New Year Lullaby to Baikal

It will be the most uncommon New Year in your life! The tour takes place during the period of freezing-over of Baikal. This period is unique because of the possibility to see huge volumes of water in transition from liquid to solid state.
You will experience short days and long nights, swimming in thermal springs below stellar sky, observations of foggy Baikal, first thin ice, sokui - crystal necklace of freezing waves along the shores of Baikal and a New Year fairy-tale in a forest refuge with wonderful stories, songs and delicacies.

Our guides

Photogallery of tour:

Itinerary:

Day 1 (29/12)	Arrival to Nizhneangarsk. First meeting with Baikal. Accommodation. Skating in the afternoon. Bania at night (Russian sauna).
Day 2 (30/12)	Bus tour from Severobaikalsk to Nizhneangarsk. Nizhneangarsk was found in 1643, it is still the administrative center of the district though Severobaikask is a much larger town nowdays. Visit to the local nature and culture museum. Stop at the northernmost point of Baikal, observation of under ice life (Upper Angara and Kichera rivers delta).
Day 3 (01/01)	BAM train trip to Dzelinda hot springs (100 km). Skiing to the forest refuge (6 km). New Year celebrations.
Day 4 (02/01)	Dawn in the mountains. Skiing. Swimming at Dzelinda hot springs. Water of the springs contains fluorine, silicics and radon that possess serious medical effects. Temperature of the water is 42 - 45 degrees C. Back to Severobaikalsk in minibus.
Day 5 (03/01)	Bus trip to Baikalskoe village. It was found by Russian Cossacks in the 17th cent. Before that it had been a national Buryat and Evenk settlement called Goremika. Under-ice fishing. Evening at a fisherman's family. Banya.
Day 6 (03/01)	Hiking along "Way to Boguvhani" trail, part of Great Baikal Trail. Back to Severobaikalsk. Departure by train.

Price:

PAX in group	2-3	4-5	6-7	8
Price, RUB, per PAX	29040	19360	16600	15210

INCLUDED:

Transfer from the trains station in Severobaikalsk and back, transport during the program, Russian guide, a cook, FB, souvenirs, New Year banquet, farewell dinner

NOT INCLUDED:

Personal tourist and alpine skiing equipment rent, additional activities, alcoholic beverages, tickets to the springs

Equipment

Additional services, expenses:

Skis, skates, sleeping bags rent

Notes:

Accommodation description:
At Severobaikalsk town:
Baikal Trail Hostel – two rooms department with eight beds in each room. Kitchen, shower, washing machine. Free internet. English-speaking staff.
At the forest:
Warm forest refuge. WC outside. Sleeping at wooden planking in personal sleeping bags.

Meals
At Severobaikalsk town - at national cafe and at the hostel
On the root – the guide cooks on fire
When visiting local villages - local dishes in guest houses or school canteen.

Getting there:
1. Train 092И Moscow - Severobaikalsk (around 90 hrs.)
2. Plane to:
- Krasnoyarsk, then by train (one day);
- Bratsk, then by train (14 hrs.);
- Irkutsk, then by train (32 hrs.) or by plane.
NB: Train is the most secure transport in this time of the year.