One of the greatest Russian novels of the C20th – adapted repeatedly for both the big and small screens with all-star casts – is itself set on the Trans-Siberian line… Pasternak’s “Dr Zhivago”. All the action that takes place at Zhivago’s old country house, and the town of “Yuriatin” near it, is in fact set around Perm, the real city fictionalised as “Yuriatin”. This unique itinerary combines a classic Trans-Sib trip with some special Zhivago-related visits in and around Perm… the city where its author lived and drafted the novel.
“S Priezdom” Welcome to Moscow. Our driver will be there to meet you from whichever flight, train or boat you arrive. You’ll then be transferred to the Panorama 3★ Hotel. (We can obtain rates for superior hotels ask a member of the reservations team for details.) Your complimentary InfoPack is full of ideas for getting the most out of your free time.
After breakfast one of our local experts will meet you at your hotel in the lobby for a three hour walking and familiarisation 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.
Transfer to Yaroslavsky Station where you will board the Perm bound train.
Arrival in Perm, transfer to hotel.
Special Walking tour of Yuri Zhivago’s “Yuryatin” (Perm).
Full day excrusion to the Gulag Museum. Housed in the only surviving soviet-era Gulag you can visit in Russia.
Free day in Perm to explore the rest of this pleasant Urals city – then evening transfer to the station where you will board the Beijing bound train.
Travelling eastwards via the Chinese Manchurian frontier with Russia.
Arriving into Beijing Central Station at the end of your Trans-Siberian journey.
The journey you have chosen has some “extras” that are necessary and then “extras” that will enhance your trip. We cannot re-iterate too much that at Russia Experience we pride ourselves on making the trip you have chosen the best it can be – so if we don’t mention something you want, ask us and we’ll try our best to make it happen! In return, we try to inform you about any great “extras” along the way, so that you have the chance to try them if you want! Visas are a necessary extra and needed for all the countries you travel through and the current costs and what is needed can be found under Visas.
Upgrading to 2- berth compartment on the train is also an option, you will see under Prices. This service is becoming more popular every year and not helped by the train operators only confirming this request 30 days or less prior to your departure. We have however devised a workaround for this that’s proving very reliable. We request a 2-berth at the time of booking but if this comes back not possible we block out a 4-berth compartment for 2 person occupancy. The standard of these cabins remains the same, and you get the extra space and privacy one way or the other.
We have a range of services for passengers wanting to stay or continue their journey into China at the start or end of their journey.
What’s includedTrain |
2015 – 13 DayOctober 05, 12, 19, 26
2016 – 13 DayJanuary 04, 11, 18, 25
|
All services – transits, hotels, on-train facilities and guides
were punctual and efficient.
We had no problems in meeting/being met by taxi drivers.
Hotels were expecting us as paid-for guests.
Guides were pleasant, knowledgeable and had good English.
On-train we were surprised at being offered all we wanted.
Indeed, the whole package was sound and recommendable.
We were pleasantly surprised with unexpected on-train facilities.
Apparently, the1st class, two-berth, on-train service includes
one cooked meal daily and complementary daily supply of
tea, coffee and chocolate. Boiling water for beverages is
available all day and night in each car.
Bedding – linen sleeping bag and two pillows – is free.
On the older railway stock, on train 8, don’t expect to wash
anything except hands and your plastic crockery and cutlery.
Toilet paper is always availably, though not always paper towels,
and the waste bins are emptied regularly.
At Irtkusk the local office manager is like no other manager.
His appearance is that of a 1960s hippy – long hair tied into
a pony-tail, short trousers, back-pack – but he is delightfully
lucid, speaks excellent English, is clearly well-connected, is
light hearted and very effective. The world needs more of
his equal.
The fresh water and very clear Lake Baikal is a treasure:
It’s 636 km long, about 1650 m deep and has many species
found nowhere else. No wonder it has internationally
recognised status for scientific interest. The Baikal
museum and aquarium is truly worth a visit.
Thanks for organising a most enjoyable and interesting
tour.
Yours aye,
Ian Fraser
Our home stay hostess, Olga, was a delight. Loved the visits to villages.
Now to read and reread Russian novels! Mongolia nomad stay was more challenging than we expected but in retrospect was a good experience. Family and guide were great.
Marilyn Thomas
Kind regards
Paul Pennington
Dermot Carlin
We have had an amazing time. Everything was so well organised, we always felt looked after without feeling stifled or rushed about as you might on a fully managed/guided tour. We had plenty of time to do our own thing and the trips were always in very small groups (if not only the three of us!). The local guides at each location were fantastic. All really helpful and knowledgeable and ready to do that little bit extra (special thanks to the amazing Ulziimaa in Ulaanbataar!). As you may have guessed at an early stage I can be a bit of a nervous traveller but you reassured us at every step and everything was so well planned and organised, we really had nothing to worry about at all. I appreciate hugely the fact that every email and question I had was responded to and answered within minutes/hours, even when we were in China. I will (and already have done) unreservedly recommend you and your company to anyone considering travelling through Russia, Mongolia and China.
A truly amazing experience…thank you.
Alanna, Ralph and Nathan
Karen & Jacques Grivel
Thanks for all your troubles and for a wonderful experience.
Best regards,
Carlos Ossenbach Sauter
Carols Ossenbach Sauter
Bernadette & Joseph Skinner
All excellent and situated conveniently close to the city centres and the main attractions. Staff very helpful even to the extent of supplying breakfast boxes on those mornings we left early.
City Walks.
These added a whole new dimension to the tours as the guides were first rate and very well informed. We also found that they were happy to talk of present and past regimes which served to add colour to the situation and they were also well versed in the local customs. Without the guides the experience would not have been quite so rewarding.
Options.
Not to be missed. Picnic at Lake Baikal and the trip to the Great Wall. Excellent guides and very well organised .
As promised we were always met as arranged . The drivers went out of their way to ensure that we were on time for our trains and they also made sure that we were safely on board before leaving. We were also lucky in meeting three others on the “experience” in Moscow who we were with until Beijing and so we had others to turn to when we were confused. ( Often at my age )
All in all it was a fantastic experience and one that I would not have wanted to miss at any cost. You have made two old men very happy.
My one and only complaint about the trip is that I have absolutely nothing about which to complain.
My thanks to you and all involved.
Brian Marchant & Brian Quance
We thoroughly enjoyed the hike round Lake Baikal (although the distances were a lot further than in the itinerary!!!!), and the walking guide Anton was both knowledgeable and chilled out, a great balance!
Mongolia was also an excellent experience, with the family stay being the highlight! Our guide Naki had endless information and was forever cheerful! A big thank you to him too!
The whole experience for us both was a very positive one and we will be sure to recommend your company to family and friends!!
Once again, thank you to all the drivers, guides and yourself for an excellent service!
Amanda and Duncan
Amanda Moran & Duncan Balderson
Extra Night
Moscow midweek: +£60
Moscow weekend: +£45
2-Berth Upgrades
Moscow - Beijing +£450
Extra Night
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£35
2-Berth Upgrades
Moscow - Beijing +£450
Extra Night
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£35
2-Berth Upgrades
Moscow - Beijing +£450
Your money is held in a trust account until you've completed your trip.