 250 km (150 miles) one way.in 2 hours, you’ll start a Circum-Baikal Walk – without a guide, using the prominent path – down the valley through the forest. You will reach Old Angasolka village, located on lake Baikal.Then you turn right, and start walking along the Circum Baikal Railway. You will be seeing an Angasolka Bridge, and 3 tunnels, and, of course, a magnificent view of Baikal.You will reach the village of Kultuk in 3-4 hrs, depending how much time you spend on taking photos or exploring the tunnels. Total walking distance is around 12 km. You will need a lunch box and water.Then, we will be continuing our tour. After a short while, we’ll see the 200 km long Tunka Valley. The valley is 50 km wide, stretches along the Mongolian border. Northern edge of the valley is guarded by the magnificent – 3000 meters high – Sayan Mountains.We’ll reach Arshan by late afternoon. Arshan is a small resort town. The “Arshan” means a mineral water source. There are two arshans in Arshan – the testy cold one and less testier but probably more healthy warm source of free mineral water.We go for introduction walk around the town after check in.
Baikal Explorer
Day 1Arrival to Irkutsk. Meeting with the guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Departure to Listvyanka (65 km from Irkutsk, 1 hour on the way). Excursion to Taltsy Architectural and Ethnographic Museum. Lunch at the restaurant on the Baikal shore. You will taste Baikal fish dishes. Excursion to the Baikal Museum. Ascent to Chersky stone observation deck via aerial lift (728 meters of height). Listvyanka sightseeing tour. Visiting the fish and souvenir market. Dinner at city restaurant. Return to the hotel.Day 2Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Check-out. Departure to the island of Olkhon (250 km from Irkutsk, 5-6 hours to go). Lunch at the Yelantsi café (Buryat cuisine). Arrival to the village of Sakhyurta. Crossing to Olkhon island. Arrival to Olkhon. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Walking tour to Shamanka rock. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Day 3Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Excursion to Cape Khoboy. Off-road car tour through northern part of the island. Arrival to Cape Khoboy. Baikal ukha picnic. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.Day 4Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Excursion to Ogoy island. Travel along the picturesque islands and bays of the Maloe More and a visit to the Holy Spring. Baikal ukha picnic. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.Day 5Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Check-out. Departure to Irkutsk. Lunch at the café on the way to Irkutsk or on Olkhon before leaving the island. Arrival to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.Day 6Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Irkutsk sightseeing tour. Lunch at city restaurant.Visiting sealarium. Free time (including guide and transport). The return to the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant.Day 7Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Transfer to the airport
Winter tour to Lake Baikal
Day 1Arrival in Irkutsk. Meeting at the airport or at railway station. Accommodation in the hotels or mini-hotel. At 10 a.m. begins excursion in Irkutsk.Day 2At 9.00 a.m. we depart to excursion CircumBaikal railway , by bus the Baikal highway to Listvyanka, 10-15,10-30 water crossing to port Baikal, Board Express. Theexcursion lasts from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m. The route includes the excursion tour with stops in the most remarkable places with guide: 102 km retaining wall “Italian”; 110 km Half Pad; 123 km complex Kirkerensky; 149 km Old Angasolka.Arrival to Irkutsk railway station at 22.00 -22.30 p.m. Transfer to hotels.Breakfast, lunch and dinner aren’t included.Day 3In the morning we are going to Olkhon island to Khuzir (300 km) by mini-bus. When you arrive at the island, you will have dinner. Accommodation in mini-hotel “Baikal”, distance to the Baikal is 150 meters, economy rooms( toilet and shower on the floor for 4 rooms), or standard rooms( toilet and shower in the room).Excursion to Burhan cape( Shamanka rock)- one of the nine sacred place for shamans of Asia. Dinner.Lunch and dinner are included, breakfast isn’t included.Day 4Breakfast. Excursion to the Khoboy cape is waiting for you. This is the most famous cape on the Island. Khoboy is the north cape of Olkhon. On the way we visit the rocky complex Saagan Khushun, picnic outdoors. You will see beautiful winter landscapes. Also you have unique opportunity to see ice grottoes and coves, which you can’t see in summer time. Lunch in the outside. Return to Khuzir.Dinner. Free time.Breakfast, lunch, dinner are included.Day 5Breakfast. Departure to Irkutsk by mini-bus. Accommodation in hotels or mini-hotel in advance.