8 Best Tours In Irkutsk, Russia

irkutsk russia tours
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 3 min read

Often called the Siberian Paris, Irkutsk is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Siberia, Russia. The city boasts magnificent churches, whose histories date back centuries. If you are planning to have a wonderful vacation in Russia, make sure that the historic city of Irkutsk is on the list of the cities you visit, in Russia. To experience the best of Irkutsk, the best thing you can do is to take any of the following tours:

1. City tour by car (from USD 22.05)

irkutsk russia tours | city tour by car

Have a city tour of Irkutsk by visiting the most popular destinations in the city by car. Some of the tourist attractions you will enjoy include Kirov Square, the area where the most beautiful churches are found, including the Savior Church, the Epiphany Cathedral, and the Catholic Church. You will also have some free time to take a relaxed stroll along the River Angara.

City tour by car

Price: From 1094 RUB (19 USD)

Duration: 3 hours (approx.)

Website: City tour by car

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Irkutsk City Tour

Duration: 4 hour

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2. Tour to Circum-Baikal Railway (from USD 108.0)

This tour will depart from Irkutsk to the new line of the Trans-Siberian and Lake Baikal. Admire the Circum-Baikal railway, which is the most attractive part of the Trans-Siberian Railway and has become a part of Baikal National Park. Walk through the old Trans-Siberian line until the station of Kultuk.

You will get to enjoy Lake Baikal before driving up to the mountain for lunch (not included in the tour price) and have the most breathtaking view of the lake from above.

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Tour to Circum-Baikal Railway

Duration: 10 hours

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3. Olkhon Island car tour for one day from Irkutsk (from USD 128.0)

Baikal Olkhon W
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Iñaki LLM used under CC BY-SA 3.0

On this tour, you will depart from Irkutsk and head to Olkhon, the largest island of Lake Baikal, one of the lakes in the country that will take your breath away. Located in the middle of the lake, Olkhon is called the Small Sea, for its unique water and special microclimate.

On this tour, you will be able to see the rock paintings and the mysterious caves of Olkhon. You will also visit the Shamanka Rock and the Three Brothers, which are the most beautiful places on the island.

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Olkhon Island Car Tour for One Day from Irkutsk

Duration: Flexible

4. hour Irkutsk city walking tour (from USD 60.0)

Irkutsk City Centre - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Raki_Man used under CC BY 3.0

Take a guided tour around the city of Irkutsk and gain some knowledge about the history of this beautiful city. Stroll the main streets of the city and observe the unique architecture of the local houses that are made of wood and stone. Your guide will also lead you to the Old Town and some churches, such as Kazan Church and the Raising of the Cross Church.

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2.5-Hour Irkutsk City Walking Tour

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

5. Big tour to Lake Baikal (from USD 135.0)

The very first destination you will be visiting on this tour is Listvyanka, where you will walk with your experienced guide to drop by the village with the marketplace. You will then stop by the St. Nicolas Church and head to the peak of Chersky, where you will be presented with a magnificent view of Lake Baikal. Before learning about the flora and fauna of Lake Baikal at the Baikal Museum, you will have your lunch first, for free.

Big tour to Lake Baikal

Price: From 3168 RUB (55 USD)

Duration: 8 hours (approx.)

Website: Big tour to Lake Baikal

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Best experience on Baikal: Listvyanka and Irkutsk!

Duration: 8 hours

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6. One day tour to Ust-Orda, Historical Museum (from USD 658.0)

Situated approximately 60 km (37.3 miles) from Irkutsk, the Buryat village in Ust-Orda is the main destination of this tour. You will be invited to participate in the shaman ceremony and, after that, you can enjoy a folk performance. You will also have the chance to visit the Historical Museum, a place for you to gain a better understanding of the life of the Buryats in the Pribaikal region.

One day tour to Ust-Orda, Historical Museum

Price: From 4089 RUB (71 USD)

Duration: 6 hours (approx.)

Website: One day tour to Ust-Orda, Historical Museum

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Full-Day Private Tour to the Shamans from Irkutsk

Duration: 7 hours

7. Full-day private tour to the Shamans from Irkutsk (from USD 658.0)

Be ready to begin your trip to Ust-Orda from Irkutsk by boarding a private vehicle. Upon arrival in Ust-Orda, you will first visit the Museum of Local Lore, where you will learn about the history of Siberia from the Stone Age until the present day. Then, you will join a Buryat Shaman cleansing ritual, as well as drink Buryat tea and enjoy a Buryat traditional meal.

The Buryats are the largest indigenous group in Siberia. To participate in the ritual, you will wear a classic Buryat outfit. This tour will give you a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

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Full-Day Private Tour to the Shamans from Irkutsk

Duration: 7 hours

8. Tour to the Museum of Wooden Architecture Talci

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated on the way from Irkutsk to Listvyanka, the Museum of Wooden Architecture Talci is worth visiting. In this museum, you can observe how the ethnic groups living in ancient Siberia lived their lives. Learn about ancient Russian villages from the 78 wooden buildings displayed.

Tour to the Museum of Wooden Architecture Talci

Price: From 1670 RUB (29 USD)

Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

Website: Tour to the Museum of Wooden Architecture Talci

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For the most amazing vacation you can have in Irkutsk

Olkhonsky District, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Александр Жилинский used under CC BY 3.0

Every vacation you have should be an amazing one. If you are coming to Irkutsk, the only way to make sure your vacation is going to be amazing is by taking some of the best tours in Irkutsk, offered above. The tours will take you to the best places in Irkutsk and also lead you to the most beautiful places possible, that can be visited from Irkutsk.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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