In an emergency, what you should do…
In an emergency, what you should do…
…if you take a wrong turn and get lost...
…around Baikal there is really no reason to panic. And if you are in a city or village, local people will be happy to give you directions when you ask them (through an electronic translator on your phone). In most large cities and other popular tourist stops you will find displays with maps that are marked: "You are here!" In Irkutsk there is even a pedestrian route called the "Green Line." If you see this line on a street, simply follow it, and it will lead you to a convenient road map.
As a rule, in almost all of our towns and villages around Baikal you will find good connection to the internet. Any navigator app should identify your exact location on your phone. When you check into your hotel, be sure to take one of the hotel cards with the street address. Or at least remember the name of your hotel, so that you can ask for directions.
If for some reason you get separated from your group during a tour, then try to text or somehow connect with your guide to provide them with your location data. And if you are going out on a trail, or into the wild, be sure to download a local map first (through maps.me), or bring a paper map with you. Always carry your tour guides' phone numbers with you, as well as contact information for your hotel, or an emergency number for the national park that you are visiting.
As a rule, in almost all of our towns and villages around Baikal you will find good connection to the internet. Any navigator app should identify your exact location on your phone. When you check into your hotel, be sure to take one of the hotel cards with the street address. Or at least remember the name of your hotel, so that you can ask for directions.
If for some reason you get separated from your group during a tour, then try to text or somehow connect with your guide to provide them with your location data. And if you are going out on a trail, or into the wild, be sure to download a local map first (through maps.me), or bring a paper map with you. Always carry your tour guides' phone numbers with you, as well as contact information for your hotel, or an emergency number for the national park that you are visiting.
…if you take a wrong turn and get lost...
…around Baikal there is really no reason to panic. And if you are in a city or village, local people will be happy to give you directions when you ask them (through an electronic translator on your phone). In most large cities and other popular tourist stops you will find displays with maps that are marked: "You are here!" In Irkutsk there is even a pedestrian route called the "Green Line." If you see this line on a street, simply follow it, and it will lead you to a convenient road map.
As a rule, in almost all of our towns and villages around Baikal you will find good connection to the internet. Any navigator app should identify your exact location on your phone. When you check into your hotel, be sure to take one of the hotel cards with the street address. Or at least remember the name of your hotel, so that you can ask for directions.
If for some reason you get separated from your group during a tour, then try to text or somehow connect with your guide to provide them with your location data. And if you are going out on a trail, or into the wild, be sure to download a local map first (through maps.me), or bring a paper map with you. Always carry your tour guides' phone numbers with you, as well as contact information for your hotel, or an emergency number for the national park that you are visiting.
As a rule, in almost all of our towns and villages around Baikal you will find good connection to the internet. Any navigator app should identify your exact location on your phone. When you check into your hotel, be sure to take one of the hotel cards with the street address. Or at least remember the name of your hotel, so that you can ask for directions.
If for some reason you get separated from your group during a tour, then try to text or somehow connect with your guide to provide them with your location data. And if you are going out on a trail, or into the wild, be sure to download a local map first (through maps.me), or bring a paper map with you. Always carry your tour guides' phone numbers with you, as well as contact information for your hotel, or an emergency number for the national park that you are visiting.
…if you lose something or have something stolen:
Travelling around Siberia is relatively safe. Even late at night, if you are coming back from a late dinner to your hotel, you'll rarely run into any kind of trouble. Still, it's a sad fact that everywhere in the world there are pickpockets. In crowded places (in local markets or busy tourist streets) you should keep a careful eye over your backpack, camera and items in your pockets.
Best not to carry around large sums of money. And definitely ask your hotel to make photocopies of your passport and visa as a backup. You should leave these copies in your hotel room, along with an extra bank card, just in case. If you lose your credit card, call to have it blocked immediately. And if you lose your passport you should contact the local police, who will give you a temporary permit to return home.
Best not to carry around large sums of money. And definitely ask your hotel to make photocopies of your passport and visa as a backup. You should leave these copies in your hotel room, along with an extra bank card, just in case. If you lose your credit card, call to have it blocked immediately. And if you lose your passport you should contact the local police, who will give you a temporary permit to return home.
…if you lose something or have something stolen:
Travelling around Siberia is relatively safe. Even late at night, if you are coming back from a late dinner to your hotel, you'll rarely run into any kind of trouble. Still, it's a sad fact that everywhere in the world there are pickpockets. In crowded places (in local markets or busy tourist streets) you should keep a careful eye over your backpack, camera and items in your pockets.
Best not to carry around large sums of money. And definitely ask your hotel to make photocopies of your passport and visa as a backup. You should leave these copies in your hotel room, along with an extra bank card, just in case. If you lose your credit card, call to have it blocked immediately. And if you lose your passport you should contact the local police, who will give you a temporary permit to return home.
Best not to carry around large sums of money. And definitely ask your hotel to make photocopies of your passport and visa as a backup. You should leave these copies in your hotel room, along with an extra bank card, just in case. If you lose your credit card, call to have it blocked immediately. And if you lose your passport you should contact the local police, who will give you a temporary permit to return home.
…if you fall ill:
Most common over-the-counter medicines are available without a prescription, including the usual pain relievers, fever reducers, etc. Your travel insurance company should be able to help you for more serious cases. City hospitals will accept anyone (including foreign citizens) in cases of emergency. And hospitals will have staff that speak English.
Ambulances can be summoned by dialing 112 on a local phone. For your convenience, we suggest that you bring a small first aid kit with you—even though there are city pharmacies that are open round the clock.
Ambulances can be summoned by dialing 112 on a local phone. For your convenience, we suggest that you bring a small first aid kit with you—even though there are city pharmacies that are open round the clock.
…if you fall ill:
Most common over-the-counter medicines are available without a prescription, including the usual pain relievers, fever reducers, etc. Your travel insurance company should be able to help you for more serious cases. City hospitals will accept anyone (including foreign citizens) in cases of emergency. And hospitals will have staff that speak English.
Ambulances can be summoned by dialing 112 on a local phone. For your convenience, we suggest that you bring a small first aid kit with you—even though there are city pharmacies that are open round the clock.
Ambulances can be summoned by dialing 112 on a local phone. For your convenience, we suggest that you bring a small first aid kit with you—even though there are city pharmacies that are open round the clock.