Protect Baikal
Baikal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the deepest lake on Earth. Travel so it stays that way for everyone who comes after you.
Why it matters
Baikal holds about 20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water and hundreds of endemic species found nowhere else. The ecosystem is fragile: a cigarette butt, soap in the water, a shortcut off the trail — small things carry a real cost here. Responsible travel isn't a restriction; it's how we keep the place we came for.
Leave no trace
Pack out all your rubbish, including food scraps and cigarette butts. Don't use soap or shampoo in the lake or rivers. Stay on existing trails and don't cut corners — trampled slopes take decades to recover. Make fires only at designated spots and where permitted.
Protected areas
Many routes cross national parks (Zabaikalsky, Pribaikalsky) and nature reserves. These require a permit and registration, with rules for camping and fires. Check the status of an area in advance — each route's description notes where a permit is needed.
Respect people and wildlife
Buryatia is a living culture with Buddhist and shamanic traditions. At sacred sites (datsans, ovoo) behave modestly and ask permission before photographing people. Keep your distance from wildlife and the Baikal seal, and never feed them.
How to help
Choose local guides and small family-run places — the money stays in the region. Join volunteer shore clean-ups. Carry a reusable bottle and a rubbish bag. Tell friends about treating Baikal gently — leading by example works better than any rule.