This trip breaks up the non-stop Moscow-Beijing 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 to 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!
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 full day to continue your sightseeing. Evening transfer to Yaroslavsky Station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.
DAY 7 – On board The Trans-Sib
Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.
DAY 8 – On board The Trans-Sib
Onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk.
DAY 9 – On board The Trans-Sib
Across the River Enisei, at Krasnoyarsk.
DAY 10 – Arrival In Irkutsk
Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal.
DAY 11 – Choose one activity from the list
It’s all included in the trip price.
(A) - Siberian Trek (B) - Circum Baikal Picnic
(C) - Snowmobile trip (D) Siberian Dog sledding
(E) - Do your own thing
DAY 12 – Return to Irkutsk
Transfer back to the city of Irkutsk, day free to explore.
DAY 13 – Departing Irkutsk
Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Beijing bound train.
DAY 14 – On board The Trans-Sib
The Trans-Manchurian via Far Eastern Siberia to the Chinese border.
DAY 15 – On board The Trans-Sib
Through Manchuria sightings of the Great Wall and onwards to Beijing.
DAY 16 – 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.
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.
2009 – 16 Days
September 03, 17
October 01, 15
November 05, 19
December 03, 17
2009 – 17 Days
September 09, 23
October 07, 21,
November 11, 25
December 09, 23, 30
2010 – 16 Days
January 07, 21
February 11, 25
March 11, 25
April 01, 15, 29
May 13, 27
June 03, 17
July 01, 15, 29
August 05, 19
September 09, 23
October 07, 21
November 11, 25
December 09, 23
2010 – 17 Days
January 13, 27
February 03, 17
March 03, 17
April 07, 21
May 05,19
June 09, 23
July 07, 21
August 11, 25
September 01, 15, 29
October 13, 27
November 03, 17
December 01, 15,