Lake Baikal Photo Tour

Winter photography tour 2021

Embedded within the southern Siberian mountainous region, sitting just north of the Mongolian border, lies the largest freshwater lake in the world. With approximately 1800 species of plants and animals, Baikal Lake is also home to diverse cultures ranging from Russian influences, Buddhism, Shamanism and Mongolic Buryats.

During the winter, the crystal clear waters freeze over and the landscape becomes otherworldly, transforming into a landscape photographer’s icey paradise. Frosted, dramatic rock formations rising up through the glassy ice, gas bubbles frozen in time, caves filled with crystal stalactites and intricate, delicate ice flowers are just some of the features of this surreal vista.

Our eight day tour aims to provide every opportunity to explore this epic and vast area whilst also introducing guests to life in Siberia. There will be daily opportunities to chase the best light and for those who wish to, a chance to venture out for some astrophotography and and maybe capture The Milky Way.

Start: February 20, 2021, Irkutsk, Russia
End: February 27, 2021, Irkutsk, Russia

Guides: Dmitry Dyugaev, Will Cheng
Price: €2000 (deposit €1000)
Early bird price – book before 01.09.2020: €1800

Single occupancy: + €600

Included:

Double occupancy
Accommodation
Incoming and outgoing transfers from Irkutsk Airport to accomodation
Three daily meals over the course of the tour
Permissions and permits
Professional English speaking photo guides
Opportunities for image critiques and post processing tuition

Not included:

Tickets to Irkutsk and back
Medical insurance
Alcohol

15:00 – 19:00 Sunset shoot at the Shaman Rock (Shamanka Rock)

20:00 – 20:30 Dinner

Day 6

06:00 – 07:00 Travel to Khoboy Cape by car

07:00 – 11:00 Sunrise shoot – Shunte rock and Mys Khoboy (Khoboy Cape)

11:00 – 11:30 Breakfast on the lake

11:30 – 13:30 Return to accommodation with a stop at Mys Sagan-Khushun (Three Brothers Cape) to capture the beautiful icicles

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch

15:00 – 19:00 Sunset shoot – lake shore near the village Khuzhir

20:00 – 20:30 Dinner

Day 7

06:00 – 07:30 Travel to Mys Uzur (Uzur Cape) by car

07:30 – 11:00 Sunrise – Shunte rock

11:00 – 11:30 Breakfast on the lake

11:30 – 12:30 Return to accommodation

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch

15:00 – 19:00 Sunset shoot – bubbles on the lake

20:00 – 20:30 Dinner

Day 8

08:00 – 09:30 Sunrise shoot – lake shore close to Khuzhir village

10:30 – 11:00 Breakfast

11:00 – 16:00 Check out and transfer back to Irkutsk with a lunch stop on the way

16:00 – 19:00 Explore Irkutsk

19:30-21:00 Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Irkutsk

Frequently Asked Questions

What photography equipment do I need?

Camera with 2-3 batteries or more
Tripod
A selection of lenses from 14 to 200 mm in focal length
Circular-polar filter
Gradual and ND-filters (optional)
Photo backpack

What equipment do I require for the tour?

Temperatures range between -5 to -30º C. Sometimes it will be colder with a wind chill. With this in mind we strongly recommend:

Winter boots
Thermal base layers
Fleece mid layer
Down jacket with hood
Warm windproof jacket
Insulated trousers
Hat (preferably windproof)
Gloves and mittens
Warm socks
Sunglasses
Headlight
Thermal insole (optional)
Slip on snow shoe grips or spikes

Could the itinerary change?

Your safety is our priority. The itinerary is designed to give everyone as many photographic opportunities as possible. However, subject to inclement weather and the condition of the ice, this could change.

Will there be any tutorials?

There will be no formal seminars or tutorials as such but we will be more than happy to share our expertise to help you make the best pictures. There will also be opportunities during downtime for the group to discuss best practices and to support each other.

REGISTRATION FORM

To register, please fill in the form below.