Winter Baikal
hiking around the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula

Cape Verkhneye Izgolovye - Chivyrkuisky Bay - Zmeinaya Bay

Today we have a very interesting day. We go around Cape Verkhneye Izgolovye and get to Chivyrkuisky Bay, which, according to many, is considered one of the most picturesque places on Baikal. The shores of Chivyrkuisky Bay are uneven, with a large number of picturesque bays, there are also seven small islands.

We will reach Zmeinaya Bay, where a thermal natural spring comes out of the ground. This is one of the hottest springs on Baikal. The water temperature in the spring is 38 - 45 °C, the spring does not freeze even in severe frost. The water of the Zmeiny hot spring is considered healing and is used to treat radiculitis and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. On the shore there are fonts in which you can bathe in hot water at any time of the year. In general, Zmeinaya Bay is a relatively warm place, firstly, the heat comes from the springs, and secondly, the winds mostly bypass the bay. Here we will warm ourselves in the warm water of the spring and set up camp nearby.

Zmeinaya Bay – Kurbulik village – Katun village – Monakhovo cordon

We continue moving along the picturesque Chivyrkuisky Bay. In addition to cozy bays, rocky islands, slender pine forests, sparkling snow and shining ice, we will come across several settlements on our way, reminding us that civilization is already close, and the end of our hike is not far off.

We will visit the largest settlement on the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula – the Kurbulik village. Despite the fact that there is no gas or even electricity in the village, its population is about 100 people. But in the neighboring Katun settlement, only two families live all year round, but the village itself looks very interesting: houses are lined up in a row on a very narrow isthmus of Cape Katun. The isthmus is so narrow that in summer the water comes right up to the fences and gates. We will finish our day route in the village of Monakhovo, where the cordon of the Zabaikalsky National Park and an observation deck with views of the Chivyrkuisky Bay are located. We will climb to the observation deck to contemplate the views and set up camp on the shore in the territory of the Monakhovo camping.

Monakhovo - Ulan-Ude

In the morning, transport will come for us, on which we will go to Ulan-Ude, where we will stay in a hotel. It is better to buy tickets home the next day (February 28) in case of possible delays on the way.

This hike is designed for experienced tourists with experience in winter hiking. Technically, the hike is not difficult: there are no summits to storm or rock climbing elements, we will walk mainly on the smooth ice of Lake Baikal, which is very convenient, the main difficulty of this hike is the low temperatures, the need to organize your life for 8 days and nights in freezing winter conditions without the ability to shelter indoors. Opportunities to light a fire or heat a tent with a stove are also limited (firewood is not available everywhere, in addition, we will travel through the protected area of ​​​​the Zabaikalsky National Park, where it is prohibited to cut down trees and shrubs). The hike takes place mainly on the ice of Lake Baikal, some of the nights will be on the shore, but options are possible when tents will have to be pitched directly on the ice of the lake (for example, if the shore is steep and rocky). We cook food on gas burners, we get water from the purest Baikal ice and snow. The route includes a hot breakfast and dinner, as well as a lunch snack (dry rations + tea from a thermos).

The route may be subject to changes due to the unsatisfactory condition and insufficient level of preparedness of the participants, weather conditions or other force majeure circumstances.

We are going to Baikal in the middle of winter: a beautiful but cold time. Therefore, it is worth taking the selection of equipment very seriously. The air temperature at this time of year is usually - 10 - 20 °C during the day and -15 - 25 °C at night, but frosts down to - 30 °C and below are possible, as well as strong winds. We spend the night in a large common tent, the heating capabilities of which are very limited (there is little firewood on our route, and we cannot rely on it much), perhaps on some nights we will be able to light a stove or make a fire, but most likely we will not be able to light it every night, in addition, some of the nights we will pitch the tent directly on the ice, so a very warm sleeping bag is absolutely necessary (from -15 °C comfort or lower).

For stops and halts, a warm winter down jacket and insulated pants (down or similar synthetic ones with insulation, you can use snowboard pants) are required, and for the running gear - an insulated, windproof walking jacket and windproof pants. Also required: warm winter thermal underwear, insulated windproof mittens, several pairs of woolen socks, a warm hat, a balaclava. It would be a good idea to take a ski mask: it protects well from both the wind and the bright sun. Take hygienic lipstick and a thick cream so that your lips and face do not get chapped in the cold. Don't forget about warm clothes for sleeping. Choose a thicker sleeping pad or take two (you may spend the night on ice), give preference to a thick foam mat (karemat) rather than an inflatable mat, since if the inflatable mat deflates, you will find yourself practically on the snow, and you will be cold.

Boots should be insulated or loose enough to put on several socks under them, including woolen ones. It would be a good idea to put on shoe covers with galoshes on your boots, this will prevent snow from getting on (in) your shoes and getting them wet, with shoe covers your boots will be dry throughout the entire hike. To pass through areas with open ice, take ice grips (rubber pads with spikes that are pulled over shoes).

Take a backpack of 80-100 liters, winter equipment is usually quite voluminous, and do not forget that everyone will be given communal equipment and food. Leave about a third of the backpack for this, the weight of communal equipment and food is about 6-7 kg per person. Many people are used to taking sleds - drags on a winter hike, if it is convenient for you - take them, but it is worth keeping in mind that there may be hummock fields along the way, through which you will have to drag them (as a rule, these are not very large areas, and we should be able to cope).

Be sure to take a thermos for hot water or tea, we will heat up tea for daytime hikes.

When choosing clothes and equipment, remember that for 8 days and nights we will be outside, without the opportunity to warm up indoors, you can only warm up with the help of properly selected things. Do not skimp on warmth and your health!

See the full list of equipment below:

• backpack (80-100 l) or smaller backpack + sleds;
• sleeping bag (comfort temperature -15°C or lower);
• winter rug (pad) (dense, thick);
• seat cushion (butt pad);
• headlamp and spare batteries for it;
• thermos (at least 1 l);
• personal dishes (mug, spoon, bowl, knife);
• warm hat;
• personal hygiene products, personal first aid kit, toilet paper;
• small towel (to dry off after bathing in hot springs);
• hygienic lipstick and thick winter cream (from frost and wind);
• trekking poles;
• insulated trekking boots;
• winter shoe covers (with galoshes or insulated);
• warm down jacket (for -30 °C);
• insulated pants (down or similar synthetic with insulation, you can use snowboard pants);
• insulated windproof walking jacket;
• windproof walking pants;
• gloves;
• windproof mittens;
• synthetic trekking socks (several pairs);
• wool socks (several pairs);
• winter thermal underwear (two sets, so you can change if necessary);
• fleece jacket;
• warm clothes for sleeping (thermal underwear, fleece, wool socks);
• ski mask;
• balaclava;
• insulated slippers for a tent and camp;
• ice cleats for shoes for walking on ice.

1. If you are interested in this tour, leave a request through the registration form on this page or write to us at WhatsApp, Telegram or by email, we will contact you and answer all your questions.
2. To reserve a place, you must make an advance payment of 30% of the tour cost. The advance payment is made through the website (section Payment) and is refundable 45 days or more before the start of the tour and non-refundable, unfortunately, less than 45 days before the start, if the refund is related to your refusal to participate (for any reason). If the tour does not take place due to our fault, due to the group not being formed, or due to force majeure, the advance payment will be guaranteed to be returned to you in any case.
3. The final payment is made on the first day of the tour. You can pay using the QR code that the tour organizer will provide you, in cash, or through the website.