This tour is a great chance to take a look at the Southern corner of Baikal, to take a short walk along famous Curcum Baikal railway and to see Tunka Valley - a land populated by the Buryats, indigenous people of Siberia. Visiting Buddhists stupas, taking a hot mineral shower and seeing magnificent Sayan Mountains make this tour interesting for almost everyone. This tour is suggested as additional tour to Listvyanka or / and Olkhon island trips.

Description of the 2 day tour to Arshan (winter and all year round).

Day 1

You'll be picked up from my hostel (or train station or any other place in Irkutsk) at 10 am. Vehicle: a 8 sit minibus or a car. Distance between Irkutsk and Arshan is 250 km (150 miles) one way.

We drive the road M55 which goes thought the hilly area. It can not be driven quickly in winter. So, to cover those first 100km safely we would need at least 1.5 - 2 hr. Then, in the end of this snaky road, from the top hill, we see the Southern End of Baikal lake, and the village called Kultuk ("End, Corner" in Buryat). This village was founded by Russian Cossacks in 1640s.

After lunch in a road cafe (not included in to the tour price!), we drive down to the village and start waling along the Curcum Baikal Railway. It is an old unused part of Trans-Siberian rail line, which in 19th century used to be the most picturesque rail line in the world (only competed with the one in Chile).

Then we continue further and reach the beginning of 200km long Tunka Valley. The valley is 40-50km wide, stretched along the Mongolian border. Northern edge of the valley is guarded by magnificent Sayan Mountains. Its picks are in average 2500-3000m high.

By late afternoon, we arrive to Arshan ("Mineral Water" is Buryat), a resort town. We check into a private guesthouse run by my ex-teacher (No running water, outside toilet). Before Banya / Sauna and dinner, we go for introduction walk around the town.

Great finalizing of the day - Banya and home cooked dinner. What is Banya and What To Do There

Day 2

Breakfast.

We continue exploring the village and its surroundings. First we visit small Buddhist Temple, which is nicely tucked among the cedar trees. Then we walk up to Kyndarga River ("Drum River" in Buryat) to its first waterfall. The waterfall is not big but looks impressive despite of the graffiti around it.

On our way to the waterfall, we walk though the local people selling woolen Mongolian stuff and herbs.

Then we return to the car and drive to another village (35km) to take an open air hot shower. It is an overflowing well head with the capacity of 25 liters per second +45C degrees highly mineralized water.

After the relaxing shower, we head back to Irkutsk. En route: stop for lunch (not included in to the tour price!)

Prices from 5500 R |Currency converter|

Prices include all services, pointed in the itinerary:
Private car or van transportation with the driver, 1 night accommodation, meals as noted (Day 1: D, Day 2: B), local guide-interpreter
services.

To book a tour please contact Jack Sheremetoff