GRAND TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY:16 days / 15 nights

MOSCOW TO VLADIVOSTOK BY SCHEDULED TRAINS

16 days / 15 nights

* Traverse the Russian Eurasian landmass from the capital Moscow to Vladivostok, on the Pacific Ocean.

* 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, well known for its regional dishes
* Ulan-Ude, the capital of Russian Buddhism,
* Chita, previously a closed military city, now and important point on the overland route to China
* Blagoveshchensk, home of the majestic Amur Tiger
Finishing with the soft breeze of the Pacific ocean in Vladivostok.

This may be accomplished on very reasonable budget, using private guides and chauffeurs en route. We spend 16 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 1
Day 2
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.
Day free. In the evening — transfer back to Irkutsk. Take a train to Ulan-Ude at 21.10.
Day 10 Ulan-Ude.
This morning we arrive in Ulan-Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic. The ethnic and cultural diversity of this area offers a unique insight into its heritage.  As we tour the area you will notice the different faces and dress styles of these welcoming people. We will visit Ivolginskiy Datsan — the center of Russian Bhuddism. Evening — take an overnight train to Chita.
Day 11 Chita.
Arrival to Chita at 06.00 a.m. Meet and transfer to a cafe for breakfast. Start half day city tour following out of the city to ascend a hilltop with good observation.
Picnic lunch among marvel incredible landscape. Drive back to Chita through wonderful scenery of Siberian taiga with its softly rolling uplands covered by larch woods (Lárix sibírica) and groves. Take a train at 6.p.m. and continue to Blagoveshensk. Night in train.
Day 12 Enjoy a more leisurely pace today as we travel through the beautiful landscape of the Russian Far East. It is the perfect opportunity to practice your Russian or simply relax as our journey today follows the Shilka and Amur rivers, close to the Chinese border.
Day 13 Arrival to Blagoveshensk train station about 8 a.m., transfer to hotel. Blagoveshensk city tour, incl. vast views to Amur river and nearby Chinese town of Heihe.
Day 14 Early transfer to Belogorsk train station, take a train at 07.30 a.m. to Vladivostok.
Day and night in train.
Day 15 After travelling through 8 time zones and covering an amazing 6,600 miles (10,600km) along this epic route to the end of the Trans-Siberian line, we arrive to Vladivostok, a military port located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan. Arrival at 06.55 a.m. Transfer to the centrally located hotel Zhemchuzhina (“Pearl”).
Vladivostok (literally translated as ‘Ruler of the East’) offers visitors an exciting opportunity to explore its principal military attractions including a tour of a restored submarine.
Half-day city tour with a visit to Russkiy Island and local fortifications.
Day 16 Vladivostok.
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Vladivostok airport to begin your journey home.