Excursions

Trips by van/car (some have a bit of walking):

1. Cape Khoboy – 80 km, 6-8 hrs
2. Lake Khankhoi or lake Yalga – 24 km, 3-4 hrs
3. Lake Shara-Nur – 36 km 4-5 hrs
4. Tashkiney valley – 48 km, 5-6 hrs
5. Tashkai-Bolshoi Morye – 60km, 4-5 hrs
6. Igiba (Idebe) valley – 50 km, 5-6 hrs
7. Khatkha valley – 5-6 hours, with a special permit for the national park – for people who like walking in secluded places

All trips include a picnic of hot fish soup and tea cooked on an open fire.

1. Cape Khoboy (in Buryat, Khoboy means 'tusk') is the northernmost point on Olkhon island. It is one of the most sacred places on Baikal, where the Maloe Morye joins the Bolshoe Morye, and where the outline of mountains and the Svyatoi Nos peninsula can be seen in the distance, making up the background to the seemingly endless blue of the lake. This trip takes you through the village of Kharantsy and past the beautiful sand dunes in the village of Peschanka, where in the post-war years there was a concentration camp. Today only the pier remains, but in the forest is an abandoned cemetery which stands testimony to those times. On top of this, you will also see the picturesque 'Three Brothers' cape and its marble cliff-face covered with lichen. Your hot picnic awaits you in the village of Uzury. Uzury is in the northeast of the island and is home to a number of research centres, including one from the Institute of the Earth's crust, as well as a small weather station. There is a small cave on Tolga hill, in which N.M.Revyakin, the regional administrator, found fragments of pottery and a nefrite knife belonging to people from an ancient culture.

2. Lake Khankhoy is the second biggest lake on Olkhon, and in summer the water warms up and is good for swimming. You can also fish and fly-fish here. It is surrounded by picturesque steppe landscapes and is separated from the Maloe Morye by a thin natural strip of sand. 500m to the southeast, on the rocky shore of the Maloe Morye are archeological relics of the Kurykan era: the tiled graves are reminders of a vanished people.

3. "Shara Nuur" in Buryat means "Yellow Lake". This is the only mineral lake on the island. The lake is surrounded by varied natural landscapes, and you can to see wild birds and animals here. The water in the lake has healing properties, and if you swim in it your skin becomes slightly red from the mineral salts. The mud from the lake can also be used medicinally, and helps arthritis, as well as many other conditions.

4. Tashkiney valley comes to the Bolshoye Morye and is surrounded by picturesque mountain ridges. At the bottom is a cool stream hidden by thick overgrown bushes. On the cliffs over the Bolshoye Morye, to the southwest of the valley, there are archeological remains dating back to the iron age. Fishing can be arranged on request.

5.This trip takes you out to the jagged cliffs overlooking the Bolshoye Morye. There is something mystical about their shape, and they are covered in different coloured lichen. Tashkay is well-known for its archaeological remains of the Kurykan culture (8th-9th century AD) - there are graves as well as a sacrificial altar. You will be driven through the island's steppe where there are often amazing effects created by the sun as the light breaks through the clouds and illuminates the Maloye Morye.

6. This route takes you through the steppe in the south of the island. The road takes you up to a cold spring in the hills where you will have to leave the car and walk down the gentle slope to the Igiba valley. You will be two and a half kilometres from the Bolshoye Morye. An amazing view opens out in front of you, with the lake stretching out for over 200km in either direction.

7. Ideal for people who like walking in secluded places. Special permits for the national park are required for this trip. The path follows a stream which flows through the forest and leads you to a picturesque meadow on the shore of the Bolshoye Morye. The stream flows into Baikal through a small waterfall. The trip takes around 6 hours, with a 3 km walk to the Bolshoye Morye and then back to the place where you will have your picnic.

Water trips

1. Around the islands of the Maloye Morye – 25 km, around 6 hours
2. Svyatoi Istochnik (the sacred spring) – 36 km, 6 hours, 3 km walk in the hills
3. Cape Khoboy – Boat (a launch, like the 'Amur') + microbus, 70 km, 8 hours
All trips include a picnic of hot fish soup and tea cooked on an open fire.
4. Sailing on a raft along the shore

1. A fascinating trip around the Maloye Morye with a visit to the bird bazaar on Belenky island. Cruise along the shores on your raft - how much time you take is up to you.

2. This trip takes you through very beautiful scenery. You will cross the Maloye Morye passing close by its islands and go to the mineral springs on the other bank - the local people consider these springs to have healing properties. You will walk 3km to the springs once you reach the other bank.

3. This trip to Cape Khoboy by boat and microbus gives you the opportunity to see all the best bits of Olkhon from the water and from the shore. You will see unforgettable scenery, and have your picnic in Uzury. And if you're lucky, you might see seals at Khoboy.

Horse-riding, mountain-biking and walking trails

1. Kharantsy horse-riding or walking, 10km
2. Tretii Klyuch (The Third Spring) horseriding, mountain-biking or walking, 18km, (one way by car if you want)
3. Polyevoi stan - horse-riding or walking, 5km
4. Shara Nuur - Tashkiney – mountain-biking, 48km
5. Khatkha valley – walking, around 40km there and back

1. This route takes you along a beach of breathtaking beauty, first sandy and later rocky, and then through the 'enchanted forest' and up into the hills. If you want, you can arrange to come back by car.

2. One way by car costs 500 rubles) This is a three hour trip on a road through the forest that runs alongside a stream. You will pass the first spring in a beautiful meadow where you will see the remains of an old fence. Further on you will climb up to the second spring which runs in a valley 8m below the road. Then you will come to the third spring in a spacious meadow in the forest. There is always easy access to freshwater and firewood on this trip.

3. Polyevoi stan is a kind of viewpoint which gives you an amazing view of the Maloye Morye and the village of Khuzhir.

4. A trip which will test your stamina and take you through some beautiful scenery - and it's not the same as seeing it from the car window!

Ethnographical excursion to Buryat village – 8km, 1.5 - 2 hours.
This is your chance to learn something about Buryat traditions, folklore, arts and crafts, farming, way of life and beliefs, and to see Buryat wrestling. In a neighbouring village you will visit a unique open-air museum, and there will be a guide to explain everything and answer your questions. There are souvenirs on sale here. You can come back by car or you can walk back along the beach.