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
Arrive in Moscow today, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can choose to enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity.
MEALS: None Today
OVERNIGHT: Balschug Kempinski ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 2 - MOSCOW
CITY TOUR OF MOSCOW INCLUDING A VISIT TO THE KREMLIN BEFORE BOARDING THE IMPERIAL RUSSIA TRAIN
After breakfast, you will enjoy the panoramic tour of Moscow that give you an idea of capital’s dimensions. Explore the Red Square, the very heart of Moscow, with picturesque St. Basil’s Cathedral or enjoy the ride in Moscow subway with the stations that are more likely to be underground palaces. You will be impressed by the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior or stunning view of Moscow standing on the Lenin Hills with your back towards Moscow University and other historical sites.
After lunch in the city, continue to the Kremlin, one of the best-known monuments in Russia and in the world. The guided tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Tzars. Enjoy some time in down town strolling along the ancient Arbat Street with its numerous cafes, souvenir shops. Later in the evening, you’ll board Imperial Russia Train. Enjoy your dinner onboard & get to know your travel companions.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 3 - KAZAN
VISIT KAZAN’S SPECTACULAR KREMLIN ON THE VOLGA RIVER
Upon arrival in Kazan, once the capital of the Tatar Khanate you will depart for City Tour to explore the Old Kazan. Today, in the White Kremlin of Kazan, a new mosque rises in the immediate vicinity of a Christian cathedral. Enjoy the spectacular folklore program that will give you an insight into the Tatar national epic. We invite you to taste local cuisine while lunch & follow cooking demo revealing the secrets of Tatar cuisine. Later this afternoon you board your train & continue your trip. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 4 - EKATERINBURG
VISIT THE MEMORIAL TO THE ROMANOVS & THE EUROPE & ASIA BORDER
Today we arrive in Ekaterinburg & start our discovery of this city that is closely connected with the family of the last Russian Emperor. During the tour, you will visit the memorial Church on the Blood to commemorate the tragic events taken place in this city. After lunch in downtown, we continue our tour. An absolutely must see is a memorial that marks the borderline between Europe & Asia. You will have an opportunity to be in both continents at the same time & keep the memory of it taking pictures. In the evening, we board Imperial Russia Train. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 5 - NOVOSIBIRSK
STOP IN SIBERIA’S LARGEST CITY TO EXPLORE THE HIGHLIGHTS
We arrive in Novosibirsk, the very heart of Siberia, & start our tour of city in the vicinity of the railway station with the visit to the local railway museum dedicated to the legendary Trans-Siberian railway. After lunch break the city tour will take us the embankment of the Ob river, main squares and streets of the most Soviet city on our itinerary. The local Opera House stands out among local sites, will impress you with its monumental architecture, and is known as the biggest theater building in this country. Board your train & enjoy your dinner tonight onboard!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 6 - on the train
A FULL DAY ON THE TRAIN TRAVELLING ACROSS SIBERIA
Your Imperial Russia train keeps traveling through Siberia. Today enjoy your stay onboard to reflect on cities you have already visited. You may want to spend your time having a drink at the bar with your fellow travelers, or you might stay in your cabin and follow the changing scenery. Wooden houses, birch forests and if lucky enough some sun rays over mountain landscapes will greet you. Onboard staff will invite you for a talk on Trans-Siberian railway and there will be a performance of live music. Enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop!
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 7 - IRKUTSK
ARRIVE IN & EXPLORE IRKUTSK CITY
Our train arrives in Irkutsk today, one of the largest cities in Siberia. This city has preserved quite a few of historical buildings and monuments. During the city tour you will see picturesque wooden houses, visit the Decembrists’ House that will unfold the story of failed uprising of Russian aristocracy who were exiled to this city. After lunch do not miss the opportunity to visit an open-air museum located in the picturesque place of the river bank of Angara. This unique museum will tell you about the daily life of the people in this region in the past. Spend some free time strolling through Irkutskaya Sloboda before you will board your train in the evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 8 - LAKE BAIKAL
ARRIVE AT STUNNING LAKE BAIKAL & ENJOY A BARBECUE BY THE LAKE
Standing on the shores of Lake Baikal, you can’t help being awestruck with admiration by the wonder created by nature itself. It is the deepest Lake in the world that contains the fifth part of the Earth’s fresh water. After breakfast, board a motor ship to sail on the waters of the Baikal to the village of Listvyanka. Here you will visit the unique museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Lake.
Not to be missed is the observation point at the Cherssky Stone with a stunning view on the Lake and the Angara river. After a visit to a local market, the journey continues along the original route of the Trans-Siberian Railway for several hours directly along the shore of Lake Baikal. Your train will stop at a particular spot for you to enjoy the majestic lake and a barbecue dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 9 - ULAN UDE
STOP AT CULTURALLY FASCINATING ULAN UDE BEFORE AFTER CROSSING INTO MONGOLIA OVERNIGHT
The Imperial Russia Train will stop today in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. A special spiritual experience is a visit to an active datsan that is today on your program during the city tour. Be a guest to the locals who will welcome you in a traditional yurt. Here you learn how to cook traditional “pozy”, play dice, wear traditional costume, and assemble yurt. Another perspective on the Buryats’ culture is a colorful and spectacular folklore program that you will enjoy here. Later in the evening board Imperial Russia Train to continue your voyage.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 10 - ULAANBAATAR
ARRIVE IN MONGOLIA’S CAPITAL & VISIT TERELJ NATIONAL PARK WHERE YOU OVERNIGHT IN A GER
After arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will leave for Terelj National Park. You will be introduced to the nomadic way of life of still many Mongolians today. When reached Ger Camp in a remote area at Terelj National Park, explore its most beautiful landscapes on the tour of the National Park. Tonight you will sleep in gers (traditional Mongolian yurt) and enjoy traditional Mongolian dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Ger camp at Terelj Park
DAY 11 - ULAANBAATAR
RETURN TO THE CITY TO EXPLORE IT’S HIGHLIGHTS
Today you travel back to Mongolian capital to explore this historic city. You will visit the Gandan abbey, and the National Museum of Mongolia. Enjoy a stunning Mongolian cultural performance including the famous throat singing. Tonight you are welcome back onboard Imperial Russia Train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 12 - on the train
CROSS THE BORDER INTO CHINA TO JOIN A CHARTER TRAIN ON TO BEIJING
Your train pulls towards the Chinese border through the Gobi Desert. Jaw-dropping landscapes will keep your eyes glued to the window. Erlian, the border town, is nothing more than a military post. Due to the different gauges, Imperial Russia Train cannot go to Beijing.
*IMPORTANT* At the border you will need to change trains as the Chinese have a different track gauge to Russia and Mongolia and will not admit the Russian carriages. For this last 16 hour stretch you will have your own cabin but not to the standard of the Russian train you have just been on, with no showers and a shared toilet.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 13 - BEIJING
ARRIVE IN BEIJING WITH A CITY TOUR INCLUDING TIANANMEN SQUARE & THE FORBIDDEN CITY
Beijing is the final destination of your railway journey that has led you across two continents. It is home to millions of small shops and street traders, the place to shop for souvenirs and bargains, and the last opportunity to taste the delicious Chinese food in all its variations. During the city tour you will visit the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square and the Hutongs. The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors between 1368 and 1911.
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance, as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. As the world’s largest city square and enduring symbol of China’s national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. Tonight you will lodge at one of the hotels in the city.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Regent Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 14 - BEIJING
TOUR THE GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE
After breakfast, you head to one of the most powerful symbols of ancient Chinese civilization – the Great Wall of China, stretching 9000 km. It took more than one million people and ten years to build the Great Wall of China, designed as a defensive structure. You can walk along the wall, through the watchtowers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. In the noon you are back in Beijing to visit the Summer Palace.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Regent Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 15 - end of tour
YOUR TOUR FINISHES TODAY OR YOU CAN BOOK FURTHER TRAVEL IN CHINA WITH US
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport from where you start your travel home. Your exciting Imperial Russia Train journey will certainly stay in good memory for a long time.
1 night in a 5* hotel in Moscow. 1 night in a Ger in Mongolia. • 2 nights in a 5* hotel in Beijing. • 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.