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Imperial Russia Trans-Siberian Westbound
Overview
Trans-Siberian is a path to the heart of Russia. One of the most famous railway journeys in the world, it will allow you not only to cross this huge country from the West to the East, but also, probably, understand the mysterious Russian soul. You will see Russia in all its historical greatness, in the mixture of cultures and landscapes, in the architectural splendor and extravagance unifying different people and religions.
Intensive sightseeing and entertainment programme including several local folk shows off-train
On-board doctor
Porterage
Talks on local traditions, culture and customs
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
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
Once you have arrived in Vladivostok, you will be picked up and taken to your hotel in order to check in. The rest of the day will then be yours to explore this fantastic city at your leisure or relax in preparation for the adventure ahead.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 2
Excursion in Vladivostok
Vladivostok is a military port, located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan and is home to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Today, you will have a city tour around Vladivostok which includes all the main attractions of the city. You will cross the two enormous bridges across the Golden Horn Bay and Eastern Bosporus Strait, the latter is the largest cable-stayed bridge in Russia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Expert Guide
City Tour
Food & Drink Experience
Russky Island
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Transfer to Train
Travel to
Khabarovsk
A large city situated on the Amur River in South-eastern Russia, Khabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai. It lies just 14 miles from the border with China and was named “Boli” when it was part of the Chinese Empire. The city has a rich history and culture and is best known for the dazzling Cathedral of the Assumption and the popular Komsomolskaya Square.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Guided Museum Tour
City Tour
Boat Trip
Cultural Immersive Experience
Masterclass
Scenic Surrounds
Prominent Landscape
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day on the Train
Lectures on Russian and Trans-Siberian history
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Food & Drink Experience
Day 5
On the Train
Enjoy another day on the train to your next destination, Ulan-Ude. Discover the breathtaking views of Siberia from sprawling forests to majestic lakes and rivers.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day on the Train
Lectures on Russian and Trans-Siberian history
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Ulan-Ude
Located to the East of Russia’s popular tourist destination Lake Baikal, Ulan-Ude is a city bustling with tourist activity and is the gateway for the Trans-Mongolian Railway that travels from Ulan-Ude to Beijing via Ulaanbaatar. The city’s close proximity to the Mongolian border and well-established transport links into Asia have allowed the city to form a unique cultural identity as the center of Buddhism in Russia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Buryat traditions
Expert Guide
Buddhist Ivolginsky Datsan
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Masterclass
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Prominent Landscape
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.
Day 7
Travelling by Lake Baikal
One of the major highlights of any journey along the Trans-Siberian, is the part alongside the majesty that is Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lake Baikal
Boat Trip
Chersky Stone observation point
Baikal Museum
Prominent Landscape
Lakeside Picnic
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
Excursion in Irkutsk
Irkutsk is often called the ‘Paris of Siberia’ due to its wide streets and ornate architecture, and we are sure you will see why as you take the city tour upon arrival. You will visit such places, as the Decembrists House, a house dedicated to the aristocrats who were exiled to this, at the time, far flung, corner of Siberia after the failed Decembrists uprising of 1825, Karl Marx Street and the beautiful cottages adorned with beautiful wooden ‘lace-like’ designs, you will find plenty of beauty in his corner of Siberia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Expert Guide
City Tour
Decembrists’ House
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Taltsy Museum
Free Time
130 Quarter
Day 9
On the Train
With stunning views of verdant forests and crystal-clear lakes and rivers it is the perfect day to relax and just enjoy the view while socialising with your travelling companions and talking about your experience so far.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day on the Train
Lectures on Russian and Trans-Siberian history
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia with the flair and charm of a provincial town. It is an important commercial hub in the region, hosting one of the best and largest universities in Russia which has shaped the identity of the city. The city is home to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Novosibirsk State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet (NOVAT), considered one of the best musical and theatre groups in Russia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Expert Guide
City Tour
Railway Museum
Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre
River Ob
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg stands close to the divide between Russia and Kazakhstan and is known as the ‘window on Asia’ due to its close proximity to the border. The city is commonly referred to as Russia’s ‘third capital’ as it is ranked third for tourism, transport, and economic size. It holds crucial significance in Russian History as the final resting place of the Romanov dynasty.
Day 11
Excursion in Yekaterinburg
Founded nearly 300 years ago by Peter the Great, Yekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia and holds a very important place in the history of Russia, as it is here that, in 1918, the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were executed.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Expert Guide
City Tour
Military History
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Europe-Asia border marker
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Kazan
Kazan is the largest city and capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Kazanka and Volga Rivers in the South-East of Russia and was considered a crucial trade and political center from the Late Middle Ages onwards. It has become a popular tourist destination with famous attractions including the Kazan kremlin and Kul Sharif Mosque, known to be one of the largest mosques in Russia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Expert Guide
Kazan Kremlin
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Masterclass
Food & Drink Experience
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Religious Buildings & Monuments
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.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
City Tour
Red Square
St Basil’s Cathedral
Moscow Metro
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Moscow Kremlin
Arbat Street
Day 14
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Departure Transfer
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More information
What’s included
All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more- Experienced tour guides. Imperial Russia’s tour guides are selected for their linguistic and organisational capability, allowing you to sit back and relax on your Trans-Siberian adventure
- Hotel and on-board accommodation: Meals: Full board. Tea/coffee on board throughout the day
- Hotel and on-board accommodation: Onboard the Imperial Russia train in Russia. 1 night at Moscow hotel and 1 night at Vladivostok hotel
- On-board doctor: Russian speaking, with English speaking Group Leader available for translation
- On-board service: Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day. You will also be provided with towels, bathrobe and slippers onboard of the Imperial Russia Train
- Porterage: While you will stay on the train for the duration of your journey, when you do arrive at, and the leave, the train, you can be assured that all of your bags will be in safe hands
- Talks on local traditions, culture and customs. Imperial Russia’s local experts will insure that you will come away from your adventure with a deeper understanding of Russia, Mongolia, China and their people
- Transfers: Pick-up at the airports, transfer to hotels and train stations, transfer to the airport (in Moscow and Vladivostok)
What’s not included
Drinks from the Bar Car- Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point
- Gratuities
- Insurance
- Meals on the day of arrival and departure
- Optional excursions and activities
- Personal expenses such as souvenir shopping, or extra food and drink not included in the itinerary
- Vaccinations if required
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
Please note that this tour requires a minimum number of passengers in order to go ahead.
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.
Sacred Sea: A Journey to Lake Baikal
Sacred Sea follows a man’s 25,000-mile pilgrimage from the US to the natural paradise of Lake Baikal in the heart of Siberia. Veteran environmental journalist Peter Thomson sets off from Boston with his younger brother on a spiritual journey of self-healing in search of connection, permanence, restoration and hope. Travelling by raft, train and ship, this transformative journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance nature can have on healing in a time of need.
Moscow: A Traveller’s Reader
A masterful anthology documenting Moscow’s turbulent growth through the lives of its people from the bloody reprisals of Peter the Great to the literary greats of the 19th century. The city spent much of its early life in turmoil from being the subject to much greater empires including the Tatars, to being burnt down numerous times, yet rising from the ashes twice as magnificent each time. Kelly’s compelling narrative covers all of Moscow’s major milestones over 700 years in engaging detail. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of Russia.
Kazan, Russia: Travel and Tourism Guide
A fascinating guide to one of Russia’s most intriguing cities, Kazan. Often referred to as the Istanbul of the Volga, largely due to its main attraction, the Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan has a rich heritage as the capital of Tatarstan and predating even Moscow. Tatar culture remains strong here even today, with the language being taught in schools. This guide offers a glimpse into Tatar culture as well as provides plenty of background to this enigmatic city.
Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs
A story detailing the last moments of the Romanov dynasty ending 300 years of rule and beginning a brutal era of state terror and repression. Rappaport’s Ekaterinburg: Last days of the Romanovs offers a harrowing insight into the events that led to the imprisonment and execution of the Russian Imperial family: the former Tsar Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, and their children, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexey.
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