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Siberian Eye Westbound


Your 13-day experience starts in Beijing and traversing north China, before spending several days around Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, later crossing the Russian heartlands through to Moscow.
Overview
An eye-opening, tailormade Trans-Siberian experience exploring the remote region of Siberia. Travel westbound on the Trans-Manchurian Railway through the scenic Siberian taiga to Moscow, spending several days around the natural splendour of Lake Baikal along the way. Offering a unique insight into one of the world’s most remote regions, this Siberian-styled railway tour is perfect for those wanting to learn more about Siberia while experiencing the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. Your 13-day experience starts in Beijing and traversing north China, before spending several days around Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, later crossing the Russian heartlands through to Moscow.
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
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
Itinerary


Beijing
The capital of China, Beijing, has a long history stretching back over 3000 years. The city is known for its unrivalled culture and architecture and is home to no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the world-famous Forbidden City complex and the Badaling Great Wall of China. Beijing is one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’ and has been the political centre of the country for 800 years.
Day 1
Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! Your driver will meet you at your arrival point and take you to your hotel ready for check-in.
You will have the rest of the day to explore the city for yourself or relax in your hotel.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Beijing
After breakfast, you will meet your guide at the hotel for a half-day city tour where you will be introduced to many of the city’s highlights such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Pearl and Silk markets. A stop for lunch will be offered during the tour.
You will have the rest of the day free to explore Beijing for yourself.
Breakfast & Lunch
City Tour
Expert Guide
Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Souvenir Shopping
Food & Drink Experience
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Day 3
Free time in Beijing
Pack, and prepare to check-out, then make the most of what Beijing 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.
Breakfast
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Transfer to Train
Expert Guide
Travel to


Trans-Manchurian
A variant of the traditional Trans-Siberian Railway, the Trans-Manchurian travels through Russia, Siberia and rural China starting from either Moscow or Beijing. The route visits many major cities along the way including Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and Chita. The Trans-Manchurian is known for varied and beautiful scenery, particularly in Northern China.
Day 4
Depart Beijing and travel along the Trans-Manchurian Railway
For the next two days, you will journey along the Trans-Manchurian Railway through northern China. Your first full day on the train will be spent travelling, past the industrial cities, vast factories, tiny rural villages, and ancient paddy fields.
After a brief stop at the Chinese border, you will continue on to Zabaykalsk, before continuing to Siberia and, eventually, Moscow.
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Border crossing
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 6
Arrival in Irkutsk
After arriving in Irkutsk, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in nearby Listvyanka village on the shores of Lake Baikal.
You will have some time to freshen up and enjoy a meal at the chalet, before having the rest of the afternoon as free time to settle in and stretch your legs. The day will be rounded off with a traditional Baikal dinner, followed by an optional banya (Russian sauna) experience.
Dinner
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Food & Drink Experience
Cultural Immersive Experience
Village ‘Banya’
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 or museums.
If you are stuck for choice, we have a range of optional excursions in Listvyanka that are the perfect way to spend your day.
Breakfast
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
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 day 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.
At the end of the tour, you will check into your hotel in Irkutsk.
Breakfast
City Tour
Expert Guide
Polish Cathedral
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 9
Depart Irkutsk and journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway
Before spending the next four days on the train, 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.
The train will venture into Siberia through the seemingly limitless tracks and incredible forests of Siberia. You will pass through the mighty Altai region, crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk as you head into Eurasia.
After passing through Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia, the train will head for the historic city of Yekaterinburg and the Ural Mountains, crossing the border between Asia and Europe and continuing through the beautiful cities of the Golden Ring onto Moscow.
Breakfast
Transfer to Train
Day on the Train
Night 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
At the end of this day, you will finally arrive in Moscow, 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.
Day on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Departure Transfer
Where you can stay
A hotel can be the make or break of any experience, and we understand that choosing the right hotel is important to our travellers. Check out our range of hotels ahead of time, and learn more about our standard 3-star options and the luxury 5-star upgrades that are available in the destinations you will be visiting.
Please note that the selection of hotels included here are examples of where you may stay on your tour, we will pick the best option for you based on your travel requirements.
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Dates & Rates
Please select the amount of travellers in your group and language requirement of your guide.
Please select a date
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*This tour’s total cost is an estimate, based on travel costs prior to tickets being released. The price is subject to fluctation of up to 10%.† Based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
More information
What’s included
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
Accommodation as part of the tour
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: Beijing
Half day guided tour with excursions: Irkutsk
Meals: Breakfast at all Hotels, plus a dinner at Listvyanka / Baikal and other meals , which are dependent on your preferred excursions
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
What’s not included
Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point
Masks or hand sanitizers
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.
Beijing
The ultimate guidebook to Beijing that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Beijing 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.
China
The ultimate guidebook to China that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s China is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, 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.
Extras & Upgrades
Extras
Customise your experience with our spectacular range of tailor-made tour extras. If you have some free time during your tour and are unsure how to spend it, then our extras may be just what you are looking for, with various activities ranging from an hour long to a full day. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
Upgrades
Enhance your travel experience with one of our available tour upgrades. Whether you are looking to go first class on the train or swap your standard hotel for a luxury 5-star option, our Sales team are on-hand to help. Simply, let us know when booking your tour and we can arrange this for you.
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Visa Information

Single Entry Tourist Visa
