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Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in Russia and the world, is a natural wonder of Siberia, containing 20 per cent of the planet’s unfrozen freshwater. Also, the oldest lake, located in southern Siberia, Baikal is between 25 and 30 million years old. Its warm, crystal-clear waters, diverse ecosystem and stunning frozen landscape in the winter make it a year-round travel destination. Tourists come to Baikal for the views, outdoor fun and cultural connection to the Buryat people. Whether you visit in winter to check out its ice-coated surface or in summer to hike its trails, Lake Baikal is a natural wonder not to be missed.
Quick Details About Lake Baikal
Location: Southern Siberia, Russia
Depth: 1,642 meters (5,387 feet)
Length And Width: 636 km long, 79 km wide
Age: 25 to 30 million years
Water Volume: 23,615 cubic km (20% of Earth’s freshwater)
Best Time To Visit: June to September and January to March
Location
Photo: Markus Winkler / Unsplash
Lake Baikal is situated in southern Siberia, Russia, between the Irkutsk Oblast and the Republic of Buryatia. The lake is located between the Baikal Mountains that stretch 636 km from north to south. The nearest major city to Baikal is Irkutsk, located 70 km to the west of the lake. To the east is Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, which provides access to the lake’s Buryat cultural sites. The lake is evolving as one of the unique natural wonders as it expands due to tectonic activity in the growing Baikal Rift Zone.
How To Reach
Photo: miketnorton / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
By Air: The closest airport is Irkutsk International Airport (IKT), which connects with flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Beijing and Seoul. From the airport, it’s a one-hour drive to Listvyanka, a lakeside town that many travellers visit. If you are heading to Baikal from the Buryatia side, Ulan-Ude Airport (UUD) is another choice.
By Rail: The Trans-Siberian Railway runs past Lake Baikal, stopping at Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. The Circum-Baikal Railway is a historic railway that serves as a great place for a train trip along Baikal’s shore.
By Road: You can reach Listvyanka (1 hour) or Olkhon Island (5 to 6 hours by car and ferry) from Irkutsk. The eastern shores are around 2 to 3 hours drive away from Ulan-Ude.
Things To Do
In Winter, you can ice skate across its frozen landscapes, while in summer, you can hike along its pristine shores.
1. Walk On The Frozen Lake In Winter
Photo: Sergey Pesterev / Wikimedia Commons
From January until March, Lake Baikal turns into a frozen wonderland of ice up to 2 meters thick, making it safe to walk, skate, or drive on. You can gaze at deep cracks, bubbles and frozen fish beneath the surface of the lake’s translucent ice. Popular locations are Listvyanka, Olkhon Island, and Maloye More. You can also do ice safaris on hovercrafts or go dog sledding over the frozen expanse. The turquoise ice structures and ice caves along the shore near Olkhon Island provide an alien feel to these pristine winter vacation spots.
2. Explore Olkhon Island
Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash
Known as the largest island in the lake, Olkhon Island is said to hold spiritual and cultural significance for the Buryat people, the indigenous peoples of Mongolia. Shaman Rock, a sacred place associated with Buryat shamanistic traditions, can be found on the island. You can walk around Khuzhir village, hike through rolling steps and pine forests or see the gorgeous Three Brothers Rock formations. In summer, off-road excursions and boat tours offer stunning views of Baikal’s cliffs and unspoiled beaches. In winter, the island’s frozen caves and ice formations present a different, magical experience.
3. Take A Scenic Ride On The Circum-Baikal Railway
Photo: Artem Svetlov / Wikimedia Commons
The Circum-Baikal Railway is a historic train route that runs around the southern shores of Lake Baikal. Constructed in the early 1900s, this railway boasts beautiful 39 tunnels, 200 stone bridges, and spectacular vistas of the lake. You can start the journey from Slyudyanka or Irkutsk and pass by cliffs, dense forests and remote Baikal villages. At various points, you can hop off to hike, explore historic sites, or stop for picnics by the lake. The slowly chugging train, which takes 105 hours to cross the lake in its entirety, results in fantastic photo opportunities.
Places To Visit Near Lake Baikal
From Listvyanka to Chivyrkuysky Bay, each place near the deepest lake in Russia has a different story.
1. Listvyanka
Photo: Сычугова Надежда / Wikimedia Commons
Being one of the most accessible towns on Lake Baikal, Listvyanka is the perfect combination of scenery, outdoor activities, and culture. Just an hour from Irkutsk, it’s an excellent base for Baikal cruises, hiking and wintertime dog mushing. Here at the Baikal Museum are interactive exhibits on the lake’s unique ecosystem, including a live Baikal seal exhibit. Notice the Chersky Stone viewpoint with panoramic vistas over the lake and Angara River. You can sample freshly smoked Omul fish at the local market, take a ride on a Siberian snowmobile, or explore the retro-style Circum-Baikal Railway departing from the nearby Port Baikal.
Location: Baikal’s shore
2. Ullan Ude
Photo: Artem Svetlov / Wikimedia Commons
Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, is right on the border between Russia and Mongolia. The city is also home to the world’s largest Lenin head statue, beautiful Buddhist monasteries, such as Ivolginsky Datsan and rich Buryat traditions. You can visit Old Believer villages, where unusual customs and folklore of Russian Orthodox people, who split from mainstream Russian Orthodoxy in the 17th century, are preserved. It is also a point of access to Eastern Baikal, where wildlife reserves, hot springs and wooded train rides await. Ulan-Ude is ideal for anyone interested in Buddhism, history and local food, such as Buryat dumplings and Baikal fish dishes.
Location: East Siberia, Russia
3. Arshan Hot Springs
Photo: Skiff-27 / Wikimedia Commons
Arshan, a small village near the deepest lake in Russia, boasts some of the area’s most beautiful landscapes, mineral springs, and Buddhist culture. The Tunka Valley, where Arshan lies, is like the Swiss Alps, with leafy woods, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. You can also bathe in natural hot springs, drink from the sources of carbonated mineral water and visit the Kyngarga Waterfalls. It is also a spiritual centre inhabited by Buryat shamanic traditions and Buddhist temples.
Location: Tunkinsky District
4. Peschanaya Bay
Photo: Fr3sCo / Wikimedia Commons
Peschanaya Bay, known as the “Siberian Riviera,” is one of Lake Baikal’s most beautiful locations, known for its golden sandy beaches, stunningly clear waters and mountainous cliffs. The area is famous for stilt-like trees, whose exposed roots give the appearance of walking due to soil erosion. The bay is lovely, with great sunrises, hiking, and just lounging by the water. Boat tours run from Listvyanka or Irkutsk, so it can be an ideal escape for camping, swimming and nature photography. Its remote location provides an undisturbed feel to nature.
Location: Russia, 690908
5. Chivyrkuysky Bay
Photo: Аркадий Зарубин / Wikimedia Commons
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal, Chivyrkuysky Bay is a hidden paradise with warm waters, sandy coves and verdant taiga forests. It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with regular sightings of Baikal seals, bears and rare birds. It also features natural hot springs and especially at the Snake Bay thermal pools, where you can bathe in pale mineral waters. Fishing, kayaking and hiking in the adjacent Barguzinsky Nature Reserve are popular activities. Because the region is remote and mostly undeveloped, it’s best experienced on multi-day boat tours or through off-road expeditions.
Location: Zabaikalsky National Park
Where To Stay
Photo: Clay Gilliland / Wikimedia Commons
You can find budget hostels to upper-end eco-resorts for accommodation all around Lake Baikal, depending on the experience you are looking for. In Listvyanka, there’s the Baikal View Hotel (₽8,000 to 12,000 per night) plus budget guesthouses for ₽2,000 to 4,000. On Olkhon Island, Khuzhir village has friendly wooden lodges and homestays (₽3,500 to 7,000 per night) overlooking the lake. In Ulan-Ude, mid-range hotels charge ₽5,000 to 8,000 per night. Camping in designated areas is permitted for the more intrepid travellers. For a difference, fancy spending the night in a traditional Siberian wooden lodge or by the lakeside eco-lodge.
Where To Eat
Photo: Hannes Ortlieb / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Lake Baikal has plenty to offer in the way of Siberian, Russian and Buryat fare. Local specialities include Omul fish (fresh or smoked), Buryat dumplings (buuz), and Siberian stroganina (frozen raw fish sliced). In Listvyanka, places like Proshly Vek and Mayak offer fresh Omul for ₽700 to 1,500 a meal. On Olkhon Island, hearty meals can be found for ₽400 to 900 in small Buryat cafes. In Irkutsk, Rassolnik serves up genuine Siberian grub for ₽1,000 to 2,500 per meal. Street food, bakeries, and local markets provide meals for ₽300 to 700, so dining at Baikal is affordable and diverse for budget travellers.
Tips For Travellers
Photo: ian dooley / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
- In winter, between December and February, when temperatures hover around -30°C, pack thermal clothing, waterproof boots, and insulated gloves.
- If travelling in summer, include your hiking gear, sunscreen and insect repellent for a trip outdoors. In winter, before embarking on a walk on frozen lake, always test the thickness of the ice.
- Be mindful of Buryat tradition, as climbing is forbidden on such sacred sights as the Shaman Rock.
- Book ferries and train tickets in advance (especially in peak seasons) so no delays occur.
The deepest lake in Russia and the oldest lake, Lake Baikal invites nature lovers, adventure seekers, and cultural adventurers. It takes some planning to set up a trip, but the reward is breathtaking beauty, glittering waters and living Siberian culture. A trip to Baikal is not just a weekend getaway but a full-on adventure. So plan a trip with TripXL into the wonders of nature in Russia.
Cover Photo: Daria Gordova / Unsplash
