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Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world

Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world - how exotic does that sound? On our journey on the Trans-Mongolian railway we stopped in Irkutsk in Siberia, and from here it is not far to Listvyanka and the deepest lake in the world. Of course, we had to go there!

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Trans-Siberian railway

In the summer of 2006 we travelled on the Trans-Siberian Railway, or Trans-Mongolian Railway as this route should perhaps be called, from Moscow to Beijing. The first stop we made was in Irkutsk, after more than three days of travelling by train. From here we travelled by car to experience Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world.

Transsibiriska järnvägen

Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world

The world's deepest lake is called Lake Baikal and is located in Russia, not far from the city of Irkutsk. At its deepest point, the lake is 1642 metres deep! It is the second largest lake in the world by volume (after the Caspian Sea) and the sixth largest by surface area. Not a small lake! In fact, the lake has the largest accumulation (about 25 per cent) of all fresh surface water on Earth. The lake also contains 22 large islands.

Wildlife in the world's deepest lake

Lake Baikal is home to over 2600 invertebrate species. Of the known species, 93 per cent are endemic, meaning they are completely unique to this lake. Incredibly fascinating, isn't it? There are even animals in the deepest parts of the lake.

The fish that live deepest are found at depths of around 200 - 500 metres. One of these fish is the omul fish, which we actually tried to eat - really good! The deepest lake in the world also has baikal sealswhich is the smallest known species of seal.

Listvyanka at Lake Baikal

We went to the small town of Listvyanka on Lake Baikal. Here the hotels were lined up next to a small harbour with large and small boats. We checked in at one of the hotels and went for a walk along the lake shore.

Even though the air in Irkutsk was 30 degrees centigrade, the air at the lake was so fresh you needed a thin jacket. Perhaps it's not surprising that the deepest lake in the world feels fresh! In fact, the air and environment reminded us a bit of northern Norway.

Hotell vid Bajkalsjön, världens djupaste sjö
Beautiful house on Lake Baikal

Limnological Museum

We also visited the limnological museum, where you could learn about the fish that live in the deepest lake in the world, and the animals in the surrounding area. We walked around among stuffed animals with signs in Russian and Latin. "But why can't it be in English?" said Peter.

I shrugged and thought "it says gulo gulo here, and that means wolverine in Latin". But I had to eat that, for about ten years, haha. Peter still teases me that it is abnormal to know what gulo gulo means in Latin and that I probably "had no childhood", haha ...

Our hotel in Listvyanka

We stayed at the Mayak hotel in Listvyanka. This was a really beautiful hotel overlooking the lake. I remember sitting on our little balcony and enjoying the fresh air.

Hotell i Listvyanka vid Bajkalsjön, världens djupaste sjö
Our cosy hotel at Listvyanka on Lake Baikal
Hotell Listvyanka
Our hotel room
Helena Listvyanka, vid världens djupaste sjö
On the balcony

Boat or car to Irkutsk

After a night in Listvyanka on Lake Baikal, it was time to head back to Irkutsk. We heard that you could go back by boat, and that sounded nice! We sat down at a pub by the water and had a beer while waiting for the boat. But it never came?

We tried to ask this and that, but in Siberia it's quite difficult when you don't speak Russian. Finally we realised that we had missed the boat! It had docked outside another boat, so we never saw it ...

Oh no, how would we now get back to Irkutsk? There was no cosy boat ride, but instead it was a taxi minibus with a big and drunk Russian who kept falling over me (Helena). Not as cosy perhaps, but we got back to Irkutsk. And soon it was time to continue the journey with the transmongolian railway towards ... Mongolia!

Sibirien Bajkalsjön - världens djupaste sjö
At the deepest lake in the world, waiting for a boat that never came ...

See more in Russia

Of course, if you visit Lake Baikal, you will also have to go to Irkutsk, sometimes called the Paris of Siberia. This is a city filled with fine houses, orthodox churches and lots of exciting history. The capital city Moscow is far away, but if you are passing by, it is of course interesting to make a visit there too!

All our top tips on Russia. Click on the image!

Facts about the world's deepest lake

  • Location: Irkutsk Oblast and Buryatia
  • Greatest depth: 1642 metres
  • Average depth: 730 metres
  • Length: 636 kilometres
  • The height of the surface above sea level: 455 metres

Travelling to Lake Baikal

  • Trains: We travelled on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Irkutsk, a journey that takes just over 3 days. From Irkutsk you can get to the deepest lake in the world by boat or car.
  • Flight: It is also possible to fly to Irkutsk, even if you have to make a stopover. For example, you can fly with Aeroflot.

Good to know before travelling

  • What country? Russia
  • Language? Russian (some also speak English)
  • Currency? Russian ruble (RUB)
  • Price point? Cheaper than Sweden
  • Time difference? +7 hours

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