The spectacular Lake Baikal is situated in Siberia, making it inaccessible for a large portion of the year.
However, if you time your visit in the summer, you will find an amazing natural wonder largely untouched by large-scale tourism. And for those that like superlatives, you’ll be able to say you have visited the deepest freshwater lake in the world, at 1,627 meters.
Lake Baikal is best accessed from the city of Irkutsk, situated on the Trans-Siberian railway line. If you are pushed for time or would rather fly, get a flight from Moscow, Beijing or the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator.
Once you’re in town, you will need a driver and a guide to get you to the lake itself. While you can arrange this on arrival, several companies such as Baikal Mystery and Baikal Adventure offer tours.
Camping on Olkhon Island © Anton Petukhov | Dreamstime
Many visitors opt to visit Olkhon Island. In the summer months you can look out over spectacular mountain ranges on the other side of the lake, before taking a dip in the bracing waters.
Baikal holds the record as the coldest lake in the world, and local legend has it if you manage to completely submerge your body in it you will live forever. Take a hike around the island and marvel at the natural beauty, before relaxing in the traditional Russian sauna, known as a banya.
If you enjoy (very) cold weather, plan a trip during the winter months. The lake is frozen and Olkhon Island is accessible by ice road. The experiences are completely different and most visitors choose to come in the summer months due to the friendlier conditions.
However, it must be said Lake Baikal receives relatively few visitors given its outstanding beauty. Get there before the crowds do!
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