19 nights from UK £ 3,490 / US $ 4,890 per person*
*Price based on 2 people travelling in a shared 4 berth second class cabin. Upgrade to your own cabin from UK £ 810 / US$ 1,135 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 WEEKLY DEPARTURES
TOUR CODE : TS-V-BT-02
MAP & DESTINATIONS
THE STOPS VISITED ON THIS TOUR
?? VLADIVOSTOK - 1 night
Russia’s Eastern Port city is a heavily influenced by nearby China & Japan.
?? ULAN UDE - 2 nights
East meets West in the Mongolian influenced capital of Buryatia.
?? IRKUTSK & BAIKAL - 3 nights
Forward looking Siberian city and gateway to Lake Baikal.
?? KRASNOYARSK - 2 nights
Busy Siberian city located on the banks of the mighty Yenisey River.
?? EKATERINBURG - 3 nights
City in the beautiful Ural Mountains where the Romanovs met their fate.
?? MOSCOW - 2 nights
Russia’s vast and iconic capital and the start of this railway adventure.
ON THE TRAINS - total 6 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
DAY 1 - VLADIVOSTOK
ARRIVAL IN RUSSIA’S FAR EAST PORT CITY OF VLADIVOSTOK
Arrival in Vladivostok, the legendary end (or beginning) of the true Trans-Siberian line. A driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. For years this city was closed to foreigners being the home base of the Russian Pacific Fleet. It has a fantastic location on the Amursky Gulf. Free time for the rest of the day to relax or start to explore the city with the help of your personalised Trip Guidebook we send you before the trip.
FULL DAY CITY TOUR INCLUDING RUSSKY ISLAND & VOROSHILOVSKAYA BATTERY WITH AN EVENING DEPARTURE
A full day tour of Vladivostok today covering the main attractions and more including Vladivostok Railway Station - always worth a pre-look - and the C-56 submarine as well as passing many historic, cultural and architectural landmarks and view points. After lunch (own arrangement) we delve into Vladivostok's military history visiting its Fortress including two of the old batteries which now serve as museums. We also visit the Voroshilovskaya Battery located inside a real military base on Russky Island. This 80 year old building is a fantastic example of military architecture with it's rational organisation and efficient functioning. We also see the Pacific Navy warships stationed in the heart of the city which demonstrate the continuing importance of this port to Russia.
Finish the tour at Vladivostok’s beautiful station where you board the train westwards.
ENJOY THE SCENERY OF RUSSIA’S WILD & REMOTE FAR EAST
Early this morning reach Khabarovsk crossing its 2.6 km bridge over the Amur river. There is some good scenery today following the Ingoda and Shilka rivers into a wild land of taiga forest and hills. The train is still stopping quite frequently so make good use of these stops to stretch the legs, take some photos and stock up on food and drink from the small kiosks and independent sellers.
MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.
ARRIVAL IN ULAN UDE & ATSAGATSKI DATSAN & A BURYAT VILLAGE
Morning arrival in Ulan Ude with a transfer to your accommodation. Ulan-Ude is capital of the republic of Buryatia and due to it’s proximity to Mongolia has a traditional importance as a trading settlement between Russia, Mongolia and China. Famed for having the largest Lenin head in the world the other attractions are found outside of the city.
Today’s tour we first drive to Atsagatski Datsan which dates back to 1825. This was a teaching monastery as well as a centre for Tibetan Medicine. Continue on to the nearby village founded in the 19th century and which still keeps the traditions and customs of the Buryats, who make up most of the population, alive. Lunch in a local house and free time to explore the village before returning to the city to overnight.
VISIT THE OLD BELIEVERS VILLAGE & STUNNING IVOLGINSKI DATSAN
Today we leave the city again, this time to the impressive Ivolginski Datsan which has long been a center of Buddhism in Russia and has a unique Buddhist library. Continue on to the Old Believer village. The people here separated from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1666 in protest of reforms and so practice a form of the religion that stopped across much of Russia at that time. Visit their church and a small museum before lunch is in a local home and free time before returning to Ulan-Ude to overnight.
DEPART ULAN UDE TRAVELLING THE SHORE OF LAKE BAIKAL BEFORE ARRIVING IN IRKUTSK
After breakfast a transfer to the station for the train to Irkutsk (train 305 / 69 / 69 / 1). Later this morning you reach Lake Baikal travelling along its southern shore and one of the most scenic sections of the whole Trans-Siberian.
Late afternoon arrival in Irkutsk, regarded as the modern day cultural capital of Siberia, famed for its traditional wooden architecture, complimented by a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture. Transfer from the station to your hotel in Irkutsk with free time for the rest for the day and evening.
TRANSFER TO BOLSHOE GOLOUSTNOE ON THE SHORES OF BAIKAL
After breakfast transfer the 2 hour drive through dense forest to the remote village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe located inside Pribaikalsky National Park. The setting is quintessential Siberia with almost all the village's houses made of wood running up to the lakeshore of beautiful Baikal, among the deepest in the world at 1,642 meters. Many of the 700 residents have lived their entire lives in the village which dates back to 1673.
Your accommodation here is in a Siberian house in the heart of the village. Once settled in take a walk with your guide through the village including a visit to the church. We walk along the lakeshore and can also climb into the forests and hills for views of Lake Baikal (good shoes or walking boots advisable). Return to the house for a pre-dinner Banya - the traditional Russian Sauna. Your guide will explain the procedure and after a hearty Siberian homestyle meal should set you up for a great nights sleep!
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS LAKE BAIKAL STOPOVER Bolshoe Goloustnoe is a small village on the shores of Baikal and provides a genuine Siberian experience in beautiful surroundings. The village is far enough from the Irkutsk to keep day trippers to a minimum and has retained it charm. However, this does mean accommodation is in the traditional Siberian style of log cabins, separate, outside buildings for drop (not flush) toilets and a Russian banya (sauna) for washing. For many this is all part of the experience and feedback is overwhelmingly positive. If you would prefer more comfort we can arrange a higher level guesthouse in Bolshoe Goloustnoe or a different stopover in the more built up village of Listvyanka.Ask us for more information.
MEALS: Hotel Breakfast - Lunch & Dinner at the Guest House.
A DAY EXPLORING THE LAKE SHORE VILLAGE OF BOLSHOE GOLOUSTNOE & SURROUNDS
There is no rush to wake this morning. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading off for a walk up a nearby mountain ascending 400 meters for panoramic views of Baikal (if this is too strenuous or the weather is bad your guide will make other suggestions). A leisurely return to the house for lunch. Free time in the afternoon to relax back at the house or further explore the village and surrounding forest and hills or enjoy another invigorating Banya.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Guest House.
RETURN TO IRKUTSK WITH A CITY TOUR AND FREE TIME BEFORE YOUR THE NEXT TRAIN
After breakfast drive the 2 hours back to Irkutsk for a 2 hour walking tour of the city centre including the park and War Memorial, some of the beautiful churches along the Angara river, the main city centre streets and the statue of Alexander III - the Tzar responsible for the Trans-Siberian railway. Late afternoon transfer to the station for your onward train.
ARRIVAL IN & CITY TOUR OF KRASNOYARSK’S HIGHLIGHTS
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.
After the tour continue to your hotel to check-in with free time for the rest of the day.
MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.
DAY TRIP TO STOLBY NATURE RESERVE & KRASNOYARSK’S DAM
Today we head out of the city firstly visiting the Hydro Power Station and Dam, Russia’s second largest. Here you can see the mighty Yenisey river which, at 4,092 km is the longest in Russia. The dam is an extraordinary feat of engineering as it had to be designed to cope with the intense cold and ice pressure of winter. Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting 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.
LAST DAY IN SIBERIA BEFORE ARRIVAL IN EKATERINBURG
The scenery today is flat, often swampy or forested and with few major settlements except for Omsk. In the evening you enter the rolling hills of the Ural's before arriving at Ekaterinburg, historic capital of this mineral rich region with a rich and fascinating history and surrounded by beautiful, rolling countryside dotted with traditional Siberian villages. Transfer by private car to your hotel to overnight.
MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.
FULL DAY COUNTRYSIDE & SIBERIAN VILLAGE EXPERIENCE
Today we drive out of the city to one of the photogenic country villages* that are scattered across the rolling scenery of the Ural mountains. Here we see a traditional Siberian “izba” house - a style suited to the often extreme environment - that can be seen right across Siberia. We also visit the local museum to learn about everyday life in this part of Russia and listen to a concert of local folk music. There will be time to explore the village with your guide and you will also enjoy a traditional Siberian homestyle lunch often using locally produced and seasonal ingredients. Return to Ekaterinburg late afternoon with a free evening.
*Depending on the day of your visit this trip will be to either Koptelovo, Nizhnyaya Sinyachikha or Mironovo village all approximately 150 km from Ekaterinburg.
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. We also see views of the city 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!
EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE TOWARDS RUSSIA’S CAPITAL MOSCOW
Morning transfer to the station for your onward train. Shortly after departure you cross the Europe-Asia continental border with the rest of the day on the train passing through a relatively populated region of farms, small towns and villages interspersed with birch forest.
Wake to Moscow’s sprawling suburbs arriving at the city’s handsome Kazanskaya station. Transfer by private car to your hotel. Please note that hotel check-in time is 2pm although if a room is available you can go to it straight away. Guaranteed early check-in is not included. If you would like to add this please ask us.
Later this morning you will have 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.
FREE DAY TO EXPLORE RUSSIA’S CAPITAL & ITS MANY WORLD CLASS SIGHTS
A free day 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. Of course, if the weather is not so good Moscow is one of the few cities where a day spent on the metro is a tourist attraction with many beautiful stations to visit and all for the price of a single ticket! For relaxing we recommend the bars, galleries and cafes of the Red October district or the fabulous Gorky Park.
DEPART MOSCOW & RUSSIA AFTER YOUR EPIC TRANS-SIBERIAN ADVENTURE
Today is a free until a transfer to your onward travel from Russia. We sincerely hope that you will have enjoyed your epic journey as much as we have many times already and we look forward to welcoming you back on another one of our trips!
MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.
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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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