Baikal-Amur Mainline. For most people, it's an abbreviation from geography textbooks. Century project, Komsomol, eternal permafrost. But today, BAM is not just freight trains with coal and timber. It's a unique tourist attraction that can outshine 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 BAM as an attraction grew: tourist trains, rafting, excursions appeared. It's time to embark on a journey along the most romantic railway in Russia.

What is BAM

Baikal-Amur Mainline is a railway stretching 4287 km 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. BAM passes through the zone of eternal permafrost, seismic activity, across 7 mountain ridges, 11 large rivers (Len, Amur, etc.). There are 4,200 bridges, over 30 tunnels, including the North-Mui tunnel (15 km). This engineering marvel still elicits admiration.

Why BAM is interesting to tourists

For tourists, BAM is an opportunity to see untouched nature: taiga, hills, rivers, lakes. As well as industrial artifacts: mosaics on 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 extreme sports enthusiasts — rafting on the tributaries of the Vitim, trekking to Baikal from the BAM branch. Also possible hunting, fishing (trout, lenok), gathering wild plants.

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 BAM), Severobaikalsk (the shore of Baikal), Nizhniyanzharsk, Taksimo, Chara (desert with towers), Tynda (the capital of BAM). In the trains — air-conditioned compartments with shower, meals in the dining 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 BAM and Baikal

The city of Severobaikalsk is a major station on 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 Aaya. In the city, there is a BAM museum, where models of tunnels and dioramas of construction are shown. The "Memory 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 BAM

Tynda is a city where the management of the Baikal-Amur Railway is located. There 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 miniature train along the old track. The airport of Tynda accepts flights from Moscow, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk.

North-Mui Tunnel: an engineering marvel

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

Chara: "Siberian desert"

At the station Chara (Zabaykalsky Krai) there is an amazing place — Charskaya Sands (dunes up to 80 m high) in the middle of taiga and swamps. This is a geological phenomenon. Tourists arrive here by train, then by all-terrain vehicles or on foot (10 km). You can set up 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 Vitim tributary flows along BAM. Here there are rafting routes of category 3-4. Starts from the Kuyelbekerskaya station to Taksimo. Length — 120 km, 5 days. Rapids named "Three Towers", "Waterfall", and "Wife'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 BAM

After the Perestroika, many settlements along BAM became deserted. One of the most famous is Chara (not to be confused with the station) and Kovokta. Here there are five-story buildings without windows, overgrown with birch, broken machinery. 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 repellent (gnus!). Food: snacks, water can be taken 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.

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

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