Winter Baikal: where to live and what to see

Every self-respecting traveler is obliged to see Baikal at least once in his life. This place, covered with many secrets and legends, is suitable for visiting not only in summer but also in winter. Moreover, let’s be honest, Baikal winter looks much more spectacular. At least because in this case you will have the opportunity to walk in the deepest lake in the world. Extreme lovers will definitely appreciate it. We have not yet mentioned that air travel prices in winter are much more profitable than at other times of the year.

True, tourists who dare to go to Baikal in winter need to be prepared for severe Siberian frosts. The average winter temperature here drops to -25 degrees. I agree, not the most suitable conditions for hiking. However, if you have set yourself the goal of seeing Baikal in December and other winter months, we are sure that this will not stop you. You just need to stock up on special clothing.

We tell you what to see in Lake Baikal in winter, how to get there, where to stay. For those who are accustomed to extreme recreation, we share all the places and passwords to look for in Siberia.

Which month is better to go to Baikal?

Winter comes to Baikal in November. But if you want to skate on the lake, there’s nothing else to do there right now. The ice on the lake freezes only until January, and even then it does not freeze everywhere. Of course, the best time for tourists is the New Year holidays. However, during this period there is a risk of falling into a lake that is not yet frozen. And instead of getting upset in advance, it is better to take a closer look at other entertainments for which Baikal is famous in January. But more on that later.

Baikal in February is definitely a win-win option. Currently, all ice passages on the frozen lake are opening, which means you can explore the area not only by land but also by water.

How to get there

If you plan to see only winter Baikal and the villages closest to it, do not hesitate to buy tickets to Irkutsk. Travel time from Moscow will be six hours by plane. Also remember the time difference. The day starts five hours earlier here than in the capital. The cost of plane tickets starts from 6 thousand.

If you want to immerse yourself in Buryat culture, get acquainted with shamanism and other exotic things, it will be more convenient to fly to Ulan-Ude. True, the journey will take 9 hours by plane. However, the difference in flight ticket prices is not that big. Their cost starts from 7 thousand rubles.

Where to stay in Baikal in winter?

Hotel History

The five-star History boutique hotel is located in the center of Irkutsk. Perfect for those who want to stay in the city a little longer before heading out into nature. The hotel has a restaurant and spa area. By the way, History opened quite recently, so all visual people will definitely like the modern interior of the hotel.

How much does it cost: from 13 thousand.

Baykal Wood Hotel

The hotel overlooks Lake Baikal and is located on Olkhon Island. Here, it seems, there is everything for an ideal holiday in winter and at any time of the year: spacious houses right on the shores of Lake Baikal, a real Russian bath, a restaurant serving Siberian cuisine and even a nightclub. If you are more interested in an excursion program, the hotel offers original winter tours of Baikal.

How much does it cost: from 7 thousand.

Glamping “Baikal Village”

Stay there all you nature lovers. Looks like we’ve found the ideal lakeside glamping site in Buryatia. It is located in a nature reserve and, as locals say, one of the most powerful sacred places in the region. So here you will definitely be able to be in source, flow and zen. You don’t have to worry about comfort: there is a restaurant in the glamping area, and the houses themselves are equipped with heating.

How much does it cost: from 8 thousand.

where to eat

Hearty lunch at Okhotnikov restaurant

As the name suggests, the restaurant’s menu includes Siberian dishes made from wild meat and local fish, cooked over wild fire. So, if you want to feel like a real master of the taiga, you should definitely go to “Hunters”. In addition, the restaurant is included in the ranking of the hundred best gastronomic projects in Russia.

Address: Irkust, st. Yadrintseva, 1zh

Dinner and more at 33 Wine and Tapas

Locals love this place for its extensive wine list and wide variety of snacks. You understand that a restaurant is more suitable for pleasant gatherings over a glass of wine rather than racing food. However, if you whet your appetite, the menu also includes hot appetizers that can easily turn into a full-fledged dinner.

Address: Irkutsk, st. Karl Marx, 41/1

Continue the evening on Humble

Humble bar positions itself as a “social club” and locals say it is a must-visit place in Irkutsk. So you won’t find a DJ or hookah here. The interior is designed in the style of “Soviet chic”: vintage wooden furniture, light walls and minimalist posters are everywhere. The menu includes simple and concise snacks. And the bar menu includes more than 30 different signature combinations.

Address: Irkutsk, st. Kalandarishvili, 10

What to do on Lake Baikal in winter

hot springs

Perhaps the most pleasant “attraction” are the hot springs on Lake Baikal. You can swim in them both in winter and summer. Moreover, local residents claim that if you dip three times, some chronic diseases can disappear: from back problems to stomach diseases. Some of the most popular thermal springs in Baikal are Ashran and Shumakskie.

Ice skating

It is not possible to visit Lake Baikal in winter without ice skating on the frozen lake, whose ice forms artistic patterns. In general, this ice is the most transparent ice in the world, so do not be surprised if you can see the entire underwater world underneath. You will definitely remember this type of skating for the rest of your life. Imagine how atmospheric the pictures will be.

Skiers or snowboarders

So, how can you have a winter holiday without skiing or snowboarding? If you have been wanting to try yourself in winter sports for a long time, Baykal is just the place for you. The season here starts in November. By the way, the prices of ski lifts are now much more affordable than in the winter months. The most popular ski resort is Sobolinaya Mountain. On its territory there are restaurants, a hotel and even a spa center.

How to organize a trip on a budget

One way to save on traveling to Lake Baikal in winter is to purchase a sightseeing tour. The region is developing, so there are so many of them here that there will be no problems in choosing the right one. In general, there are tours for every taste here: extreme tours with snowboarding, retreats with meditation and lucid dreams and, of course, the most traditional tours – tours with visits to all the attractions.

At first glance, it may seem that purchasing such coupons is much more expensive in terms of money, but in the case of Baykal, the opposite is true. Here you don’t have to spend extra money on transport to the main must-visit places in Irkutsk or worry about where to have dinner or breakfast.

Moreover, if you purchase the sightseeing tour in advance, you will be able to purchase it at a reasonable price.

From The Fashion Vibes editors you should try Lake Baikal in winter

Walk on the frozen Lake Baikal

Take a dip in the hot spring

Take a steam bath in the Russian bath

See a bear in the taiga (but don’t get close to it)

Try skiing or snowboarding

Stay glamping

Warming up by the fire with taiga tea