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Travel Russia LEISURE Newsletter
May 2008
In This Issue
Baikal Lake region
* * *
Circum Railroad trip
* * *
Olkhon island
* * *
Buryatia - centre of Buddhism in Russia
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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.
Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva
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.
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.
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!
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.
Lesnaya st 43 (office 227) Moscow 127055
Tel. (7495) 926-58-82, (7495) 926-58-83, (7499) 978-69-65
Fax. (7499) 972-40-32
E-mail:
info@travelrussia.net
Web:
http://www.travelrussia.net
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. 
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.
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.
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.