Experience
Classic Trans-Siberian

Itinerary

With all tours originating in the Pacific city of Vladivostok you are guaranteed a memorable journey through Asia, Siberia and European Russia passing breathtaking landscapes such as the Ural Mountains and the awe-inspiring Lake Baikal. For a detailed breakdown of this tour, please download our free Trans-Mongolian tour brochure which includes a day to day account of what you will see and do, along with tour prices and information regarding your accommodation.

Day 1 - Arrival in Vladivostok

Your tour starts in Vladivostok, where your transfer will be waiting for you at the airport, or train station, to take you to your accommodation.

Day 2 - Vladivostok Excursion

Today your adventure starts, a half day city tour taking in all of the major sights of Vladivostok as well as a visit to your choice of two, of the many, museums.

Day 3 - Depart Vladivostok

Pack, and prepare to check-out, then make the most of what Vladivostok has to offer on your final day in the city before you are provided with a transfer to the railway station, where our guide will advise, and assist, in purchasing provisions for the train if desired, accompany you to the platform, ensure that everyone is settled into their cabins and answer any last minute questions.

Day 4 - Into the Far East

Your first full day on the train takes you through Khabarovsk, the largest city and the administrative centre of the vast region that is twice the size of Germany, but with a population of only around 1 million people. It is the second largest city in the Far East after Vladivostok and home of many natural wonders including the famous White Siberian Tiger and the Amur River.

Day 5 - Siberian Hinterlands

You will spend all day on the train heading towards Lake Baikal, winding through the Siberian hinterlands, along the border with China, after a brief stop in Chita.

Day 6 - Arrive in Irkutsk

Following your arrival in Irkutsk, you will be taken to the shores of Lake Baikal to enjoy some free time before relaxing in a traditional Russian Banya and having dinner.

Day 7 - Taltsy Excursion

Today you will take a step back in time as you visit the Taltsy open air museum, home to an incredible variety of wooden buildings from the last few hundred years of Russian history, detailing how Russians lived and worked in Siberia and beyond.

Day 8 - A Choice of Excursions

On day eight, you can select from one of the following incredible excursions!

Option one - Following the route of the original Trans-Siberian line around Lake Baikal, the Circum-Baikal railway is a definite highlight of the Trans-Siberian. Starting early, you will travel along the south-west shoreline of Lake Baikal, with many stops for breath-taking photos. You can even dip a toe or two into the lake if you are feeling brave!

Option two – Great for those who wish to immerse themselves in local culture, you will be taken to a settlement belonging to the indigenous Buryat people, 70km outside of Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plain. There are many activites available here, such as visiting the local lore museum, being ‘cleansed’ by the local Shaman, and taking part in a traditional Buryat feast.

Option three – If you wish to learn more about Lake Baikal then this is the perfect opportunity. You will be taken on a guided tour of the local Baikal museum and aquarium (home to two of the indigenous Baikal seals), followed by a chair lift ride to one of the highest points in the Listvyanka area, offering panoramic views across Lake Baikal and beyond. Following lunch, you will be guided around a local Russian orthodox church, offering the chance to learn about the history of Orthodoxy, before checking out a local fish market. You will even have the chance to practice your bartering skills!

These excursions will finish back in Irkutsk quite late, so pack accordingly!

Day 9 - Tour and Depart Irkutsk

First up is a fascinating half day city tour to see some of the best sights in Irkutsk, the Polish cathedral, Russian Orthodox churches and the Decembrist’s House. Once your tour comes to an end it will be time to depart Irkutsk for Siberia!

Day 10 - Venturing into Siberia

Through the seemingly limitless tracks and incredible forests of Siberia (the largest forest in the world), you will be passing through the mighty Altai region, crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk.

Day 11 - Heading into Eurasia

After passing through Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia, the train will head for the historic Yekaterinburg and the Ural Mountains, crossing the border between Asia and Europe, around 1,000 miles east of Moscow.

Day 12 - European Russia

Spending the day on the train, you will head past the ex-military city of Perm, the great industrial city of Kirov, and the beautiful cities of the Golden Ring.

Day 13 - Arrive in Moscow

At the end of this day you will reach your destination, the Russian Capital of Moscow, where your transfer will be waiting to pick you up.

Includes

All our tours include:

• Domestic and international rail tickets
• Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
• A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
• Russian letter of invatation
• Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation

This tour includes:

• Total Duration: 13 Days
• Nights on the train: 7 Days
• Key Destinations: Vladivostok (2), Irkutsk (3), Moscow
• Excursions with a local guide: 3 Full days: Vladivostok City tour, a choice of excursions in, and around, Irkutsk, and 1 Half day: Irkutsk City tour
• Accommodation: City centre luxury 4* hotels near to all the main sights
• Meals: Breakfast at all Hotels, plus other meals, which are dependent on your preferred excursions. These are indicated in each route itinerary

This tour does not include:

• In tour spending money (all accommodation, excursions, transfers and other tour elements are fully paid prior to departure)
• Flights or other travel arrangements to tour joining point
• Meals, unless specified in the itinerary