The island is the geographical, historical and sacral center of LakeBaikal. It is situated at the same distance from the south and northern extremities of the lake. It is surprising, but island’s form is similar to a lake.   The island is covered by grass and aromatic plants on the side facing the coast (steppe), and by small pine trees (taiga) on the side facing the middle of the lake. It’s about 70 kmlong, and 15 kmwide.

It is by far the largest island in Lake Baikal, with an area of 730 square kilometers. Olkhon has a dramatic combination of terrain and is rich in archeological landmarks. Steep mountains line its eastern shore, Mount Zhima is the highest point on the island, peaking at 818 meters above the water level of Lake Baikal. The island is large enough to have its own lakes, and features a combination of taiga, steppe and even a small desert. A deep strait separates the island from the land.

The indigenous Buryats believe the island to be a spiritual place, and on the western coast, close to Khuzhir, is Baikal's most famous landmark, the Shamanka, or Shaman's Rock. Natives believe that Burkhan, a modern religious cult figure of the Altai peoples, lives in the cave in this rock. The rock is one of nine Asian Most Sacred Places. The museum at Olkhon, named after Revyakin, exposits on the nature and ethnography of the island, including pipe-smoking and a samovar collection. Olkhon is a sacred shamanist centre and also considered a centre of Kurumchinskay culture of VI-X centuries.

On the island there are several villages where buryats live, the biggest one is Khuzhir.

The island is rich of archeological artifacts, so many there is not in all Baikal area. Nowadays there are about 150 archeological places: burial grounds, old sites, stone walls’ ruins. Among them the most popular is Kurykan protecting wall that blocks isthmus of Khorgoy cape.

Olkhon Island with its different landscapes and magnificent sceneries is a real paradise for wildlife fans and photographers.

It is a great place to get away from civilization, feel the nature, live just next to Baikal lake, and enjoy magnificient views and new places.
The island is quite remote, and is separated from the main land — there are no telephone lines, no power lines, cell phones don't work there, and the electricity on Okhon is produced by generators. However, despite absence of these modern life amenities, the island is really comfortable for living. There are a few shops and cafes in the main settlement Khuzhir (some open 24 hours), and local people offer bed & breakfast. A few kilometers from Khuzhir, there are two felt-yurt camps, just on theshore ofBaikal. You can also make trekking walks, rent bikes, and make tours to the parts of the island that are not populated.