'''Olkhon''' is is by far the largest island in Lake Baikal, and one of the real jewels of Siberia. With it's amazing - and amazingly diverse - landscape, and a vibrant culture even the Soviet's couldn't quite suppress - this island practically begs for a spot on your Siberian itinerary. Just the main lodging's at Nikita's guesthouse, is worth a visit in itself.

Cities

  • '''Khuzhir'''. The island's main village, about 1500 people
  • There are also several smaller villages: Listed from north to south: Usuri, Pescanaja, Chalgaj, Charancy, Khuzir (main village), Mal. Khuzhir (little Khuzir), Jalga.

    Other destinations

    It is possible to visit the amazing north cape of the island, Cape Choboi, by 4 wheel drive - as well as the Taschkiney valley and Shara-Nuur lake and other destinations by day trips. This can be arranged in Khuznir, by either one of the tour operators, or Nikita's guesthouse.

    Understand

    The island has an area of 730 km2 and is inhabited by around 1,500 Buryats. It is a center of local shamanism and features many holy sites.

    Talk

    The islands small population mainly consists of Buryats, a northern Mongol population group, and one of the largest minorities in Russia. Buryat is a independent language but closely related to Mongolian (and like in Mongolia, Cyrillic script is used for orthography), but as everywhere in Russia - despite the independent minded, and somewhat secluded population - Soviet centralism prevailed, and Russian is universally spoken.

  • Mongolian phrasebook
  • Russian phrasebook
  • Get in

    As Olhon is an island, it's usually necessary to take a ferry from the pier in Sakhyurta, more commonly known as the MRS. Although during the Siberian winter, the ice gets too thick for the ferry to run, and instead buses resort to taking an ice road across the narrow channel. In April and October while the ice is forming and melting, the island it cut of from the outside word completely.

    Minibuses and Normal buses ply the 300 kilometre route from Irkutsk (five to eight hours) for around 320 RUB, you might have to shell out a bit extra for big luggage. Normally the two major hostels in Irkutsk arranges minibuses to Khuzhir almost every day in season, and it's worth to note that in early season this is your probably your best bet, as buses don't begin to run before late may or June, even though the ferry start running in early May.

    Get around

    You can rent bicyles and go on tours by boat, and of course you can walk around and sleep in tents, which you can also rent.

    See

  • Khuzhir Museum. l Permovayskaya 24. 0AM-6PM. The museum is cheap, in fact it's rather random if they charge entrance or not, and there is an exhibition with local artifacts - mainly related to the islands shamanistic roots, but also some displays that will familiarize you with the history and sites of Olkhon. A great option for your arrival day, as there usually isn't much else to do.

    Do

    There is a great beach just past the Shamans Rock, north or the Village. It is a great place to camp, swim, and have a BBQ. There is also a kayak that you can use if staying at Nikitas. Take it out on the lake and fish, I caught two big ones!

    Because there are no water pipes, showers aren't available in private households. So you should use the Russian banja, but be careful with the extremly hot water.

    Eat

    There are several little "restaurants", more like bistros in Khuzir.

    Buy

    There are something in the range of five little supermarkets, where you can get everything you need. The biggest one is at northern end of the middle of wide dusty main street, after the odd looking soviet war memorial. It looks closed all of the time, but isn't, they all seem to close around 7 or 8PM.

    Drink

    Sleep

    There will probably be a lot of "babuschkas" waiting at the bus stop on your arrival, You can rent a room at their houses and sometimes you also get dinner and breakfast (250 rubels per person in 2007, including meals).

  • Nikita's Guest House. l Kirpichnaya 6, Khuzhur. +7 914 895 7865. ikita@olkhon.info. ttp://www.olkhon.info/en. rom 750 RUB. Although not strictly a hostel, this place still easily manages to grasp the price as Siberia's best hostel non-the-less. With reasonable prices, an amazing crew that includes English and French speakers, an organic approach to doing business, and activities which supports the locals you can sleep in the amazingly wood carved buildings, with a clean conscience. And good authentic Russian meals 3 times a day, are included in the price.

    Stay safe

    Get out