“BAIKAL & KHUVSGUL AT A GLANCE”

6 nights/7 days

Upon arrival we will meet you at the airport gates holding “Baikal Discovery” sign and will provide a coach transfer from Irkutsk to Listvyanka settlement, located on Lake Baikal in the mouth of the Angara river ( the lake’s only outlet). En route stop near the Burayt Holy Obo and visit to the Taltsy Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture  on 47-th km of Baikal Highway which large and unique  display of original wooden houses dating back to the 17-th -20 centuries unfolds in a truly exiting story about the past history of Siberia and its Russian explorers.
After 1.5 hour guide tour of the Museum we continue further 18 km to the Shaman Rock in the mouth of the Angara for short stop there to hear the guide’s story and legend about “strict father Baikal and his disobedient daughter Angara” as well as for taking pictures. When checking up at Baikal Hotel enjoy Baikal Discovery welcome drink. Time at leisure which you can spend taking rest or taking a walk to the nearby Chersky Mountain from atop of which thre’re excellent vistas of the Angara river mouth and Lake Baikal southern part.  Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast and check out from the hotel we’ll have a guided tour of Baikal Ecology Museum which has one-of-a-kind collection of exhibits about flora and fauna of Baikal, see recently constructed Aquarium with Baikal fresh water seals.
After that we proceed by coach to the boat station to take a hydrofoil ride to the Old Round-Baikal Railroad, built under the last Russian tsar and because of its enormous construction costs called “The Golden Buckle of Steel Belt of Russian Empire”. After construction of Irkutsk Dam and Hydro Power Station the railway along Angara river is under water level and branch of railway from Angara beginning till Slyudyanka (South corner) is cul-de-sac now. During the hydrofoil ride we will see the 1-st tunnel of the Old Round-Baikal Railway. After the ride enjoy most Siberian delicates during picnic on the lake’s side. After lunch we return by coach back to Irkutsk for further transfer to the railway station to board an overnight train to Ulaanbaatar.  The train ride running first along the Trans-Siberian and then on the Baikal-Amur Railway will be most interesting and fun. You’ll pass through heading southwest of the Irkutsk region. Overnight in the train.
 

Upon arrival to Ulaanbaatar we meet you at the airport gates and assist with the luggage. After a short drive-transfer by coach to your hotel check in at the hotel and some time at leisure before lunch. After lunch to be served at the hotel start out by coach for a sightseeing tour of Ulaanbaatar. Besides visiting the city’s most atmospheric sights like Sukhbaatar Square and a series of traditional buildings where the last religious king of Mongolia resided we will also visit today National history Museum of Mongolia. 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. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

After breakfast visit to 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 that drive to airport to fly to Khatgal village, which locates on the coast of Khuvsgul lake. Box lunch in the plane. Arrival in Khatgal after 1:30hrs flight and drive to tourist camp on the coast of the lake. Transfer to gers and free time around the camp. On your wish you can participate in some of the optional tours such as horse riding, fishing or boating. Overnight stay in gers at camp.

On the way back to the camp visit to yak breeding family. Taste yak milk products. In the evening free time in the picturesque places. Overnight stay in gers at camp.

Day 6
Drive to local airport to fly back to Ulaanbaatar. After arrival, visit to Natural history museum, which displays a number of stuffed animals and birds and samples of various minerals found in Mongolia. Fossilized skeletons and eggs of several different kinds of ancient dinosaurs in the paleonthological section are the main attraction of this museum. After the museum shopping. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7

Departure

Hotels **Grand , ***:Flower, Edelweiss, Palace  ****:Bayangol hotel, Chingis khaan hotel