Baikal-Amur Mainline. For most people, it's an abbreviation from geography textbooks. Century construction, Komsomol, permafrost. But today, the BAM is not just freight trains with coal and timber. It's a unique tourist attraction that can compete with many advertised routes. Thousands of kilometers of taiga, mountains, rivers, and tunnels where a person feels like a grain of sand. In 2026, interest in the BAM as an attraction grew: tourist trains, rafting, excursions. It's time to embark on a journey along the most romantic railway in Russia.

What is the BAM

The Baikal-Amur Mainline is a railway 4287 km long from Taishet (Irkutsk Oblast) to Sovetskaya Gavan (Khabarovsk Krai). Construction was carried out intermittently from 1938 to 1984, with the peak in the 1970s-1980s. In 1984, the "golden link" was laid. The BAM runs through the zone of permafrost, seismic activity, across 7 mountain ranges, and 11 major rivers (Lenya, Amur, etc.). There are 4,200 bridges, over 30 tunnels, including the North-Mui tunnel (15 km). This engineering marvel still inspires admiration.

Why is the BAM interesting to tourists

For tourists, the BAM offers the chance to see untouched nature: taiga, hills, rivers, lakes. As well as industrial relics: mosaic stations, steam locomotive memorials, abandoned settlements. The route passes through three time zones. You can see the North-Mui tunnel, which was built for 26 years, and the Devil's Bridge viaduct. For thrill-seekers, rafting on the tributaries of the Vitim, trekking to Baikal from the BAM branch. Also, hunting, fishing (trout, lenok), gathering wild plants are possible.

Tourist Trains 2026

In 2026, specialized tourist trains were launched: "BAM-Express" and "Golden Mainline." They run from Irkutsk to Khabarovsk with stops at key points: Taishet (the beginning of the BAM), Severobaikalsk (the shore of Lake Baikal), Nizhniyanzharsk, Taksimo, Chara (desert with towers), Tynda (the capital of the BAM). In the trains — air-conditioned compartments, shower, meals in the restaurant car. There is a guide who tells the history of every kilometer. The cost of a week-long tour is from 50,000 rubles (accommodation and excursions included).

Severobaikalsk: the gates of the BAM and Baikal

The city of Severobaikalsk is a major station on the BAM, right on the shore of Lake Baikal. Tourists can swim (water +12 in summer), take a boat to Cape Kotelnikovsky (hot springs) or to the bay of Aya. The city has a BAM museum, where models of tunnels and dioramas of construction are shown. The "Memorial Train" is popular — an excursion along the narrow-gauge track that transported construction materials. They stay in hotels or private houses.

Tynda: the capital of the BAM

Tynda is the city where the management of the Baikal-Amur Railway is located. Here is a monument to the pioneers — a steam locomotive memorial. In 2026, the "BAM district" is operating in Tynda: stylized streets with Soviet signs, an open-air museum (wagon-club, bulldozer, dump trucks). Tourists can ride a draisine along the old branch. The airport of Tynda accepts flights from Moscow, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk.

North-Mui Tunnel: a wonder of engineering

The longest tunnel on the BAM (15,343 m). Built for 26 years due to permafrost, landslides, high seismic activity. Opened in 2003. Tourists can ride through it in a train (it takes 15 minutes). A monument to the builders is installed at the western portal. For thrill-seekers, an emergency adit is organized (with a guide, in a helmet). The impression is hair-raising.

Chara: the "Siberian desert"

At the station Chara (Zabaykalsky Krai) there is an amazing place — the Charskaya Sands (dunes up to 80 m high) in the middle of the taiga and swamps. This is a geological phenomenon. Tourists arrive by train, then by all-terrain vehicles or on foot (10 km). You can arrange a photo session, ride snowboards on the sands (special boards). In 2026, a tourist campsite with a shower and toilets was built.

Rafting on the Vitim River

The tributary of Vitim flows along the BAM. Here are rafting routes of category 3-4. Starts from the Kychubeyskaya station to Taksimo. Length — 120 km, 5 days. Rapids named "Three Towers", "Waterfall", and "Daughter's Tongue". Extremity: cold water, rocks, wild banks. In 2026, a combined tour is popular: train to Taksimo, rafting, then return by train. For beginners — instructors.

Abandoned settlements: the ghosts of the BAM

After the restructuring, many settlements along the BAM became abandoned. One of the most famous is Chara (not to be confused with the station) and Kovokta. Here are five-story buildings without windows, overgrown with birch trees, broken equipment. Tourists-stalkers come to take "post-apocalyptic" photos. However, be careful: there may be bears. It's better with a local guide.

Tips for travelers

The best time is July-August (dry and warm). Clothing: waterproof jacket, warm things (even at night in summer +5). Insect repellents (gnus!). Food: snacks, you can take water from rivers after boiling. Mobile connection is only available in large settlements. Take cash with you: ATMs are available in Severobaikalsk, Tynda, Neryungri. Book tickets for tourist trains in advance.

The BAM is not just a road. It's an adventure that changes one's perception of Russia. Where the tracks stretch into infinity, you understand: a person can do anything. Even build a road through permafrost.

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