Compare Lake Baikal Cruise By Crucemundo by Express to Russia vs The Golden Ring - Small Group, 2023 Small Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 4,334 | $ 1,950 |
| Price Per Day | $ 482 | $ 390 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
This combination of a 6-day cruise and a 3-day land tour is a great way to get acquainted with Lake Baikal - biggest and deepest freshwater lake on Earth. |
Visit the historic sites of Yaroslavl and Suzdal—that stood witness to some of the most significant, nation shaping events in Russian history. Seek out the multicolored churches of Sergiyev Posad, journey to the ivory covered Kremlin of Rostov-the-Great and tour the towering golden domes of Trinity Cathedral in Kostroma—on this 5-day Russian adventure. Delight your eyes in Vladimir at the Museum of Crystal and Varnished Miniatures and bring home your own version of a famous Russian souvenir, after a hands-on Matryoshka doll workshop. Explore Suzdal with the Insight Choice of visiting the Monastery of the Saviour St. Ethimius or learn about the ancient art of icon painting from an Orthodox priest. Don’t leave without trying Shchi’ cabbage soup—a local favourite and a Russian staple. |
Day 1: Irkutsk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: hotel Irkutsk 3*
Upon arrival in Irkutsk you will be met by the cruise company representative and transferred to your hotel (early check-in is included). You will be given time to recover after a long journey, and in the afternoon you will be taken on a city-tour with a local guide. The tour will include all the major highlights, such as the Lower Embankment, the Square of Three Churches, Znamensky Monastery, historical part of the city and the so called 130-quarter. You will also have Museum of Decembrists’ tour with classical concert and champagne.
Irkutsk is the capital of eastern Siberia, that was founded in 1661 as a settlement for trading gold and furs. Nowadays it is known as one of the most picturesque stops along the Trans-Siberian Railway route with its world-known gem – Lake Baikal.
Day 2: Ust-Orda
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: hotel Irkutsk 3*
On this day, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the Burjat village Ust-Orda (±70 km from Irkutsk) that offers a deep and interactive insight into the Burjat history, traditions, food and family life in Siberia. You will visit the local museum and ethno-park, with traditional welcome ceremony, folklore concert including fascinating throat singing, playing on the “khomus” (Jew’s harp, mouth harp), and traditional dances. You will also take a look at the traditional Burjat yurtas, learn about everyday life of Buryats, and take part in culinary master-class. You will then stop at the small Buddhist temple with possibility to meet the monks.
The Buryats are the largest indigenous group in Siberia who has lived here before the Russians and are closely related to Mongolians. As the largest ethnic minority group in Siberia, the Buryats are estimated to number 436 000, half of which populate the Lake Baikal area. The Buryats practice Tibetan Buddhism with a touch a paganism. Their language is similar to Mongolian and is a member of the Altaic family of languages.
Day 3, Listvyanka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: country hotel Krestovaja Pad’ (Listvyanka)
You will check-out from your hotel in Irkutsk and head to Listvyanka Village located on the shores of Lake Baikal. On the way, you are going to visit Taltsy - open-air museum of wooden architecture. On this day, you will have lunch in a Russian family.
Listvyanka is a village located on the shores of Lake Baikal in 70 km from Irkutsk. Ideal place to see true Siberian Nature, enjoy numerous hiking routes, try some authentic cuisine.
Day 4: All Aboard!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
In the morning, you will check out from your hotel in Listvyanka to be taken on Baikal Museum tour.
Then it will be time to board the ship where you will meet the crew and have a safety briefing.
In the afternoon, the ship will reach Kadilnaya Valley. If weather permits, we will go ashore by lifeboat (30-40 min) and walk to the beautiful edelweiss glades.
Free sauna is available onboard to relax after a busy day!
Kadilnaya Valley is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, between Listvyanka and Bolshoy Goloustniy. Kadilnaya Pad can be reached only by water, but it's worth it. This place is famous for its sandy beaches, coniferous forests, green meadows, and caves.
Day 5: Ogoy and Olkhon Islands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
In the morning, the ship will reach Ogoy Island. If the weather permit, we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) to have a walking tour of the island and visit the Stupa of Enlightenment.
In the afternoon, if the weather permits, we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) on Olkhon Island (Khuzhir settlement) to meet a local Shaman and observe a ceremony at the famous Shaman RockOgoy Island is quite big island in Maloe More (Small Sea) that is located next to Baikal Lake. The most interesting thing about this place is that it was never inhabited. Olkhon is the largest island in the area. The island is known as Sacral center of Baikal and well known with its ancient legends and tales.
Day 6: Zmeinaya Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
On this day, we will reach Malie Ushkanyi Islands (Small Ushkanyi Islands) and you will be offered an optional tour to the seal rookery, which you can pay on the spot.
After lunch, the ship will reach Zmeinaya (Snake) Bay as we will go ashore by a lifeboat (30-40 min) if the weather permits. You will be given free time on the beach to enjoy bathing in hot springs.
Zmeinaya Bay is located in Chivyrkuyskiy Bay and is well-known for its healing hot springs (the water temperature is up to 45 C!). The waters of the Zmeinaya Spring contain fluorine and hydrogen sulphide (so they have a particular smell and taste). It is believed that these thermal waters are good for healing musculoskeletal disorders.
Day 7: Off-road UAZ ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
On this day, if the weather permits, we will go ashore on Olkhon Island (lifeboat, 30-40 min) to enjoy a jeep tour! Soviet-style off-road UAZ vehicles are used for this journey. The following route is to be covered: Uzury – Sagan-Khushun Cape (the northeast point of Olkhon Island) - Cape Khoboy.
Khoboy Cape is the most northern point of Olkhon island. The name comes from an old Buryat word meaning "fang" because of its shape, a vertically oriented marble rock, appearing much like a fang
Day 8: Akademicheskaya Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MS Imperia 3*
This is your final sightseeing day aboard. You will visit Akademicheskaya Bay and have walking tour of the Babushka Bay, the famous Peschanaya Bay (Sandy Bay) and the Grand Belfry rock. The tour will last 1.5-2 hours, the distance is 1.5 km.
Another activity on this day is a walking tour to the Viewpoint Rock (2.5 hours) where you'll have chance to take some great photos (and bring back home these travel memories!)
In the evening you will be offered sauna with Baikal herbal tea.
Peschanaya Bay - often called the "Siberian Riviera" - is probably the most picturesque place on Baikal. Here, the famous "stilted" trees grow, from under which water and wind have constantly washed and blown out the sandy soil.
Day 9: Disembarkation
Meals: Breakfast
On this day, you will say good-bye to the crew and the new friends you made during the trip. You will check-out after breakfast. Transfer to the airport is included.
Day 1: To Sergiev Posad, Rostov-the-Great and to Yaroslavl
At 07:45 meet your Travel Director at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow and depart for Sergiev Posad. Visit some of the colourful churches of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. Journey to Rostov-the-Great and explore its ivory towered Kremlin and the Museum of Enamel. Continue to Yaroslavl where a delicious dinner is served at a riverside restaurant.
Day 2: Kostroma and Suzdal Experience
During your sightseeing of Yaroslavl, see the domed Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Travel to Kostroma to see the fabulous Trinity Cathedral. Continue to charming Suzdal.
Day 3: Exploring Suzdal
Explore Suzdal with Insight Choice. Choose to meet an Orthodox priest and learn about the ancient art of icon painting. Alternatively, visit the Monastery of the Saviour St. Ethimius. Dine like a local as you enjoy an authentic Home-hosted lunch with a meal typical of the region.
Day 4: On to Vladimir and return to Moscow
Journey to Vladimir to see the carved stone walls of the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, and visit the Museum of Crystal and Varnished Miniatures. Visit a Matryoska doll-making workshop and try your hand to decorate your own. Return to Moscow where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 5: Farewell Moscow
Departure transfers will arrive at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport at 05:00, 08:00 and 11:00 and at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport at 05:00, 10:00 and 13:00.
