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 sea port, to take you to your accommodation.
Day 2 - Vladivostok Excursion
Today your adventure starts, a full day excursion including a city tour taking in all of the major sights of Vladivostok as well as a visit to your choice of two museums.
Day 3 - Free Day in Vladivostok
You have the freedom to explore, and experience, the city of Vladivostok at your leisure.
Day 4 - 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 5 - 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 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 seal’s), followed by a chair lift ride to one of the highest point in the Listvyanka area, offering panoramic views across Lake Baikal and beyond. Following lunch, you 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 - Irkutsk Excursion
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.
Day 10 - Depart Irkutsk
There will be a transfer from the hotel to the railway station to catch your train for the next leg of your Trans–Siberian journey, on through Siberia and on to Moscow.
Day 11 - 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 12 - Arrival in Yekaterinburg
You will arrive in Yekaterinburg and be provided with a transfer to take you to your accommodation.
Day 13 - Yekaterinburg Excursion Day
A full day tour, featuring some of the key landmarks that Yekaterinburg has to offer, including the Cathedral on the Blood, Ascension Hill and the Literary Quarter as well as a trip to the Europe/Asia border.
Day 14 - Free Day in Yekaterinburg
You will have the opportunity to investigate, explore, and experience the historic city of Yekaterinburg in your own time.
Day 15 - Free Day and Departure from Yekaterinburg
You will have a free morning to continue exploring the city, however you will need to prepare to check out and be ready for a transfer to the railway station early in the afternoon.
Day 16 - 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.
Explore, Discover, Experience
Real Russia has drawn on years of experience in the region to create three ranges of our tours and a wide selection of options to give you maximum choice and flexibility in choosing your Trans-Siberian adventure.
This tour is in the Experience Range - this premium range takes care of all travel arrangements including trains, transfers, full day excursions accompanied by a professional guide and the finest 4* hotels.
To view this tour in the other ranges, then please select from the options shown below, or, if you are ready to start your adventure with Real Russia, then simply press “Request Tour” and we will get started!
The 2018 World Cup will be held in Russia during June and July, and as such all travel dates and tour prices during this period are subject to availability. While we ordinarily guarantee our tour prices, during this period prices can only be confirmed upon booking. We would recommend booking as early as possible for this period, as prices are likely to rise as the date of the World Cup approaches.