My Tour Favourites (0)
Spirit of Russia Festive Christmas Experience


This 12-day experience includes a tour of the Kremlin and Christmas markets around Moscow, a snowmobile ride through the Siberian taiga forest, various local cooking and crafting masterclasses, and plenty more!
Overview
Get into the festive spirit this Christmas and New Year with this ultimate seasonal sensation ‘spirit of Russia’ experience. Spend twelve festive-packed days around some of Russia’s most exciting destinations from the Russian capital of Moscow to the revolutionary city of Yekaterinburg, ending with Novosibirsk, the heart of Siberia. If you are looking for a unique get-away this Christmas and New Year, then look no further. This tour offers plenty of festive fun for family and friends. This 12-day experience includes a tour of the Kremlin and Christmas markets around Moscow, a snowmobile ride through the Siberian taiga forest, various local cooking and crafting masterclasses, and of course, plenty of souvenir shopping.
Festive events at the Museum of Living Antiquity
New Year Celebrations
Nutcracker ballet performance at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre
Snowmobile experience in the Siberian taiga
Kremlin and Red Square tour
Visit to the VDNKH park and Space Museum
Traditional banya steam masterclass
Christmas market
Itinerary


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 1
Arrival in Moscow
Welcome to Moscow! Your driver will meet you at the train station or airport and take you to your hotel where you will check in.
After checking into your hotel, you will have free time to take an optional excursion or to rest and relax in your hotel.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Optional excursions
Scenic Surrounds
Day 2
Kremlin walking tour with Christmas market
Today, you will explore the festive streets of Moscow including the world-renowned Moscow Kremlin.
After breakfast, you will start your day with a walking tour of the Moscow Kremlin where you will see many of the famous sites including Red Square and the cathedrals followed by a visit to the armoury.
After your kremlin tour, you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before having the rest of the afternoon to wander around the Christmas markets, buy souvenirs, and enjoy the festive feel of the city.
In the evening, you will have dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to your hotel where you will spend the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Moscow Kremlin
Red Square
Armoury Chamber
Christmas market
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 3
Visit to Kolmenskoe
After breakfast, you will meet your guide and driver for a unique tour to Kolomenskoe
Kolomenskoye is a former royal estate situated on the ancient road leading to the town of Kolomna in the southeast of Moscow city centre. The area is known for its idyllic scenery and overlooks the steep banks of the Moskva River.
While in Kolomenskoe you will get the chance to go on a traditional troika horse ride before heading back into the city for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Park Zaryadie known for the exclusive “Flight over Moscow” attraction before embarking on a walking tour of the legendary Arbat Street.
After a busy day, you will stop for lunch at a local café or restaurant in the city and then head back to the hotel where you will spend the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Kolomenskoe Park Estate
Russian troika horse ride
Park Zaryadie
“Flight over Moscow” attraction
Cultural Immersive Experience
Free Time
Day 4
Visit to the VDNKH and the Space museum
Today, you will get to see the pride of Russia with a visit to the VDNKH park.
After breakfast, you will meet your driver who will take you to the exhibition centre where you will get to explore the national monuments and the famous Space centre dedicated to the achievements of the Russian space programme.
In the afternoon, you will stop for lunch at a local cafe before continuing your journey by car with a tour of Moscow followed by a visit to Novodevichiy Cathedral.
Today, you will enjoy an evening meal in a city restaurant before heading back to your hotel. You will check out of your hotel late in the evening and your driver will transfer you to the train station.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
VDNKh
Space museum
Scenic Surrounds
City Tour
Novodevichy Convent
Transfer to Train
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 5
Train to Yekaterinburg
You will spend the day on the train to Yekaterinburg.
Shortly after midnight, you will catch Train no 002 to Yekaterinburg. You will spend the rest of the day and the next night on the train.
Day on the Train
Scenic Surrounds
Day 6
Masterclass at the Chapaev banya
After arriving at Yekaterinburg train station, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in. Lunch will be spent in the panoramic restaurant Vertikal.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a 2-hour city tour where you will get to see the highlights of the city before being taken to the Chapaev banya for a masterclass on traditional banya steam.
After your day tour, you will head back to your hotel for an evening meal and have some free time afterwards to rest.
Lunch & Dinner
New Destination by Train
City Tour
Scenic Surrounds
Chapaev banya
Masterclass on traditional banya steam
Cultural Immersive Experience
Day 7
Snowmobile experience in Komatek and authentic Ural festive dinner
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and meet your driver for a morning excursion to Komatek where you will get the chance to take part in a wide range of winter activities including snow mobile rides, dogs sledding, winter fishing, a relax in a heated gazebo, and BBQ.
Lunch will be spent in a local tavern where you will enjoy an assortment of team building activities including pelmeni cooking and tasting Ural liqueurs. During the experience you will learn how Siberian and Ural pelmeni differ and even have the chance to win a prize to take home and show your friends!
In the evening, there will be a private concert of classic music from the Domestic in the House of Music chorus, followed by an authentic Ural dinner from a local chef at the Zveroboy restaurant who will tell you the history of the unique festive dishes. You will get to try many unusual and unique local products including moose, deer, carp, pine needles, sea-buckthorn, gooseberry and birch.
Following your evening meal, your driver will transfer you to the train station where you will catch Train 070 to Novosibirsk.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Snow mobile rides
Dog sledding
Team building activity
Pelmeni cooking masterclass
Tasting of Ural liqueurs
Cultural Immersive Experience
Private concert of classic music
Food & Drink Experience
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.
Day 8
Arrival in Novosibirsk
After arriving in Novosibirsk, you will meet your guide who will take you to your hotel for check-in.
You will have the evening to spend as you see fit. Enjoy a cosy winter evening in one of the hotel restaurants or visit the hotel SPA complex for a relaxing massage.
New Destination by Train
Free Time
Day 9
Full day of festive fun followed by New Year’s Eve celebrations
After breakfast, you will embark on a thrilling snowmobile ride where you will cross the frozen Ob River and a snow-covered forest where you can get excellent atmospheric photos. Professionals will be on hand with hot tea to keeps spirits alive in the cold weather, followed by a steam in a traditional Russian wooden banya.
In the afternoon, you will head back to your hotel before hopping over to the NOVAT for an exclusive ballet performance where you will get to see the renowned Nutcracker performed live, before heading back to the hotel for your New Year’s Eve meal.
Get ready to celebrate the most memorable Siberian New Year! The festive banquet will take place from 22:00 until morning and there is plenty of fun to be had including a New Year’s photo session, contests, dances, drinks, and, of course, the chimes of new Year followed by a magnificent firework display.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Snowmobile ride on the frozen Ob River
Traditional Russian wooden banya
Cultural Immersive Experience
Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre
Nutcracker performance
Siberian New Year Celebration
Day 10
Novosibirsk city tour
Today, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast after a fantastic evening of partying.
In the afternoon, you will head on a city tour of Novosibirsk where you will get to see the most famous sites and learn more about Siberian culture. There will be stories about New Year in Siberia and its peculiarities, as well as interesting stories about Novosibirsk. You will also have the chance for a small photo session near the Opera House with delicious, mulled wine and, perhaps even a reindeer sleigh ride.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Walking Tour
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 11
Visit to the Museum of Living Antiquity
After breakfast, you will visit the Museum of Living Antiquity in Alekseevskaya Sloboda, here the life and life of old-time peasants in Siberia are recreated. You will be able to take part in various celebrations including: a folk performance near the New Year Tree, games with Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, souvenir making masterclass, and enjoy a Petruska theatre performance.
Later in the day, you will have a small lesson on how to prepare Siberian dishes with a glass of wine, before heading back to your hotel where you can enjoy some free time.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Museum of Living Antiquity in Alekseevskaya Sloboda
Petruska theatre performance
folk performance near the New Year Tree
Cultural Immersive Experience
Masterclass
Free Time
Day 12
Departure from Novosibirsk
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Novosibirsk and have the rest of the day free to do some last-minute exploring or souvenir shopping. In the afternoon you will meet your driver for the departure transfer to the airport or railway station where this tour will end.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
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.
You may also like
Not quite found what you are looking for? Real Russia are committed to finding you the best tour for your needs. Whether you are after an activity-packed immersive experience or a relaxing vacation with plenty of free time, we have you covered. Here, is a list of tours you may also like, hand-picked by us based on your chosen theme and dates.
from per person
from per person
from per person
from per person
Dates & Rates
Please select the amount of travellers in your group and language requirement of your guide.
Please select a date
£
-
£
per person
-
£
per person
-
£
per person
*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
2 hours with a professional photographer
24/7 hotline support while you are travelling
Accommodation as part of the tour
Activities as part of the tour
Food and drink (as mentioned in the tour itinerary)
Moscow – Yekaterinburg – Novosibirsk train tickets
New Year’s Eve banquet
Nutcracker ballet performance
Russian Tourist Visa Invitation
Transport (as specified in the tour itinerary)
What’s not included
Food and drinks (unless specified)
International flights / transport
Optional excursions and activities
Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
Travel / medical insurance
Visa processing
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 you will require suitable warm clothing and shoes while on this tour along with suitable attire for New Year. Towels will not be provided at the Russian banya therefore you will need to bring a personal towel with you.
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.
Bears in the Streets: Three Journeys Across Changing Russia
An enlightening insight into the lives and stories of the Russian people. Lisa Dickey’s ‘Bears in the Streets’ reflects on her three journeys across Russia, following the lives of the friends she has made along the way. This biographical novel offers a glimpse into the real Russian people discussing culture, politics, superstition and much more.
Travel Like a Local: Map of Novosibirsk
Head off the beaten track and discover the real Novosibirsk with this useful guide. Fox has produced the ultimate guide on how to fit in with the locals, uncovering the best hidden bars and restaurants, navigating the busy tourist hotspots, and discovering lesser-known backstreet marvels only known to those that live nearby.
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.
Moscow, St Petersburg & the Golden Ring
The ultimate guidebook to the Golden Ring that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow, St Petersburg and the Golden Ring is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to these three spectacular regions including 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 about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, the Peterhof and the many monasteries and cathedrals of the Golden Ring cities, this guide includes regional maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
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.
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.
View Map
Visa Information
