This is a popular trip we have customised a little so you can enjoy Christmas and New Year travelling on this epic adventure.

The Trans-Manchurian routing with a side-trip at Lake Baikal, based out of Irkutsk. The Trans-Manchurian is the “original” rail routing from China, predating the Trans-Mongolian by a quarter of a century… and at 9001km (how did they find that spare single kilometre? Even the train itself is that long!) it is the longest international rail journey.  What better way to have a Real Russian Experience for this festive season ?

 

Map

Trip overview

Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing

Make your own way to the hotel. Free time to explore one of the world’s fastest growing capital cities.

Day 2 – Departing Beijing

Own transfer to Beijing Central station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

Day 3– On board The Trans-Sib

Thunder on across China.

Day 4 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Manchuria.

Day 5 – Arrival in Irkutsk

Merry Christmas! Early morning transfer to Listvyanka Village on shore of Lake Baikal.

Day 6 – Choose one activity from the list

It’s all included in the trip price

• (A) Taltsy Wooden Museum
• (B) Snowmobile trip
• (C) Siberian Dog sledding
• (D) Do your own thing

Day 7  – Return to Irkutsk

Transfer back to the city of Irkutsk, free time to explore. Early evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Moscow bound train.

Day 8– On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards via Novosibirsk.

Day 9-10 –On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

Day 11– Arrival in Moscow

Very early arrival in Moscow. We transfer you directly to your hotel.

Today there’s a three hour walking tour, to introduce the city (and its public transport system) and to get your sightseeing off to a flying start.  The rest of the day’s your own.

New Years Eve in Moscow is a big celebration and you need to get to Red Square and secure your vantage point early(ish) because at midnight Mr.Medvedev will wish you all Happy New Year from vast screens put along the Kremlin Walls after which will be the traditional firework display. The Moscow metro operates untill 4.00am so you can easily get home after the celebrations,

Day 12 – Departing Moscow

Happy New Year!  You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today.  New Years day in Russia is a public holiday, so there like eleswhere in the world services this day will be very limited.