Ogoy Island - located in the south of the Small Sea between Cape Shara-Shulun and Kurminsky Bay on the western shore of Lake Baikal, just 1 km from the western coast of Olkhon Island. The small uninhabited island has an elongated shape, measuring 2.9 by 0.6 km, and you can literally look at it all from one end to the other.
There is almost no vegetation on it, but there are gophers, seagulls and even snakes. The main attraction of Ogoy Island is the snow-white Buddhist Suburga or Stupa of Enlightenment; it is for this that tourists come to the island on excursions. (And in fact, they don’t come here to look at susilki 8)
How to get to Ogoy Island on Lake Baikal
As I wrote above, you can get to Ogoy Island on a tour from.
- In the summer people travel here by water on ships and boats, and in the winter they bring tourists across the ice - on a “tablet” or by private transport.
- The average cost is from 1-1.5 thousand per person. In terms of time, if you go from Olkhon and back and spend about 2-3 hours there, the excursion takes almost the whole day.
Both small motor boats and large cruise ships come here with tourists.
I don’t know why, but the passengers of the ship took off their shoes before going up to the Stupa. Perhaps, according to some beliefs and canons, the “magic” of the Stupa of Enlightenment will not act on those who reached it in their shoes, or maybe they all just wanted people to take a walk around the local hummocks and stones on my bare feet, what I don’t know, I don’t know.
But the sand on Ogoy Island attracted my attention much more than other people’s shoes, and all because it has an unusual garnet color. And this is not a coincidence at all, the sand on Ogoy Island is really made from real garnets, I know this for sure, when I was at the Baikal Museum in Listvyanka, scientists told us about this and I even looked at such sand through a microscope. But now I look at it with the naked eye and show it to you. 8)
The road from the shore where boats and ships land is small, but quite steep, which is why I was surprised that people walked barefoot; I honestly wouldn’t have risked it.
Well, at that time such a wind was raging that it was difficult to stand on your feet, in fact, this can be seen from this ritual structure on which believers and those who observe Buddhist rituals as a tourist experience, tying their “khadakas”.
As you can see, in this case, hadaks are not only colored ribbons, but someone even donated their cap.
Stupa of Enlightenment or Suburgan
The Stupa of Enlightenment is the main and only attraction of Ogoy Island (besides the gophers, of course); it is located at the highest point of the island at an altitude of 512 meters in the center of the island.
The Stupa of Enlightenment was built in 2005 according to all Buddhist canons, the construction was supervised by a lama from Bhutan. This stupa has a three-stage structure topped with a dome and spire, the height of the entire Stupa is 8 meters.
The Stupa of Enlightenment and Subjugation of Demons contains many Buddhist relics, including a statue of the Female Form, the Mother of all Buddhas, the Only Mother Troma Nagmo, water from all seas and oceans, soil from all continents, weapons, sacred manuscripts and many other shrines.
They say that in combination with the special pure energy of the island of Ogoy, where people have never lived, they have triple magical power. And in Buddhism, Enlightenment plays a special role, personifying the main goal of the Buddhist life path - Self-knowledge and achieving complete Enlightenment through this.
The special mission of all Buddhist stupas is to neutralize negative energy and remove any obstacles in achieving the intended path. In Asia, Suburgans are widespread, even on Lake Baikal this is not uncommon, let’s remember the Suburgans near Khoymorsky Datsan in.
I'll show you a few more photos of Ogoy Island:
Rituals on Ogoy Island
Naturally, such a symbolic place necessarily has its own mysterious rituals, the observance of which leads to the fulfillment of all desires. After all, tourists come not so much to just look at this very Stupa, but to touch the shrine and at least slightly increase their luck.
Buddhists believe that walking around Suburgan or sacred mountain peaks helps to cleanse yourself of negative energy and “recharge” with the energy of the sacred place. Tourists do not argue and everyone follows the rituals as one.
Some people say that you can walk around the Stupa 9 times to make your wish come true, but the most devout believers say that you need to walk around the Stupa at least 108 times and certainly barefoot, then that very Enlightenment will come.
It is believed that the Stupa can literally “dissolve” negative energy and enable the forces of good to fulfill people’s desires. Three circles of gorro should be walked around the stupa in a clockwise direction. The first circle should be walked with a request for forgiveness, the second circle with gratitude for everything you have, and the third circle should be walked with your deepest desire in mind.
For greater reliability, and to follow all the rules of this ritual, you should walk around the stupa barefoot and with your palms facing the sky, repeat to yourself the Buddha’s mantra “Loving Eyes”: OM MANI PAD ME HUM with wishes of happiness to all living beings on the planet.
In addition to the Stupa itself, the island has a small lighthouse and an observation deck.
In the center of this stone platform there is some kind of Buddhist symbol carved directly on the stones, similar to the “Kilometer Zero” mark next to Red Square in Moscow.
No one has really explained what it is, but tourists also readily make offerings to the spirits of the island at this place.
And opposite the stupa there is almost a real “sofa” with a carpet thrown over it.
There is also a kiosk with souvenirs on the island, but it was not open at the time of our visit.
We spent about 2 hours on Ogoy Island, this time was enough to walk around the entire island almost along the perimeter (because of the strong wind we didn’t really want to walk around), and walk around the Stupa itself and take photographs.
So now I can safely tell you that I’ve been to Ogoy Island and seen one of the famous sights of Lake Baikal with my own eyes. Well, I also walked around the Stupa several times, so why would I give up my luck? No, no, under no circumstances! 8)
The Stupa of Enlightenment is a unique structure on Ogoy Island in the Small Sea Strait of Baikal that attracts the attention of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. It is believed that Buddhist stupas are intended to dissolve all negative obstacles in the world, favorably contribute to the prosperity of the area where they are built and benefit people, especially those who visit these stupas consciously. The most zealous believers strive to circumambulate the shrines 108 times, which is believed to guarantee their liberation and purification. The Stupa of Enlightenment on Ogoy Island symbolizes the goal of the Buddhist path - recognition of one's own mind, complete Enlightenment.
The stupa on Ogoy was built in compliance with all the necessary rules and with the implementation of all rituals and practices during construction. During the construction process, bright rainbows were repeatedly recorded above the stupa, and one of them appeared before the eyes of the builders from the base of the stupa and connected the island of Ogoy with Olkhon at the other end. The place for the construction of the Stupa on Lake Baikal was not chosen by chance. The blessing for the construction of the Stupa was given by many lamas and highly spiritual representatives of all faiths.
DESCRIPTION: Travel along the southern part of Olkhon Island and the islands of the Small Sea. Impressive winter views of the Small Sea and the Primorsky Range.
The first stop is the “Kamchatka” of fishermen, where you can watch how they “bormashat” - catch omul with a fishing rod and take part in its catch! Winter fishing – what could be more exciting?!
Next, your route passes through several islands, grottoes and caves, picturesque from the water splashes frozen in the frost. Ogoy Island is a sacred place for Buddhists. The Stupa of Enlightenment is installed there, giving peace and fulfilling wishes. And at the holy springs you can drink water and cleanse your body.
Collect the whole bouquet of memories: from a fish stop, cracking ice, frosty air to lunch in the fresh air... Every moment will remain in your heart!
Buddhist stupa on the island. Ogoy – holy springs
One of the most popular excursions around the Small Sea
The excursion starts from the pier of the Malomorsky Fish Factory in the village of Khuzhir. The duration of the excursion is 7-8 hours. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide.
Be sure to take warm clothes for the excursion: jackets, sweaters, etc. The wind on the water is rather cold. And also take swimsuits with you - the excursion route passes through the warm lakes of Baikal, where you can swim.
The most beautiful route is a journey along the Small Sea towards a unique phenomenon for these places - a Buddhist Stupa and then to the opposite shore to healing mineral springs.. From the sea there are magnificent views of Olkhon Island and the mainland.
After an hour of sailing, moor to Ogoy Island. You are on the island for about an hour. Here the Buddhist Stupa will amaze you with its grandeur. It is believed that if you walk around the stupa three times clockwise, your most cherished wish will come true. Coins should be left next to the stupa as a gift to local deities, and a colored ribbon should be tied to the tree.
After visiting the stupa on the ship, you will be fed freshly cooked fish soup from the famous Baikal omul.
The next point of the water excursion around Lake Baikal is the mainland and the holy springs. The journey is about an hour and a half...
On the mainland you have 3 hours. You can order real Buryat poses. And then take a walk to the source. The source is 2.5 km away. The road passes through a coniferous forest, slightly uphill, into the interior of the mainland. At the source you can collect the healing water of the Holy Spring, while for men the water is collected from the male source, and for women - from the female
Returning to the ship's parking lot, you still have time to swim in the warm lake, which is nearby. The lake is separated from Baikal by a sand spit.
We return home past the rocky island of Elenka, where you can see and photograph a settlement of cormorants.
Ogoy Island located in the center of the Small Sea, length 6 km. The stupa on the island was built in 2005 and is called: “Stupa of Enlightenment.” Construction lasted 3 summer months and volunteers from different cities and countries (St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk, London, New York) took part in it. The stupa is 5.8 meters wide and 6.4 meters high. About 360 tons of sand and cement were used during construction. The architecture of the stupa always respects the symbolism of its five main constituent parts. In turn, these parts correspond to the five primary elements: top - space, spire - wind, dome - fire, staircase - water, base - earth.
It is believed that Buddhist stupas are meant to dissolve all negative obstacles in the world, favorably contribute to the prosperity of the area where they are built and benefit the people, especially those who visit these stupas.
For the first time in Russia, such an extensive library (with a total weight of about 750 kg) of original Buddhist texts, sent specifically for placing in the stupa from different countries, was collected in one place and placed in a stupa for the preservation and continuation of Buddhist teachings. Along with the original Buddhist texts, electronic versions on CDs are also included in the stupa for posterity. In addition to ancient manuscripts, the stupa contains a total of 2.5 tons of various mantras, as well as sacred Buddhist relics and substances, various minerals and shells from the oceans, the holy lands of Jerusalem and Jordan. Egypt, Mexico, from various Christian places in the north of Russia and the Moscow region, water from all oceans, rusty casings of aerial bombs from the times of the First and Second World Wars, millet, grain, buckwheat, piercing tools: pitchforks, scythes, picks, tongs, an ax, a saw, a saber, as well as the central attachment - a bronze figurine of the dakini Troma Nagmo, to whom this stupa is dedicated.
Evening walk (2 hours)
Sailing from Khuzhir, the ship goes around Cape Burkhan - a rock that has long become a symbol of Lake Baikal. Then the ship sails along Saraisky Bay, a favorite place for vacationers. Having traveled around the island of Kharantsy with its grottoes, the ship heads to the neighboring bay, where two more islands are located, better known as “Belenky” and “Crocodile”. Here you can feed the seagulls.
Water-land Khoboy (7-8 hours)
This excursion also begins from the Khuzhir pier, one part of the tourists travels by car, and the second part sails on a boat; back everything changes.
The most popular of all routes. Khoboy (translated from Buryat as “fang”) is the northernmost cape on Olkhon Island. A spectacular columnar rock, resembling a sharp fang in appearance, from the sea side has a pronounced resemblance to the profile of a woman’s head with a bust. One of the sacred places, there are many legends about it. The cape offers a grandiose view of the Small and Big Seas. From the water side, the island looks completely different.
Car excursions.
Cape Khoboy - Uzury Pad, 40 km, 5 hours
Cape Khoboy- this is the northernmost tip of Olkhon Island, the place where Small and Big Baikal unite their waters.
This route is the most popular of the excursions we offer to Lake Baikal, as it passes through the most picturesque places of Olkhon and allows you to see all the natural diversity of the island. Along the way you will be able to take beautiful photographs of Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island.
First, the road will take you through a small forest to the village of Kharantsy, then along the edge of the forest along small hills to the village of Khalgai. Along the way you will be able to see the small islands of Kharantsa and Yedor, located not far from the coast. Further, the route passes through the village of Peschanka, where in the post-war years there was a fish collection point and a prison camp. Peschanaya Bay fully lives up to its name - you will see sand dunes and stilt trees, the roots of which have been exposed by the constant winds and create bizarre shapes. Many tourists note that the area here is very reminiscent of the Baltic coast.
Beyond Peschanaya, the road goes through the mountains to the Sasy area, where the steppe landscape begins. From here, on the way to Cape Khoboy, you will make several stops, and your guide will take you to unique rock complexes and tell you legends about Baikal. Cape Sagan-Khushun (also often called “Three Brothers”) stands out here with its majestic beauty, which the writer Valentin Rasputin wrote about, admiring the power of these places.
And finally, in front of you is Cape Khoboy, a sacred place revered by shamanists. Translated from the Buryat language, Khoboy is translated as “fang”, but many of you will be able to see the clear outlines of a female figure in it. According to legend, this is the wife of a majestic shaman, whom the gods turned into a block of stone for her sins.
Once on Cape Khoboy, you can feel not just on the edge of the island, but on the edge of the earth, because ahead are the endless expanses of water of Lake Baikal, which allow you to feel like a small grain of sand in this kingdom of beauty and nature.
Since ancient times, this area has been shrouded in many myths and legends, which your guides will tell you during a picnic in the Uzury Pad. Uzury is one of the few places in the north of the island where you can go down to the shore. Here you can leisurely stroll along the shore and take beautiful photographs of Lake Baikal. After a delicious lunch and relaxation, full of impressions and emotions, we head back to Khuzhir.
Idebe Pad - Lake Shara-Nur, 5-6 hours
This excursion to Olkhon Island runs through the forested part of the island and will allow you to see the vastness of Big Baikal. First, you will drive through the Siberian taiga, and then walk down to the picturesque Idiba Pad. The forest silence and beauty of these places will help you feel truly at one with nature.
After a leisurely forest walk and a picnic in a clearing, you will go to the only forest lake on Olkhon, famous for its healing mud. “Shara-Nuur” is translated from the Buryat language as “Yellow Lake”. Long ago, local hunters noticed that local waters and mud have a healing effect. Since then, hydrogen sulfide mud from Shara-Nuur has been successfully used for treatment; it is especially good for treating joints and skin diseases.
Due to the fact that the lake is surrounded on all sides by forest, it is very warm here, you can swim and sunbathe.
Lake Khankhoy, 20 km, 3-4 hours
The small Khankhoy Lake attracts tourists primarily because the water here is warmer than on the Small Sea and is suitable for swimming not only for adults, but also for children. The lake is separated from Baikal by a small channel and a sand spit that forms a beach. We advise all those who like to soak up the warm sun to choose this particular excursion to Lake Baikal - you are guaranteed a wonderful Baikal tan!
The lake also offers excellent saltwater fishing, and around the lake you can find many ancient archaeological sites, stone walls and fortifications.
Tyshkine Pad - Lake Shara-Nur, 40 km, 4-5 hours
Tyshkine is the only place on the eastern side of Olkhon Island that can be reached by car. In the old days there was a Buryat ulus here, but now there is only one house left. A very beautiful area, a stream with clear spring water runs through the ravine, surrounded by willow and currant bushes. The ravine is surrounded on both sides by high mountains and ends in a small bay on the shore. The rocky shores on the sides of the bay are convenient places for those who like to fish for Baikal grayling. In Tyshkine, archaeologists have discovered sites and burials of ancient people, starting from the Neolithic era and ending with the period of ethnographic modernity.
On the way back you will make a stop at Lake Shara-Nur, where you can relax and swim.
Cape Khargoy - Lake Khankhoy, 70 km, 6-7 hours
This excursion to Olkhon will allow you not only to enjoy the beautiful panoramas of the Small Sea and the steppe part of the island, but also to get acquainted with ancient archaeological sites.
At Cape Khargoy there is an ancient Kurykan protective wall with a length of 185 m. It is made of stones and, apparently, was built to protect against enemy attacks. Although there are many other different versions of its origin, which our guide will tell you about. From the cape you can also see Ogoy Island, where the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment is located.
You can get to this small island by choosing our Baikal tour “Holy Spring - Buddhist Stupa on the island. Whoa."
Horseback riding tours around the island. Olkhon
HORSE RENTAL
1. Horse rental
2. Cart rental
DAILY TOURS
1.d.Maly-Khuzhir-Shara-Nury.
2.d.Maly-Khuzhir-Tashkinei.
3.d.Maly-Khuzhir-Yalginskoe lake.
Three days tour
d Maly Khuzhir – Cape Khoboy
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National cultural program "Buryat village".
This trip is a chance to see the life of the indigenous population of Olkhon - the Buryats, to get acquainted with their folklore, crafts, economy, way of life and beliefs.
1.Welcoming guests (meeting at the gates of the Buryat yurt in national costumes)
2. Demonstration of the yurt (story about the life and traditions of the Buryats)
3. Excursion around the territory of the yurt (showing everyday Buryat attributes: boat, plow)
4.Buryat traditional treats (milk, homemade bread, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Buryat tea with thyme)
5. Concert (Buryat folklore songs, dances, riddles, poems in the Buryat language)
6.Buryat national wrestling (children can take part in the wrestling)
7. Final national dance "Yokhor".
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For those who vacation with pets!
April 24, 2017
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Promotion for the 2017 season!
April 24, 2017
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We are opening the 2016 season!
April 18, 2016
Early booking with 50% discountRead
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July 23, 2014
Running city Irkutsk
July 21, 2014
Urban orienteering is coming to Irkutsk very soon! We are waiting for you at the finish line with prizes :)
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Boat excursion to Ogoy Island
Three-hour boat excursion to Ogoy Island to a Buddhist stupa. The Buddhist stupa is designed to dissolve all negative obstacles in the world. The stupa symbolizes Mount Meru, through which we pass the world axis, connecting earth, space and sky and connecting humanity with the divine worlds. Such a stupa was built on the island of Ogoy in the Small Sea. The guide will tell you all the information about Ogoy Island and the Buddhist stupa, you will learn many interesting facts and legends
In a programme:
- Boat trip to Ogoy Island
- Enlightenment rites around a Buddhist stupa
Tour price: 1300 rubles per person (children under 10 years old - 1000 rubles, children under 5 years old free of charge without a separate seat)
