Lake Baikal holds every superlative. It is the oldest and deepest lake in the world, and the largest reserve of fresh water. Long inhabited by ancient peoples, it was discovered late by Europeans, during sable-hunting expeditions! This place, lost in the depths of the taiga and shaped by extreme conditions, has since attracted the bravest explorers for its astonishing biodiversity. The lake’s water, filtered by tiny organisms, is of unparalleled purity. It fascinates scientists by allowing them to observe the cosmos like nowhere else, thanks to ultra-sophisticated underwater telescopes. Overlooking Baikal aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway, spotting the nerpa (the world’s only freshwater seal), or pushing your limits by running an ice marathon… There are a thousand ways to experience the exploration of this jewel of Siberian nature.