Lake Baikal Go to Russia

Travels with Go To Russia: Lake Baikal
By Svetlana Alimova

Added to the World Heritage list by UNESCO in 1996, the Lake Baikal is often called a Siberian pearl for its exceptional beauty. The word “Baikal” came from the Turk language. “Bai” means “wealthy” and “kul” means “lake”. So “Baikal” is a “wealthy lake” and this precise name fits perfectly to describe its abundant beauty, unique flora and fauna, and limitless opportunities for travelers. Lake Baikal offers hot springs, helicopter tours to remote wilderness areas, diving, off-road expeditions, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, snow-cat skiing, heli-skiing, rafting and much more.

Scientists are still debating the lake’s origin. Some are trying to prove that it emerged as a result of tectonic processes of orogeny, while others think it has been formed as a result of the earth’s crust gradually subsiding. So far nobody has been proved right. But a known fact, however, is that Baikal is the world’s deepest fresh water lake and that it holds 20% of the world surface fresh water.
It would take all the rivers of the world – Volga, Don, Dnepr and Yenisei, Ural and Ob, Ganges and Orinoko, Amazon and Thames, Seine and Oder – nearly one year to fill lake Baikal’s basin. It would take four hundred years for all the rivers, streams and brooks now flowing into the Siberian lake-sea to perform the task.

The Baikal area is a veritable treasure trove of mineral resources. Sables thrive in the region’s taiga; valuable fur animals live in the surrounding mountains and valleys; and birds and fish abound in the forests and rivers of the area. The nearby Dauro-Mongolian steppes are very fertile. There are hot springs in the vicinity of Lake Baikal. The lake acts as a powerful generator and bio-filter producing this water.

The size of the lake is so enormous that the locals call it the sea. This “sea” is rapidly growing with the average speed of 2 cm (0.8 in) per year. Baikal is believed to be an ocean in the future; some say that Baikal will be a starting point of a new great ocean across Asia.

The Baikal Lake is also one of Asia’s holy places. People through over the centuries worshiped the lake and believed in its magic powers. One can still see the unique carvings and remains of the ritual buildings, constructed by the lake by the local tribes thousands years ago. The original inhabitants of this area were Eskimo (who now live in Alaska). In the 9th century, the Mongols came from the south, mixed with Eskimos and formed a new nation – the Buryats (Mongolian language group), who practiced Buddhism. The idea of freedom from serfdom and the promise of free land have driven many Russians to Siberia between the 17th and the 19th centuries. Baikal lake was discovered by Russians in 1643. The forts on the lake became an important link in the trade route between Russia and China.

The traditions and customs of the lake people is a mix of traditional beliefs, Buddhism and Christian Orthodox customs.

Buryats believe in Spirits livings with us, and that every mountain and river has its own spirit. Humans can’t survive without the help of the spirits; therefore they should respect them and show this respect in every way. Buryats leave coins and cigarettes, and tie pieces of fabric to the trees in holy places. They drop coins on the road when driving through forests. And even when they drink alcohol, they share it with the spirits by spilling a few drops to the ground.
There a lot of interesting customs and rituals born in this area. For instance, when guests visit a Buryat home they should leave their luggage outside. If a host gives you a cup with both hands, you should accept it with both hands. If the host uses the right hand, a guest should take a cup with his right hand as well. It is not allowed to take pictures of a shaman, touch him or his ritual clothes unless he gives you his permission to do so.

Useful things to remember when traveling to Russia:

VISAS
Travel in Russia has become easier than ever. Remember however that visa is required. And you need a fully licensed travel company like Go To Russia Travel (www.gotorussia.com) to provide the necessary visa support and registration

TOURS:
We recommend using a professional guide to fully enjoy the beauty and magnitude of the Baikal Lake. We can help with a tour-guide: http://www.gotorussia.com

FLIGHTS:
It is best to fly from Moscow to Irkutsk to get to the Baikal Lake; we can help with international as well as domestic flights.

TRAIN TICKETS:
You can also get to the Baikal Lake by train. A journey on the Tran Siberian railway route will add more memories to your trip. Train tickets are available online http://www.trainsrussia.com/en/travels

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