| day 01
Arrival in Moscow! We whisk you by car directly to your hotel - your first night in Moscow.
day 02
Moscow Calling! Your Moscow Buddy is on hand to smooth your path... at least until lunchtime! Afternoon and evening – it's all in your hands!
day 03
A full free day take your pick of the best of Moscow! Mid-evening we take you to your waiting train – to Siberia!
day 04
The Trans-Sib line leads you past Kazan and Ekaterinburg...
day 05
then onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk...
day 06
across the River Yenisei, at Krasnoyarsk...
day 07
arrive in Irkutsk: Take your choice of program from the two options.
Baikal Programme
The half-way point - two
different ways to enjoy your stay!
Listvyanka is a lakeside
village with one foot in the present – Bolshoe Goloustnoye is a more
remote and timeless choice.
(1) SIBERIAn Village (Option One).
DAY 07
Car directly from
Station (1hr hour transfer) to Lake Baikal. Stay in an authentic Siberian
log-cabin izba as part of the extended family. Lunch. See the village, the old
Church, and the Lake Wildlife Museum – with your friendly local guide.
Then get it all off your chest the Siberian way – in the banya! (sauna).
You'll be ready for your home-cooked supper after all that - then sleep like a
log in a log cabin.
DAY 08
Choose one activity from
the list, its all included in the trip price!
(a) Softies Trek through the
Taiga Forest – and a Forester Guide to explain the wildlife, ecosystem
and lore of the Taiga (May-Oct).
(b) Siberian Scuba – a
freshwater dive in the world's Greatest Lake, with top CMAS-qualified
instructors and pro-level gear provided (requires PADI-1). (May-Oct) 2 dives
included. (Feb-Mar). Ice Diving. 1 dive included.
(c) Or Do Your Own Thing
– maybe take off on a Cliffside
walk, mosey around the village, ride the local hydrofoil, or gain a year of
life (so they say?) by taking a dip
in Baikal. Sauna and Supper after your exertions – & maybe try the
local bar? Overnight with host family.
Day 09
Entirely free at
Listyvanka (Breakfast & Supper included) Overnight with host family.
IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE 19 DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY THIS IS YOUR
EXTRA DAY!
(day 10)
Day free at Listyvanka
overnight with host family. (Breakfast & Supper included)
IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE 18 DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, YOUR
ITINERARY LIKES THIS:
DAY 10 (11)
Car transfer to
Irkutsk. Free time to explore on foot (we watch your bags) until
evening departure to station and on by overnight train to Ulanbaatar.
(2) BIG CATS ADVENTURE TREK
(Option Two)
Available 15th June to 1st September. Only available for two or
more passengers travelling together.
day 07
Arrival in Irkutsk and
by car to family hosts in Irkutsk. Shower and breakfast, prepare for trekking
(you can leave heavy baggage in Irkutsk). Departure by public bus to
Goloustnoye Village at 18.hrs. Short trekking (3km), mid-evening campfire
supper and overnight camping (tents) on shore of Lake Baikal. (Your trek guide
will carry the tent – you carry only your own pack).
day 08
Trekking along the
Baikal shore (25 km). Picnic lunch en-route. Make camp at Sennaya Bay, supper
and overnight (tents).
day 09
Day at leisure at
Sennaya Bay – a chance to relax, swim, sunbathe, read, write your
postcards. Evening supper and overnight. (tents).
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 19-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, THIS IS YOUR
EXTRA DAY.
(day 10)
Trek onwards to
Bol'shie Koty ('Big Cats') Village (9km). Ride the city hydrofoil service to
Listvyanka Free time to explore
the village. Supper, overnight with family host.
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 18-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, YOUR
ITINERARY CONTINUES LIKE THIS
DAY 10 (11)
Breakfast with host
family, transfer to Irkutsk City. Return to family stay and reunited with your
baggage. Free time to visit the city. Supper. Transfer to station and depart by overnight train to
Ulanbaatar.
day 11 (12)
On board to
Mongolia – (midnight border crossing).
day 12 (13)
Early morning
arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Chance for a quick shower, then a guided Walking Tour
of the old part of the city. Depart by jeep to Bayan Gobi – on arrival
supper and accommodation with local nomads (in ger tents).
(NB. This is not a tourist camp
– you are the guests of the nomads).
day 13 (14)
Onwards by jeep to
ancient Karakorum (modern Harhorin) 8 hrs off-road driving. Picnic lunch en-route. Supper and overnight
with local herdsmen (in ger tents).
day 14 (15)
Sightseeing by jeep
in Bayan Gobi. Picnic lunch during 6-hr drive towards Ulaanbaatar,
accommodation at Elstei Ger Camp (this is tourist-type accom – unlike
with nomads). Supper and overnight.
day 15 (16)
Free day at Elstei
Ger Camp - for walking, horse-riding (arrange/pay locally) or relaxing.
day 16 (17)
Return to
Ulaanbaatar and check-in at 3* centrally located Hotel Bayangol. Free time to
explore the city, own lunch and supper arrangements. Overnight.
day 17 (18)
Car transfer to
station* departure to Beijing via spectacular steppe scenery. Midnight border
crossing (and stop for border formalities).
day 18 (19)
Thunder on across
China – past the Great Wall. Mid-afternoon arrival into Beijing Central
Station. Your trans-siberian journey comes to an end. For services in China and
beyond.
* if you are travelling on the
same day as other passengers, we may substitute an air-conditioned minibus for
this journey. This can happen – because there's only one train per week
for the final leg into Beijing |
