Lake Baikal in Port Baikal, Russian Federation
Whether you’ve heard of it or not, lake Baikal is considered the biggest fresh water lake on the planet. It’s also a place with an insane amount of energy that you will definitely feel as soon as you’re there. The port is within a 35-40 min car drive from Irkutsk + 15 minutes on a ferry. Best time to visit is July-September but for those looking for some more extreme experience – you can come in January-February (when the air temperature gets as low as -35 C). Freedom, wild-life and crazy locals are included. Port Baikal to me is the place where the very essence of the lake’s spirit lives.
Place you live: Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Place your photo was taken: Port Baikal
Occupation: Dreamer
Preoccupation: Photographer
A perfect day in Port Baikal? Looking for mushrooms in the forest with fog and rain, climbing up a railroad tunnel, climbing a mountain to see an abandoned lighthouse, finding weird places along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
If someone was visiting what must they do? I dare you to have a swim in my lake! The water is damn freezing but it’s worth it.
A perfect meal in Irkutsk? Hot-smoked Omul. A must-have.
A little known fact? There used to be a war camp for Japanese prisoners in port Baikal (circa 1904-1905). They say you might be able to find the remains of its abandoned quarters deep in the forest. I only found out about this fact recently and I’m a local.