Priwjet!
In 2007 I had the chance to visit this beautiful region - 14 days in June/July at the Lake Baikal - now I'm going to present pictures here from the excursions.

They are made by our tour group (with some rare exceptions). It was a tremendous experience beginning with the long flight via Moscow to Irkutsk, the capital of this region (Oblast).

It will take some time to fill this page with Images and Words - so it might be interesting for you to come in from time to time to explore the updates ...

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The journey had just began and the first trouble was looming. We left Hannover airport late and our plane had to circle around Moscow for too long - normally we had time for one hour to reach for the connecting flight to Irkutsk - but we definetely arrived too late - Changing the clock two hours forward

The adventure had already started at Moscow. But lucky we were - our group could get another one later - this time an older exemplar - a russian Aeroflot Tupolev 154M with lesser comfort and intense kerosine smell - a little bit faster on the other hand. We were flying across endless landscapes further on but finally we arrived at Irkutsk only half an hour later as planed - Changing the clock five hours forward

Being awaited by Alexander we were transported with a right hand driven Toyota transporter. His bureau is somewhere in Irkutsk. Despite the jetlag was bothering us we could receive an impression of this capital during the ride - a wild mix of modern buildings and old native houses. Antique trams which are already moving as by a wonder.

Katja and Natascha from St. Petersburg joined our group from now on and we left the city via Sludjanka, our first location at Lake Baikal, by a descent into hell through the mountains on a mogul slope. After some hours we could finally reach for the first views at this fascinating lake and for a rest to have some typical russian food (and beer) for the first time.

Later we arrived our quarter outside Sludjanka with an associated mineralogy museum and the richest collections of minerals in whole Russia. Little time for relaxing before starting the 3-day-excursion into the Chamar-Daban mountains.

We made a late walk with a stop at the postal office for to send some postcards. The surburban people are living in quite simple circumstances. Modest houses and chimneys with dark smoke all over there. Meeting friendly children and reserved adults. On our way back we had organized some beer and cakes. Our guide Nicolai added some Omul, the typical Baikal fish. Very fatty - but smoked it's a real delicacy together with fresh bread and beer.

Breakfast with bread, cheese, sausage, marmalade and Tschai, the original russian tea. And then waiting for the UAS transporter to come which should help on getting into the Chamar-Daban mountains. Sitting on the back of this russian pickup we witnessed an adventurous one hour trip passing an enormous marble quarry and crossing uncounted creeks on the way up into upper terrain. Deep respect - the russians have robust cars by all means!

First stop was a station deep in the forest conducted by a young family where we could take our second breakfast. We unloaded our baggage and with great reverence we said goodbye to our hell driver. Still suffering from the jet lag we could order blinis (russian pancakes) and tea for strenghtening our power.

Our destination was a meteorogical station on 1500 m, reachable within walking distance which is taking some hours. The tents and our food were tied up to a pack horse. Putting on the rucksack we went on having enough time to explore and enjoy the environment. The forest is fairly comparable to the Alpes vegetation but more pristine, virgin of course and the weather is slightly sub-tropical with a higher humidity.

Close to the meteorological station there is a campground - our base for the next two days. Very simple - no electricity, no gas, no toilets. Because we had some time left and no positive weather forecast for the next day we decided to reach for Pik Tscherski immediately - an additional 500 m climb accending steeply.

Passing fields of mini alpine rhododendron and shaman trees and finally leaving the timberline behind we got nice views into the valleys. Upcoming rain with rainbows - ugly clouds were looming, thunder - we were forced to turn back soon. Returned to the camp we decided to take a wooden hut for the night instead of preparing our tents because the rain escalated.

We had a simple meal with potatoes and butter at the fireplace. A bottle vodka circulated afterwards and everyone had to propose a toast to something or somebody according to common practice.

The conditions for the night were heavy. Dry - but confined space - one room for five persons sleeping on a wodden platform.

The next day was dominated by constantly rainy weather and fog unfortunately. Most of the time we spent at the fireplace drinking tea. No chance to reach for the waterfalls which are some kilometers away from the camp or to make other excursions.

On the other hand we had enough time to enjoy a Banja, the typical russian sauna in the afternoon - seperated in a male and female group. The celebration started with the search for fresh fir branchs for giving us a whipping.

An interesting experience by all means because of Nicolai's special skills. Our guide had been in Mongolia on a school for monks dealing with religious but also natural history themes.

Considering we never met him before he soon came to an astonishing personal diagnosis almost always meeting the truth after whipping, messaging and scanning our bodies. This was definetely one of the unforgetable tour highlights.

Next day we went back to Sludjanka through the forest. The same this day - rain - rain - unfortunately we had bad weather. But nevertheless ist was an impressing 3-day-trip in the mountains. In the late afternoon we got enough time to make a walk into the town - the first contact to the lake included.

[-Part 2-]