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Sights of the Irkutsk Region. Irkutsk. Baikal.

BAIKAL TOURS

WELCOME TO BAIKAL REGION

LAKE BAIKAL SIGHTSEEING'S

If you are looking for a big impression for sure you should visit Baikal lake. Baikal lake is world's deepest lake. The waters of the lake are unusually clean. Our information will help you to know better Baikal lake and if you will choose one of our tours you will get unforgettable impression about Baikal lake.

Irkutsk is the nearest and biggest city to the Lake Baikal and therefore one of the tourist centers of Russia. Irkutsk was founded 1661 by cossack troups and became the gate to eastern Siberia and the capital of Siberia at that time. The wonderful historical and architectural monuments in Irkutsk keep the memory of the many events and changes that influences the economy, culture and policy . Here in Irkutsk, the first Russian revolutionaries, the Decembrists, lived in exile. All the centers of the cultural life of the city are situated in ancient buildings of different architectural styles. Irkutsk today sometimes is like a living museum. Very famous are the ornated old one- and two-stored wooden houses, some dating back to the late 18th century.

Not far from Irkutsk, Ivolginsky, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries and the center of Buddhism in Russia is located.

The Taltsy Museum of Architecture and Ethnography. (the Wooden Architecture Museum), 47 km from Irkutsk, is situated near Angara River and possesses 40 monuments of architectural heritage & 8000 exhibits of high cultural value. There are two ethnographic complexes, Russian & Buryat ones, showing the life & traditions of Siberians from 16th – 19th century. The most valuable monuments of architecture are the Saviour's gate tower of Ilimsk stockaded town (1667) & Kazan's chapel (1679).

The Museum of Lake Baikal (Limnological Museum) proides tourists with a plenty of information about the origin and wild life of the lake. You can see also two of the unique Baikal seals in a small basin. The museum is the center for exploration and science of the Baikal Lake. The unique exhibits tell about the origin and the history of the lake, its flora and fauna, geological structure, climate and tectonics of Prebaikalye. Stuffed birds and animals. Collection of minerals. Models of the lake bed showing its history, the peculiarities of its shoreline and bottom. Baikal fish (omul, golomyanka, kharius, sturgeon, taimen, pike). Micro organisms inhabiting Baikal waters and destroying everything that might pollute the lake. Exhibits found in scientific expeditions. The tour of the museum includes a demonstration of a 20-minute video, "The Planet's Well" with unique shots filmed at the lake's deepest point of 1637 m. with the help of a deep-sea submersible vessel “Pisces”.

The small old-style siberian village of Listvyanka, 70km from Irkutsk, is famous for his trade history. You should visit the wooden orthodox St. Nicholas' Church which possesses some rare icons dating back to the 18th century. And, of course, you should taste the cold or hot smoked omul and grayfish which is offered near the harbour. Both are a delicacy of the Baikal Lake which will be smoked just for you.

Olkhon Island, 72 km long, 15-25 km wide and more than 130 km² in area is the largest island. It is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places with a different an special climate. It is one of the few places were the water temperature in summer is good enough for swimming. The island possesses several interior lakes. As it is a center of shamanism you will find many sacred places and rock paintings by hiking through the taiga steppe or camping near the shores where you can look for Baikal seals.

The National Natural Park Pribaikalsky was established in 1986 for the purpose of protecting the glorious sea, the forest reserves of the National Park, its flora and fauna, and the whole variety of the unique natural, architectural and historical relics and monuments on Baikal's shores. The forests occupy 70% of the total area of the Park. The total area of the National Park Pribaikalsky is 418,000 hectares. Here the taiga alternates with the forest steppe, and vertical rock walls and pressing slopes create a beautiful scenery. Here you already feel among the chosen few simply by standing on the Baikal's shore and breathing this air - you experience a rare sense of elevation and spirituality.