Siberia impresses by its incredible diversity. Its landscapes, which mix dense forests, arid deserts, lakes and mountains, give it a different aspect in each season. The temperature differences are indeed impressive: from -60° in winter to +40° in summer! A sometimes hostile nature which nevertheless conceals treasures to be discovered like the Irkutsk oblast and its impressive lake Baikal, the largest fresh water reserve on the planet. Petit Futé takes you to conquer this gigantic territory with its 10 must-see experiences.
No. 1 - Walking on the ice of Lake Baikal
Nicknamed "the pearl of Siberia", Lake Baikal impresses by the transparency of its waters: you can see up to 40 m deep without any problems! From December or January, and for four months, the lake is completely frozen. A thick layer of ice allows you to cross it on foot but also by car or truck! This unusual experience will make you discover the sumptuous ephemeral landscapes shaped by the winter. And when you see the depth of the water under your feet, you will really feel weightless!
No. 2 - Ice fishing on the lake
To live like the locals, you have to immerse yourself in their daily lives. This is what you will do if you practice ice fishing! After sleeping in an igloo, you will discover how effective this ancestral ice fishing technique still is today. In the lake, 52 species of fish live together: the most famous is the omul, the pride of the Siberian gastronomy. Taste it smoked, it is a delight!
N° 3 - Admire the ice sculptures
On the lake, the ice sculptures are numerous and all of them are very fine, thanks to the weather conditions that maintain them. The cold is so intense in Siberia that it allows, in fact, to enjoy this work of goldsmith in a less ephemeral way than elsewhere. A beautiful proof of the capacity of the men to tame the hostility of the climate to transform natural elements into true works of art.
N°4 - Discovering shamanism
Shamanism is one of the oldest forms of spirituality of humanity. It is a religious phenomenon specific to Central Asia and Siberia: the island of Olkhon, southwest of Lake Baikal, is a sacred place. Meeting a shaman allows you to learn more about this belief, often unknown in the West. You will be impressed by the fervor with which the shaman performs his ritual to get in touch with the spirits... It is fascinating!
No. 5 - Worshiping the sacred rock
On the island of Olkhon, the rock to the shaman strikes the visitors. First of all, its natural beauty is breathtaking: this pyramidal rock bordered by a beach of golden sand offers a magnificent panorama. But the rock to the shaman is also a spiritual place where many walkers come to meditate. It is here that the bodies of dead shamans were burned in the past. According to the local legends, it is not even recommended for pregnant women to get close to the rock because the radiation of the spirits is so strong!
N° 6 - Picnic on the ice
This is certainly one of the craziest experiences! After catching some fish, barbecuing them at -20° is really unforgettable. Most of the excursions on the lake include this well-deserved break. So, forget the checkered tablecloth and the wicker basket, opt instead for gloves and a blanket to fully enjoy the moment!
N° 7 - Discover the fervour of monasteries
The most important Orthodox centre in the region is the former monastery of the Virgin of the Incarnation in Irkutsk. Founded in 1683, its stone church was built in 1762. It contains works on wood and precious icons. Attending a moment of morning service will plunge you into the heart of the sacred and make you discover the pious atmosphere of the Siberian monasteries where the texts chanted by the priests resonate.
No. 8 - Interest in the Decembrist movement in Irkutsk
The history of Siberia, like that of the whole of Russia, is linked to the Decembrists. These Russian revolutionaries from the nobility were at the origin of the uprising in St. Petersburg on December 14, 1825 to fight against the autocracy and tsarism. Among these insurgents, 80 were forced to work in Siberia and stay there forever. Many of them settled in Irkutsk and still today the museum of the Decembrists is located in one of their houses: the Volkonsky house. This is an opportunity to discover an authentic Siberian house while enriching your culture!
No. 9 - Eating at the locals' house
To discover the real Siberian cuisine, the ideal is to eat at the locals' place. A full meal usually consists of a soup, a salad, a fish or meat dish with starch and a dessert. While eating, we often drink tea to warm up, or vodka! On Lake Baikal, omul is king. It is eaten grilled, in soup, smoked, stuffed and even iced! The marinade that is made from its flesh is called "saguday", it is a very fresh and tasty preparation!
N° 10 - Appreciate wooden architecture
Siberian architecture uses a lot of wood in its constructions. This is particularly the case for isbas. These traditional farmers' houses are made of stacked logs. You can see them at the Taltsy Open Air Architecture Museum, at 47 kilometres from the Baikal Road. This village-museum houses different types of Siberian dwellings such as yurts and hunting huts. Several historical films have been shot there.
How to get a visa for Russia?
You want to discover Siberia, but before looking for your plane ticket to fly to the icy plains, you must first obtain a visa for Russia.
Knowthat there are two types of visa.
The classic visa. It will be affixed to your passport in the form of a sticker. Please note that unlike other formalities, the Russian visa will only be valid according to the supporting document that you will bring. Thus, if you go on vacation to Siberia from July 15 to August 15, your visa will be valid only on that date.
The second option is to choose an electronic visa. It will be valid only for 16 days and 15 nights. You will need to have in your possession the printed document that you will have received by e-mail.
Whichever option you choose, you should know that you will not be able to obtain a visa more than 3 months before your entry to Russia.
Also, you will need to provide the following documents
- 1 passport valid for 6 months after your return date on French soil
- 1 Russian embassy form to fill out online and print
- 1 recent passport photo (less than 6 months old)
- 1 insurance certificate
- 1 tourist or business justification, indicating the dates and duration of your stay.
