Grim it may be, but for nearly half the world “Siberia” is synonymous with the Soviet Era system of prison camps (which in fact had begun a century earlier under the Tsars).  This trip visits the only remaining Soviet gulag, near Perm… but it’s not all about barbed wire and watchtowers!  There’s a relaxing “soft” rafting trip on the Usva River, the amazing beautiful Kungur Ice Caves (this is just an underground stroll, no scrambling involved), with the second half of the trip set in Mongolia as a complete contrast!

 

Map

 

Trip overview

 

DAY 1 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

Arrival in St. Petersburg. We transfer you directly to your hotel.

 

DAY 2 – Around St. Petersburg

After breakfast one of our local expert guides will meet you at your hotel in the lobby for a three hour walking tour. The rest of the day is your own.

 

DAY 3 – Departing St. Petersburg

A full day for you to pack in the best of the rest. Own transfer this evening to Moskovsky Station where you will board the Moscow bound train.

 

DAY 4 – 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.

 

DAY 5 – Explore Moscow

After breakfast the day is free to explore Moscow independently.

 

DAY 6 – Departing Moscow

A morning free to pack in any last minute sightseeing.   Afternoon transfer to Yaroslavsky Station where you will board the Perm bound train.

 

DAY 7– Evening arrival in Perm

Transfer to your hotel.

 

DAY 8 – Depart to the Kungur Ice Caves

Onwards to Usva River. Begin rafting trip, and overnight camping  at the Rocky Cliffs.

 

DAY 9 – Full day rafting along the Usva River

Camping overnight.

 

DAY 10 – Continue by raft to Mys

Transfer by road to the Perm-36 Gulag Camp.  Return to Perm, check into Ural Hotel.

 

DAY 11 – Free time to independently explore

Evening transfer to the station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar bound train.

 

DAY 12 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk.

 

DAY 13 – On board The Trans-Sib

Across the River Enisei, at Krasnoyarsk.

 

DAY 14 – On board The Trans-Sib

Continuing across Siberia heading for Mongolia.

 

DAY 15 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Early morning arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer from the station, shower and breakfast. Depart for city tour to include the Gandan Monastery ceremony. Tour ends city centre. Transfer to Elstei Ger Lodge.

 

DAY 16 – Elstei Ger Lodge

Free time at Elstei Ger Lodge. Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to partake in optional activities.

 

DAY 17 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and check into the Bayangol Hotel. Day at leisure in the capital.

 

DAY 18 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Beijing bound train.

 

DAY 19 – Arrival in Beijing

Arriving into Beijing Central Station at the end of your Trans-Siberian journey.

 

The above description is just a brief outline of the journey. To see a detailed account of our trip and find out essential trip information, we recommend you download the trip itinerary - the link can be found at the right hand side of this page.

	1 person	2 people	3-9 people
Full On
19 days full on	£2667	£2080	£1975
Extra night St. Petersburg	£85	£60	£60
Extra night Moscow	£90	£60	£60
2-berth upgrade St. Petersburg-Moscow	£90	£90	£90
2-berth upgrade Moscow-Beijing	£430	£430	£430

 

*Please note a seasonal supplement of £50 per person is applicable on all St. Petersburg “full on” trips between 01 MAY  – 30 SEP inclusive..

For full details of what's included in the trip price please download the trip itinerary - the link can be found at the right hand side of this page.

 

 

Extras

 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

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 offer a range of unique day trip options

We offer a range of unique day trip options in and from St. Petersburg and Moscow which we recommend you pre-book prior to departure to avoid disappointment. We cannot guarantee them as an option to book locally in Russia (as the specialist local guides will probably already be allocated to pre-booked clients). The options and costs be will found under Russian Cities.

 

Starting or ending in China

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.

 

2010 – 19 Days