Lake Baikal and 1,642

Not only Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world at depths of a staggering 1,642m, it is also thought to be the oldest. Formed 25 million years, Lake Baikal contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. 

This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the "Galapagos of Russia" and it hosts more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world. 

There are numerous outdoor activities that can be practiced around the Lake Baikal region: diving, fishing, rafting, trekking or sightseeing tours. 

What we really recommend is a nine-day ethnographic tour that will get you acquainted with the ancient Baikal ethnic cultures, meet a local Shaman, see ancient carvings on the cliffs, and experience Russian saunas, camp-living, meditation and relaxation, as well as a series of outdoor activities.