Experience the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway on board a private charter train. Grand Trans-Siberian offers a choice of four accommodation categories from Economy to Deluxe as well as a restaurant, a bar and a conference area for lectures.
“S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Your tour guide will welcome you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. There will be time to relax before this evening’s dinner.
A full day city sightseeing which includes the magnificent Red Square and the grounds of the world famous Kremlin. Other highlights of today’s excursion include the Bolshoi Theatre and Sparrow Hills. The Moscow you will see today will make you forget the old stories of Russia being grey and dark. Moscow is now a vibrant city, comparable to Paris or Rome and full of life. Late afternoon transfer to the station for the start of your 9,288 km journey to Vladivostok. Welcome dinner served on-board this evening.
A full day travelling through the Ural Mountains, which divide Europe and Asia. Watching the scenery pass by the window of your compartment, you will find lots of photo opportunities. Shortly before arrival the train passes the geographical border between Europe and Asia at milepost 1777, which is marked by an obelisk south of the line. From now on you are in Asia! Evening arrival to Ekaterinburg.
A full day in Ekaterinburg, which was named in honour of Tsar Peter`s wife Catherine (Yekaterina) in the year 1723. By the 20th century it became one of the most important financial, industrial and cultural centres of Russia. Today’s extensive sightseeing tour shows historical sites in memory of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas ll and his family including the “Cathedral on the spilled Blood” which was constructed where the Tsar and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. You will visit also Ganina Yama, the mine shaft where they were thrown after the execution. This is one of Russia’s new holy places where you will visit the seven chapels, one in memory of each member of the last royal family.
After passing through the plains of Western Siberia you arrive in Novosibirsk early evening. With 1.5 million inhabitants this is Russia’s third largest city and the biggest in Siberia, Novosibirsk is regarded as the centre of Siberia. It was founded in 1893 as the future site of the Trans- Siberian railway bridge crossing the Siberian River Ob.
Today you will also have the opportunity to see some remarkable orthodox churches which survived the Soviet period. A visit to the local market gives a deep insight into the daily life of Siberian people. The Trans -Siberian open Air Railway Museum situated on the outskirts of the city shows the most remarkable steam locomotives and historic passenger cars, which represent the development of the Trans- Siberian Railway. This evening the train continues eastwards towards Krasnoyarsk.
Arrival to Krasnoyarsk, formerly a “closed city” during Soviet times. The city is located along the Yenissei River which is the greatest river system flowing to the Arctic Ocean. Today’s sightseeing tour takes you to viewpoints offering marvellous views over the city.
As you are not staying overnight in Krasnoyarsk, day rooms for showers are provided at a centrally located hotel for clients of standard plus and standard economy categories. (Guests of Deluxe categories have their shower facilites en-suite).
This morning you reach Irkutsk the capital of Eastern Siberia. The city is famous for its trade with Mongolia and China and formally called ”Paris of Siberia”. You will visit some of the cities quarters still consisting of wooden houses. The cultural highlight of the tour is a private classical concert held at the home of former Duke Volkonsky. A private classical concert that you would never expect in such a remote place.
Today one of the highlights of the tour; Lake Baikal. This is the largest and deepest fresh water lake in the world and stretches up to 26 miles from east to west and more than 370 miles from north to south with a depth of 1,620 meters. A one hour coach drive brings you to Listvyanka, a small village, situated on the shore of Lake Baikal. A walking tour through the village shows you typical Siberian village life. The legend says after bathing in Lake Baikal your life will become longer. Local legend claims that you can get five extra years added by paddling up to your knees and up to twenty years if you manage to go swimming! Then Siberian lunch is provided where you can taste the famous Omul fish, the indigenous fish of the lake. This evening return to the hotel in Irkutsk.
After an early breakfast you transfer to the station where you will re-board the train. Today’s journey crosses a mountain range located between Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. When descending from the mountains to the Lake you will have amazing views of the deep blue water of Baikal. Take advantage of the fantastic photo opportunities as you pass through this beautiful
area, which is also a Unesco World Heritage site. For several hours the main line now circumnavigates the shore of Lake Baikal. On arrival to Ulan-Uday the Trans Mongolian track branches southbound to Mongolia diverting from the mainline, while you continue eastbound towards Vladivostok.
Full day on-board the train. While enjoying the scenery of Russia’s Far East, you are invited to join one of the lectures being held by your tour escort. You will get a deep insight into history, geography, culture and daily life in Russia. You also have the opportunity to learn some basics of the Russian language.
The train is following the Shilka and Amur Rivers, which are located close to the Chinese border. Another relaxed day on-board with lots of time to watch the scenery or join one of the on-board lectures. This evening the train crosses the Amur River on a mile-long bridge and reaches Khabarovsk for an overnight stop.
Today you explore Khabarovsk, second largest city of the Russian Far East, and enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on the mighty Amur River. This evening the private train departs for the last leg of its transcontinental journey.
After almost 9,300 km of traveling from Moscow, crossing from Europe into Asia, the train arrives in Vladivostok which is situated on what is called Golden Horn Bay by the Sea of Japan. A city sightseeing tour acquaints you with this sea port. An excursion today to Russky Island which is home to the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge, with a 1104 m
long central span.
This unique and unforgettable experience comes to an end and you start your return journey home. Transfers to the airport are provide by our service team to connect with your flight departing Vladivostok.
This trip is very different in style and content to our Classic Trans-Siberian journeys. It is a group departure and has all the day trips and excursions included; therefore the only optional extras to consider are if you would like to begin your journey in St. Petersburg?
Standard Economy (4-person min)
N/A
Standard Plus Class
£8093 pp
Silver Deluxe Class
£13364 pp
Gold Deluxe Class
£15847 pp
Book Now!
Standard Economy (4-person min)
£3823 pp
Standard Plus Class
£5398 pp
Silver Deluxe Class
£9202 pp
Gold Deluxe Class
£10856 pp
Book Now!
2017 – 15 Days |
Your payment is protected: everything is held in a trust account until you've completed your trip.