Day 1

At 8:30am we meet at Irkutsk airport, get on a minibus and go to our hotel for early check-in. You will have free time to rest after your long flight.

At 11am we depart for a brief city tour over Irkutsk, which will take two hours and lead us to the most interesting historical sights of the city.  and end on the promenade of Angara River. After lunch we will depart for the wooden architectural museum of Taltsy. This museum holds interesting old houses of Irkutsk which are neatly fitted into landscape and thus look quite nice in photos.

After visiting Taltsy, we will go a bit further down the road to see the beginning of the only river that originates from Baikal, the Angara River. The speed of water here is so high it doesn’t freeze, even in the coldest days. And if we're lucky we will see fog rising from the open water into winter air and the distant mountains lit by the setting sun!

After that we’ll return to Irkutsk to have supper and rest.

Day 2

We have our breakfast and get on the minibus to drive towards Lake Baikal. This will take approximately six hours. Lunch will be in cafe along the way.

Around 15:00 we drive to the shore of Lake Baikal. Here we first step the ice of Lake Baikal and go to the island Olkhon, the biggest island on Lake Baikal.

We check-in to our hotel in Khuzhir, just ten minutes walk from the shores of Lake Baikal. Each room has all the comforts you need. We spend the next five nights here so can spread out and make yourself comfortable.

After check in we go to get acquainted with Baikal. Today we will see one of the main attractions of Baikal, Shaman Rock. We will stay for sunset where our local guide will show you the most interesting perspectives of this powerful place.

Day 3

Up at 5:00. Early wake up and departure to sunrise shooting to the southern tip of the island Ogoy - sharp rock, which rises above the ice like the dragon ridge. The sunrise at Ogoi.

Return to hotel, Breakfast and rest. Analysis of dawn photos and review of processing techniques of a landscape, filmed in direct sunlight.

14:00 - lunch.

15:30 - depart for sunset shoot on the rock Trident.

Sunset shooting at the Trident.

Day 4

Up at 5:30. Early wake up and departure to sunrise shooting to the island Ezhelhey or Elenka. This island is very different from all other Islands in the Small sea of lake Baikal. It seems that the powerful underground forces squeezed out from the bottom of Lake Baikal. Return to the hotel. Breakfast.

11am - another workshop session.

14:00 - lunch. 15:30 - departure from the hotel on sunset shooting to kape Khoboi - the most northern part of Olkhon island. Here pressure of expanding ice forms huge chunks of ice local people call toros. We will shoot this toros with might walls of Khoboi on background. After sunset we return to hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 5

Up at 6:00. Early wake up and departure to sunrise shooting to the Cape Tsagan-Khushun. From the lookout on the headland we overlook the impressive panorama of the Small Sea and its Islands, and at its foot is a quaint stone arch.

Return to hotel, Breakfast.

11am - workshop session.

Lunch at 14:00. 15:30 - depart for sunset shoot on the caves on the Peninsula Mare's Head where we can shoot picturesque views from the high viewpoint and beautiful ice caves.

Day 6

Up at 5:30. Today we are going for the sunrise shooting to one of the desolated villages of Olkhon - Uzury which is situated on the shore of Great Baikal. Here we will shoot not only the sunrise but also view over Baikal from a high viewpoint. After shooting we return to our hotel for breakfast and rest.

Lunch at 14:00. 15:00 - departure for sunset shoot. On the way we will stop at Kurumkan wall - an ancient stone structure that insulates the part of Kurumkanskiy Cape. The sunset we will meet in the Gulf Noor. Here from the bottom of Lake Baikal rise tens methane bubbles, which freezes into the ice and remain in these fanciful patterns.

Day 7

Wake up at 9:00. Today is a special day. You have already seen all the major sights of the Small Sea, and we want to show you something special. In our jeep we will go to Tashkeney, on the shore of a Great Baikal. Of the hundreds of tourists coming to Lake Baikal, only few get here. But here you can find some of the most impressive ridges - huge ice blocks taller than anyone! Here we will arrange lunch and wait for the sunset.

Day 8

This morning we’ll depart from hotel for morning shooting in the caves of Khoboi point. Here you’ll find great opportunities for sunrise shots with sun lighting directly into the cave! But also Khoboi is well known for great ice fields and huge ice cracks and chunks of ice!

After shooting we’ll return to our hotel for breakfast, pack our gear end depart for Irkutsk with a brief stop for lunch in cafe along the way.

We’ll return to Irkutsk in the evening, check-in in hotel and then go for farewell supper in restaurant close to our hotel.

Day 9

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to airport and sadly say our farewells before flying home.