GRAND TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY 10 days / 9 nights

MOSCOW TO IRKUTSK BY SCHEDULED TRAINS

* Traverse the Russian Eurasian landmass from the capital Moscow to Irkutsk, known as ‘Paris of Siberia’.

* You will be amazed by the seemingly endless Russian steppes, cross the giant Siberian rivers, gaze in awe at the pristine Amur mountings and contemplate the beauty of the crystal-clear waters in the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal.

Our meticulous itinerary includes all the major sites you need to visit.

* Ekaterinburg or Kazan — jewels of ancient Ural mountains or the mighty Volga river,
* Novosibirsk – the Siberian heartland,
* Krasnoyarsk – famous for the natural beauty of the «Stolby» National Park,
* Irkutsk and the beautiful Baikal Lake, the deepest lake in the world also known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’

This is accomplished on very reasonable budget, using private guides and chauffeurs en route. We spend 10 unforgettable days travelling and enjoying touring the cities en route, sleeping either on the train or in the best hotels available on the way.

Itinerary:

Day 1	Departure from Moscow at 13.18 to Yekaterinburg.
Day 2	Yekaterinburg. We cross the Europe/Asia divide before arriving in the historic city of Yekaterinburg. Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great, it is the third largest Russian city and capital of the Urals. The cultural and architectural influences of European and Asian civilisations come together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape.
Day 3	Start half-day tour in Ekaterinburg: visit the city center and see old houses, take a walking tour in the historical center — a good opportunity to buy handicrafts and lunch. Our city tour takes us to the tragic site where the last Russian Tsar, Romanov, Nicholas II of Russia was executed with his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918.  You may also visit a mineralogical museum with a large collection of Ural’s gems and then we visit the Europe-Asia divide. Transfer to the rail station, take a night train at 18.15 to Novosibirsk. We spend a day and night unwinding and reflecting on the many experiences on our journey so far. We enjoy the ever- changing landscape as it unfolds outside.
Day 4	Novosibirsk. A modern ‘Soviet’ city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s rich culture where the arts, science and literature predominate. Siberia’s capital and largest city was founded in 1893 and is Russia’s third main cultural and scientific center, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is home to the famous University of Novosibirsk. In front of the Opera House, we visit an imposing statue of Lenin — an opportunity to have your photograph taken with this iconic political leader. Arrival to Novosibirsk at 3 p.m., transfer to hotel and start a brief city tour.
Day 5	Morning free. Transfer to the rail station, take a train at 13.29 to Krasnoyarsk. The whole day in train. We are entering the taiga area. Arrival to Krasnoyarsk at deep night — 01.20 a.m. the next day.
Day 6	Krasnoyarsk. On arrival at the rail station we transfer to hotel. Krasnoyarsk is one of the most attractive regions in Russia for both Russian and foreign tourists. The region offers a unique combination of beautiful rivers and mountains, clean air, hunting and fishing, architectural sites and the ethnic culture of a unique northern nation. At 09.00 a.m. — start a full day sightseeing in Krasnoyarsk. City tour, then we proceed to «Stolby» National Park. Easy trekking in the park (about 3 hours total), visiting a few view-points. Continue to Krasnoyarskaya Hydro Power station on the Enisey river (visiting from outside). Return to the city in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7	Transfer to the rail station, take a train to Irkutsk at 12.47 p.m. local time. Day and night in train.
Day 8	Irkutsk and Baikal Lake We arrive in Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, at 08.32 a.m. and our visit takes in the most significant sites and museums in this fascinating city, including an exploration of the classic wooden architecture that has given many of this region’s buildings such a distinctive and unique appearance. It is the starting point for many who adventure to the Lake Baikal area because it is a major point on the Trans-Siberian train route. Founded by Russians in 1652 as a major fort beyond the Ural Mountains, it was populated by exiled political prisoners sent by the tsars and communists. Continue to Baikal Lake, accommodation. We stay at Listvyanka, a small Baikal settlement nestling at the base of the surrounding hills.
Day 9	Baikal Lake. Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and holds 20% of the world’s freshwater.  Also known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’ it is home to a unique breed of freshwater seal and over fifty species of fish including omul, which you can taste at one of the cafes on the Baikal embankment. For the brave hearted, there is even time for a refreshing swim in the crystal- clear waters. Departure from a pier to Port-Baikal (at 10.20 a.m.) settlement by ferry. Take a tourist toy-train departing from Port-Baikal to Slyudyanka by old Circum-Baikal Railway. It is a historical railway that runs along the Northern shore of the Southern extremity of the lake. Until the middle of the 20th century the Circum-Baikal railway was part of the main line of Trans-Siberian Railway; later a duplicate section of the railway was built. Sometimes called a unique achievement in engineering, the Circum-Baikal is one of the picturesque sights of the area around Lake Baikal. Night in Listvyanka.
Day 10	Transfer back to Irkutsk. Departure to Moscow.