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Classic Trans-Siberian Westbound
Overview
Embark on a memorable rail adventure across Asia, Siberia and beyond with our Classic Trans-Siberian Westbound. Starting in the pacific city of Vladivostok, you will follow the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Moscow. Our Classic Trans-Siberian is perfect for friends, families or couples of all ages, offering a balanced travel experience between train travel, city break and leisurely retreat. This 13-day experience includes several days in Vladivostok and around Lake Baikal, while offering a truly authentic Trans-Siberian Railway experience.
All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian 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
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
Itinerary
Vladivostok
The administrative centre of Primorsky Krai, Vladivostok meaning ‘Rule in the East’ in Russian, is situated in the far east of Russia around Golden Horn Bay. The city is famous for its harbour location as the home port of the Russian Pacific Fleet and being the final stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Tourists are attracted to its many military sites left over from the Russo-Japanese War and the beautiful Russky Island.
Day 1
Arrival in Vladivostok
Welcome to Vladivostok! Your driver will meet you at your arrival point and take you to your hotel ready for check-in.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Vladivostok
Today your adventure starts with a half day city tour taking in all of the major sights of Vladivostok including Sveltlanskaya Street, Russky Bridge, the Triumphal arch for Tsar Nicholas II, as well as many parks and churches dotted around the city.
Breakfast
City Tour by car
Free Time
Souvenir Shopping
Day 3
Departure from Vladivostok
In the morning, you will check out of your hotel and have some free time to do any last-minute exploring, before meeting your driver for the transfer to Vladivostok’s railway station.
Breakfast
Day on the Train
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Trans-Siberian
Stretching 5772 miles from Moscow to the naval port of Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East, the Trans-Siberian is Russia’s principal railway route. The original route was constructed in the 20th century and has since been expanded to include several new branches to Ulaanbaatar, Harbin, and Beijing, via the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian railways.
Day 4
Depart Vladivostok and travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway
For the next three days, sit back and relax as you travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Day on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Listvyanka
A small settlement on the Western shore of Lake Baikal, Listvyanka is a highly popular tourist area known for its distinct local culture, fish market, and breathtaking hiking trails that venture around the edges of the lake. The settlement was formed near the point where the Angara River leaves Lake Baikal and is home to the Baikal Museum, with dedicated exhibits to the fauna and wildlife that can be found in the area.
Dinner
Food & Drink Experience
Day on the Train
Scenic Surrounds
Day 7
Free time in Listvyanka
Today, you are free to explore Listvyanka for yourself. The village has plenty to offer from picturesque nature hikes, to relaxing by the lakeside, or visiting one of the regional markets of museums.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Travel to
Irkutsk
Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia and the most important hub for tourism in the Lake Baikal region. As opposed to many of the more industrially shaped cities in Siberia, Irkutsk has a long history as a cultural centre and has been home to scientists, writers, artists, and political activists such as the Decembrists. It is also a key destination on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Day 8
Irkutsk city tour by car
After a relaxing couple of days in Listvyanka, your driver will pick you up from your hotel for a brief city tour of Irkutsk by car. You will get to see the most interesting locations in the city, including the beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), traditional hand-crafted wooden houses, and the infamous Decembrists’ House.
Breakfast
City Tour by car
Free Time
Souvenir Shopping
Day 9
Departure from Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel at 12 noon and meet your driver at the agreed time who will take you to the train station where you will continue your journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway through Siberia and on to Moscow.
Breakfast
Day on the Train
Scenic Surrounds
Day 10
Travelling along the Trans-Siberian Railway
You will spend the next few days on the train continuing through the seemingly limitless tracks and incredible forests of Siberia, you will pass through the mighty Altai region, crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk. You will continue through Novosibirsk and the Ural Mountains, crossing the border between Asia and Europe, before heading on the final stretch of this epic journey through the beautiful cities of the Golden Ring to Moscow.
Day on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
Day 13
Arrival in Moscow
You will finally arrive in Moscow around 5 am, where your transfer will take you to your hotel if you wish to stay in Moscow for a few more days, the airport, or the railway station.
Departure Transfer
Scenic Surrounds
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More information
What’s included
3* comfortable hotels close to the heart of the city- A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
- All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Irkutsk
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Vladivostok
- Meals: Breakfast at all Hotels, plus a dinner at Listvyanka / Baikal and other meals , which are dependent on your preferred excursions
- Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
- Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
What’s not included
Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point- Meals, unless specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenir shopping, or extra food and drink not included in the itinerary
- Visa processing and service costs
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Moscow
The ultimate guidebook to Moscow that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Trans-Siberian Adventures: Life on and off the rails from U.K. to Asia
Embarking one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys’, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Matthew Woodward sets off to rekindle his childhood passion for train travel. Trans-Siberian Adventures offers a personal insight into the highs, lows and expectations of long-distance train travel and is a must-read for anybody looking to embark on this mammoth journey from Moscow to Beijing and beyond.
Visa Information
