Teamhike reviews

We'd like to thank Alexander and Tatyana from the bottom of our hearts for organizing and leading an unforgettable rafting trip on the Zilim River. The scenic route was thoughtfully planned, and the professional support made it even better. Putting up tents, hearty camp meals, delicious tea with Baikal herbs, and conversations around the campfire will keep us energized for a long time. Alexander is a true professional. You should have seen how skillfully he removed ticks that had already latched on to two of our "lucky ones." And in Kinderlin Cave, he made sure everyone was safe as they climbed down. We'd never been rafting before and somehow brought our summer sleeping bags. We froze on the first night, but the caring organizers came to our rescue again, lending us warmer sleeping bags they had brought as spares. I sincerely hope we'll set off with this wonderful team again next year to discover more of our planet's unique places.

My 9-year-old daughter and I got back from winter on Lake Baikal a week ago. Saying we were impressed doesn't even begin to describe it. It was like a fairy tale! Every day we headed out to incredibly beautiful places that left us speechless. We went dog sledding and rode buggies, and ate plenty of delicious, hearty food. We were sorry not to spend the night in tents as planned, but the strong wind was forecast by Sasha a full day in advance. Sasha is very capable and knows his way around every situation. He adapts quickly to the weather and changes plans as needed. His assistant guide, Roma, is a great conversationalist, well organized, and an excellent, easygoing driver. My daughter and I will join the team on other tours.

We spent an unforgettable week with the Teamhike crew. There were 17 of us (!!!), and they handled such a big group brilliantly. I won't try to describe the beauty and magic of winter on Lake Baikal. Everyone should see it at least once in their life. I'm generally a well-traveled person, but several times I felt like a kid again, in awe of the views and the intricate ice formations along the way. The well-planned itinerary included both eco-treks and extreme adventures. We got to know the everyday life, food, and culture of the local Buryat people. Of course, it was all set up for tourists, but the approach is very different from a "trip to see the Bedouins" in Egypt. Buggy races and dog sledding, a banya with a hole in the ice of Lake Baikal, and a hot furako tub right on the ice all added extra excitement to a packed itinerary. You can tell the team loves what they do, and shares that love with their guests. Don't expect comfort or a wide variety of food; that's not what this kind of trip is about. Everything else was beyond praise!

My first trip to Russia: Olkhon Island and Lake Baikal. I don't like the cold, but this winter adventure was absolutely worth it! The scenery is incredible, captivating, and full of energy. The Teamhike crew showed us many amazing places. Be ready for a simple way of life. There isn't much in the way of service on the island, but it's a chance to switch off and rest, body and mind. There are several banyas nearby, and, of course, a hole in the ice of Lake Baikal. The itinerary is quite packed, with early starts. Personally, I could have used a couple of extra days to do nothing, take in the beauty around me, and go for a walk. I also would have liked to learn more about local life, legends, and the natural features of the area. I think one good, in-depth guided tour would have covered that. That's the only reason for taking off a star. Otherwise, I'm very grateful to the Teamhike crew for the fresh experiences, for showing us the beauty of our country, and for sharing their love of what they do!

A huge thank-you to the Teamhike crew for our vacation on Lake Baikal! We contacted the agency a week before our vacation, and the group was already full. Luckily, Alexander kindly offered to arrange a private tour for us. We have no regrets; the organization was top-notch! Sasha is a master at rearranging stops to make sure we visit each place in comfortable weather. There was plenty of delicious, fresh food: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including local dishes. By our second day with the team, we already felt like old friends. These people love what they do, and they love nature and people. Our guide, Lesha, deserves a special mention! Driving on the ice is an art, but we felt completely safe throughout the trip. Thanks for all the emotions we experienced! The nature on Lake Baikal is incredible. We recommend everyone visit and feel the energy of these places: see the unbelievably beautiful ice, go skating, breathe the pristine air, take a dip in Lake Baikal after a banya, and try the wonderfully tender, freshly caught omul (Baikal whitefish). We live in such a beautiful country! Sasha, thanks again to you and your team for giving us the chance to see this beauty up close. Wishing you every success! We'd be happy to travel with you to other parts of the world.

We got back from Lake Baikal a couple of days ago, and we'll remember this trip for a lifetime! Sasha and Roma showed real professionalism in organizing the tour, and made sure every group member felt cared for. The itinerary was packed and exciting. In one week, we saw some of the most scenic places and tried all kinds of adventurous activities: quad biking, buggies, huskies, and skating on the ice. Unforgettable! Thank you for all your hard work. I recommend this trip wholeheartedly!

We had a fantastic time on Lake Baikal with Sasha and Roma. Amazing places, a great itinerary, and outstanding guides. The team provided everything we needed and kept us entertained throughout. We're so grateful. They fed us delicious, hearty, varied meals. They even brought a speaker, so we sang and danced. We had a wonderful time. The thyme tea was great! Highly recommend.

We went to Lake Baikal in winter 2023. So many amazing memories! The organization was top-notch. We didn't have to worry about a thing, just enjoy ourselves. Everything was flexible and convenient, but still packed with activities. The group was fun and warm. It felt like going on vacation with friends. I'll be back!

The best tour operator ❤️ We've already traveled with Sasha and his team twice: to Altai in the fall, and we just got back from winter on Lake Baikal. Sasha plans everything down to the smallest detail: where to get the best photos, when a place will be less crowded, how to fit everything in even on a short tour, and how to make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe. He also tells great stories and legends about the cliffs and Lake Baikal itself. The food is fantastic: home cooking from Tanya and local delicacies. The omul fish soup is delicious! Highly recommend :)

We just got back from Lake Baikal, and it was an amazing trip! Sasha, Tanya, and Roma, thank you so much. The team was fantastic. Everything was exceptionally well organized. Even when something didn't work out because of the weather, for example, Sasha came up with an alternative right away, and we ended up seeing everything and more. It was clear how well Sasha knows every corner of Lake Baikal, so we never had to worry about a thing. The food was excellent, and sometimes we couldn't even finish it all. The banya (Russian sauna) and sleeping out on the ice were a real highlight! Don't miss them. Lake Baikal now means ice to us: incredibly beautiful and, in places, breathtakingly eerie. I recommend traveling with Sasha, whether to Lake Baikal or anywhere else. You're in good hands, and you'll see some of the most beautiful and fascinating places!

Friends, this is an absolutely wonderful team of people who are passionate about nature and travel. A 200% vacation. We were thrilled by the trip and how well everything was organized. Our winter trip to Lake Baikal was an incredible experience. Alexander, Roman, Tatyana, and Maksim, thank you for everything.

Winter on Lake Baikal is wonderful! Sasha, thank you for showing us the very best of it!