This trip breaks up the non-stop Beijing-Moscow trip on 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’s the longest international rail journey in the world!
Make your own way to the hotel. Free time to explore one of the world’s fastest growing capital cities.
Own transport to Beijing Central Station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.
Thunder on across China.
Travelling through Manchuria.
Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal.
It’s all included in the trip price.
Free time to explore. Early evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Moscow bound train.
Onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk.
Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.
Very early morning arrival in Moscow. Your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you by private car to the hotel. Your room will be allocated on arrival. You will have a chance to have breakfast before setting out on today’s three hour walking and familiarisation tour. This will introduce you to the city (and its public transport system) and get your sightseeing off to a flying start. The rest of the day’s your own
Check out of your room by 12 noon today. Own transport to the airport or station on departure.
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 included |
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1. Full On Train > 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths) > option to upgrade to 2-berth Beijing > 1 night 4★ hotel Irkutsk Siberian Village > all transportation > 2 nights 3★ hotel, Listvyanka Village, breakfast > excursion option Moscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel > 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expert |
2. No Frills Train > 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths) > option to upgrade to 2-berth Beijing > 1 night 1★ hotel Irkutsk (city based stay) > transfer on arrival > 3 night home-stay Irkutsk City, breakfast > transfer to the station on departure Moscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel |
View Prices & Book | View Prices & Book |
2015 – 12 daysOctober 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
2016 – 12 daysJanuary 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
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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
Beijing: +£80
Moscow midweek: +£60
Moscow weekend: +£45
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Extra Night
Beijing: +£40
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£35
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Extra Night
Beijing: +£40
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£35
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Extra Night
Beijing: +£50
Moscow midweek: +£50
Moscow weekend: +£40
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Extra Night
Beijing: +£30
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£30
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Extra Night
Beijing: +£30
Moscow midweek: +£40
Moscow weekend: +£30
2-Berth Upgrades
Beijing - Moscow +£450
Your money is held in a trust account until you've completed your trip.
Fun Fact: All of our Classic Trips are on working trains and travellers journey with “locals”
Please don’t think a fleece and a pair of mittens will be sufficient warmth between January and March. Pack appropriate clothing for the season.
Fun Fact: There’s no train which is named the “Trans-Siberian Express”. The Moscow-Vladivostok route is served by the “Rossiya”, whereas Moscow-Beijing routes are usually achieved by using a combination of sectors on different trains.
Take the following: Loo roll, baby wipes and an empty spray water bottle and squeegee cleaning blade from the £/$ shop to clean the windows.
Don’t take a suitcase. Take a soft bag with wheels and a pulling handle.
Take a mug and packets of tea / coffee with you. There is a samovar with hot water available 24 hours a day.
There is no black market for currency anymore.. so don’t even try.
Trains are overheated all year round so be sure to take some lounging clothes
Fun Fact: The time on board remains on Moscow time all the way across – Even when you go through one of the six time zones. You never know what time it is after a day or two.
Travellers cheques are of no use.
We are freshly returned from our fantastic Trans-Siberian adventure. We would very much like to say a massive ‘thank you’. 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.
We have been back home for nearly a month and I have neglected in thanking your company for such a well organised, interesting journey(Super Trans Mongolian) Charming personal guides who gave us a real feeling for their homelands. The most memorable days were at Elstei Ger and a day in the country with Constantine at Ekaterinburg. Both sister companies in these parts of the trip were excellent and I would be grateful if you could extend our thanks.
I think that you should know that I have reached that time in life where I am not happy unless I can complain about something. Being a miserable old git gives me great pleasure. So let us start with the trip you arranged for the two Brians. First – Hotels. 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.
Hello Jo, It suddenly dawned on me that i have not thanked for all the help you gave Jodie whilst I was in hospital, so thanks very much I heard you went above and beyond giving Jodie advice unlike our travel insurance who were useless and gave bad advice. We are now in Mcleod Ganj in India just down the road from the Dalai Lama !! All the best, Kind regards, Dermot Carlin
We have arrived safely in Beijing and would just like to say a massive thank you for organising our Moscow to Beijing trip for us! Everything was on time and excellent! We were met at every station and the guides / helpers we had were fantastic! 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
I just wanted to thank everyone at the Russia Experience for organising a very enjoyable Trans-Siberian trip.. Got back from Moscow on Monday (Easyjet, £50 ticket!). Good hotels, great guides, interesting places and no travel problems. Everything went very smoothly.. Spasiba! Ingrid Morris