LAKE BAIKAL & The Hidden Beauty of Buryatia | Ulan-Ude, Russia

Lake Baikal, Buryatia, Russia - from the he small Russian family farm community on the border of Mongolia in Buryatia, we take a day-off from the Trans-Siberian Railway to experience the most popular attraction outside of Ulan-Ude; Lake Baikal.
Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake and supplies the world with 1/5 of its fresh water. Lake Baikal is also the most ancient freshwater lake - originating some 20-25 million years ago!
We spent the day touring Lake Baikal with a great group of Buryat locals. They took us to the Ushkan Islands where we were able to see Lake Baikal's most famous resident - Nerpas!
Nerpas or Baikal seals, are one of the smallest true seals and the only seal who live exclusively in freshwater. They are also exclusive to Lake Baikal!
On day two around Lake Baikal we toured to Suvo Saxony; an incredible rock formation deep in the heart of Buryatia. Jetting out of the valley like prehistoric giants, there are many tales and legends around the distinct rock formations of Suvo Saxony (Suvinian Saxony).
From here we stop by a series of incredible salt lakes and then make our way back to Ulan-Ude.
In the morning, we take a tour of Ulan-Ude and experience Knowledge Day; The Russian holiday that marks the beginning of a new school year.
Ulan-Ude is a beautiful and diverse city.
After another delicious Buryat lunch, we head to the Ulan-Ude Train Station to catch the Trans-Siberian Railway once again.
This time, our Trans-Siberian Railway journey takes us to Vladivostok. Ulan-Ude to Vladivostok will take us three days across Siberia, into the far east of Russia.
Vladivostok will be our final stop of the Trans-Siberian Railway - stay tuned!

#TransSibChallenge #Russia #TravelDeeper #TransSiberianRailway

This #TransSibChallenge was made possible thanks to:
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