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Trans Siberian
Railway
PROGRAMS FOR 2005
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Highlights
Trans
Siberian railroad - the longest in the world
Roud Baikal Railway
- a masterpiece of road construction
Lake Baikal - the
deepest lake in the world which contains 20% of the world fresh water
supply
Travelling down the longest railroad
in the world is a unique experience: you will cross the whole Eurasia
from west to east, pass through sparsely inhabited vastness of Siberia,
and cross great rivers – Volga, Irtish, Ob, and Yenisei.
You will see Baikal — the
deepest lake in the world, and travel down the Round-Baikal Railroad which
is a masterpiece of road construction — built in the end of 19 century,
it cost more than any other Russian railway and became one of the most
famous railroad constructions. In fact, 90 km of it contains 38 tunnels,
numerous galleries, bridges and viaducts.
Packed with excursions, this trip
will give you an insight into Russian history: the cities you visit on
your way witnessed many dramatic events during the last several centuries.
And, above all, traveling by long-distance
train is rather an experience in itself —Russian enthusiasts of
railway travelling especially value it because it gives so much opportunities
to meet people and talk to them.
So, if you really wish to learn
about Russia and Russians, this tour is the option you should think about
— and when you come home you will be able to answer whether bears
are still wandering Siberian streets…
Trans Siberian Trips
Here are several options to consider.
The itinerary includes a certain mix of services and activities that we
consider to be a good choice in the cities you will visit, though you
certainly can exclude any of them or add some others. Those who prefer
to travel independently, do not want to stay in the cities or just want
to save a little should consider our budget and basic proposals. To get
more clear idea of Trans Siberian trips see brief summary.
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Travelling
by Round Baikal Railway Folklore village: Russian and Buryat wooden houses
Smoked Baikal omul
Ivolginsky datzan — center of Buddhism
in Russia Lenin’s head — the funniest monument of the Soviet era Visit
to Amur tigers — endangered inhabitants of Far East taiga and biggest
cats in the world
Novosibirsk – Irkutsk - Ulan Ude
– Vladivostok
14 days/13 nights
Starting in the western Siberia and finishing
at its south-eastern end — that is, at the Japan Sea coastline, this tour
is designed for those who are particularly interested in Siberian section
of the railway.
You will see highlights of all four cities, the Lake Baikal and surrounding
mountain ranges, travel by Round-Baikal Railway; you will see the funniest
monument of the communist era — gigantic stone head of Lenin: having been
built in Ulan Ude, capital of Buryatia, it certainly has some Mongolian
features. In Vladivostok there are lot of opportunities to explore Far
East wildlife, for example, visit Amur Tiger family
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Novosibirsk. Check-in in a 2-star
hotel. Guided sightseeing tour: Octyabrskaya wharf — the place around
which the city has developed, Red Prospect with (as the name suggests)
huge buildings of communist era, including Opera Theatre. Overnight in
a hotel.
Day 2. Optional excursions: Night city, Kolivan
– old Siberian town. Late in the evening departure to Irkutsk by train.
Day 3. Travelling by train from Novosibirsk to
Irkutsk. Crossing Enisei river in Krasnoyarsk Night in the train.
Day 4. Arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to hotel. Check-in.
3 hours sightseeing tour: historical center of the city, 19th century
architecture, houses of exiled Russian noblemen — participants of famous
rebellion of 1825 — who lived there after years of hard labor in even
more God-forsaken places. Return to the hotel.
Day 5. In the morning transfer to Listvyanka village
on the Lake Baikal (2 hours). On the way you will have a lunch and visit
folklore village “Taltsy” (Russian and Buryat wooden architecture). Check-in
in the lodge in Listvyanka village. Free time. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 6. Early morning breakfast. Crossing Angara
river by ferry, arrival in Port Baikal. Guided tour along the Baikal lakeside
(if the weather is good you will see Khamar-Daban mountain range on the
opposite side of the lake) by excursion train*. You will explore Old Round
Baikal Railway with its famous tunnels and bridges. Arrive in Slyudyanka
with its one-off railway station built entirely from white marble. Free
time for you to rest on the lakeside and explore the village — local people
will undoubtedly offer you to buy famous smoked Baikal omul. Depart to
Ulan Ude by train late in the evening. Overnight in the train.
Day 7. Arrival in Ulan Ude early in the morning.
Transfer to hotel (“Geser”, “Buryatia” or “Sagan-Morin”). Guided sightseeing
tour around the city, visiting Ivolginsky datzan — center of Buddhism
in Russia. Dinner (Buryat national cuisine), return to the hotel. Free
time for you to explore the city — Lenin’s head is the must thing to see
in Ulan Ude — 13.5 metres high, it has been rightly included in the Guinness
World Records. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 8. Breakfast. Free time and transfer to the
railway station. Departure from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok.
Day 9-11. Travelling by train from Ulan Ude to
Vladivostok. Crossing Amur river in Khabarovsk.
Day 12. Arrival in Vladivostok it the morning.
Transfer to hotel. Check-in. Guided sightseeing tour around the city starting
from the Golden Horn Bay — a place around which the city was built. In
the afternoon guided underground walking tour along tunnels of fortification
line “Vladivostok fortress” built in early 20th century. Return to the
hotel.
Day 13. Early in the morning transfer to Gaivoron
village nearby Khanka lake nature reserve that presents a unique opportunity
to observe many bird species during their seasonal migration NB! Naturally
they don’t migrate every day, so if this option is important for you your
journey should be scheduled accordingly (mid-autumn or mid-spring).
You will visit Amur tiger sanctuary where a tiger
family lives in its natural habitat. This is safe way to make acquaintance
with these big (actually biggest) cats sometimes called “Lord of Taiga”,
and also learn about them as the trip is guided by the professional biologist
who travels all around the region to study and protect these endangered
animals. Lunch. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 14. Breakfast. Departure from Vladivostok**.
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Yekaterinburg—
19th century gold-rush city
The Romanovs in Yekaterinburg — the last dwelling of the last Russian
Tzar
Irkutsk — capital of east Siberia
Folklore village – Russian and Buryat architecture
Amur tigers — endangered inhabitants of Far East taiga and biggest cats
in the world
Moscow – Yekaterinburg
- Irkutsk - Vladivostok
16 days / 15 nights
This
route crosses almost whole Russia from west to east, starting from Moscow
and finishing at the Japan Sea coastline. In Moscow you will take the
first taste of the Russian cuisine, and during the sightseeing tour you
will have many opportunities to take city shots, including famous Red
Square and Kremlin. In Yekaterinburg you will
see the last dwelling of the last Russian Tzar, and visit
museum collections of gem stones — treasures of Ural mountains. In folklore
village nearby Lake Baikal you will see traditional Russian and Buryat
wooden houses.
Amur tiger family living in a sanctuary nearby Vladivostok
is waiting for you in the end of your journey — but do not be frightened,
we will take you safe and sound to the airport!
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to 3-star hotel.
Check-in. Free time to relax.
Guided sightseeing city tour: Red Square in front of Kremlin that symbolizes
the most dramatic pages of the Russian history, Vorobievy Hills and Poklonnaya
Gora — best places to take panoramic photos of the city, Manezh Square
that ranks among ten most expensive shopping streets in the world. In
the evening you will have free time to explore the city. Possible starting
point is Arbat street — Moscow analogue of Monmartre — a popular hangout
for local artists. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. After breakfast guided sightseeing tour:
Kremlin (Armor Chamber, Diamond Fund). Free time for you to explore the
city — you can visit Tretyakovskaya gallery or Russian History museum
or other places of interest by yourself. Dinner at the Russian cuisine
“Elki-palki” restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast, free time. Afternoon transfer
by car from the hotel to the railway station and boarding on train to
Yekaterinburg. Overnight in the train.
Day 4. Whole day in the train. Arrival to Yekaterinburg
in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel, check-in, free time to relax. Overnight
in the hotel.
Day 5. Breakfast. Guided excursion: "Treasures
of Ural Mountains" – gold and emeralds, that were discovered in late
18 century, caused a kind of Golden Rush that transformed the city into
the largest industrial center. Dinner at the Ural cuisine restaurant.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6. Breakfast. Guided excursion: «The
Romanovs in Yekaterinburg». This excursion will give you an insight
into the dramatic pages of Russian revolution: the last Russian czar,
Nikolai the Second (Nikolai Romanov) was kept imprisoned with all his
family in 1918 in Yekaterinburg and later assassinated. Optionally you
can take a sightseeing tour with a picnic on the border between Europe
and Asia. Dinner at the restaurant. In the evening transfer to railway
station and boarding on train to Irkutsk. Overnight in the train.
Day 7-8. Travelling from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk via Novosibirsk and
Krasnoyarsk. Crossing Irtish river in Omsk, Ob river in Novosibirsk and
Enisei river in Krasnoyarsk.
Day 9. Arrival to Irkutsk early in the morning. Transfer from the railway
station to lodge in Listvyanka village on the Lake Baikal (2 hours), check-in.
Lunch on the way and guided excursion to folklore village “Taltsy” (Russian
and Buryat wooden architecture). In the evening you will have free time
to explore the village and the Lake Baikal shore. Dinner: Siberian cuisine.
Overnight in the lodge.
Day 10. After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk. Guided city tour: historical
center of the city, 19th century architecture, wooden cottages, houses
of Russian noblemen who were exiled after 1825 rebellion and lived there
after years of hard labor in even more God-forsaken places. Transfer to
the railway station, boarding on train and departure to Vladivostok. Overnight
in the train.
Days 11-13. Travelling by train to Vladivostok
via Ulan Ude and Khabarovsk. Several hours (soon after departure from
Irkutsk) the train runs along the Lake Baikal. Crossing Amur river in
Khabarovsk.
Day 14. Arrival in Vladivostok it the morning. Transfer to hotel. Check-in.
Guided sightseeing tour around the city starting from the Golden Horn
Bay — a place around which the city was built. You will have a chance
to enjoy the best view of Vladivostok from the top of the Eagle's Nest
Hill, the highest point of the city (214 m, or 702 feet). See the fascinating
panorama of Golden Horn. In the afternoon guided underground walking tour
along tunnels of unique fortification line “Vladivostok fortress” built
in early 20th century. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 15. Early in the morning transfer to Gaivoron
village nearby Khanka lake nature reserve that presents a unique opportunity
to observe many bird species during their seasonal migration.
NB! Naturally they don’t migrate every day, so if this option is important
for you your journey should be scheduled accordingly - mid-autumn or mid-spring.
You will visit Amur tiger sanctuary where tiger family lives in its natural
habitat. This is safe way to make acquaintance with these big (actually
biggest) cats sometimes called “Lord of Taiga”, and also learn about them
as the trip is guided by the professional biologist who travels all around
the region to study and protect these endangered animals. Lunch and transfer
back to the hotel.
Day 16. Breakfast. Departure from Vladivostok** |
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Yekaterinburg—
19th century gold-rush city The Romanovs in Yekaterinburg — the last dwelling
of the last Russian Tzar Irkutsk — capital of east Siberia Folklore village
– Russian and Buryat architecture Lake Baikal boat trip Travelling by
Round Baikal Railway Visit to Amur tigers — endangered inhabitants of
Far East taiga and biggest cats in the world
Moscow
– Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk – Vladivostok extended
18 days / 17 nights
This route is essentially the same as 16-days
option but adds 2 days at the Lake Baikal during which you will travel
down the famous Round-Baikal Railway and visit the museum of the Lake
Baikal.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to 3-star hotel.
Check-in. Free time to relax. Guided sightseeing city tour: Red Square
in front of Kremlin that symbolizes the most dramatic pages of the Russian
history, Vorobievy Hills and Poklonnaya Gora — best places to take panoramic
photos of the city, Manezh Square that ranks among ten most expensive
shopping streets in the world. In the evening you will have free time
to explore the city. Possible starting point is Arbat street — Moscow
analogue of Monmartre — a popular hangout for local artists. Overnight
in the hotel.
Day 2. After breakfast guided sightseeing tour:
Kremlin (Armor Chamber, Diamond Fund). Lunch at “Borodino” restaurant.
Free time for you to explore the city — you can visit Tretyakovskaya gallery
or Russian History museum or other places of interest by yourself. Dinner
at the Russian cuisine “Elki-palki” restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast, free time. After
lunch transfer by car from the hotel to the railway station and boarding
on train to Yekaterinburg. Overnight in the train.
Day 4. Whole day in the train. Arrival
to Yekaterinburg in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel, check-in, free time
to relax. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 5. Breakfast. Guided excursion:
Treasures of Ural Mountains – gold and emeralds, that were discovered
in late 18 century, caused a kind of Golden Rush that transformed the
city into the largest industrial center. Dinner at the Ural cuisine restaurant.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6. Breakfast. Guided excursion:
«The Romanovs in Yekaterinburg». This excursion will give
you an insight into the dramatic pages of Russian revolution: the last
Russian czar, Nikolai the Second (Nikolai Romanov) was kept imprisoned
with all his family in 1918 in Yekaterinburg and later assassinated. Optionally
you can take a sightseeing tour with a picnic on the border between Europe
and Asia. Dinner at the restaurant. In the evening transfer to railway
station and boarding on train to Irkutsk. Overnight in the train.
Day 7-8. Travelling from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk
via Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. 2 lunch boxes. Crossing Irtish river
in Omsk, Ob river in Novosibirsk and Enisei river in Krasnoyarsk.
Day 9. Arrival to Irkutsk early in the morning. Transfer from the railway
station to the hotel, check-in. Free time to relax, guided sightseeing
tour: historical center of the city, 19th century architecture, wooden
cottages, houses of Russian noblemen who were exiled after 1825 rebellion
and lived there after years of hard labor in even more God-forsaken places.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10. After breakfast transfer to Slyudyanka (with its one-off railway
station built entirely from white marble) where guided trip down the Round-Baikal
Railway begins. Travelling along the Baikal lakeside (if the weather is
good you will see Khamar-Daban mountain range on the opposite side of
the lake) by excursion train*, you will explore this 100-years old railway
with its famous tunnels and bridges. Crossing Angara river by ferry and
arrival to Listvyanka village. Accommodation in the lodge.
Day 11. Full day in Listvyanka. Guided boat trip
with lunch, Lake Baikal sightseeing. Overnight in the lodge.
NB! If the weather is bad boat trip might be substituted by some other
activity.
Day 12. After breakfast, return to Irkutsk. On
the way you will visit folklore village “Taltsy” (Russian and Buryat wooden
architecture). Lunch. Free time to explore the city. Transfer to the railway
station, boarding on train and departure to Vladivostok.
Day 13-15. Travelling by train to Vladivostok via
Ulan Ude and Khabarovsk. Several hours (soon after departure from Irkutsk)
the train runs along the Lake Baikal. Crossing Amur river in Khabarovsk.
Day 16. Arrival in Vladivostok it the morning.
Transfer to hotel. Check-in. Guided sightseeing tour around the city starting
from the Golden Horn Bay — a place around which the city was built. You
will have a chance to enjoy the best view of Vladivostok from the top
of the Eagle's Nest Hill, the highest point of the city (214 m, or 702
feet). See the fascinating panorama of Golden Horn. In the afternoon guided
underground walking tour along tunnels of unique fortification line “Vladivostok
fortress” built in early 20th century. Return to the hotel.
Day 17. Early in the morning transfer to Gaivoron
village nearby Khanka lake nature reserve that presents a unique opportunity
to observe many bird species during their seasonal migration NB! Naturally
they don’t migrate every day, so if this option is important for you your
journey should be scheduled accordingly (mid-autumn or mid-spring).
You will visit Amur tiger sanctuary where a tiger family lives in its
natural habitat. This is safe way to make acquaintance with these big
(actually biggest) cats sometimes called “Lord of Taiga”, and also learn
about them as the trip is guided by the professional biologist who travels
all around the region to study and protect these endangered animals. Lunch.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 18. Breakfast. Departure from Vladivostok**.
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Irkutsk
— the capital of the East Siberia Picnic in Siberian taiga The Great Wall
and Palaces of Beijing
Moscow
– Irkutsk – Beijing
14 days/13 nights
This route connects 3 capitals: Moscow — capital
of Russia, Beijing — capital of China, and Irkutsk, which is rightly called
the capital of East Siberia. Local guides will take you to most famous
places in all three cities, including Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow
and Great Wall in China.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to
hotel. Check-in. Free time to relax.
Guided sightseeing city tour: Red Square in front of Kremlin that symbolizes
the most dramatic pages of the Russian history, Vorobievy Hills and Poklonnaya
Gora — best places to take panoramic photos of the city, Manezh Square
that ranks among ten most expensive shopping streets in the world. In
the evening you will have free time to explore the city. Possible starting
point is Arbat street — Moscow analogue of Monmartre — a popular hangout
for local artists. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. Excursion to Kremlin: visiting
one of the cathedrals or Armour Chamber if you prefer so. Dinner at the
Russian cuisine “Elki-palki” restaurant. Transfer to the railway station
and boarding on train N2 Moscow - Irkutsk. Overnight in the train.
Day 3-5. Travelling to Irkutsk via Perm,
Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyask. Crossing Volga and Irtish
rivers and the geographical boundary between Europe and Asia in the hills
of Southern Ural.
Day 6. Arrival in Irkutsk. Breakfast.
Transfer to Listvyanka village (Lake Baikal). Accommodation in lodge.
Guided walking tour around Listvyanka village, visit to St.Nicholas’ Church.
Afternoon picnic in taiga forest or at Angara river bank (if the weather
is good). Overnight in the lodge.
Day 7. Breakfast. Free time to relax and
explore the village, Lake Baikal sightseeing. Afternoon return to Irkutsk,
check-in in the hotel. Guided sightseeing city tour: historical center
of the city, 19th century architecture, wooden cottages, houses of Russian
noblemen who were exiled after 1825 rebellion and lived there after years
of hard labor in even more God-forsaken places. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 8. Breakfast. Transfer to the railway
station, boarding on train to Beijing.
Days 9-10. Travelling from Irkutsk to
Beijing via Ulan Ude and Harbin (Trans-Manchurian route). Several hours
the train runs along the Lake Baikal.
Day 11. Arrival to Beijing. Transfer to
the hotel. Check-in. Dinner at the restaurant: national Chinese cuisine.
Day 12. Guided trip to the Great Wall
that need not be advertised, on the way you will have a lunch and visit
Ming Tombs — the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, and may
also visit one or two factory of Chinese arts and crafts. Overnight in
the hotel.
Day 13. Excursion to Summer Palace — masterpiece
of Chinese landscape garden design, Forbidden City — the world's largest
palace complex that covers more than 70 hectares, Temple of Heaven where
emperors performed ceremonies in honor of god of harvest, and Tiananmen
Square — the world largest square that can accommodate over million people.
Lunch and return to the hotel.
Day 14. Breakfast. Departure from Beijing. |
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Travelling
down Round-Baikal Railway Irkutsk — the capital of the East Siberia
Baikal lake boat trip The Great Wall
and Palaces of Beijing
Moscow
- Irkutsk – Beijing extended
16 days/15 nights
This tour basically is the same 15-days option
as but adds one extra day in Moscow and another one at Bailkal Lake, thus
providing an opportunity to travel down the famous Round-Baikal Railway.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to hotel. Check-in.
Free time to relax.
Guided sightseeing city tour: Red Square in front of Kremlin that symbolizes
the most dramatic pages of the Russian history, Vorobievy Hills and Poklonnaya
Gora — best places to take panoramic photos of the city, Manezh Square
that ranks among ten most expensive shopping streets in the world. In
the evening you will have free time to explore the city. Possible starting
point is Arbat street — Moscow analogue of Monmartre — a popular hangout
for local artists. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. Excursion to Kremlin: visiting one of the
cathedrals or Armour Chamber if you prefer so. Dinner at the Russian cuisine
“Elki-palki” restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3. Free time for you to relax and explore the
city. Transfer to railway station and boarding on train N2 Moscow - Irkutsk.
Overnight in the train.
Day 4-6. Travelling to Irkutsk via Perm, Yekaterinburg,
Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyask. Crossing Volga and Irtish rivers and the
geographical boundary between Europe and Asia in the hills of Southern
Ural.
Day 7. Arrival in Irkutsk. Breakfast. Short sightseeing
tour and transfer to Listvyanka village on the Lake Baikal (2 hours).
Accommodation in lodge. Guided walking tour around Listvyanka village,
visit to St.Nicholas’ Church. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 8. Breakfast. Guided boat trip with lunch,
Lake Baikal sightseeing. Overnight in the lodge.
NB! If the weather is bad boat trip might be substituted by excursion
to Taltsy museum or some other activity.
Day 9. Early morning breakfast. Crossing Angara
river by ferry, arrival in Port Baikal. Guided tour along the Baikal lakeside
(if the weather is good you will see Khamar-Daban mountain range on the
opposite side of the lake) by excursion train*. You will explore Old Round
Baikal Railway with its famous tunnels and bridges. Arrive in Slyudyanka
with its one-off railway station built entirely from white marble. Transfer
by commuter train to Irkursk. Check-in and overnight in the hotel.
Day 10. Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station,
boarding on to Beijing.
Days 11-12. Travelling from Irkutsk to Beijing
via Ulan Ude and Harbin (Trans-Manchurian route). Several hours the train
runs along the Lake Baikal.
Day 13. Arrival to Beijing. Transfer to the hotel.
Check-in. Dinner at the restaurant: national Chinese cuisine.
Day 14. Guided trip to the Great Wall that need
not be advertised, on the way you will have a lunch and visit Ming Tombs
— the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, and may also visit
one or two factory of Chinese arts and crafts. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 15. Excursion to Summer Palace — masterpiece
of Chinese landscape garden design, Forbidden City — the world's largest
palace complex that covers more than 70 hectares, Temple of Heaven where
emperors performed ceremonies in honor of god of harvest, and Tiananmen
Square — the world largest square that can accommodate over million people.
Lunch, overnight in the hotel.
Day 16. Breakfast. Departure from Beijing.
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Irkutsk
— the capital of the East Siberia
Baikal lake boat trip Travelling down
the Round-Baikal Railway Terelj National Park and Gandan Monastery — must
things to see in Ulaan Baatar
Moscow - Irkutsk
– Ulaan Baatar
15days/14nights
After comprehensive sightseeing programs in
Moscow and Irkutsk and on the Lake Baikal you will arrive in Ulaan Baatar
— capital of the country that many think of as true “back of beyond”,
where many families still follow the traditional nomadic way of life.
You will have several days to explore the city and Terelj National Park.
Iitinerary:
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to 3-star hotel.
Check-in. Free time to relax.
Guided sightseeing city tour: Vorobievy Hills and Poklonnaya Gora — best
places to take panoramic photos of the city, Manezh Square that ranks
among ten most expensive shopping streets in the world, Red Square in
front of Kremlin that symbolizes the most dramatic pages of the Russian
history. In the evening you will have free time to explore the city. Possible
starting point is Arbat street — Moscow analogue of Monmartre — a popular
hangout for local artists. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast. Excursion to Kremlin: visiting
one of the cathedrals or Armour Chamber if you prefer so. Dinner at the
Russian cuisine “Elki-palki” restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3. Breakfast. Free day to explore the city.
Transfer to the railway station and boarding on train Moscow - Irkutsk.
Overnight in the train.
Days 4-6. Travelling to Irkutsk via Perm, Yekaterinburg,
Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyask. Crossing Volga and Irtish rivers and the
geographical boundary between Europe and Asia in the hills of Southern
Ural.
Day 7. Arrival in Irkutsk. Breakfast. Transfer
to Listvyanka village on the Lake Baikal (2 hours). On the way – lunch
and visiting folklore village “Taltsy” (Russian and Buryat wooden architecture).
Accommodation in lodge. Free time to relax and explore the village, Lake
Baikal sightseeing. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 8. Breakfast. Stay on the lake. Guided boat
trip with lunch, Lake Baikal sightseeing. Overnight in the lodge.
NB! If the weather is bad boat trip might be substituted by excursion
to Taltsy museum or some other activity.
Day 9. Early morning breakfast. Crossing Angara
river by ferry, arrival in Port Baikal. Guided tour along the Baikal lakeside
(if the weather is good you will see Khamar-Daban mountain range on the
opposite side of the lake) by excursion train. You will explore Old Round
Baikal Railway with its famous tunnels and bridges. Arrive in Slyudyanka
with its one-off railway station built entirely from white marble. Free
time for you to rest on the lakeside and explore the village — local people
will undoubtedly offer you to buy famous smoked Baikal omul. Transfer
by commuter train to Irkursk. Check-in and overnight in the hotel.
Day 10. Breakfast. 3 hours sightseeing tour: historical
center of the city, 19th century architecture, wooden cottages, houses
of exiled Russian noblemen — rebellious Decembrists who lived there after
years of hard labor in even more God-forsaken places. Return to the hotel.
In the evening transfer to the railway station and boarding on train to
Ulaan Baatar. Overnight in the train.
Day 11. Travelling by train from Irkutsk to Ulaan
Baatar via Ulan Ude. Several hours the train runs along the Lake Baikal.
Day 12. Arrival in Ulaan Baatar. Transfer to the
hotel, check-in. Free time to relax. Guided sightseeing tour: magnificent
82-foot (26 metres) statue of Buddha, gilded in pure gold and clothed
in silk and precious stones; visit to Gandan Monastery — center of Buddhism
in Mongolia and the only one to survive during communist regime, visit
to famous National History Museum (overview of Mongolia history and culture)
or Natural History Museum where you can see, among others, specimens of
dinosaur skeletons (some are more than 30 meters tall). Dinner at the
restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 13. After breakfast transfer to Terelj national
park (approx. 2 hours): its most spectacular features are eroded rocks
and cliffs. Guided walking or horseback tour in the Park. Overnight in
ger camp.
Day 14. Morning local sightseeing, afternoon drive
back to Ulaan Baatar. Free time to relax and explore the city. Overnight
in the hotel.
Day 15. Transfer to the airport. Departure from
Ulaan Baatar. |
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Wild
Russia / Neizvedanny Mir Company
Saint Petersburg, Fontanka embankment, 59
+7
812 313-8030
+7
812 571-1071
+7
812 273-6514
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