Olkhon Island
Russia · Irkutsk Oblast · 460 m
Description
Olkhon (Ольхон) is the largest island in Lake Baikal and the centre of Buryat shamanism, a seventy kilometre strip of steppe, sand and larch with cliffs on its eastern side and shallow bays on its west. Khuzhir is the only real village. Shaman Rock at Cape Burkhan is among the most revered sites in Siberia, and coloured ribbons are tied to the wooden serge poles along the shore. In winter the lake freezes hard enough for an official ice road to carry vehicles across from the mainland. There is no light pollution anywhere on the island.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: February – March or July – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Shaman Rock at Cape Burkhan
- Ice road across the lake to the island (February - March)
- Cape Khoboy at the northern tip
- Khuzhir village and its wooden guesthouses
- Sarayskiy beach and the dunes
- UAZ minibus tour along the island spine
- Buryat serge poles and the ritual sites
- Ice caves and grottoes along the shore (February - March)
- Stargazing over the lake without light pollution
- Peschanaya bay and the walking sands
- Uzuri bay on the eastern shore
- Sunset over the Small Sea strait
- Baikal seals on the Ushkany islands(Day trip)