Fully autonomous we all pull our own sledges for this 200 km trail
Highlights
- A rare expedition on a mythical route
- Expedition guide by an experienced polar guide from Polar experience
- Immersion in the raw and wild nature
- Weather router and doctor H24 polar specialist
- In an intimate group of 4 to 6 participants
- A human adventure above all
Discover our 2022 expedition live !
Guided by Brecht De Meulenaere, experienced polar guide from Polar Experience, we set off with our crampons and pulkas for a magical expedition on Lake Baikal. In the heart of Siberia, we evolve on the vast and frozen lake. Completely autonomous, we pull our own sleds on a route of about 200 km and we spend the night in tents. Arctic conditions, the huge flat expanse and the winter vacuum give us an intense polar feeling. This adventure is for participants who have prior polar experience or who have already gone camping in winter.
Overview
The first days on the ice are needed to acclimatize en get a good grip. In a fantastic scenery with ice cracking under your feet and bubbles appearing under your sleeping matress, we head from Bol'shoye Goloustnoye to Olkhon island in 10 days temperature differences during the day make the ice expand and shrink. At night it sounds like a little party going on down there! The ice on this deepest lake in the world has 1m thickness, so nothing to worry about!
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT IRKUTSK
Day 1
Arrival at Irkutsk and transfer to Bol'shoye Goloustnoye.
For the rest of the day, full focus on preparation! Our guide informs us about safety procedures and tells about what is to be expected on the expedition. We check our personal clothing and collective equipment, we go shopping for the some extra food, we prepare our daily food rates and we learn how to pack all of this in the most efficient way in the pulka's.
DAY 2: FIRST STEPS ON LAKE BAIKAL
Day 2
We enjoy a delicious breakfast and verify the last practical things.
Some hours after rising this morning we are already shining on the ice. First steps on Lake Baikal show us we need to get used to this terrain and we need to be careful at all times. Soon this unease makes room for wonderment and the realisation that we really are doing this! A snowshoe expedition at the world's deepest lake and biggest freshwater reservoir, guided by one of the most experienced polar guides.
DAYS 3 TO 10: DEEP WINTER SILENCE AND GREATNESS
Day 3
For 200km we enjoy the deep winter silence and greatness...
Besides that it is not only the temperature, but also the variety of experiences that is keeping us 'fresh'. Think about the ice that is alive beneath our feet; constantly moving and possibly creating some unexpected gaps. Or think about the baikalrob coming out of the ice to breath? He is some kind of seal only living in fresh water. In wintertime females come on the ice to give birth; males stay under the ice but do pop up sometimes through a breathing hole. Beware and stay alert... A breathing hole covered by a recent layer of snow could create some really really cold circumstances...
Photographers among us will discover new angles, colours, and shades that distort apparent monotony. If needed, they can hook their sled on the pulling harness of one of the stronger expedition members and take their time for photography. Soon enough, the cold will invite you to move again to pump more blood to your body’s extremities. This way, the progression stretch in the group will recalibrate so that the group can take regular breaks together. It is necessary to regularly drink and eat to keep our body’s central heating system well-fuelled.
DAY 11: ARRIVING AT OLKHON
Day 11 to 12
After a challenging 10-day polar expedition, this is our last day on the lake... and it leads us to Olkhon Island.
We set foot on land again, where our driver waits for us. He takes us to a cosy hotel at the island. As the trekking is finished and we prepare to go home again, we need to organise the material and get everything dry before departure to Irkutsk.
Off course, a visit at the island, getting to know the local people and enjoying a traditional dinner are not to miss!.
Tired, all clean and completely satisfied we talk some more about our adventure and we get a good warm night sleep.
DAY 12: GOING HOME
Day 12
Really early in the morning we leave for Irkutsk where we say goodbye to our driver.
Around noon we take a flight to Moscow and head for home.
JOUR 13 : ARRIVÉE À OLKHON
Day 13
Après une véritable expédition polaire de 10 jours, c’est notre dernier jour sur le lac ... et il nous mène à l’île d’Olkhon. Nous mettons le pied sur la terre ferme, où notre chauffeur nous attend. Il nous emmène dans un hôtel confortable sur l'île. Comme l’expédition est terminée et que nous nous préparons à rentrer chez nous, nous devons organiser le matériel et tout sécher avant de partir pour Irkoutsk. Bien sûr, nous visitons l’île, faisons connaissance avec la population locale et profitons d’un dîner traditionnel. Fatigués et heureux, nous parlons un peu plus de notre aventure et passons une bonne nuit bien au chaud.
JOURS 14 & 15 : VOLS DE RETOUR VERS L'EUROPE
Day 14
Tôt le matin, nous partons pour Irkoutsk où nous prenons notre vol pour Moscou et rentrons chez nous. Nous atterrissons en général le jour-même (jour 14) ou le lendemain.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Your guide
You are accompanied by Brecht De Meulnaere, a Polar Experience guide – see description above.
If for reasons beyond our control and duly substantiated, Brecht cannot guide the group, then he will be replaced by another experienced polar guide. The services would not be modified, the travel conditions would therefore be identical and this change would not constitute a valid reason for cancellation.
And throughout the program, we will draw on other local skills as needed. Finally, we will have access to an experienced weather router and an H24 doctor specializing in polar and isolated environments, based in Europe.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: challenging
This expedition calls for regular practice of trekking the rest of the year or of another endurance sporting activity. It is accessible to anyone with a good physical condition.
The main difficulty of this expedition is the potentially extreme weather conditions. The temperature at this time of the year can reach - 40°C.
The carrying is provided by the participants in the pulkas which weigh nearly 35 kg at the start. A good physical and mental condition is therefore imperative. Each participant is responsible for the application of safety rules, his equipment and its maintenance, the installation of the camp, the preparation of meals. As always in this type of project, the key to success remains the collective and team spirit.
Participation in one of our seminars or polar courses of our School of Adventure is, if not required, strongly recommended.
Meeting point
We meet with our guide in Irkutsk.
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
In a double or collective room, in a hotel or in a privatized chalet depending on availability at the time of booking.
Meals
Meals are taken in a homestay or hotel at the start and finish of the expedition (not included in this all-in cost). During the expedition, meals are prepared beforehand in dehydrated form. They provide us with all the calories we need for the expedition with priority given to a balanced diet, light weight, and simplicity of preparation.
Group size
The group is composed of 4 to 6 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
These calculations made us aware of the importance of the total carbon emissions generated by our activity. Also, we have committed in 2022 to a carbon reduction that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. Thus, in 2030, we commit ourselves not to exceed 2,160 tonnes of C02. Thus, our maximum “carbon” budget for 2024 is 2,950 tonnes and for 2025, this budget will be reduced to 2,800 tonnes. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 1,49 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €45 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €7,000 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Polar Experience guiding
Polar Experience guiding
This program is guided by a Polar Experience guide, accredited by the IPGA (International Polar Guides Association) with a solid experience in the polar regions and who adhere to a specific working method to help participants achieve their goals on an individual basis. They frequently lead participants in Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, towards the North Pole, the South Pole and elsewhere in Antarctica like in Queen Maud land. Not only are they some of the best polar guides in the world, but they also have first-rate teaching and interpersonal skills, making the experience you are about to have, with and thanks to them, even rarer.
These guides were all trained by our late Dixie Dansercoer, who tragically passed away in June 2021 in Greenland. With many years of polar experience, he had developed a high-level team with a specific approach which can be summarized as follows:
- Respect for the environment: going places and leaving no traces, this is what we implement the best way we can during all our Polar Experience guided trips and expeditions. As expeditions are inherently based on a minimalist’s attitude, we stick to the basics and avoid excesses. Respect for local cultures.
- Safety: our knowledge and know-how has been developed with a major focus on maximum experience and minimal risk for our participants. Preparation and high-quality equipment are obviously two major issues with no compromise. We have as well weather, medical and rescue partners on stand-by 24/7. Your guide has a satellite telephone, an Iridium Go! VHF radio, mountaineering safety equipment, a location beacon, GPS and other equipment necessary for a journey in the best safety conditions.
- Preparation & training: full immersion in physical and mental training, equipment knowledge, first Aid basics, logistical challenges and crisis management. Understanding the environmental, cultural and geographical characteristics of polar environment, learning from pioneering and contemporary expeditions. Preparation calls and expeditions training (theory, practice) over a weekend.
- High quality equipment: constant improvements and customized adjustments for maximum efficiency and performance. Screening of personal clothing and advice on purchase of special polar clothing at partner’s stores with special discounts.
Julie Brown, Dixie's partner of many years, now leads this dynamic little team.
Each participant receives the useful book, Polar Exploration: A practical handbook for North and South Pole expeditions, hard cover or electronic version, written by Dixie Dansercoer, which is the reference handbook that explains all aspects of polar journeys and expeditions: polar environment, safety, preparation, training and equipment.
Reviews
Nessim H.
Dear Nessim, thank you for your feedback. It was a great pleasure to be able to put together such a great team. And you were absolutely right to travel to Baikal by train, for the vibe, for sure, and for the carbon footprint too ;). And we were lucky with our timing compared to the tragedy that followed. Hopefully, it all comes to an end as soon as possible. See you all soon.
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
Dates currently being programmed
Alert me as soon as you set a datePrice includes
- Accommodations in Irkutsk and/or Bol'shoye Goloustnoye and/or on Olkhon island within the limit of 3 nights.
- Breakfast in Irkutsk and/or Bol'shoye Goloustnoye and/or on Olkhon island within the limit of 3 days.
- All private vehicle transfers between airport and hotel, start and end of expedition.
- Very experienced polar guide.
- Meals in the form of dehydrated rations during the expedition.
- Tents for two people, stoves and fuel.
- Pulkas and harnesses, mattresses and very cold sleeping bags.
- A security satellite phone (reserved for the guide).
- Taxes and permits.
- An experienced weather router throughout the expedition
- Medical follow-up by Ifremmont during the expedition (see above).
- Preparatory meetings in person and/or remotely.
- Expedition live tracking for your community (InReach beacon supply, IridiumGo and subscriptions, LivExplorer service configuration).
Price does not include
- The International return flight to Irkutsk.
- Lunches and dinners in Irkutsk and/or Bol'shoye Goloustnoye and/or on Olkhon island.
- Consular fees and health tests (Covid).
- Possible customs taxes on arrival in Russia.
- Any taxes for the importation of satellite phones, professional communication equipment and filming of a commercial nature.
- Expenses related to an expedition schedule shift (additional nights of accommodation beyond 3 nights, breakfast beyond 3 days of full board in Russia, flights supplements).
- Costs related to an early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, modification of plane tickets or other unforeseen activities in this program.
- Tips for the guide, to be shared with the other participants according to your satisfaction.
- Hotel nights, meals and other personal expenses during face-to-face preparation meetings.
- Personal equipment (please see equipment list below).
- Drinks and all personal expenses (personal visits, taxis, souvenirs, laundry, etc.).
- Travel and expedition insurance (assistance, evacuation and repatriation).
Your custom expedition
We put our expertise, our knowledge of the terrain, our creativity, our experience, the quality of our guides and the reliability of our partners at your service to build your custom expedition. We can also personalize an expedition to your wishes as soon as you form a "closed" group, whatever the number of participants.
This means that, unless you authorize us to do otherwise, no outside participants join you, and we can personalize your expedition by adapting it to your own pace, with the program extensions you desire, a higher level of comfort, certain activities, other encounters, etc.
Every expedition of this type is subject to a specific quotation. To get in touch with us now, please fill in the short questionnaire below. One of our experts will get back to you to refine your request and make you a proposal.
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