Safe travels in the summer and winter
Safe travels in the summer and winter
No matter what the season, we always want your trip around Baikal to be safe and secure. It's good to prepare for your trip ahead of time—start by bringing a personal first-aid kit, and a translation app on your phone that will allow you to communicate with local people. And we hope it is not too banal to say that you should always be careful of your wallet, purse, passport, and camera when you are in crowded places. No reason to risk spoiling your visit by being careless.
No matter what the season, we always want your trip around Baikal to be safe and secure. It's good to prepare for your trip ahead of time—start by bringing a personal first-aid kit, and a translation app on your phone that will allow you to communicate with local people. And we hope it is not too banal to say that you should always be careful of your wallet, purse, passport, and camera when you are in crowded places. No reason to risk spoiling your visit by being careless.
Recommendations for Summer
We've all heard about how cold it is in Siberia, and how the snow almost never melts! :) Well, we'd like to share a secret with you: for much of the year the weather here is wonderful! The climate in Eastern Siberia is continental—which means summers can be sunny, mostly dry, and quite warm (up to +30 C, or 85 F).
In reality we enjoy more than 300 sunny days a year in our region. So be sure to bring some good sunscreen, especially if you plan to spend time out near the water, where the reflection of the sun can add to the risk of getting a sun-burn. It can also be windy during the day. So you might want to bring a cap and sunglasses for your visit. In the end, when you get home you can maybe brag to your friends that you actually got a sun tan in Siberia, of all places!
In reality we enjoy more than 300 sunny days a year in our region. So be sure to bring some good sunscreen, especially if you plan to spend time out near the water, where the reflection of the sun can add to the risk of getting a sun-burn. It can also be windy during the day. So you might want to bring a cap and sunglasses for your visit. In the end, when you get home you can maybe brag to your friends that you actually got a sun tan in Siberia, of all places!
Recommendations for Summer
We've all heard about how cold it is in Siberia, and how the snow almost never melts! :) Well, we'd like to share a secret with you: for much of the year the weather here is wonderful! The climate in Eastern Siberia is continental—which means summers can be sunny, mostly dry, and quite warm (up to +30 C, or 85 F).
In reality we enjoy more than 300 sunny days a year in our region. So be sure to bring some good sunscreen, especially if you plan to spend time out near the water, where the reflection of the sun can add to the risk of getting a sun-burn. It can also be windy during the day. So you might want to bring a cap and sunglasses for your visit. In the end, when you get home you can maybe brag to your friends that you actually got a sun tan in Siberia, of all places!
In reality we enjoy more than 300 sunny days a year in our region. So be sure to bring some good sunscreen, especially if you plan to spend time out near the water, where the reflection of the sun can add to the risk of getting a sun-burn. It can also be windy during the day. So you might want to bring a cap and sunglasses for your visit. In the end, when you get home you can maybe brag to your friends that you actually got a sun tan in Siberia, of all places!
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Drinking water
You are in luck when you travel to Baikal. We live near to the deepest fresh-water lake in the world, a place where you will have no problem getting the purest water in all of nature to drink. This means that you can usually drink water out of the tap in our cities; you can certainly use it for cooking.
We recommend that you bring a thermos or reusable water bottle, so that you won't need to buy bottled water during your hikes around the city or in one of our national parks. There's already enough plastic and polyethylene littering our planet and seeping into our oceans and lakes—and we all want to keep Baikal clean from plastic, if possible. If you bring your own bottle you'll find that most hotels have a place to fill them up with clean drinking water in their lobbies. And if you're hiking along the lake, or near to one of our wild streams, you can fill up your bottle straight from nature. (For anyone who wants to take longer hikes over multiple days, we would probably recommend bringing a small portable water filter, just in case.)
We recommend that you bring a thermos or reusable water bottle, so that you won't need to buy bottled water during your hikes around the city or in one of our national parks. There's already enough plastic and polyethylene littering our planet and seeping into our oceans and lakes—and we all want to keep Baikal clean from plastic, if possible. If you bring your own bottle you'll find that most hotels have a place to fill them up with clean drinking water in their lobbies. And if you're hiking along the lake, or near to one of our wild streams, you can fill up your bottle straight from nature. (For anyone who wants to take longer hikes over multiple days, we would probably recommend bringing a small portable water filter, just in case.)
Insects
When you're near the lake you rarely need to worry about any annoying insects. The cold water and the frequent winds will usually keep them to a minimum. For 2-3 weeks in the middle of summer you will come across horseflies and gadflies, especially if you are traveling in the Tazheransky or other nearby steppe-lands. Of course, if you are alergic or sensitive to insect bites, you should pack away some non-toxic repellent for your visit to the lake.
The one time where you will need to be careful of insects is during the months of May and June, when the forests here will have ticks. These ticks can be carriers of encephalitis, borreliosis, or other unpleasant diseases. So if you come in late spring, and plan to take hikes out into the wild, then you should be very careful, bring special repellent, and try not to brush up against trees—all the while checking yourself for ticks on a regular basis.
The one time where you will need to be careful of insects is during the months of May and June, when the forests here will have ticks. These ticks can be carriers of encephalitis, borreliosis, or other unpleasant diseases. So if you come in late spring, and plan to take hikes out into the wild, then you should be very careful, bring special repellent, and try not to brush up against trees—all the while checking yourself for ticks on a regular basis.
Wild animals
Almost all of our wild animals would prefer to avoid human beings. They won't be that interested in you or what you're doing as you hike through their habitat. Nevertheless, there are cases where humans stumble upon a bear and risk some danger. If you are part of a larger group when this happens, the bear will almost always retreat. But you can definitely see bears out in the wild here. There is one famous local bear who for some reason loves to hang out along the Round-Baikal railway path south of Port Baikal.
Another one is seen regularly at Cape Kadilnaya, also on the west side of the lake. And families of bears can also be seen romping along the beaches of Zabaikalski National Park north of Ulan-Ude. In all cases, please steer well clear of any bears with smaller cubs; they tend to be protective of their young. And if there are any recent sightings of bears, the local national park offices will post alert-notices for tourists.
Another one is seen regularly at Cape Kadilnaya, also on the west side of the lake. And families of bears can also be seen romping along the beaches of Zabaikalski National Park north of Ulan-Ude. In all cases, please steer well clear of any bears with smaller cubs; they tend to be protective of their young. And if there are any recent sightings of bears, the local national park offices will post alert-notices for tourists.
Hiking out in the wild
It is always a good idea to know where you are going if you head out into the wilderness. If you have a tour guide, she or he can help you choose the best trails. But if you are traveling without a guide, then you might want to check out the Great Baikal Trail webpages, with maps of possible routes around the lake. Many of these trails will lead you into or around one of our many national parks or nature reserves at Baikal. Be sure to register with these parks before using their trails.
Your tour guide should also provide you with a complete list of equipment, clothing and additional items that you will need, depending on the time of year and the complexity of your hike. We would not recommend wearing sneakers along our trails, but good sturdy walking boots. Even in summer you might want to pack in a light down jacket, a hat and thermal underwear. As a result, you might need a larger backpack than you might expect for your hikes.
Your tour guide should also provide you with a complete list of equipment, clothing and additional items that you will need, depending on the time of year and the complexity of your hike. We would not recommend wearing sneakers along our trails, but good sturdy walking boots. Even in summer you might want to pack in a light down jacket, a hat and thermal underwear. As a result, you might need a larger backpack than you might expect for your hikes.
Drinking water
You are in luck when you travel to Baikal. We live near to the deepest fresh-water lake in the world, a place where you will have no problem getting the purest water in all of nature to drink. This means that you can usually drink water out of the tap in our cities; you can certainly use it for cooking.
We recommend that you bring a thermos or reusable water bottle, so that you won't need to buy bottled water during your hikes around the city or in one of our national parks. There's already enough plastic and polyethylene littering our planet and seeping into our oceans and lakes—and we all want to keep Baikal clean from plastic, if possible. If you bring your own bottle you'll find that most hotels have a place to fill them up with clean drinking water in their lobbies. And if you're hiking along the lake, or near to one of our wild streams, you can fill up your bottle straight from nature. (For anyone who wants to take longer hikes over multiple days, we would probably recommend bringing a small portable water filter, just in case.)
We recommend that you bring a thermos or reusable water bottle, so that you won't need to buy bottled water during your hikes around the city or in one of our national parks. There's already enough plastic and polyethylene littering our planet and seeping into our oceans and lakes—and we all want to keep Baikal clean from plastic, if possible. If you bring your own bottle you'll find that most hotels have a place to fill them up with clean drinking water in their lobbies. And if you're hiking along the lake, or near to one of our wild streams, you can fill up your bottle straight from nature. (For anyone who wants to take longer hikes over multiple days, we would probably recommend bringing a small portable water filter, just in case.)
Insects
When you're near the lake you rarely need to worry about any annoying insects. The cold water and the frequent winds will usually keep them to a minimum. For 2-3 weeks in the middle of summer you will come across horseflies and gadflies, especially if you are traveling in the Tazheransky or other nearby steppe-lands. Of course, if you are alergic or sensitive to insect bites, you should pack away some non-toxic repellent for your visit to the lake.
The one time where you will need to be careful of insects is during the months of May and June, when the forests here will have ticks. These ticks can be carriers of encephalitis, borreliosis, or other unpleasant diseases. So if you come in late spring, and plan to take hikes out into the wild, then you should be very careful, bring special repellent, and try not to brush up against trees—all the while checking yourself for ticks on a regular basis.
The one time where you will need to be careful of insects is during the months of May and June, when the forests here will have ticks. These ticks can be carriers of encephalitis, borreliosis, or other unpleasant diseases. So if you come in late spring, and plan to take hikes out into the wild, then you should be very careful, bring special repellent, and try not to brush up against trees—all the while checking yourself for ticks on a regular basis.
Wild animals
Almost all of our wild animals would prefer to avoid human beings. They won't be that interested in you or what you're doing as you hike through their habitat. Nevertheless, there are cases where humans stumble upon a bear and risk some danger. If you are part of a larger group when this happens, the bear will almost always retreat. But you can definitely see bears out in the wild here. There is one famous local bear who for some reason loves to hang out along the Round-Baikal railway path south of Port Baikal.
Another one is seen regularly at Cape Kadilnaya, also on the west side of the lake. And families of bears can also be seen romping along the beaches of Zabaikalski National Park north of Ulan-Ude. In all cases, please steer well clear of any bears with smaller cubs; they tend to be protective of their young. And if there are any recent sightings of bears, the local national park offices will post alert-notices for tourists.
Another one is seen regularly at Cape Kadilnaya, also on the west side of the lake. And families of bears can also be seen romping along the beaches of Zabaikalski National Park north of Ulan-Ude. In all cases, please steer well clear of any bears with smaller cubs; they tend to be protective of their young. And if there are any recent sightings of bears, the local national park offices will post alert-notices for tourists.
Hiking out in the wild
It is always a good idea to know where you are going if you head out into the wilderness. If you have a tour guide, she or he can help you choose the best trails. But if you are traveling without a guide, then you might want to check out the Great Baikal Trail webpages, with maps of possible routes around the lake. Many of these trails will lead you into or around one of our many national parks or nature reserves at Baikal. Be sure to register with these parks before using their trails.
Your tour guide should also provide you with a complete list of equipment, clothing and additional items that you will need, depending on the time of year and the complexity of your hike. We would not recommend wearing sneakers along our trails, but good sturdy walking boots. Even in summer you might want to pack in a light down jacket, a hat and thermal underwear. As a result, you might need a larger backpack than you might expect for your hikes.
Your tour guide should also provide you with a complete list of equipment, clothing and additional items that you will need, depending on the time of year and the complexity of your hike. We would not recommend wearing sneakers along our trails, but good sturdy walking boots. Even in summer you might want to pack in a light down jacket, a hat and thermal underwear. As a result, you might need a larger backpack than you might expect for your hikes.
Recommendations for the Winter
For openers we can say that the best time to visit during the off-season is from the end of January to March. This is our prime winter season, when visitors flock to the lake to enjoy the translucent Baikal ice. Many people might hesitate to visit the lake during this time, thinking that it might be too cold and windy. But if you have the right clothes and equipment—and if you know what to expect and how to prepare for lower temperatures—then you are assured of enjoying a fun and amazingly scenic trip out onto the icy terrain here at the lake.
Recommendations for the Winter
For openers we can say that the best time to visit during the off-season is from the end of January to March. This is our prime winter season, when visitors flock to the lake to enjoy the translucent Baikal ice. Many people might hesitate to visit the lake during this time, thinking that it might be too cold and windy. But if you have the right clothes and equipment—and if you know what to expect and how to prepare for lower temperatures—then you are assured of enjoying a fun and amazingly scenic trip out onto the icy terrain here at the lake.
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What to bring in the way of winter clothing and equipment
The rule of thumb is to bring layers of clothes for your winter visit. Yes, you might end up feeling like a cabbage; but this is the way to keep your body at the right temperature during the day. Be sure to bring thermal underwear, maybe a fleece sweater, and of course a down jacket with a hood. You might want to pack away a good wind jacket, several pairs of warm socks and mittens, and a warm scarf or something to cover your face.
Your choice of footwear is extremely important. You should have comfortable shoes with sturdy soles. You might want to bring a trekking stick, or special ice shoes with crampons. It's also possible to rent light sleds to pull your supplies and equipment across the lake. There are even small portable chemical-heating pads to insert into your shoes or gloves. These are but a few items on our list to help you avoid getting too cold during your hike out onto the lake. In any case, you probably will want to stay active while out of doors. There are some tourists who bring their cars out onto the lake to get warm from time to time; or others who bring small hovercraft to travel out along the ice. More extreme are the people who tow in their own portable saunas (you never would think that you'd want to bring a swimsuit to Baikal for the winter!).
Your choice of footwear is extremely important. You should have comfortable shoes with sturdy soles. You might want to bring a trekking stick, or special ice shoes with crampons. It's also possible to rent light sleds to pull your supplies and equipment across the lake. There are even small portable chemical-heating pads to insert into your shoes or gloves. These are but a few items on our list to help you avoid getting too cold during your hike out onto the lake. In any case, you probably will want to stay active while out of doors. There are some tourists who bring their cars out onto the lake to get warm from time to time; or others who bring small hovercraft to travel out along the ice. More extreme are the people who tow in their own portable saunas (you never would think that you'd want to bring a swimsuit to Baikal for the winter!).
The winter sun and Baikal winds
Some visitors find it hard to believe that there is so much sun in Siberia during the summer. But in winter you have to be even more careful of the sun. If you don't take precautions, you can easily end up with a sunburned face, or worse, a case of eye-burn on your retinas. You have to remember that in winter, the sunrays bounce off the ice and snow up into your face. So strong sunscreen and sunglasses (or a ski mask) should be number one on your to-bring list, to prevent wind- and sun-burn.
What to bring in the way of winter clothing and equipment
The rule of thumb is to bring layers of clothes for your winter visit. Yes, you might end up feeling like a cabbage; but this is the way to keep your body at the right temperature during the day. Be sure to bring thermal underwear, maybe a fleece sweater, and of course a down jacket with a hood. You might want to pack away a good wind jacket, several pairs of warm socks and mittens, and a warm scarf or something to cover your face.
Your choice of footwear is extremely important. You should have comfortable shoes with sturdy soles. You might want to bring a trekking stick, or special ice shoes with crampons. It's also possible to rent light sleds to pull your supplies and equipment across the lake. There are even small portable chemical-heating pads to insert into your shoes or gloves. These are but a few items on our list to help you avoid getting too cold during your hike out onto the lake. In any case, you probably will want to stay active while out of doors. There are some tourists who bring their cars out onto the lake to get warm from time to time; or others who bring small hovercraft to travel out along the ice. More extreme are the people who tow in their own portable saunas (you never would think that you'd want to bring a swimsuit to Baikal for the winter!).
Your choice of footwear is extremely important. You should have comfortable shoes with sturdy soles. You might want to bring a trekking stick, or special ice shoes with crampons. It's also possible to rent light sleds to pull your supplies and equipment across the lake. There are even small portable chemical-heating pads to insert into your shoes or gloves. These are but a few items on our list to help you avoid getting too cold during your hike out onto the lake. In any case, you probably will want to stay active while out of doors. There are some tourists who bring their cars out onto the lake to get warm from time to time; or others who bring small hovercraft to travel out along the ice. More extreme are the people who tow in their own portable saunas (you never would think that you'd want to bring a swimsuit to Baikal for the winter!).
The winter sun and Baikal winds
Some visitors find it hard to believe that there is so much sun in Siberia during the summer. But in winter you have to be even more careful of the sun. If you don't take precautions, you can easily end up with a sunburned face, or worse, a case of eye-burn on your retinas. You have to remember that in winter, the sunrays bounce off the ice and snow up into your face. So strong sunscreen and sunglasses (or a ski mask) should be number one on your to-bring list, to prevent wind- and sun-burn.
The Baikal Ice
The ice on the lake is a big draw for visitors. On a good winter's day there will hundreds of photographers, hikers, ice-skaters, x-country skiers, even groups with dog sleds out on the lake. It won't be too crowded, because the lake is so huge. Please remember that the ice can be deceptive in its transparent beauty—you still have to watch where you're going. Of course, it's not risky to go out onto the ice as long as you use your common sense.
Baikal will be fully covered with ice by the end of January. The bays and inlets between Olkhon Island and the mainland will become enveloped in ice already by the end of November. If you go out onto the lake during this early part of the season, we advise that you bring a local guide who knows where you might encounter cracks or areas of thin ice. We Siberians know that ice that is 15-20 centimeters thick is safe for walking or ice skating. And 40-50 cm will be strong enough to hold up a car, or an entire camp site of tents. But ice is always unpredictable over time. Warm underwater currents can thin the ice quickly. Also the ice near our rocky shorelines during sunny days can crack if you put too much weight on them.
Driving over the ice in cars is allowed only on the official route from the mainland to Olkhon Island. This ice road usually opens in mid-February, and closes in mid-March. In other places, driving is prohibited. Our smaller hovercraft offer a great alternative for over-lake travel. Safe, fast and comfortable.
If you go out for hike you will need good ice boots and a walking stick. Please also remember to bring an extra battery for your phone. In cold weather, most mobile devices will lose their power in a matter of minutes.
At a number of sites near to shore you will encounter ice caves, grottoes, and frozen waves and splashes of ice. These all form at the beginning of winter, and will not form again if you damage them in any way. So do leave the icicles and larger icy stalactites and stalagmites in their place, for other tourists to enjoy later in the winter. You can't take icicles home as souvenirs in any case, so please don't dismantle them. And if you bring out a picnic, remember to pack out all your garbage when you leave. Human waste is always a problem at any lake. We all want to enjoy the pristine ice of Baikal, and all its transparent beauty!
Baikal will be fully covered with ice by the end of January. The bays and inlets between Olkhon Island and the mainland will become enveloped in ice already by the end of November. If you go out onto the lake during this early part of the season, we advise that you bring a local guide who knows where you might encounter cracks or areas of thin ice. We Siberians know that ice that is 15-20 centimeters thick is safe for walking or ice skating. And 40-50 cm will be strong enough to hold up a car, or an entire camp site of tents. But ice is always unpredictable over time. Warm underwater currents can thin the ice quickly. Also the ice near our rocky shorelines during sunny days can crack if you put too much weight on them.
Driving over the ice in cars is allowed only on the official route from the mainland to Olkhon Island. This ice road usually opens in mid-February, and closes in mid-March. In other places, driving is prohibited. Our smaller hovercraft offer a great alternative for over-lake travel. Safe, fast and comfortable.
If you go out for hike you will need good ice boots and a walking stick. Please also remember to bring an extra battery for your phone. In cold weather, most mobile devices will lose their power in a matter of minutes.
At a number of sites near to shore you will encounter ice caves, grottoes, and frozen waves and splashes of ice. These all form at the beginning of winter, and will not form again if you damage them in any way. So do leave the icicles and larger icy stalactites and stalagmites in their place, for other tourists to enjoy later in the winter. You can't take icicles home as souvenirs in any case, so please don't dismantle them. And if you bring out a picnic, remember to pack out all your garbage when you leave. Human waste is always a problem at any lake. We all want to enjoy the pristine ice of Baikal, and all its transparent beauty!
The Baikal Ice
The ice on the lake is a big draw for visitors. On a good winter's day there will hundreds of photographers, hikers, ice-skaters, x-country skiers, even groups with dog sleds out on the lake. It won't be too crowded, because the lake is so huge. Please remember that the ice can be deceptive in its transparent beauty—you still have to watch where you're going. Of course, it's not risky to go out onto the ice as long as you use your common sense.
Baikal will be fully covered with ice by the end of January. The bays and inlets between Olkhon Island and the mainland will become enveloped in ice already by the end of November. If you go out onto the lake during this early part of the season, we advise that you bring a local guide who knows where you might encounter cracks or areas of thin ice. We Siberians know that ice that is 15-20 centimeters thick is safe for walking or ice skating. And 40-50 cm will be strong enough to hold up a car, or an entire camp site of tents. But ice is always unpredictable over time. Warm underwater currents can thin the ice quickly. Also the ice near our rocky shorelines during sunny days can crack if you put too much weight on them.
Driving over the ice in cars is allowed only on the official route from the mainland to Olkhon Island. This ice road usually opens in mid-February, and closes in mid-March. In other places, driving is prohibited. Our smaller hovercraft offer a great alternative for over-lake travel. Safe, fast and comfortable.
If you go out for hike you will need good ice boots and a walking stick. Please also remember to bring an extra battery for your phone. In cold weather, most mobile devices will lose their power in a matter of minutes.
At a number of sites near to shore you will encounter ice caves, grottoes, and frozen waves and splashes of ice. These all form at the beginning of winter, and will not form again if you damage them in any way. So do leave the icicles and larger icy stalactites and stalagmites in their place, for other tourists to enjoy later in the winter. You can't take icicles home as souvenirs in any case, so please don't dismantle them. And if you bring out a picnic, remember to pack out all your garbage when you leave. Human waste is always a problem at any lake. We all want to enjoy the pristine ice of Baikal, and all its transparent beauty!
Baikal will be fully covered with ice by the end of January. The bays and inlets between Olkhon Island and the mainland will become enveloped in ice already by the end of November. If you go out onto the lake during this early part of the season, we advise that you bring a local guide who knows where you might encounter cracks or areas of thin ice. We Siberians know that ice that is 15-20 centimeters thick is safe for walking or ice skating. And 40-50 cm will be strong enough to hold up a car, or an entire camp site of tents. But ice is always unpredictable over time. Warm underwater currents can thin the ice quickly. Also the ice near our rocky shorelines during sunny days can crack if you put too much weight on them.
Driving over the ice in cars is allowed only on the official route from the mainland to Olkhon Island. This ice road usually opens in mid-February, and closes in mid-March. In other places, driving is prohibited. Our smaller hovercraft offer a great alternative for over-lake travel. Safe, fast and comfortable.
If you go out for hike you will need good ice boots and a walking stick. Please also remember to bring an extra battery for your phone. In cold weather, most mobile devices will lose their power in a matter of minutes.
At a number of sites near to shore you will encounter ice caves, grottoes, and frozen waves and splashes of ice. These all form at the beginning of winter, and will not form again if you damage them in any way. So do leave the icicles and larger icy stalactites and stalagmites in their place, for other tourists to enjoy later in the winter. You can't take icicles home as souvenirs in any case, so please don't dismantle them. And if you bring out a picnic, remember to pack out all your garbage when you leave. Human waste is always a problem at any lake. We all want to enjoy the pristine ice of Baikal, and all its transparent beauty!