Baikal Between Ice and Open Water
A spring holiday journey with seals, Olkhon and kayaking
About
BBT designed this late-April journey for the brief transition between Baikal’s melting ice and open water. Travelling from Irkutsk to Olkhon by hovercraft, the group looks for seals resting on remaining ice, then explores the island’s northern landscapes and possible deer habitat. The final active day brings the guests down to water level for kayaking among drifting ice where conditions allow. Rest after the flight and a Siberian banya balance the changing spring environment.
Parameters
- Season
- Late April–early May · holiday period
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Format
- Private travel · Group size to confirm
- Route
- Irkutsk → Maloye More → Olkhon → Tazherany → Irkutsk
- Airports
- Irkutsk / Irkutsk
- Rhythm
- Easy arrival; wildlife days and banya recovery
- Physical activity
- Moderate · Hovercraft, outdoor stops and conditional kayaking
- Best suited to
- Groups interested in the change of seasons and wildlife without long hikes
- Est. price per person
- $12,400
Itinerary
Day 01: Time to Arrive
The journey begins without scheduled excursions, leaving space to recover after the flight.
- Experience
- Private airport meeting and transfer to History Hotel in Irkutsk; the rest of the day is free.
- Arrangements
- Family Connect two-room suite, 64 m².
Day 02: Seals on the Remaining Ice
The journey crosses the Maloye More Strait when Baikal is moving from winter ice toward open water.
- Experience
- Private road transfer to the shore, then hovercraft towards Olkhon; observation stops chosen where seals may be using the ice.
- Arrangements
- Team sets the route from real-time visibility, ice conditions and evidence of animals; evening arrival at Port Olkhon.
Day 03: Northern Olkhon and Shoreline Banya
A modest northern outing leaves time for expert-guided wildlife searching and recovery by the shore.
- Experience
- Local team looks for red deer in suitable northern Olkhon habitats; relaxed afternoon of Russian banya and hot tub.
- Arrangements
- Timing depends on weather and natural animal behaviour; steaming intensity adapted to guests.
Day 04: Kayaking Among Spring Ice
The transition to open water becomes tangible at kayak level, after the return from Olkhon to Tazherany.
- Experience
- Return to the mainland and guided kayaking between ice floes at a site chosen for safe wind, water and ice conditions.
- Arrangements
- Private onward transfer to Irkutsk; final overnight at History Hotel. Kayaking operates only when local safety conditions allow.
Day 05: Departure
A private transfer is coordinated around the departing flight.
- Experience
- Breakfast and transfer to Irkutsk Airport.
