Features of Olkhon island:

Highlights:
- En route: Tazheran Steppe
- Sacred shaman places
- Baikal Lake and Olkhon island views
- 4WD Photo Safari

Distance from Irkutsk: 310 km (167 miles)

Best time to visit: July-August, late February-March (great ice experience!)

Accessibility: all year round, except some time between seasons when neither the ferry works no the ice is safe enough to drive on

Getting there: 260 km of the main land by road (1/4 is unpaved), 30 min by ferry and finally 40 km by unpaved road on the island. In high season the ferry is not capable to handle all vehicles thus delays are possible. Usually if you leave Irkutsk by car, expect to get to Khuzhir, the "capital" of Olkhon island, by 4-6 pm the same day (a stop for lunch included)

Where to stay: private wooden houses with basic comfort - no running water, outdoors toilet, no shower but Russian banya/sauna

Level of civilization: low. Satellite telephone connection with the main land. 3 shops, 1 post office, fishing oriented population still underestimates the importance of tourism.

Degree of wilderness: high

Number of days to spend for a transit traveler: 3 - 5

Possible activities:
- Local Lore Museum
- hiking
- 4WD Photo Safari
- horse riding
- massage
- swimming
- kayaking

Need for a guide: Strongly suggested

Optimum number of people to hire a guide: from 2 up to 4