OLKHON ISLAND –LAKE BAIKAL & DUGANA KHAD RESORT -MONGOLIA

5 nights/ 6 days

Day 1
Welcome to Irkutsk - “Paris of Siberia”, capital of its great Eastern part –Siberia’s Microcosm and the gateway to “Siberia’s” Pearl - Lake Baikal!
Upon arrival we meet you with professional bi-lingual guide holding  “Baikal Discovery” sign, assist with the luggage,  and get ourselves on the coach for nearly 6-hour transfer to Olkhon Island and then further to Harmony Yurt Camp  ( total distance of about 300 km). 
En route on the highest highway elevation we shall stop at the so-called “oboo”- site, holy place for local people for the so-called “ejiins” or master spirit of the area are believed to reside here and have to be worshiped. For this reason anyone passing by the spot is supposed to stop here and sprinkle some vodka or white fermented milk drink, tie ribbons on the bushes in order to show respect for the spirits. We shall not be excluded from this custom and do same thing to win over the spirits and request from them some luck and good weather in the upcoming days!
Our next stop will be in a typical Petrovka village to have lunch at the private cafeteria built in wooden yurt style. Here we will try tasty Buryat national “boozi” stuffed with meat (Please, note there won’t be a problem at any times for us to provide a vegetarian menu on your prior request!).
After lunch we continue our drive for another 11 km to reach Elantsy settlement- administrative center of Olkhon district and then in 45 km we get to Sakhuyrte village (called sometimes as MRS, an abbreviation which stands for Machine-Repair Station).  Here we will get a transfer by ferry across Olkhon Gates Strait of the Small Sea of Lake Baikal to the Island of Olkhon. Upon getting to Olkhon we proceed further by coach/vans a distance of nearly 50 km via Khuzhir settlement to the Harmony Yurt Camp which is our final destination for today. The camp is located in a very picturesque natural setting next to a small village of Kharantsy, near the beach of fine sand. The camp has modern amenities– toilets, sinks and showers for common use of all guests, a separate dining yurt and steam-bath structures.  
Upon arrival in the camp we check in at round shaped felt yurts, enjoy dinner of a profound meal and then get a chance to visit Siberian steam-bath – “Banya” followed by swim in refreshing waters of Baikal ( when you wish to get younger or as just delivered!)
Then experience your first overnight in cozy and “cosmic” felt yurts (we bet you’ll softly sleep in harmony with nature and like a baby in a cradle!)

Day 3
After breakfast we get our things packed, loaded onto the van heading for the ferry station. After getting our transfer across the Small Gates Strait we get on the coach for 5-hour transfer to Irkutsk.  Lunch en route shall be provided in a roadside cafeteria. Around 3 p.m. we get to our hotel, check in and after short time at leisure we will go on a sightseeing tour of Irkutsk which will include visits to city’s most interesting and atmospheric sights includine Znamenskaya Cathedral famous for its rich iconostasis as well as for the  graves of  so-called “Russian Columbus” Grigory Shelekhov who was an early Russian explorer of Alaska, those of the Decembrists-revolutionaries banned to Siberia after an ill-fated attempt in 1825 to overthrow the Russian tsar etc.
After the tour of the city we get back to the hotel to enjoy Farewell Gala Dinner followed by a Baikal Biker Certificate Award to each of the tour participants.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
We’ll check out from the hotel after early breakfast and depart by coach to Irkutsk airport for boarding the aircraft for flight to Ulaanbaatar.
 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, meeting with guide and transfer to Dugana Khad resort which is situated in the picturesque mountain valley.  Dugana Khad 100km paved and 9 km unpaved. The area is surrounded by beautifully pine and birch covered mountain forest. There are mountains with various kinds of natural rocks. The altitude is 1200 meter /above sea level/. Resort has a good infrastructure with easy access. Stop at Ovoo a pile of stones built as a landmark for worship at the mountain pass. Arrive at resort. After lunch in "Dugana Khad" resort camp you will be able to make various kinds of optional activities such as: fishing, horse riding, archery shooting, horse cart riding around resort and trekking, with on spot payment. Dinner and overnight in gers.

Day 5
Departure back to Ulaanbaatar with visit to nomadic family on the way. Upon arrival we will visit to Sukhbaatar square and will take some pictures. After that we leave for Gandan Monastery. Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia and one of Ulaanbaatar's most interesting sights. Built in the mid 19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued to function even during the communist past. The Migjid Janraisag Temple is an important part of Gandan Monastery, which houses the majestic new gilded statue of Migjid Janraisag, decorated with jewels. This is 26 meter high and 20 ton. Bogd Khan Palace Museum: Built between 1893-1903, the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan was the home of Mongolia's last king Javzan Damba Hutagt VIII. This complex of temples and houses contain a number of Buddhist art works and the private collection of Bogd Khan composed of gifts of rulers and kings from all over the world.
After lunch visit to National history museum. This museum boasts its large collection of exhibits showing the history and culture of Mongolia since the period when mankind ever existed in this land up to the present day. Its huge number of interesting exhibits includes utensils and clothes of nomads, furnishing of their unique dwelling, musical instruments and artworks. After the museum, shopping at Department store and Gobi cashmere factory shop. Visit to Zaisan hill to observe the city view. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6
Departure