What to do and see in Irkutsk Oblast, Siberian District: The Best Private Tours

September 5, 2021 Deane Carmody

Irkutsk Oblast (Russian: Ирку́тская о́бласть, Irkutskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located in southeastern Siberia in the basins of the Angara, Lena, and Nizhnyaya Tunguska Rivers. The administrative center is the city of Irkutsk. Population: 2,428,750 (2010 Census).
Restaurants in Irkutsk Oblast

1. Boat excursion to the Circum Baikal Railway

SeeBaikal
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

We are here to propose to you a personalized trip on the Circum Baikal Railway. It will perfectly fit you if you hate crowds and want to get 100% in harmony with nature. This is for you if you are looking for a route that reflects the most iconic spots along the way and doesn't take a lot of time; or if you would like to hugely diversify your knowledge on the subject of the railway construction and the history of the country and be treated as a welcome guest as well as a client. The Circum Baikal Railway is rightfully considered the most beautiful part of the Trans-Siberian Railway. An open-air monument of engineering ideas with its numerous tunnels, bridges, viaducts, and protective walls has become one of the most favorite destinations on Baikal. And we are inviting you to join us on this trip and explore “the golden buckle of Transsib” in a very elegant and convenient way. With us, you will observe the most iconic places for a reasonable price and accompanied by a skilled guide.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Air-conditioned vehicle, Snacks, Guide service throught the tour, 4 hour boat excursion

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Reviewed By folga22

Highly recommended!!! We spent a week on Lake Baikal carefully guided by Nadezhda. We visited Irkutsk, then we moved together to Listvyanka for one night, then to Olkhon for three days, and finally came back to Irkutsk. Nadya was doing her best during this period making all our wishes come true, giving useful and practical tips for our spare time and dealing with all organizational problems. So she is a wonderful guide: intelligent, talkative, well-awared, humorous, extremely responsive and resbonsible with her guests, and her sense of proportion and tact is amazing. The region is now on its way to providing good services for travelers and Nadezhda is the best role model for those who learn how to manage this process. Thank you for this unforgettable trip, dear Nadyusha!

2. Two Religions Of Baikal: Shamanism And Buddhism

Baikal Local
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

This authentic trip is for those travelers, who want to get acquainted with Asian traditions, with Buryats (local population), who have been shamanists since the old times and started to become Buddhists in the XVIIth century. You will have a chance to meet locals, ride horses and even to live in the gers (nomadic tents). You’ll also have a conversation to real shamans and try national food of Buryats. Living in civilized world, spending plenty of time with phones, laptops and other gadgets, we started to lose connection to the present moment. Vacation in the wild nature of Siberia with fresh air, surrounded by Baikal lake, will fill you with energy and restore health.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Tickets to the museums, Guides services for 11 days, Traditional ritual by shaman, Entrance tickets to the national parks , Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Accommodation is excluded. We can add it at your request depending on the type of roo you choose, Meals

Reviewed By hansibansi_H_

We were in Irkutsk and wanted to make a one day tour on Olkhon. In the tourist info we were given the contact from Tanya. The organization was very uncomplicated, we told her what we wanted and she organized this in a short time. The driver was very friendly and funny, even if he did not speak English we got along very well with facial expressions and gestures. He showed us the most beautiful places and let us discover some of them by ourselves, he also cooked us a delicious traditional fish soup. We liked the tour very much and we were glad that something could be organized for us at such short notice and without complications.

3. The first date with Baikal in Listvyanka

Elena Kosygina
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Listvyanka is the best place to visit Lake Baikal especially if you are restricted in time.The minibus / private car will pick you up from the hotel and you will start your way to Listvyanka, which is 70 km away from Irkutsk. After a while there will be a stop and you will visit Talzy. It is an open-air museum of wooden architecture. The next stop will be at the rock of Shaman, the place which is full of legends and mysteries. Soon after this stop we will visit Baikal museum which discloses the secrets of water purity, flora and fauna of the lake. Then we go to the fish market where you can try Baikal omul. After all these cable way will bring you Chersky’s stone – the picturesque place at the top of 748m above sea level.

Inclusions: Private transportation, a bottle of Baikal water, Taltzy museum tickets

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4. Full day tour to Listvyanka, Baikal!

Baikal Geographic
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

You will be picked up from your hotel by a comfortable minivan. On the way to Listvyanka you will visit the wooden ethnography museum Taltsy and the Baikal limnology museum to find out more about the Siberian exploration by Russians, local people settlements, and scientific study of the lake. In Listvyanka you will rise by a cableway to an observation platform "Czerskiy Stone", with stunning views of Lake Baikal and the source of the Angara River. Then you can visit the famous fish market and taste endemic Baikal fish. What's included: - private transfer: Irkutsk - Listvyanka – Irkutsk - guide service during the tour - Irkutsk city tour around historical center of the town - tickets for a chair lift to the observation point "Cherskiy Stone" - tickets for "Taltsy" museum - tickets for Baikal Limnological Museum - free time to explore Listvyanka and visit a fish market - opportunity for customization

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Guide service throughout the tour, Visit to an open-air Taltsy museum , Chair lift ride to an observation point, Visit to Baikal Limnological Museum

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Reviewed By T7822DJchriso

This was the most efficient way to see the lake from Irkutsk. The vehicle was clean and in perfect condition. Victor is a fun person and drove very safely.

5. Full day transportation to Listvyanka, Baikal!

Baikal Geographic
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

You will be picked up from your hotel by a comfortable minivan. On the way to Listvyanka you will visit the wooden ethnography museum Taltsy and the Baikal limnology museum to find out more about the Siberian exploration by Russians, local people settlements, and scientific study of the lake. In Listvyanka you will rise by a cableway to an observation platform "Czerskiy Stone", with stunning views of Lake Baikal and the source of the Angara River. Then you can visit the famous fish market and taste endemic Baikal fish. We always take into account the interests of our clients and we are open to discussing the itinerary, time and any other details. What's included: - private transfer: Irkutsk - Listvyanka – Irkutsk - tickets for a chair lift to the observation point "Cherskiy Stone" - tickets for "Taltsy" museum - tickets for Baikal Limnological Museum - free time to explore Listvyanka and visit a fish market - opportunity for customization

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Full day transportation, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water

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Reviewed By Zlaya_Ania

It was amazing and interesting tour with great driver Viktor on his comfortable minivan. He met us at the airport, helped with our luggage and gave us a tour to the most beautiful and interesting places in Listvyanka region.

6. Local Culture and Mountainous Paysages

Baikal Local
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Tunka Valley is called the land of Geser, Buryat (local people's hero), who fought against The Evil Khan, attacking the peaceful land. The guests like this area for untouched beauty of eternal snowy-peaked Siberian Alps mountains, green meadows, curing hot springs and tasty local cuisine. This is the place, where locals continue to live their cattle breeding lifestyle, some of them have yurts (gers), and if you stay for another day and go to the most remote areas at the border with Mongolia, you will see locals living the lives of their ancestors. Here a lot of local ethnic festivals are held, including ethnic dance, wrestling, horse riding and breaking the bones of animals contests.

Inclusions: Lunch, Private transportation, Guide's services

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Reviewed By hansibansi_H_

We were in Irkutsk and wanted to make a one day tour on Olkhon. In the tourist info we were given the contact from Tanya. The organization was very uncomplicated, we told her what we wanted and she organized this in a short time. The driver was very friendly and funny, even if he did not speak English we got along very well with facial expressions and gestures. He showed us the most beautiful places and let us discover some of them by ourselves, he also cooked us a delicious traditional fish soup. We liked the tour very much and we were glad that something could be organized for us at such short notice and without complications.

7. Winter Olkhon Island 2 days tour

Baikal Secrets
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

All amazing and must see spots in a limited time. Flexible itinerary. Individual or group tour upon request.

Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Private transportation

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Carsten1960

Ivan guided us through an unforgettable two days trip from Irkutsk to the ice covered Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island. Ivan offered an a fine an flexible service, he sensed our wishes very well during the trip and adapted the plan accordingly. We think this was very important to give us the unique travel experience we wanted. Ivan speaks good English, he is knowledgeable about geography, local history and religion. We learned a lot about the Baikal area, the Buryat people and shamanism. This contributed to a very good travel experience. Lake Baikal is a Siberian gem and a must see natural beauty. A trip to the Baikal had been on our wishlist for years. Baikal Secrets and Ivan helped us make this travel dream come true. When or if we come back to experience the lake during summer, we will not hesitate to use Baikal Secrets again. I give Baikal Secrets my best recommendations

8. Best experience on Baikal: Listvyanka and Irkutsk!

SeeBaikal
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4.9 based on 10 reviews

This tour is an elegant way to get acquainted with a cozy Siberian city called Irkutsk and the nearest town on Lake Baikal which is Listvyanka Village. You'll find yourself on the shores of the deepest and oldest lake on earth, race its waves on a boat excursion, ride a chair lift while observing Baikal with the taiga forest beneath your feet, and snow-capped mountains in the distance, learn some curious facts about Siberia’s exploration, taste delicious Russian cuisine and regional drinks. What's included: • Private transportation Irkutsk - Listvyanka – Irkutsk • Service of an English-speaking guide throughout the tour • Irkutsk city tour around historical center of the town • Visit to the observation point using the service of the chair lift • 40-min boat excursion on Lake Baikal • 60-min free time to visit an open-air fish and souvenir market

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By folga22

Highly recommended!!! We spent a week on Lake Baikal carefully guided by Nadezhda. We visited Irkutsk, then we moved together to Listvyanka for one night, then to Olkhon for three days, and finally came back to Irkutsk. Nadya was doing her best during this period making all our wishes come true, giving useful and practical tips for our spare time and dealing with all organizational problems. So she is a wonderful guide: intelligent, talkative, well-awared, humorous, extremely responsive and resbonsible with her guests, and her sense of proportion and tact is amazing. The region is now on its way to providing good services for travelers and Nadezhda is the best role model for those who learn how to manage this process. Thank you for this unforgettable trip, dear Nadyusha!

9. Trans-Siberian Express

Mongolian Ways - Mongolia Tours & Travel
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

The Trans-Siberian Train- a term that thrills adventurers of all kinds. Of the different branches of the Trans-Siberian Train, the Trans-Mongolian is the most traveled route, mainly due to the fact that in one journey one could explore three different countries, and three different distinct cultures. But long train rides over the vast open Siberian taiga and tundra might just not meet the preferences of many travelers. We have thus designed a trip that focuses on the true real gems of this long train ride. Our journey begins by Lake Baikal of Russian Siberia, on to the land of the Mongol Nomads, and ends in Beijing, the Chinese capital. Featuring two of the most spectacular sections of the Trans-Mongolia railway, and with enough time to explore at ease the unique culture and spectacular sites along the route, this is the perfect trip for those wishing to combine an iconic train ride with up-close encounters with local cultures.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Accommodation at hotels selected including breakfast, Train tickets for the train rides segments indicated in the program on a half-compartment basis, Transfers by private A/C vehicles at each train stop, Meals as indicated in the program, English speaking guide at each train stop, Entry fees for all shows and sightseeing as per program

Exclusions: International airfare to Irkutsk, and from Beijing, Travel Insurance, Russian Tourist Visa, Mongolian Tourist Visa, Chinese Tourist Visa, Food, meals or drinks aboard the train, Excess luggage, Gratuities

Reviewed By BorisBoris84

Everything just worked out on this tour i did in nov 2019. Actually mongolian ways was one of the few actually offering during this offseason time of the year. Both guide and driver have proofen excellent organizational, driving, translating skills and made everytjing possible. One night for example was really cold so they spontanipusly organized a warmer place for the next day. A lot was organized according to the situation which gave maximum flexibility. We visited places which are not usually on the tourists list as for example a coal mine. I was never pressured to hurry up or and still everything worked out because the dtiver was so well connected with the locals. And of course... the sights I saw where amazing.

10. Full-Day Private Tour to the Shamans from Irkutsk

U Visit Russia

Ethnographical tour around the Lake Baikal area, an exiting visit to the region where Shamanism is still practised. It is a brilliant way to experience the Buryat people’s traditional hospitality and cuisine, to enjoy their dancing and music. You are invited to take part in the original ceremony of "meeting-and-greeting" guests at a Buryat dwelling, view the folk art, make offerings to the local spirits, and feel like a medieval nomad. • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Inclusions: Round-trip private transfer, Professional local guide, Folk program, Visit to Shaman, Buryat national lunch, Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By john m

We booked for the Swan Lake ballet on 25 December 2019, with travel date on 24 May 2020, through U Visit Russia. . Due to the Covit19 pandemic we were unable to visit Russia nor attend the ballet. Two tickets were purchased for US$465.50. U Visit Russia was advised of not being able to attend and agreed to pay a full refund but there would be a delay due to the number of cancellations. After some time no refund was forthcoming and U Visit Russia was again contacted by email and we were advised that due to the volume of cancellations the refund would be credited to our credit card within 9 weeks. Nothing and again they were contacted by email but no response was ever received. No refund was ever received. Nothing!! The lesson is to beware of ever dealing with this company.

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