Features of Listvyanka

Maps: (Listvyanka marked red)
- 01
- 001

Highlights:
- En route: Open air museum of wooden architecture
- Source of the Angara River and Shaman Rock
- Baikal Lake view
- Cold smoked fish Omul with or without beer

Distance from Irkutsk: 70 km / 37 miles

Population: 1500 people

Best time to visit: July - August (but rather crowded esp. on weekends), late February - March (great ice experience!)

Accessibility: all year round

Getting there: by bus or car it takes an hour, probably the best road in Irkutsk province. By water - hydrofoil (period of operation only from the beginning of June till the end of August)

Where to stay: From outdated but expensive hotel Baikal (over a hundred dollars per night) to simple but cheap private houses for only 15 bucks per night. Hotels and some private accommodations have hot running water and shower

Place to stay recommended by Baikaler: log cabin with a fireplace

Level of civilization: maximum possible in Siberia: regular and mobile telephone service. 3 star hotel, shops, restaurants, museum, bistros, sauna, sport equipment renting service, short water excursions

Degree of wilderness: high

Number of days to spend for a transit traveler: 1-3

Possible activities:
- Museum of Baikal flora @ fauna
- Baikal nerpa/seal aquarium
- S.Nicholas Church
- hiking to the neighboring village of Bolshie Koty (20km)
- hiking to the Chersky Stone (700 m)
- mountain biking
- taking ferry to port Baikal and hiking along the old Trans - Siberian, return the same day.

Need for a guide: Suggested but not necessary

Optimum number of people to hire a guide: 1-4