Baikal is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is always different. And the energy that a person receives, being near the Small Sea, is very, very strong. After a vacation on Lake Baikal, a person has enough energy and impressions for a very long period of time. Millions of people from all over the planet strive to see the unforgettable landscapes.
Baikal is rightfully called the "pearl". It is located in a mountainous area, surrounded by high ridges and reliably protected by taiga. The area of the lake is almost equal to the area of the whole country - Belgium. It is Baikal that is the deepest lake in the world. The water itself is so clean that you can drink it right on the shore.
You can go on a trip to the lake in different ways. One of them, the simplest one, is to book a tour with a regular agency. Moreover, there are a number of those tour organizers who specialize exclusively in trips to Siberia. Plus of this method is that, by paying for services, you immediately purchase the entire package, which includes a flight to Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude or Chita, a transfer to the lake itself and to the location of the camp site, accommodation, meals, etc. Just be prepared for the fact that this way of travel will come out very dear to you.
Most travelers prefer to arrange their own trip to Lake Baikal on their own. First you need to buy tickets to Siberia. Their downside is that the cost is quite high - in the winter, travel will cost you 10,000 rubles. in both directions, in the summer the price can go up to 20,000 rubles. There and back again. Think about whether you will be staying in Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude or Chita, or go straight to the lake. If you will, book a hotel. Their addresses and phone numbers can be easily found on the Internet. If not, find a shuttle schedule and try to correlate with the time of your arrival in Siberia. Consider the fact that due to the fog regularly occurring in the morning in the vicinity of Irkutsk, the planes are very often delayed.
The place where you plan to rest, select in advance also on the Internet. Consider only the fact that those recreation centers and hotels that are located in public places, for example, in the village of Listvyanka, are especially popular, which means they are expensive. If you have Siberian friends, consult with them which place to stay is better to choose. For example, many people prefer to travel to Olkhon Island, Chuvyrkuisky Bay, to Severobaikalsk. The tourist centers located in the area of the Circum-Baikal Railway are especially appreciated. All of these holiday homes can be pre-booked. In some cases, the hosts will even arrange the transfer for you.
If you are lovers of outdoor activities and prefer to travel "savages", your task is greatly simplified. Firstly, the tent can be pitched almost anywhere along the coast. Secondly, such a vacation will be more budgetary, since the main housing costs do not threaten you. And you can save a lot on food by visiting local stores and buying groceries at fairly affordable prices.
When choosing the date of your trip, take into account the fact that if you are going to swim in the purest water of the great lake, Baikal warms up only in August. In addition, remember that at any time of the year, including in summer, it is quite cool on the lake. Therefore, for evening gatherings in the fresh air or walks along the coast, stock up on warm clothes.
