22 nights from UK £ 4,685 / US $ 6,560 per person*
*Price based on 2 people travelling in a shared 4 berth second class cabin. Upgrade to your own cabin from UK £ 825 / US$ 1,155 per person. These prices are based on 2021 rates and are here to give guidance. Final quotes vary by date, exchange rates and are subject to availability.
PRIVATE TOUR - NOT A GROUP TOUR - CAN BE TAILORED
SEASON - YEAR ROUND WITH DAILy DEPARTURES POSSIBLE
TOUR CODE : TS-BAM-EASTBOUND
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Russia’s vast and iconic capital and the start of this railway adventure.
?? EKATERINBURG - 1 night
Where Europe meets Asia & the Romanovs met their end - historical city.
?? KRASNOYARSK - 1 night
Prepare to join the Baikal-Amur Magistral from this vibrant Siberian City.
?? BRATSK - 2 nights
Epic Soviet planning and an equally epic dam - Russian resilience.
?? SERVEROBAIKALSK - 3 nights
The wilder and - in our opinion - more beautiful end of Lake Baikal.
?? TYNDA - 1 night
BAM central and the best experience of actual life on the edge in Siberia.
?? KOMSOMOLSK ON AMUR - 2 nights
A city on the mighty Amur with ambition and a gateway to Russia’s Far East.
?? KHABAROVSK - 1 night
Vibrant and prosperous city on the mighty Amur River bordering China.
?? VLADIVOSTOK - 1 night
Far Eastern Military port and the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
ON THE TRAINS - total 8 nights
We use the most comfortable and reliable trains possible for each leg.
OUR EXCLUSIVE TRIP GUIDEBOOK
This trip includes our exclusive 200+ page guidebook personalised to your trip with sections about the trains, destinations, timetables and emergency contacts and allowing you to be fully prepared for your trip of a lifetime - an invaluable resource!
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAILY DESCRIPTIONS OF ACTIVITIES, MEALS & OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION
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DAY 1 - MOSCOW
YOUR TRANS-SIBERIAN & BAM ADVENTURE STARTS IN RUSSIA’S CAPITAL OF MOSCOW
Welcome to Moscow, Russia’s capital and its largest city with more than 12 million people. It is the political and economic centre of this vast country and has many of Russia’s most famous sights, not least Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral. With over 800 years of history there is also a wealth of architecture, museums and monuments to a colourful past. Transfer by private car with an English speaking driver to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring this stunning city.
A FASCINATING 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR OF CENTRAL MOSCOW WITH A FREE AFTERNOON
The perfect introductory walking tour of central Moscow designed to orientate and open up its hidden treasures. Your guide will take you along the main streets and less visited back roads to see the diversity of architectural styles from the austere and restrained Russian style to richly decorated Moscow Baroque, elegant Empire, fascinating Art Nouveau and even Pseudo-Chinese and Moorish. Hear stories and legends not found in the guidebooks as well as passing the most important sites in the city including the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya street, GUM Department store, Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral.
The rest of the day is free to further explore Moscow. The exclusive Trip Guidebook we send you before your trip is full of ideas and useful information to ensure you get the most out of your time in this iconic city.
DEPART MOSCOW ON YOUR FIRST TRAIN LEG TO EKATERINBURG
Free time until early afternoon to explore Moscow. The city has much to offer whatever the weather from the famous museums such as Pushkin Fine Arts and Tretyakov Art Gallery to more outdoor areas including the Park of the Fallen Idols and Novodevitchy Convent.
Transfer to the station for a late afternoon departure from Moscow’s Kazanskaya station. Settle into your compartment as the suburbs of Moscow are replaced by forest and countryside.
FULL DAY ON THE TRAIN BEFORE AN EVENING ARRIVAL IN EKATERINBURG
With luck the gentle rhythm of the train led to a good night’s sleep! A full day on the train through a region of farms, small towns and villages interspersed with birch forests. Towards the end of the day you cross the Europe-Asia continental border arriving in Ekaterinburg a short time afterwards. Ekaterinburg is a more representative experience of a Russian city than, say, Moscow and has a rich and fascinating history. It is surrounded by beautiful, rolling countryside dotted with traditional Siberian villages. Transfer to your hotel to overnight.
MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.
CITY TOUR, VISIT THE ROMANOVS SECRET GRAVE & STAND ASTRIDE THE EUROPE-ASIA BORDER
This morning your guide will take you on a 3 hour walking tour of the city’s highlights. Stop at the central square and see statues of Ekaterinburg’s founders and leaders and learn local stories, legends (and a few jokes!) related to them. Continue to the 1905 Revolution square before the most compelling story will be told at the beautiful Church of Spilled Blood located at the Romanovs’ Death Site and Chapel of St Elizabeth. See views from the Hill of Ascension and visit the powerful Afghanistan memorial at the Square of the Red Army.
After lunch (own arrangement) drive 15 km north-west to a monastery dedicated to the Romanov’s family located on the spot where the Bolsheviks tried to hide the corpses of the Tsar and his family in a secret grave. Continue on to the continental border of Europe and Asia 20 km west of the city. On the way we make a short stop at the Memorial of Victims of the GULAGs. The Main Obelisk “Between Europe & Asia” allows you to straddle the continental divide and you also get a Certificate with a glass of sparkling wine!
Return to the city with some free time before an evening transfer to the station for your onward train. From this point on you have entered Siberia!
YOUR FIRST DAY IN SIBERIA & THE VASTNESS OF CENTRAL RUSSIA
The scenery today is flat, often swampy or forested and with few large settlements. The major city is Omsk but there are also a few other large stops. This is a day for relaxing, socializing and getting into a good book!
MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.
ARRIVAL IN & CITY TOUR OF KRASNOYARSK & TRIP TO THE STOLBY NATURE RESERVE
Morning arrival in Krasnoyarsk where you will be met at the station to start an half day city tour. This prosperous city located on the Yenisey River is highly regarded for it’s cultural life as well as the beautiful scenery of the Stolby Nature Reserve a short distance from the city.
As a hotel room is unlikely to be ready this early we start with a city tour which begins with the monument to Andrey Dubensky, the founder of the city, which also offers superb views and Karaulnaya Hill where Paraskeva Pjatnitsa Chapel built in 1855 is located. Move on to the Annunciation temple, Intercession Cathedral and Catholic church as well as Mira Avenue, the Drama Theatre, Opera and Ballet House and Yenisey quay.
Continue to the Stolby Nature Reserve and make a short walk of about 2-3 km round trip to the centre of the reserve where there are beautiful views and unusual rock formations. Time to enjoy the scenery and nature before returning to the city and a free evening.
After the tour continue to your hotel to check-in with free time for the rest of the day.
CONTINUE BY TRAIN TO JOIN THE BAM RAILWAY AT TAYSHET
After breakfast a transfer to the station for your train on to Bratsk (train 092 09:27-00:18+1). At Tayshet you branch off on to the Baikal Amur Magistral (BAM) to begin this exciting part of the journey to a Russia less travelled. The land opens up with few villages and endless Taiga forest.
Just after midnight you arrive in Bratsk with a transfer direct to your hotel.
CITY TOUR OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BRATSK & A FREE AFTERNOON
This morning meet your guide for a 3 hour city tour first visiting the beautiful memorial to the Great Patriotic War (the Second World War) which is a fascinating piece of sculpture.
Continue on to a museum charting the development of the city which, of course, was in tandem with the railway line’s construction and a major Soviet project.
Finally, visit the observation point for the vast Dam and if your lucky you may even see a train crossing it as the railway line passes over the dam.
Return to your hotel with free time this afternoon to relax in the city centre.
VISIT ANGARSK VILLAGE MUSEUM BEFORE CONTINUING BY TRAIN
This morning head little out of the city to visit Angarsk Village Museum. Here you will see some wonderful examples of early Siberian wooden architecture form both the native tribes and the Russians who first settled in this area. There is a nice walk through the first and a traditional cafe in one of the wooden buildings. Seeing how the log architecture developed over time is well presented here.
Return the city with free time to relax or stock up for the next train ride which starts with a transfer to the station later this afternoon as you head further along the BAM on the overnight train to Severobaikalsk.
MORNING ARRIVAL IN THIS NORTHERN BAIKAL CITY WITH A TOUR & FREE TIME
Arrival in Severobaikalsk, the most important settlement at the northern end of Lake Baikal. The city was built as part of the BAM project and although the architecture is very bland Soviet style this part of the Lake, a short distance away from the city and your hotel, is both wilder and more beautiful than the much more visited Southern end of Baikal.
Despite the lack of attractions in the city itself the 3 hour city tour is of interest for the view points and history of this settlement which is almost entirely dependent on the railway.
After the tour check-in to the guesthouse from where it is a short walk down to the Lake shore which you can often have to yourself.
TRIP TO CAPE LUDAR A SACRED PLACE OF THE OBO & A PRIVATE MUSEUM IN THE VILLAGE OF BAIKALSK
Today we drive out of town to Baikalsk village and nearby Cape Ludar. In this area the nature of Baikal is very similar to the Little Sea area of Olkhon Island with beautiful views. At Cape Ludar there has been found much evidence of ancient man. You can see a cave with petroglyphs and go up to the weather station, walking along the famous Great Baikal Trail.
On the way you'll visit Buryat ritual place, Shaman and Buddhist place of ceremonies, it's a place of power, here you can ask the spirit of the place to fulfill your innermost desire. You will also see the Buddhist Stupa. There is a magnificent view from the Stupa of forest clad Onokochanskaya Bay. In the ancient fishing village of Baikalsk you'll visit the private museum which has a unique collection of fishing utensils and other items.
Return to the hotel for dinner and a free evening.
DAY TRIP TO THE THERMAL SPRINGS AT GAUDJEKIT OR ZELINDA
Today we drive to the thermal Springs visiting either the Zelinda or Gaudjekit areas depending on the day. According to ancient Slavonic legends, in sea of Khaari (the ancient name for Baikal) was a source of life which was carefully guarded and protected but which came to the surface in different places. It is believed that all warm springs are part of this source, giving strength to those who bathe in them.
The springs are located in the valley of the Upper Angara River and are equipped with 2 swimming pools, changing rooms, cafes and a picnic area.
TRIP TO NIJNEANGARSK TO VISIT THE REGIONAL MUSEUM BEFORE DEPARTING TO TYNDA
After breakfast we head out to visit Nijneangarsk village and its regional museum. The village is located 23 km North East of Severobaikalsk near the mouth of the Kichiera River.
After the tour head to the train station for your train on to Tynda.
A DAY PASSING THROUGH REMOTE SCENERY BEFORE ARRIVING IN TYNDA
There is some beautifully remote scenery of mountains, rivers and forest today with the occasional stop at stations that seemingly are placed in the middle of nowhere.
Late afternoon you draw into Tynda which exists solely for the BAM and didn't exist at all before 1974. Very planned and having a slightly wild west feel to it the city is surrounded by Taiga forest with bears seen to come up to the city limits.
Tynda is an important train hub and the station is perhaps the most impressive building in the city. From here, as well as going East or West you can also head south on the "Little BAM or north towards (and eventually to once the line opens to passengers) Yakutsk.
Aside from the impressive BAM museum there are few other sights but perhaps because of this, a stop in Tynda focuses more on the life of the people there and so makes it an unwitting highlight of the BAM.
Transfer to your hotel with free time to explore the city centre.
Some free time this morning to relax, get laundry done or go for a walk. Your guide will meet you early afternoon to take you on a tour of the city.
There’s not a huge lot to see but somehow Tynda is a highlight of the BAM for us as we found we empathised with life in a remote city, as remote as it is possible to be really, without any of the distractions of sights to see.
Stock up on some food at the supermarket before a transfer to the station for the longer leg on to Komsomolsk on Amur.
FULL DAY ON THE TRAIN AS YOU PASS THROUGH THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST
A day to relax and take in the scenery whist reading a good book and tucking in to some cabin rations! Alongside the track is the BAM road, a rough track indeed and remote stations service the occasional mining and military sites.
ARRIVAL IN THIS CITY ON THE BANKS OF THE MIGHTY AMUR RIVER WITH A CITY TOUR & MUSEUM VISIT
Early morning arrival in Komsomolsk on Amur - a sprawling and much more developed city after Tynda and Severobaikalsk.
Start an half day city tour with your guide. There is some older architecture here and it feels much bigger and more vibrant with some good cafes and restaurants. As the name suggests, it is set on the banks of the mighty Amur River and is still an important industrial centre, most famously for the Sukhoi (Su) fighter jets in a factory that continues to produce these jets today. You may see them fly above the city if you are lucky.
You also visit the Regional museum before checking in to the hotel with the remainder of the day free.
A FREE MORNING BEFORE AN AFTERNOON TRIP TO THE NANAIAN VILLAGE OF UPPER EKON
Free time this morning before an afternoon trip to Nanaian village of Upper Ekon where you visit the local school which also houses an ethnographical museum with an interesting collection fo tribal and Soviet artefacts.
You will also meet some Nanaian people to hear some of their music and try some local snacks, If time take a walk around the village which runs down to the Amur river before returning to the city to overnight.
A DAY TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE BAM & TRANS-SIBERIAN LINES
After and early breakfast a transfer to the station for this day time journey (train 31 departs 08:06 and arrives 17:20pm) that deviates off the BAM and on to the Komsomolsk Dezhnyovka Rail Line that links the BAM to the Trans-Siberian line before eventually arriving in Khabarovsk late afternoon.
Despite the remoteness it is a large, booming town due to it’s proximity to China just 25 km away over the Amur River. Rarely visited by Trans-Siberian travellers, there is some good architecture and the city is a pleasant place to be, particularly in the summer months.
MORNING CITY TOUR OF KHABAROVSK & A FREE AFTERNOON BEFORE DEPARTING TO VLADIVOSTOK
After breakfast a 4 hour city tour including Lenin square, the WWII memorial complex, the Square devoted to the Civil War in the Far East as well as information and anecdotes on the history, culture and industry of Khabarovsk and the surrounding region.
Free time in the afternoon to further explore the city of visit the vibrant food market before an evening departure for the overnight train to Vladivostok.
EARLY MORNING ARRIVAL WITH TIME TO FRESHEN UP & A 4 HOUR TOUR OF THE CITY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Early morning arrival at Vladivostok’s attractive station with the satisfaction of knowing you have completed your epic Trans-Siberian and BAM journey!
Transfer to your hotel where we have booked early check-in and breakfast for you so you will have the opportunity to freshen up and eat before starting to explore the city.
Later today you have a 4 hour city tour of Vladivostok covering the main attractions and more including the historic Vladivostok Railway Station and the C-56 submarine as well as passing many historic, cultural and architectural landmarks and view points.
After the tour return to your hotel with free time for the rest of the day.
DEPART RUSSIA’S FAR EASTERN PORT CITY OF VLADIVOSTOK
Free time today until a transfer to the airport, station or ferry terminal for your onward travel from Vladivostok and the end of your trip across Russia!
MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.
Thank you so very much. We had the best time!
AMY WEGERHOFF
"Your company really did an amazing job on this trip."
ENGELA POTGIETER
"Nothing short of outstanding & the fulfilment of a lifetimes dream."
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