Visit Irkutsk, Siberia and canoe Lake Baikal

TRAVEL TO THE BEAUTIFUL SIBERIAN CITY OF IRKUTSK AND CANOE INCREDIBLE LAKE BAIKAL.

Enjoy the wilderness and visit the historic city of Irkutsk.

This is a sunset overlooking Lake Baikal.

IRKUTSK

(Click to visit the city map.)

A brief history of Irkutsk and the Siberian Region of Russia.

1630- Ivan Galkin built a winter cabin on the city site, which later developed into Ilimskij fort.
1675- The development received city status.
1690- Although it was given city status in 1686, it did not receive its personal identity, or coat of arms and seal, until 1690 when the city's coat of arms and seal were given by Siberian "prikaz" (printed order).
1897- Eight hundred peasants were sent to Irkusk as settlers to expand the city.
1986- The city celebrated its 300th aniversary of receiving city status.

ITINERARY FOR TEN DAY TRIP

(Available July through August.)

Days one through five will be spent in Irkutsk, Siberia.

The first afternoon travelers arrive at the train station and settle in at the Ikar hotel in the heart of the city. Evening will bring a city tour via bus, followed by dinner in the hotel dining room. The city tour will give an overview of the various attractions in Irkutsk and the city's layout. This tour will help to insure that people can get around the city and visit places of personal interest.

Travelers will have a free morning for sleeping or exploring the city on the second day. In the afternoon, a walking tour of the downtown area will be given. This tour will pass by many of Irkutsk's oldest and most important historical sites. The "White House", which is now the library of Irkutsk State University will be visited. The "White House" viewing will begin a two day look at some of Siberia's histori cal architecture. Note the immense columns on this building's facade. In the evening a concert of traditional Siberian dancing will be offered at one of the city's many theaters.

Day three will bring a continued look at Russian and Siberian architecture. In the morning, the two Russian Orthodox Churches will be viewed. They each have very distinct Siberian Baroque architecture. Later in the afternoon, after lunch at the hotel, the tour will visit an old Siberian wooden house. This house is similar to many of the buildings around Irkusk built during the city's early construction. Late in the afternoon, travelers will meet on Irkutsk's riverfront and eat dinner, enjoying the sunset.

The SIBEXPO CENTER will be the first destination on the fourth day. Here there is a showing of the International Universal Irkutsk Fair. This fair includes displays of both Siberian and Russian traditional crafts, as well as demonstrations of historical dances and costumes. In one of the centers other display spaces, there is a show called "Siberian Food Stuffs". The group will be able to taste many different Siberian and Russian traditional foods. The afternoon will be free, allowing people to visit certain sites of interest. Shopping is another option. Part of the Moscow Circus is training in Irkutsk for the summer and will be having an exposition on this night.

Day five, the last day in Irkutsk, will begin with a visit to Irkutsk historical museum. Travelers will learn more about Irkusk's past and how it has grown over the past several hundred years. The afternoon will bring a trip to the museum of regional studies (pictured right). Later in the afternoon, everyone will have time for any final stops they want to make, either to museums or shops. Everyone will meet for dinner to organize for the trip to Lake Baikal and meet the guides.

LAKE BAIKAL

(Click to view the lake.)

Much of Russia consists of spectacular wilderness, which is relatively unseen by many travelers. This wilderness creates the possibility for a trip onto land which is relatively untouched or unseen by anyone else. Russia's wilderness is one of its greatest assets, these great tracts of land bring as great a feeling of awe as St. Petersberg does with its architecture. Lake Baikal is said by the Official Web site of the Russian National Tourist Office to be "The Pearl of Siberia" . The lake has recently been saved from environmental destruction by a governmental reversal of anti-environment industrial policies. In recent years a Russian national park has been created on its shores.

FACTS ON LAKE BAIKAL

The lake is 636 km long, 80km wide.
Its depth is 1,620 meters which makes it the deepest lake in the world.
Baikal is known for its clarity and a depth of 40 meters can be seen through the water.
Baikal holds one fifth of the world's reserves of fresh surface water.
Wildlife include Nerpas (freshwater seals), Omul salmon, bears, elks, lynx and sables.
The region surrounding Lake Baikal is composed of Tiga forests.
Since 1992, the area surrounding the lake has been designated as a national park.

Days six through ten.

Map of Irkutsk and Lake Baikal region.

Baikal is located 70km from Irkutsk and can be easily reached by bus. Day six, en route, the bus will stop at the Limnological Museum. Limnology is the study of the biological process and this museum is devoted to the study of Lake Baikal. The flora and fauna of the surrounding environment are also on display. The next stop will be the local Lore Museum, where travelers will learn of many stories and facts about the Baikal region.

The town of Listuyanka is the final destination for the day. It sits on the shore of Lake Baikal and will be the point of departure for the canoe trip. Travelers may walk through the village streets and along the water in the evening. The salted Siberian traditional fish "Omul" is available for tasting at shops in the village.

Day seven. Ready to canoe. Canoers will get up and out early so there will be plenty of time to explore many parts of the lake. The average Baikal temperature in July is 20.6 c. This is a perfect temperature for being active outside, although it will get colder at night, so everyone is encouraged to bring plenty of warm clothing (preferably synthetic or wool).
Days eight, nine, and ten. Once on the Lake, the group will travel mostly along the shore (within 1km or 2km). The lake is 80km wide, too great a distance to canoe in three days. From the lake, the forested shores are backdropped by the elegant and spectacular Barguzin Mountains. The mountains are jagged and often snow covered. Beautiful sand beaches will serve as picnic and mid-afternoon lounging destinations. Campsites are well marked all along the shore. Everyone is encouraged to keep track of the plants and animals they see, as well as any other environmental interests.

The picture to the left shows seals playing in the late afternoon summer sun.

Links about Siberia and Lake Baikal

Siberia Belies its Somber Image by Andred Rosenbaum was featured in the New York Times. Rosenbaum describes a cold winter time trip to Irkutsk, Siberia.

Ecotourism- Nature use Method in Baikal Region written by Raisa K. Sanzhitsyrenova, President of the Baikal Association of Ecotourism and Gennady I. Shirokov, Director of the Tourist Club. This article has some great information about impacts of travel through Baikal Region and includes many ways to reduce human impact on the environment.

Web Resources

Babanine, Fedor. "Home Page of Irkutsk (Welcome to Irkutsk)." Oct. 3,1997
http://www.friends-partners.org/~irkutsk/fed/title_eng.html (Sept. 1997)

Interknowledge Corporation. "Baikal-The Pearl of Siberia." 1996-1997.
http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/baikal01.htm (Sept. 1997)

Irkusk-Baikal. "Tours in Irkutsk and on Lake Baikal". 1997.
http://irkutsk-baikal.com/leisure/irkutsk-tours.htm (Sept. 1997).

Simoni, Arden. "White Nights- travel specialists for budget travel in the countries of the ex-USSR." 1996.
http://www.concourse.net/bus/nights/kayaking.html (Sept. 1997).

Last update: 10/7/97

Send comments and mail to LIZ HOLLENBACH.