This huge lake, 636km from north to south, is the world’s deepest lake and also contains nearly one fifth of the planet’s unfrozen fresh water. The water is a wonderful clear blue colour and very pure. The scenery around the lake changes from rocky shore to taiga forest and mountains loom up in the distance. There are over 50 varieties of fish in the lake including omul, which is a distant relative of salmon and often eaten raw.

There are many beautiful paths along the lake shore and boats can be chartered to cruise the waters and view some of the pretty settlements on the edge of the lake.