
A once-in-a-lifetime journey on Russia’s Trans-Siberian Railway. Starting at Moscow’s infamous Red Square, you’ll travel across the vast Siberian steppe and forests to the stunning Lake Baikal, before visiting the elegant city of St. Petersburg. The unique experience of travelling Russia’s legendary rail route is complemented with fascinating insights into the rich history and culture of this vast and diverse country as you explore beautiful churches, magnificent palaces, interesting museums, and evocative Soviet monuments. After Russia’s historic capital city, Moscow, you’ll visit Kazan, the capital of the republic of Tatarstan, with its fascinating blend of Islamic and Christian cultures. Next comes Yekaterinburg, the first city you’ll encounter on your long-awaited Trans-Siberian Railway tour. Then you’ll discover Novosibirsk, Siberia’s buzzing capital and centre of industry, science, and the arts, and Irkutsk, considered Siberia’s historical and cultural heart. However, the unrivalled highlight of any trip to Siberia is admiring the scenery of the tranquil Lake Baikal and travelling on the Circum-Baikal Railway, a unique historical monument and feat of engineering. The stunning palaces and canals of Peter the Great’s masterpiece, St. Petersburg, provide a fitting end to this epic trip.
Tour itinerary:
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Night city tour: ‘Evening lights of Moscow’
River cruise on the motor ship ‘Flotilla Radisson Royal’
Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre, concerts, the circus, or other performances.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 10 km
Meals: lunch, dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the Armory in the Kremlin (except Thursdays)
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Trip to the Obelisk marking the border between Europe and Asia (73 km, 1h 20m)
Self-guided walking tour through Yekaterinburg’s historical centre (following the “Red Line” tourist route marked on the city streets and listening to an audio guide)
Visit to the Museum of Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first President Master class on making traditional dumplings
Tickets to performances at the Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (Ural Opera Ballet Theatre)
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
During your free time, we offer the following optional activities (at additional cost):
Visit to the “Russia is my History” interactive exhibition
Visit to the Novosibirsk State Art Museum
Visit to the Siberian Birch Bark Museum
Visit to the Nicholas Roerich Museum
Tickets to the Opera and Ballet Theatre or circus
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 11 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Please note: The sequence of activities on Days 10 and 11 may vary depending on the Circumbaikal Railway’s schedule.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
- All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan type car, 3-7 pax by minivan, 8-13 pax by 30 seat bus, 14+ pax by 40-50 seat bus)
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included (10 breakfasts)
- Lunch on Day 10 (Circumbaikal Railway trip)
- Sightseeing tour programme in each city with local, English-speaking guides
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary
- Economy class tickets for flights Moscow – Kazan and Irkutsk – St. Petersburg
- Tickets for trains Kazan – Yekaterinburg, Yekaterinburg – Novosibirsk, and Novosibirsk – Irkutsk (2nd-class, 4-berth sleeping compartments with shared washing and toilet facilities – upgrade to 1st-class available upon request but subject to availability) and St. Petersburg – Moscow (airline-style seats on high-speed train)
- Visa support for Russia tourist visa
- Meet and greet service upon arrival to departure from Russia for groups of three or more people
- In groups of 11 or more travellers, 1 person travels free of charge and is accommodated in a single room.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour
- Full board (breakfasts on the train, lunches (except on Day 10), and dinners)
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Consular fees for Russia tourist visa
- International flight tickets before and after the tour
- Tips/gratuities for guides and drivers (although these would be appreciated)
- Personal travel insurance
Accommodation:
Moscow - 2 nights | |
Veliy Hotel Mokhovaya Moscow, Sverchkov 8 Hotel, Starosadskiy Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Hotel Moscow - Baumanskaya | Godunov Hotel, Arbat House Hotel, Pushkin Hotel, Brick Design Hotel |
Yekaterinburg - 1 night | |
Tenet, Green Park, Grand Avenue, Tsentralny Hotel Yekaterinburg | Moskovskaya Gorka, Novotel, Yekaterinburg Centre, Four Elements Ekaterinburg, Renome |
Novosibirsk - 1 night | |
Azimut Sibir, River Park | Domina Novosibirsk, Doubletree by Hilton, Park Inn by Radisson Novosibirsk |
Irkutsk - 3 nights | |
Ibis, Angara | Marriott, Central |
Listvyanka - 1 night | |
Krestovaya Pad, Baikalskie Terema | Nicola, Mayak |
St. Petersburg - 2 nights | |
Ibis St. Petersburg Centre, Station Hotel L1, Hotel Bristol, Mini-hotel Centre | Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky, Original Sokos Olympia Garden, Vedensky Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Nevsky |