While visiting Irkutsk privately, I really wanted to visit the Sayan Mountains—I love the mountains. I had looked for a tour in advance, but there was nothing available on the day I was free to go. And, oh my God, when checking into my hotel room, I spotted a travel agency office.
Mikhail (the agency manager) greeted me with a disarming smile, listened to my requests, and arranged a private tour for me just a day later. We visited Arshan and then headed to a mineral spring. It was a truly unique treat—an open-air radon spring. The air temperature was below 20 degrees and snow was swirling, yet there I was, sitting in a hot pool.
On the way, we stopped in Kultuk, and Mikhail helped me buy some fish—after all, how could I do without it? You can't visit Lake Baikal and not buy omul fish, can you?
I am very pleased with the trip; Mikhail is pleasant to talk to, and it is comfortable to sit in silence with him (it was a long drive).
I’ve been to many places and seen all kinds of guides; whether or not you enjoy a tour depends largely on the guide. Well, with Mikhail, it’s a 10 out of 10—you’ll be happy with the experience. I recommend him.

We sincerely thank the "Pokrov Tour" agency for an unforgettable trip to Lake Baikal from July 20 to 28—and specifically our wonderful guide and true professional, Mikhail Melekhed! We enjoyed absolutely everything! We will certainly recommend this agency for trips to Baikal! We plan to return to Baikal next summer and will definitely use their services again! We also discovered that Mikhail Melekhed is the head of the agency; thanks to him, we were able to visit Lake Baikal, the Anga museum complex, the Arshan resort, and Olkhon Island. We also took a sightseeing tour of Irkutsk, and the "Angara" icebreaker museum was truly impressive.