Follow us on the map
Throughout our trip we will be updating our route with waypoint markers on Google Maps via satellite phone and GPS. You will be able to follow our progress on the map and by clicking on the markers you will be able to access our latest posts, pictures, and links for that specific point.
Further down this page you can find a description of each leg of our route. Also you can see the main points of our route on the map.
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1-Irkutsk
We will fly into the city of Irkutsk and spend 2-3 days in the city purchasing food and supplies. From Irkutsk we will ride along the frozen Angara River to Lake Baikal. Once we reach Baikal we will begin to circumnavigate the lake in a counter-clockwise direction. The first city that we will pass will be Slyudyanka (#2). It should take us 4 days to reach Slyudyanka from Irkutsk. Approximate distance = 200 kilometers.
2-Slyudyanka
Travelling along the more populated southern end of Lake Baikal in the beginning of our trip will allow us to make any final adjustments to our equipment or supplies. Both Slyudyanka and Baikalsk are medium-sized cities with standard provisions and amenities. In the event of an early emergency we will be able to quickly return to Irkutsk on the train via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
3-Ust-Barguzin
From Slyudyanka to Ust-Barguzin there will be fewer towns and settlements. This section will take us an estimated 12 days to travel approximately 650 kilometers. Ust-Barguzin will be our last opportunity to purchase supplies before we reach the city of Severobaikalsk at the north-eastern point of the lake.
4-Severobaikalsk
The section from Ust-Barguzin to Severobaikalsk will take us through some of Lake Baikal’s most remote terrain. There are very few settlements in this area of the lake, and we can expect to see Nerpa, the world’s only fresh water seal in its natural habitat. There will be no opportunities to buy provisions along this approximately 500 kilometer-long section which we expect to complete in 10 days.
5-Olkhon Island
After stocking up on food and stove fuel in the city of Severobaikalsk we will travel another 10 days and 550 kilometers to reach Olhon Island, the spiritual center of Lake Baikal and the home of Buryat Shamanism. From Olhon Island we will complete our circumnavigation by riding 300 kilometers to the tourist town of Listvyanka. We expect this section to take us 5 days.
6-Listvyanka
In Listvyanka we will bid farewell to Lake Baikal and head northwest along the frozen Angara River back to Irkutsk to complete our trip. We estimate that we will cover the final 100 kilometers to Irkutsk in 2 days.
Total distance = 2300 kilometers (1430 miles) Total time = 43 days
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