Download the extensive Trip Dossier for this tour as a PDF file to read offline or print. The trip dossier contains more details of departures dates and trip inclusions for this tour as well as information on the cabin classes and FAQs.
ARRIVE IN RUSSIA’S CAPITAL WITH FREE TIME TO RELAX AT THE HOTEL AFTER YOUR JOURNEY
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.
MEALS: None Today
OVERNIGHT: Balschug Kempinski ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 2 - MOSCOW
CITY TOUR OF MOSCOW INCLUDING A VISIT TO THE KREMLIN
After delightful breakfast, depart for a scenic drive through main streets and see major attractions of Russian capital. After a lunch break the guided walking tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Tsars. See the famous Tsar Cannon, the 16th century Tsar Bell, and Cathedral Square, home to three of Moscow’s most elaborate cathedrals. When the daylights are deemed, take memorable pictures on the Red Square of Russian winter and Moscow New Year decorations, which rated as the most beautiful in the world. Enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant and drive back to the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Balschug Kempinski ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 3 - MOSCOW
VISIT STUNNING & WINTERY KOLOMENSKOE & SOUVENIR SHOP BACK IN MOSCOW BEFORE JOINING THE TRAIN
In the morning, leave the city center for a visit to Kolomenskoe with its marvelous wooden palace that once served as a summer residence of grand dukes of Moscow and the Russian Tsars. Get to know rich architectural heritage created by the best Russian artisans. This beautiful palace comprises a large number of buildings connected throughout by passageways.
Discover the Russian winter with outdoor activities and traditional ceremony of tea drinking with Russian pancakes. In the afternoon spend some time walking along the Arbat Street to feel the vibe of the city and festive atmosphere. You might want to drop in at some souvenir shops to look for some smaller presents to mark your wonderful time in Russian winter.
In the evening after dinner in a restaurant, you are welcome onboard Imperial Russia Train!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 4 - ST PETERSBURG
CITY TOUR OF ST PETERSBURG & VISIT CATHERINE’S PALACE
St. Petersburg, often referred as Northern capital of Russia, is crowded with numerous historical monuments, marvelous palaces and beautiful bridges. After breakfast, visit the native place of the city, Peter-Paul-Fortress and pay tribute to the Romanov royal family in the Peter-Paul-Cathedral. St. Isaac’s Cathedral, one of the biggest dome buildings in the world, is not just an architectural masterpiece; it comprises innovative and unique engineering ideas of the 19th century.
After lunch you drive towards Tsarskoe Selo where you visit Catherine’s Palace with the world famous Amber Room. Later this day stroll along colorful boulevards; enjoy the city Christmas market or just sit down to rest in one of the numerous cafes. After dinner accompanied by gypsy songs & guitar drive through the illuminated St. Petersburg.
Board your train to continue your journey to the Arctic Circle!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 5 - PETROZAVODSK
LEARN ABOUT THE LOCAL KAREL & YEP PEOPLE
Today you arrive in Petrozavodsk, capital city of Republic of Karelia. The native karels and veps preserved their unique culture and traditions. Therefore, we will take you to the village of Kinerma to learn the history of the ancient Karelian settlement of 16th century. A local family will host you and invite for a traditional tea with Karelian pies. Drive back to provincial town of Petrozavodsk, the most Soviet one on our journey, and enjoy the concert of the local folk group “Kantele”. Tonight dinner is offered onboard Imperial Russia Train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 6 - MURMANSK
REACH MURMANSK ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR
Today your train crosses the Arctic Circle. As the Imperial Russia Train pulls through the Kola Peninsula enjoy your morning at leisure, follow the changing scenery with beautiful landscapes of the Khibiny Mountains.
Shortly before lunch, you arrive in Murmansk, the most Northern point of our journey. For the next two days you will be lodging in a city hotel. This town started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free all year round. Depart for the city tour with such major attractions as nuclear icebreaker Lenin, World War II memorials.
Later this noon enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity. Join us for a festive dinner with a colorful show program in the beautifully decorated hotel restaurant to celebrate the New Year!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Azimut Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 7 - MURMANSK
TIME TO RELAX & MEET THE LOCAL SAMI PEOPLE
On the first day of the New Year allow yourself to sleep in and enjoy the late breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Later this morning drive for the village of Lovozero, the center of the cultural life of the Saami, the native people of the Kola Peninsula. Meet the Saami Santa Claus who invites you for lunch and explains you about the lifestyle of Saami, life in tundra, reindeer herding and hunting. Walk around the village or on the frozen lake to capture the winter landscapes of Arctic winter or ride a reindeer sledding! Around dinner time arrive in Murmansk & enjoy a relaxing evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Azimut Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 8 - on the train
ENJOY THE WINTER LANDSCAPE AS YOU HEAD BACK SOUTH
After breakfast at the hotel board the Imperial Russia Train and start travelling towards Vologda. Today enjoy your stay onboard to reflect on cities you have already visited. Enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop and picturesque winter scenery. You might want to attend one of the interesting lectures or entertaining program.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 9 - VOLOGDA
STOP AT CULTURALLY FASCINATING VOLOGDA
In the morning arrive in Vologda, the city with significant historical and cultural heritage. This city is the same age as Russian capital and is rich in historical sights. The Kremlin Square is located right in the centre of the city, and Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible used to walk around this place.
Emperor Peter the Great used to visit Vologda frequently. Among artisans this city is well known for its delicate and exquisite laces. Stroll along the Kremlin grounds and listen to the history of this city, spot some of the remaining wooden houses with carved window frames that are very much like the laces.
Try your hands in a workshop to paint gingerbread and take it as a memory of Vologda. In evening you are back onboard the Imperial Russia Train to celebrate the farewell dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 10 - end of tour
ARRIVE BACK IN MOSCOW WITH THE MEMORIES OF THIS WINTER RAIL ADVENTURE!
Arrive back in Moscow this morning. Transfer to the airport from where you start your travel home or you can book additional nights in Moscow with us or even a Trans-Siberian adventure across Russia!
MEALS: Breakfast
IMPERIAL RUSSIA TRAIN
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Tour INCLUDES
2 nights in a 5* hotel in Moscow. 2 nights in a 4* hotel in Murmansk. • Full board Accommodation Onboard the Imperial Russia Train. • Bathrobe and slippers. • Excursions with local guides according to the program. • Guides speaking English, German, French, Spanish (other languages on request for language groups from 10 persons travelling on board the «Imperial Russia» Train). • Tea/coffee throughout the day. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner as indicated in the itinerary. • Transfers: All transfers are included providing you arrive on the start / finish days of the tour. • Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the countries visited. • Doctor onboard. • Porterage is included between the hotels and stations. • English Speaking Tour Director throughout the Tour. • Experienced Tour Managers.
Tour EXCLUDES
• International flights - we can book these for you if you wish. • Visas - we provide the paperwork and can recommend visa agents to help with applications. • Tips and own expenses. • All beverages in bar car. • Travel Insurance (every passenger is obliged to have a medical insurance for the whole duration of the Tour). • Vaccinations: Consult your doctor for specific health advice.
CABIN CLASSES
Full details on the cabin classes available on Imperial Russia.
We hold ATOL license 10287 so booking with us gives you 100% financial protection. We are also members of the Association of British Travel Agents. ABTA has strict membership requirements and we are required to adhere to the associations high standards. Our ABTA number is Y1699.
