Trans Siberian Railway

2005 YEAR PROGRAMS 

version for print

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.

 

Novosibirsk - Irkutsk - Ulan Ude - Vladivostok	14 days / 13nights	$1290
Moskow - Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk - Vladivostok	16 days / 15nights	$1730
Moskow - Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk - Vladivostok	18 days / 17 nights	$1950
Moscow – Irkutsk – Beijing	14 days / 13 nights	$1500
Moskow - Irkutsk - Beijing	15 days / 14 nights	$1700
Moskow - Irkutsk - Ulaan Baatar	15 days / 14 nights	$1680

• 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

  

  

  Land Cost

  $1290 in a group of 4

  See also budget options!
  
  The price includes:
  
  - Accommodation (6 nights in hotels B&B, 7 nights in trains),
  - Train tickets Novosibirsk – Irkutsk, Listvyanka – Slyudyanka, Slyudyanka – Ulan Ude, Ulan Ude – Vladivostok;
  - Transfers according to the itinerary;
  - All excursions, entrance fees and tours according the itinerary (except Khanka lake reserve – it can be arranged separately if you are interested), including city tours in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Vladivostok;
  - Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary (1 lunch on the way to Listvyanka, 1 dinner in Ulan Ude, 1 lunch in Vladivostok).

  The price doesn’t include:
  

  - Air tickets,
  - Insurance,
  - Visas,
  - Tips.

  *Schedule of the excursion train down the Round Baikal railway is subject to changes so if this option is of interest to you some changes to Irkutsk section of the itinerary may be required.

  **Note that if you have more time than just 14 days, you can continue your adventure. You can take the advantage of the fact that Vladivostok, the end point of your journey, provides easy access to many coastal destinations: you can go to Kamchatka or Chukotka with WildRussia, or we can organize for you shorter tours to some of the numerous Far East nature reserves so that you can spent a day or two in famous Ussuriland taiga. Optionally you can just take a rest in a wooden cottage and experience true Russian banya — being one of the famous Russian extremes, it is a real fun, especially in winter.
  Besides, we can arrange extensions to the route — for example, you can start from Helsinki, Saint-Petersburg, or Moscow.

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

Map

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**.

• 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
  

Land cost:  $1730 per person in a group of 4.


See also budget options!


The price includes:

- Accommodation (7 nights in hotels B&B, 8 nights in a trains);
- Train tickets Moscow-Yekaterinburg, Yekaterinburg-Irkutsk, Irkutsk-Vladivostok;
- Transfers according to the itinerary;
- All excursions, entrance fees and tours according to the itinerary, including city tours in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Vladivostok (except Khanka lake reserve – it can be arranged separately if you are interested);
- Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary: 4 dinners (1 in Moscow, 2 in Yekaterinburg, 1 in Listvyanka), 2 lunches (1 on the way to Listvyanka and 1 on the way from Vladivostok to Gaivoron).


The price doesn’t include:

- Air tickets,
- Insurance,
- Visas,
- Tips.

**Note that if you have more time than 16 days, you can continue your adventure. You can take the advantage of the fact that Vladivostok, the end point of your journey, provides easy access to many coastal destinations: you can go to Kamchatka or Chukotka with WildRussia, or we can organize for you shorter tours to some of the numerous Far East nature reserves so that you can spent a day or two in famous Ussuriland taiga. Optionally you can just take a rest in a wooden cottage and experience true Russian banya — being one of the famous Russian extremes, it is a real fun, especially in winter.
Another option is 18-days trip with 2 extra days on the Lake Baikal.


 

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!

Map

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**.

• 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
  

Land cost:   $1950 in a group of 4

See also budget options!

The price includes:

- Accommodation (9 nights in hotels B&B, 8 nights in a trains);
- Train tickets Moscow-Yekaterinburg, Yekaterinburg-Irkutsk, Irkutsk-Vladivostok ;
- Transfers according to the itinerary;
- All excursions, entrance fees and tours according to the itinerary, including city tours in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, Vladivostok (except Khanka lake reserve – it can be arranged separately if you are interested);
- Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary: 3 dinners (1 in Moscow, 2 in Yekaterinburg), 3 lunches (2 in Listvyanka and 1 on the way from Vladivostok to Gaivoron).

The price doesn’t include:

- Air tickets,
- Insurance,
- Visas,
- Tips.

*Schedule of the excursion train down the Round Baikal railway is subject to changes so if this option is of interest to you some changes to Irkutsk section of the itinerary may be required. Otherwise you can choose the same tour without Round-Baikal Railway — it is 2 days shorter.

**Note that if you have more time than 18 days, you can continue your adventure. You can take the advantage of the fact that Vladivostok, the end point of your journey, provides easy access to many coastal destinations: you can go to Kamchatka or Chukotka with WildRussia, or we can organize for you shorter tours to some of the numerous Far East nature reserves so that you can spent a day or two in famous Ussuriland taiga. Optionally you can just take a rest in a wooden cottage and experience true Russian banya — being one of the famous Russian extremes, it is a real fun, especially in winter.

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.

Map

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**.

• Irkutsk — the capital of the East Siberia

• Picnic in Siberian taiga

• The Great Wall and Palaces of Beijing
  

  
  

  

  Land cost:
  
  $ 1500 per person in a group of 4
  

  See also budget options!

  The price includes:
  

  - Accommodation (6 nights in the hotels B&B, 7 nights in the trains),
  - Train Tickets Moscow- Irkutsk, Irkutsk – Beijing;
  - Transfers according to the itinerary.
  - All excursions, entrance fees and tours according to the itinerary, including city tours in Moscow, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, and Beijing;
  - Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary: 2 lunch and 1 dinner in Beijing, 1 dinner in Moscow, picnic in Listvyanka

  
  The price doesn’t include:
  - Air tickets,
  - Insurance,
  - Visas,
  - Tips.

  Besides, we can arrange extensions to the route — for example, you can start from Saint-Petersburg or Helsinki.
  

   

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.

Map

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.

• Travelling down Round-Baikal Railway

• Irkutsk — the capital of the East Siberia

• Baikal lake boat trip

• The Great Wall and Palaces of Beijing

Land cost:  $1700 per person in a group of 4.

See also budget options!


The price includes:
- Accommodation B&B (8 nights in hotels, 7 nights in trains),
- Train tickets Moscow- Irkutsk, Irkutsk – Beijing;
- All transfers according to the itinerary.
- All excursions, entrance fees and tours according to the itinerary, including city tours in Moscow, Irkutsk, Listvyanka and Beijing;
- Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary: 2 lunches and 1 dinner in Beijing, 1 dinner in Moscow, 1 lunch in Listvyanka

The price doesn’t include:
- Air tickets,
- Insurance,
- Visas,
- Tips.

*Schedule of the excursion train down the Round Baikal railway is subject to changes so if this option is of interest to you some changes to Irkutsk section of the itinerary may be required.

Besides, we can arrange extensions to the route — for example, you can start from Saint-Petersburg or Helsinki.

 

Moscow - Irkutsk – Beijing extended
16 days/15nights

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.

Map
 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.

• 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
  

Land cost:   $1680 per person in a group of 4

See also budget options!

The price includes:
- Accommodation (7 nights in hotels B&B, 6 nights in the train, 1 night in ger camp),
- Train tickets Moscow - Irkutsk, Irkutsk – Ulaan Baatar;
- Transfers according to the itinerary.
- All excursions, entrance fees and tours according to the itinerary, including city tours in Moscow, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, and Ulaan Baatar;
- Lunches and dinners according to the itinerary: 1 dinner in the Moscow, 2 lunches in Listvyanka, 1 dinner in Ulaan Baatar, full board in Terelji National Park

The price doesn’t include:
- Air tickets,
- Insurance,
- Visas,
- Tips.

Schedule of the excursion train down the Round Baikal railway is subject to changes so if this option is of interest to you some changes to Irkutsk section of the itinerary may be required.

Besides, we can arrange extensions to the route — for example, you can start from Saint-Petersburg or Helsinki, or continue to Beijing.

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.

Map
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.