Epic Trans-Siberian Journey
17 days
From
$ 3849
Duration17 days
Imagine trying to cover ground across Russia far west to far east – a crazy thought, huh? The solution: Get on the Trans-Siberian with us and watch this epic land glide by through the window of a comfortable train. After visiting the historic sights of Moscow, take the train through the Ural Mountains (and cross into Asia!) to Yekaterinburg, before heading to the heart of Siberia in Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. Learn about Buryat culture in Ulan Ude before heading to the coast in Vladivostok. The whole trip covers 9,300km (5,778 mi) and crosses seven time zones. Whether you go in the summer or winter, this trip is the definition of epic.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 17 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Moscow
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time. Want to experience St Petersburg? Book the St Petersburg Express, a four-day pre-tour package. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Want to explore more of Russia? Add the “St Petersburg Express” to your adventure and spend three days getting to know the city with the guidance of a CEO. This nifty package includes arrival transfer, two nights accommodation in St Petersburg, a guided walking tour, entrance to the Hermitage, and wraps up with an overnight train ride to Moscow with free time before the next leg of your journey begins. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Day 2: Moscow
The area around the Red Square is perfect for sightseeing and people watching. Visit one of the many shops, wander the Alexander Gardens, or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Head down into the metro to explore the beautiful stations or visit another part of the city.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Kremlin and Armoury. Spend a free afternoon visiting St Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, or exploring the fascinating Moscow metro.
Day 3: Moscow/Suzdal
With free time, explore the streets of Suzdal, lined with quaint wooden houses, and enjoy relaxing by the river.
The city square is as charming as they come. Wander past the small church and chat with "babushkas" selling pickled cucumbers and mead.
The city square is as charming as they come. Wander past the small church and chat with "babushkas" selling pickled cucumbers and mead.
Travel to Suzdal, one of the bucolic villages in the Golden Ring. Tour the Kremlin and visit a folk village museum. Opt to taste local mead (honey beer).
Enjoy a local lunch in Suzdal.
Meals: L
Day 4: Suzdal/Yekaterinburg
Enjoy more time in Suzdal before a drive to nearby Vladimir. Take an orientation walk around the city before boarding a train for the roughly 26hr ride to Yekaterinburg.
Day 5: Yekaterinburg
Enjoy a full day on the train crossing the Ural Mountains and the border between Europe and Asia. Arrive to Yekaterinburg in the evening.
Day 6: Yekaterinburg/Irkutsk
Explore the sights around Yekaterinburg, including the Church of All Saints and the Romanov Burial Site. Enjoy free time in this Soviet-style city before boarding the Trans-Siberian for Irkutsk.
Day 7-8: Yekaterinburg/Irkutsk
Wake up to the rhythm of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Spend two full days travelling through the SIberian taiga forests. Make some new friends or catch up on your reading list.
Day 9: Irkutsk/Listvyanka
Arrive in the morning to Irkutsk and drive to a small town on Lake Baikal, Listvyanka. Enjoy a guesthouse on the lake and opt to tour the Baikal Limnological Museum or enjoy some relaxing in a banya (Russian sauna),
Enjoy fantastic local food at a guesthouse.
Meals: D
Day 10: Listvyanka
Spend one more day exploring the surrounding countryside of Lake Baikal wiith the options to go for a boat ride (in summer) or take a short hike.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Listvyanka/Ulan-Ude
Drive back to Irkutsk for a walking tour of the city including a visit to the fascinating Decembrists Museum where you'll learn about the revolution the city was built on. In the evening hop an overnight train to Ulan Ude.
Day 12: Ulan-Ude
Arrive to Ulan Ude, the city with the largest Buddhist population in Russia. Here, learn about the indigenious people, the Buryats, and how they survive in such a harsh environment. Enjoy a local Buryat lunch.
Enjoy a traditional Buryat lunch.
Meals: L
Day 13: Ulan-Ude/Vladivostok
This morning, enjoy free time to explore Ulan Ude. Later this afternoon, board the last train of the trip and settle in for the 68 hour ride.
Day 14: Ulan-Ude/Vladivostok
Watch the scenery go by, practice your newly acquired Russian skills, and relax to the rhythm of the train.
Day 15: Ulan-Ude/Vladivostok
Watch the scenery go by, practice your newly acquired Russian skills, and relax to the rhythm of the train.
Day 16: Vladivostok
Arrive in the evening in time for an optional final dinner with the group to recount this truly epic journey.
Day 17: Vladivostok
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Buryat Experience, Ulan-Ude
- Kremlin and Armoury guided tour (Moscow)
- Suzdal tour
- Orientation walk (Vladimir)
- Trans-Ural Railway
- Yekaterinburg city tour
- Trans-Siberian Railway
- Lake Baikal stay
- Irkutsk walking tour
- Decembrists Museum guided visit
- Local meal suggestions and language support throughout
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Private van, Metro, Taxis, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (6 nts), Guesthouse (2 nts), Sleeper trains (8 nts)