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Travel Russia Newsletter |
May 2008 |
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Russia is a a country with tremendous scenic,
cultural and national diversity having 8 time
zones. One can explore it endlessly! In this
issue we offer you a report of our project
manager Daria Kozlova on her trip to Baikal Lake
region.
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 I
have heard a lot about
Baikal region...
a lot of positive and warm words, but to hear and
experience by yourself are two different things! Only 5
hour flight by a comfortable plane or a little bit more
than 3 day journey by Transsiberian train - and you are
in the very heart of Siberia - in Baikal region. Lake
Baikal is known as the
deepest freshwater
lake in the world; and Baikal
ice in winter has several meters thickness and is as
smooth as glass!
 After
stepping on the ice of the lake I could hardly
breath - to see the deep cracks underneath and heavy
trucks moving above was amazing! To taste the
delicious fish - omul - and to watch the funniest
animal - seal, in Limnological museum - is
unforgettable for everyone.
Whether you are an experienced traveller fishing- or
diving-lover, just a tourist who would like to get
closer to beautiful Russian nature, you will
undoubtely be impressed by Baikal region and find
different activities, meeting your expectations.
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 In
winter or summer, spring or autumn spend the whole day on
Circum Baikal railroad - the
old railway running along the very shore of the lake.
This road was built as a part of Trans-Siberian railway
and had to unite middle Russia with its Far East part.
Nowadays the main Trans-Siberian line runs from Irkutsk
down to the southern end of Lake Baikal, only bypassing
the scenic Circum-Baikal section. Still you have a
splendid opportunity to deep onto ancient times while
your excursion along the Circum Baikal railroad. While
taking this tour, modern and comfortable train carried
me back to the times when tourists passed along this
road and watched the splendid scenery of Lake Baikal
when travelling.
 I
passed by tiny villages with four inhabitants only,
stopped near the 1st American steam-engine appeared in
Russia, tasted the stuffed dumplings ("pelmeny") and
cedar vodka - traditional Russian food and drink and, of
course, experienced great interest and pleasure while
moving through 39 stone tunnels of the road and making
my wish in the shortest of them.
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 Welcome
to
the largest island of
lake Baikal - the Olkhon. The
island is 72 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide,
with a population of 1500 people only. Olkhon has forest
and steppe parts, spectacular cliffs and sandy beaches,
small lakes and hills with picturesque view from the
top. native people told me there is no better place to
relax from noisy and tiresome city life than here, in
the "heart of Baikal lake", and now I believe them
completely.
In summer many nature-lovers come to the island to drive
their cares away, to enjoy watching so rich and so
bright nature of Baikal region and to swim in the purest
waters of gorgeous Baikal lake. In winter Olkhon island
attracts many fishing-lovers since this part of the lake
is very rich with omul, sig and grayling. For those who
adore mysteries and fairy tales, Olkhon island opens its
doors as well - this place is considered to be the home
of Baikal spirit - Burkhan - and the centre of Shamanizm
- a primitive form of religion of the native people -
Buryats. Visit the olkhon island, and the mystery of
Baikal opens its doors to you!
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 Drive
to
Republic of Buryatia
- the place where real shamans living in gers could be
met. Although the capital of Buryatia - Ulan Ude - is
located not far from Irkutsk city, I felt absolutely
different atmosphere and the way of life. Very calm and
extremely helpful people met me in every corner of this
small city. Unique shops made in the form of gers and
located in the centre of Ulan Ude, among modern 4-star
hotels took my breath away. Only 30 minutes drive by car
from the city and you find yourself in famous
"Ivolgin Datsan" -
the centre of Russian Buddhism
from 1946. In the 20th century the Datsan was the only
Buddhist place in whole Buryatia. At the moment one of
the main attractions there is the well-preserved central
temple of Ivolgin Datsan which is truly considered to be
the best historical sample of the Buddhism architecture
in Russia. For those who would like to enter into the
mysterious world of Buddhism religion Buryatia is a
perfect place to visit.
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