TRAVEL ALL RUSSIA by Firebird Tours +1 (800) 884-1721 search Lake Baikal, Russia You are here Home / Sights / Lake Baikal, Russia Why Visit Lake Baikal Lake Baikal is one of the most jaw-dropping sights in the world and is often called "the Pearl of Siberia". Surrounded by the picturesque taiga and mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. What is more, Eastern Siberia's Baikal is a spiritual destination point that is sure to please. The first time the great Russian writer Anton Chekhov came to the shores of Lake Baikal, he realized that everything he had seen before was prose and that “everything afterward was poetry.” Visitors from all over the world come to experience this vast and sprawling lake. It is so grand that the Russians have dubbed it the "Sacred Sea." Amazing Facts Baikal is the deepest (with a maximum depth of 5,387 ft) and oldest (formed about 25 million years ago) lake in the world. In the chilly winter Baikal is a real fairy-tale, it freezes completely forming a unique phenomenon - a crystal-clear ice sheet that can be over 3 ft, giving the opportunity to take a sneak peak into Baikal's underwater world. The lake is also home to some of the most unique and exceptional aquatic life with over 3,500 species of plants and animals inhabiting the lake, 70% of which can be found nowhere else in the world. While these animals dwell on the bottom of the lake, visitors can still enjoy the local seals called "nerpas", which are one of the three freshwater seal populations on Earth, as they frolic on the rocks scattered around the lake. The lake encompasses 27 islands, the most famous of which is the pilgrimage site and home of shamans - Olkhon Island. Buryat tribes inhabit Baikal's eastern side and have been rearing goats, camels, cattle, and sheep on this territory for centuries. Viewing the clear night sky in Lake Baikal is vastly different than anywhere else in the world. With the absence of city lights, stargazing around Baikal is a truly remarkable experience. Open map After spending the day enjoying the lake and its surroundings, visitors can enjoy fresh food from any one of the local vendors. Many of the vendors will prepare classic Siberian dishes such as omul. Depending on the season, there may even be special events to celebrate the winter or the coming of spring. As one of the world's most mystifying creations, Lake Baikal is an essential part of any Russia travel and a highlight of Trans-Siberian tours which gain popularity among travelers from all over the world. Dare to cross the 1/3 of our planet and see the world's largest lake? Welcome to Russia! Related article: Best Time to Visit Lake Baikal Tour packages with Lake Baikal, Russia Map 4.95 378 Reviews The Trans-Siberian Journey & Mongolia | Moscow - Baikal - Ulan-Bator Small group rail tour 14 days 2 countries , 5 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Listvyanka Village, Mongolia:Ulan Bator From ￥51,146 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.87 378 Reviews Private Trans-Siberian Tour Private rail tour 14 days 2 countries , 5 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Listvyanka Village, Mongolia:Ulan Bator From ￥26,733 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.68 378 Reviews Private Trans-Siberian Tour Reverse Private rail tour 14 days 2 countries , 5 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Mongolia:Ulan Bator Russia:Listvyanka Village, Irkutsk, Ekaterinburg, From ￥26,733 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.97 378 Reviews The Trans-Siberian Express | Moscow - Baikal - Vladivostok Small group rail tour 16 days 1 country , 7 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Listvyanka Village, , , , From ￥54,650 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.96 378 Reviews Trans-Siberian Exploration Private rail tour 17 days 2 countries , 6 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Listvyanka Village, Mongolia:Ulan Bator From ￥32,467 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.83 376 Reviews Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Lake Baikal Private rail tour 10 days 1 country , 3 cities 3, 4-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Listvyanka Village, Irkutsk From ￥15,552 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.85 376 Reviews Classic Trans-Siberian Private rail tour 15 days 2 countries , 4 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Listvyanka Village, Irkutsk Mongolia:Ulan Bator From ￥26,956 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.82 378 Reviews Epic Trans-Siberian Private rail tour 20 days 1 country , 11 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Ekaterinburg, , , , , , , From ￥37,474 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.87 378 Reviews Trans-Siberian Journey with Mongolia Extension Private rail tour 21 days 2 countries , 8 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Listvyanka Village, , , , Mongolia:Ulan Bator From ￥32,365 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.00 414 Reviews From Saint Petersburg to Beijing Private rail tour 23 days 3 countries , 8 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, , Mongolia:Ulan Bator China:Beijing From ￥46,942 View price details Ask question Itinerary Map 4.88 412 Reviews The Soul of Siberia Private tour 13 days 1 country , 4 cities 3, 4, 5-star hotels Russia:Moscow, Irkutsk, Listvyanka Village, From ￥28,657 View price details Ask question Itinerary Our websites: Our websites: Firebird Tours Triptile Rail.Ninja Russian Trains +1 (800) 884-1721 TRIP SURVEY TOURS TO RUSSIA Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tours Private Tour Packages Trans-Siberian Trips Russian River Cruises Moscow Tour Packages St. Petersburg Tours All Russia Tours TRIP PLANNER Why Travel to Russia Best Time to Visit Russia Russian Visa Information Tips Before Traveling Tips on Arrival Russian Currency Moscow Travel Guide Read More in Our Blog TOP SIGHTS IN RUSSIA Hermitage Museum Church of the Savior on Blood The Kremlin Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring Kizhi Island The Red Square Siberia Lake Baikal Firebird Tours ®, LLC 401 E. 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