Ulan-Ude is located about 250 km from Baikal lake, but if you take a bus or a shuttle, you'll be able to get there in 3 hours.
Please, read more about traveling at Baikal lake in our Baikal Guide / Destination section:
Eastern Shore of Baikal — Buryatia:
What is It: Sandy, warm, and sunny beaches, popular among Russian travelers. There are some secluded spots and a lot of thermal springs as well.
How to Get There: The auto road goes all along the Eastern shore of Baikal. There's at least 1 daily bus. You can also book a boat from Irkutsk.
Pros: Sunny, hot weather, warm lake, sandy beaches, possible to camp freely either among people or alone. Great food. Accessibility.
Contras: The tourist infrastructure is not well developed, so you can get there on your own only if you are brave or speak Russian, or if you book a trip with a travel agency.
[See the Eastern Shore of Baikal - Buryatia Guide]



