more >>>
Places to Stay - Olkhon
Olkhon Island has always been a frequently visited destination, and yet there are hardly any facilities for staying overnight and not even one real hotel. As everywhere else in Russia, however; you will always find a place for the night - very cheap in one of the private houses or at Nikitas Homestay.
Hostels
Nikitas Homestay
666 137 Irkutsk Oblast, Rajon Olkhon, Khuzir, Uliza Kirpichnaja 8
Ten years ago Nikita was still working at a school and occasionally put up tourists at his house. His friendly and open manner became known and most tourists wondered why Nikita did not demand money. At some point he did start to take money, which in no way affected the number of tourists and for several years now; business has been booming. Nikita has been expanding his small empire massively for about two years, building new cottages, offering personally guided tours, organising cars, busses, and even boats. However, his friendly and open manner has not changed and every year Nikita adds several nice and comfortable details. He is known for his commitment for a "clean Olkhon", personally gathers rubbish, organises camps for children and supports the islands museum, which is definitely worth visiting. At the present, Nikita is learning English but his assistants speak English well.
Rooms:
- there are about 40 beds, in single, double or shared rooms, small cottages with a great variety of furnishing/facilities, all at the fixed price of 15 US$. Some cottages have an own dry toilet, otherwise you must cross the courtyard to the outhouse. A very rich and delicious breakfast is included, along with a dinner. Worth trying is the burjat posi, a type of pelmeni stuffed with meat.
- showers are also an experience: with your feet you handle the pump and so, with the necessary skill, your hands will be free. electricity is available only as long as the generator is in operation.
- Banja, (a Russian bath), bicycle rental (with spikes during winter), adventure playground for children
- hint: When renting "a car with driver" on Olkhon you should always give the driver a small tip, 100-150 Rbl. are sufficient.
sms: 79542221109@sms.global.ru
email: nikita@baikalhostels.com
open year-round
Galinas Hostel
666 137 Irkutsk Oblast, Rajon Olkhon, Khuzir, Uliza Woroschilowa 3, Valerij und Galina Nehberg
If you prefer a more personal atmosphere you are in the right place at Valerij and Galinas. Due to their warmth you will feel at home from the first moment on. Host Valerij and his son Alexander are fishermen, daughter Anja has been learning English for one year and would like to go to London as an au-pair girl after graduation. Galina works as a nurse at the local hospital. During summer she takes some time off and takes care of her guests.
accommodation:
Guests are put up in a wooden house, which Valerij and Galina recently built next to their own. There are five four-bed rooms. A large garden is at the guests disposal, ideally suited for evenings at the campfire. You should not miss the opportunity of grilling fresh omul, readily supplied by Valerij, by the fire.
The price for one night is 450 roubles. Included are three meals. Usually these consist of all kinds of variations of fish, which you will rarely get this fresh. Other dishes are also served, products from the own vegetable garden, own slaughtering, all deliciously prepared by Galina.
There are no showers, but it is possible to use the banja on request. The typical outhouse is located in the garden. There is a water dispenser outside for the morning toilet
and, of course, the Lake Baikal is only five minutes away by foot and you can take a refreshing bath there.
Season: year-round
Valerij and Alexander will arrange different tours as well as transfers back to Irkutsk. Their new all-wheel vehicle takes you everywhere on the island. The price is arranged on location, depending on duration and number of participants.
Reservation: reservations must be made in written form as there is no telephone (allow three weeks of delivery each way!). You may write in German, English or Russian.
Hotel Baikal
A small hotel with about 20 beds.
Price: from 100 roubles
Hotel Gemschugina
This facility consists of a newly built wooden house and further eight smaller wooden houses for 2-3 guests in Khuzir. There are 32 beds in total, restrooms are shared.
Prices: from 600 roubles, breakfast and lunch inclusive
dinner starts at 50 roubles
Sauna (banja) is 60 roubles per person per hour
Hotel Baikalski Priboi
A small hotel complex with several bungalows for 2-4 guests each.
Jurt camp Fun
For those wanting to stay in a Mongolian yurt, this place is ideal, despite the fact that it is rather designed for young tourists on an adventure holiday. Jeep- and boat-tours are offered among other things. Altogether there are eight yurts which sleep 4 persons each. The yurts are completely equipped, with beds, a small stove and electrical light. The site has a restaurant, toilets, two showers and the obligatory banya.
Prices from 450 roubles and include 3 meals.
phone: 03952 - 202 600/ 202 601
fax: 03952 - 255 312
Season: May - September
Jurt camp Harmony
The Harmony Camp is probably the islands best "hotel". Altogether there are ten Mongolian yurts, each with two beds, a stove, a small table and electric light. The site also has a restaurant, toilets, two showers and the obligatory banya.
Prices start at 1000 Rubel and include 3 meals
phone: 03952 - 202 600/ 202 601
fax: 03952 - 255 312
Season: May - September
Ussuri
666 137 Irkutsk Oblast, Rajon Olchon, Ussuri
The small village of Ussuri was founded in connection with the erection of the metereological station by the Russian Academy of Science. A small holiday apartment has been set up recently, with two rooms for three guests each, a small kitchen with washing facilities. The rooms are nicely furnished, the old beds and mattresses being the sole fault. In exchange the pricing is very simple: 100 roubles per night. Using the banja, if desired, also costs 100 roubles, as does the delicious full board. You should have the way to toilets explained on location and preferably before it gets dark.
Booking: There is no telephone in Ussuri, and thus reservations can only be made through Nikita.
Zelten
Generally, camping is possible anywhere on Olkhon, in some places especially rewarding. However, you should always bear in mind that you are in a national park. Due to the extremely dry climate it is of utmost importantance to observe following rules:
- camping fires must be attended at all times
- only dead trees or driftwood is to be used for fires
- burning cigarettes must never be thrown away, cigarettes in general should never be discarded in the countryside
- rubbish, vodka bottles etc. should not be disposed of in nature!!!
During summer the coves along the Small Sea "Moloe Morie" are heavily frequented and if you want to enjoy nature, you should visit the east coast or perhaps even drive further to the northern part of the island.
