Comfortable and comfortable hostels in Baikal: photos and reviews of tourists

Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest on the planet, which is famous all over the world. Scientists-geologists say that Baikal today shows us how the coasts of North America, Africa and Europe looked like millions of years ago, when they began to separate from each other.

Crystalline, oxygen-saturated waters that extend to a depth of more than 1,500 meters, and yet another layer of sedimentary rocks beneath them hide a lot of bizarre life forms. Biologists call them endemics. This means that the organisms living here can be found only in the waters of Lake Baikal. Some of them are pink translucent golomyanka fish that give birth to live young. Geologists argue that the age of the lake is about 20-25 million years, which explains the exclusivity and uniqueness of the creatures living in it.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and volcanoes of volcanoes, the summits of which are covered all year round with sparkling snow coverlets, Lake Baikal has attracted tourists from all over the world for hundreds of years with its unsurpassed beauty.

As a few centuries ago, the mountains today serve as a refuge for rare species of wild animals, and tiny villages, located along the diameter of the lake, are a bulwark of tranquility and serenity in a remote and inaccessible Siberian taiga.

Rest on Baikal - what is it?

Rest here is as diverse as the waters of the ancient lake: from the banal grilling on the beach (but why, in that case, you had to climb here? Go better to Egypt!) To the extreme dragging of inimitable backpacks and songs to the guitar by the fire. However, the most popular was and remains water recreation, whether it is a classical cruise or ordinary boat trips with the aim of fishing and enjoying local beauty.

sights

Baikal is able to surprise and satisfy the demands of all, even the most sophisticated travelers. Do you prefer natural attractions? The Baydin caves are at your service. These are fairly large cavities of natural origin, created by water erosion. In the XII-XIII centuries, they became a haven for Kurykans - tribes living in Siberia. Keep in mind that inside the wall, the floor and ceiling of the caves are covered with an impressive layer of ice, which gives them an amazing view, but it can make it difficult to visit if you are not stocked with warm clothes and appropriate footwear.

Also, lovers of natural beauty are strongly encouraged to visit the coves Peschanaya and Ayu. And what is the waterfall Fairy Tale, overthrowing its waters in the gorge from 20-meter height!

Thermal spring Goujekit, next to which there are well-equipped tourist centers on Lake Baikal, will heal your body and spirit with medicinal waters.

The Baikal Astrophysical Observatory will help you to plunge into the secrets of the Universe, which is famous for its powerful telescope serving to study the Sun.

But the spiritual laws of the universe you can comprehend by visiting the Buddhist stupa! Yes, yes, you did not misinterpret - Buddhism in the heart of Russia! By the way, the stupa promises to all pilgrims peace, wealth and wisdom, as well as the fulfillment of secret desires.

Dangers and other surprises

Going on a trip on these stunning trails, remember that they carry not only pleasant surprises in themselves. So, let me introduce to you: cedar stilt. A unique plant that forms completely impenetrable thickets, tearing your clothes and mercilessly cutting your skin when trying to overcome an obstacle. In addition, with an inadvertently thrown cigarette butt, flare up, like a torch, which is quite difficult to extinguish.

Planning a fishing trip or just a walk on the water, keep in mind that on Lake Baikal, even though this lake, sudden storms can arise quite violently.

The mites, perhaps, occupy an honorable second place in the rating of unpleasant surprises of Lake Baikal. These insects carry encephalitis, and therefore take it seriously with precautions.

But the first place in our list is taken by bears! Despite the fact that these animals try to avoid human society, but nevertheless every season there are necessarily several "lucky ones" who will still meet with the predator. With a very unfavorable outcome.

What to do in Baikal?

Baikal - this is even a lake, but still not an analog of the sea coast. Here, besides the traditional beach holiday, there is also a lot of interesting ideas for leisure. First of all - amazing fishing. And, as a consequence, gastronomic tourism - try to catch the omul and cook it at the stake - you are ready to argue that you have not tasted anything better yet!

Go for a walk on a boat or even a real multi-day cruise, get acquainted with the seals closer - they are so sweet and curious that you will definitely make friends.

Beach holidays on Lake Baikal are also diverse: small bays with transparent and warm water here are adjacent to less hospitable places, where literally a couple of meters away you can feel the contrast of temperatures of 10 degrees!

When you get tired of sitting on the spot, go camping - get acquainted with the flora and fauna, study the myriad of stars and eat pine nuts along with the squirrels.

Spiritual food here, too, more than enough! Only places of power for esotericists can count 20 pieces! In addition, if you are lucky, you can meet a real shaman or lama. The first will spend with you a mystical ceremony, bringing good luck and prosperity, and the second will make a personal horoscope and even hold a psychological consultation in the best traditions of Buddhism.

Time for travel

Depending on your goals and preferences, the season of your vacation can significantly change. Beach rest and fishing should be planned for July-August. But solitude, meditation and the search for spiritual truths should be done in the period from September to November. By the way, this is also the best time for phototourism. In winter, the climate of Baikal is severe, and the whole surface of the lake is tightened by an ice shroud, which is stunningly beautiful. Well, however, the tourist camps on Lake Baikal are ready to open their doors to you at any time of the year!

Bad advice!

• Resting with a tent, use for the fire only living trees, and the bonfire plant on dry grass. Only in this case you will be visited by huntsmen and environmentalists - with all the ensuing consequences.
• Write all sorts of nonsense on the rocks - let everyone see that you were here for sure!
• Fish only with nets - let the fish watching does not relax!
• Leave plenty of garbage anywhere, wherever you are - it will attract the nest, rodents carrying encephalitic mites, and if you're lucky - even bear!

How to get there?

So, you decided to spend your vacation on Lake Baikal. But how to get into this realm of nature? Everything is simple - wherever you go, Irkutsk always serves as a starting point. And then at your disposal is the railway, bus station, pier (this route is only available in summer) and the mass of fixed-route taxis leaving the city market.

Housing issue

Despite the fact that this is quite a wild place, the tourist centers on Lake Baikal are presented for every taste and budget. You can choose the Spartan conditions in the camping, luxury rooms in the mini-hotel or even a comfortable cabin on the boat. In addition, there is always a tent and wild tourism at your disposal, but it is better with an experienced guide.

An unforgettable experience will give you a holiday at Lake Baikal! Hostels or tents, cabin on the ship or even shelter in the rural home of local residents - the choice is yours! The price category of different in the degree of comfort of rooms is on average from 500 to 1500 rubles per night. But the place in the tent with its equipment is absolutely free, like all the local beauties!

Baikal hostels

The tourism business and the corresponding infrastructure on the lake began to develop relatively recently. But nevertheless, there is plenty to choose from!

The camp "Kultushnaya" on Baikal is located "only" 300 km from Irkutsk, on the coast of a warm bay, ideal for a family beach holiday. An important advantage of this camp site is the treatment of the whole territory with insecticides, which will protect you from the attack of dangerous encephalitic ticks. There are rooms of various categories and capacities, and prices are quite acceptable.

The "Utulik" campus on Baikal is a unique opportunity to be alone with nature, to feel harmony with oneself and unity with the Universe. It is located to the south of Lake Baikal (only 2 km), in the heart of the amazing mountainous country of Khamar-Daban. Here you will find forest, mountains, nature in its pristine form, magnificent rafting on the mountain rivers. From here begin all the most interesting routes for hiking in the Baikal region, and in winter you will find a surprise in the form of a ski slope on the Sobolinaya Mountain.

The Chara Chalet on Baikal is an ideal option for those who want to retire in search of Truth, romantics and fishermen. By the way, it's here that in February all the avid ice-fishing enthusiasts come to the festival!

The hotel "Baikal" offers you accommodation in comfortable houses near the water's edge near the sandy beach. Here you will find both budget and luxury holidays, depending on the chosen category of rooms.

The hostel "Energia" on Lake Baikal entirely corresponds to its name. Here you can find everything you need for active recreation: a full range of beach activities, walks on the water's surface of the lake and fishing, various kinds of sports, including equestrian, classical Russian bath and much more.

And this is only a small part of all the accommodation options that Baikal can offer you.

Hostels at Lake Baikal. Reviews

Choosing where to stay, it is worth familiarizing with the reviews of experienced travelers, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and disappointments. Baikal hostels differ in price policy, geography of location and contingent of vacationers. That's the last factor to consider when choosing housing. So, the tourist center "Energia" is oriented to young people who prefer active rest and tourism, the "Chara" base is usually preferred by more respectable and wealthy guests, and the "Kultushnaya" camp on Baikal is famous not only for its democratic prices, but also for the abundance of holidaymakers.

Recommendations for travelers

• Going to rest on Lake Baikal, regardless of the season, do not forget to take with you warm clothes, raincoat, waterproof shoes.
• In the warm season before the trip, it is strongly recommended to get vaccinated against encephalitis. And it needs to be done in advance, as the vaccination is carried out in 3 stages with rather long intervals.
• Refrain from hiking around the Baikal between the end of April and the beginning of July - so you avoid meeting the bear and reduce the risk of attack by ticks.
• When planning crossings through mountain rivers, always adequately assess the risks of the current and the bottom relief.
• Far from the coast of the lake, a big problem may be the vile, which carries a lot of dangerous viral infections - pack up with repellents.
• And remember: the greatest danger of rest on Lake Baikal is that you will fall in love with the lake, and you will certainly want to stay here forever! Have a good trip!