Baikal: overview
There are places on Earth, the pristine beauty of which, greatness and amazing harmony, demonstrate the unlimited possibilities of the creative power of nature. This is the Siberian Lake Baikal - a unique creation of nature, a national treasure, and the pride of Russia. Baikal is often called the sea for its violent temper, for the fact that the distant opposite shore is often hidden somewhere in the haze. At the same time, a distinction is made between the Small and the Big Sea. The Small Sea is what is located between the northern coast of Olkhon island and the mainland, and everything else is the Big Sea. Baikal is a pearl among the lakes of the world, it is famous for its geological antiquity and original forms of the animal world, the origin of which has not been fully understood yet. Baikal is the most endemic lake in the world. There is no other lake in which three of the four species of animals would not be found anywhere else. This is home to such a large number of living species that went extinct in all other places. It is the deepest lake in the world. Its depth reaches 1637 meters. This is the largest repository of clean water not only in our country but throughout the entire globe. The specific qualities of Baikal water are a consequence of various processes in the lake basin, the circulation of matter, and energy in the reservoir itself. The clean freshwater of Lake Baikal is a valuable natural treasure of national importance. The combination of bizarre landforms with various landscapes gives Baikal and its surroundings extraordinary beauty and originality, to put this lake on a par with the famous Swiss lakes that attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Baikal is especially beautiful on clear, quiet, sunny days. The high mountains surrounding it with snow-capped peaks and mountain ridges sparkling in the sun are reflected in the vast blue water space. The air is so transparent that the coastal distance can be seen for tens of kilometers and deceptively seem close. In terms of the number of sunny days, Baikal surpasses many southern resort areas of the Black Sea coast and some places on the Mediterranean coast, such as Nice. Every year a large number of tourists from all over Russia and abroad rush to the shores of the lake. And no one will leave indifferent to the beauty of Lake Baikal, its emerald transparent water, many beautiful bays and beaches, fast rivers, crystal waterfalls, boundless spaces of forests and mountains, and clean mountain air.
Availability of transport hubs
Airport
Port
Railway station
Bus station
Climatic features
Winter
In November, the piercing Sarma is already blowing more often, a severe Baikal wind, at times so strong that it is difficult to stand. Cold windy weather alternates with sunny days. Snow falls only in December, but does not lie for a long time, it is scattered by the Baikal winds. Therefore, usually in winter, the steppe lands and hills in the Tazheran steppes are bare, snowless, very beautiful, unusual lunar landscapes are created. Baikal is completely covered with ice only in January, or even by the beginning of February. An opportune time is coming for those who like ice fishing, ice skating and just walking on the amazing Baikal ice. In February-March, the ice is the strongest and you can even drive in cars along the bays.
Air temperature:
up to -8... -22 °С
Spring
The seasons on Lake Baikal are shifted by 2-4 weeks in relation to other places in the Irkutsk region. Baikal is freed from ice by the end of April. The Tazheran steppes are literally covered with flowering carpets of snowdrops and other delicate small flowers. It is chilling from Baikal, the nights are still very cold, a fresh wind often blows, the weather is very contrasting and changeable. It can change several times a day. The sun in a bright blue sky is very hot, it is very easy to get sunburned since the heat is not felt. Snow can fall in May as well.
Air temperature:
up to -12... +18 °С
Summer
In June, the steppes burn out and nothing remains of the spring splendor. But the air is filled with the spicy aromas of summer herbs. The water in the Olkhonsky Strait area warms up only in July. Some tourists swim in spring, as soon as the ice leaves, they are not afraid of the cold water. On hot July days, the water in Lake Baikal warms up so much that both adults and children do not get out of the water. The nights are getting warm. There are no gnats and mosquitoes. Sometimes windy, sunny weather happens, when it feels not so hot, but you can burn in the sun imperceptibly. It rarely rains.
Air temperature:
up to +10... +25 °С
Autumn
Warm sunny weather will last until September or even the whole of September. Water keeps warm for a long time. Though the nights are getting chilly already. In September - early October, there is a very high, bright blue sky, it's great to walk, it even gets hot at noon. It is very beautiful at this time in the Sarma gorge, there is such an excursion along the mountain river Sarma overgrown with shrubs and trees, the leaves are purple, yellow, and brown, the path winds along the river through colorful thickets.
Air temperature:
up to -12... +16 °С
Useful tips
1 What to pack
- Passport
- Money, bank cards
- Booking confirmations
- Phone, camera and chargers for them
- Plug in adapter if not EU type
- Comfortable sportswear and seasonal footwear
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Beach accessories
- Sunscreen and glasses
- Insect repellents
- Protective face cream and lip balm
- Good mood
2 Top things to do
- See the picturesque valley of the Sarma gorge
- Visit the largest island Olkhon, which is called the heart of Lake Baikal, and the Shamanka rock on it
- Go to the village of Listvyanka with its observation decks with breathtaking views of the lake from above, as well as the Baikal Museum and Listvyanka seal, where you can see the only freshwater seal on the planet
- Visit the uninhabited island of Ogov
- Swim in Kurminsky Bay - one of the warmest places for swimming
- Explore the three-level Dream Cave
- Visit the windless bay of Aya
- See the most beautiful waterfalls of the Kaskadny stream
- Visit the strait between the mainland and Olkhon - the Small Sea and Pribaikalsky National Park
- Put yourself in the hot springs in the village of Goryachinsk
- Take a ride on the Circum-Baikal Railway-open-air museum
- In winter, take a jeeping tour on the ice of Lake Baikal
- Skate on the ice of Lake Baikal or ride a dog sled
- Take 1,000,000 fantastically beautiful photos and videos
3 What to bring back home
- Baikal omul
- Pine nuts (candies "Cedar roasted nuts", honey with pine nuts)
- Buddhist amulets and charms
- Tea from the shores of Lake Baikal
- Jewelry and souvenirs made from local stones
- Toys and souvenirs with seals
- Sweets from local confectionery factories "Amta" and "Angara"
- Leather and wood products
- Baikal sulfur
- Ethnic souvenirs of local peoples