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Epic Trans-Siberian Journey
17 days, Moscow to Vladivostok
Itinerary
Day 1Moscow
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Moscow
Enjoy a guided tour of the Kremlin and Armoury. Spend a free afternoon visiting St Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, or exploring the fascinating Moscow metro.
The area around the Red Square is perfect for sightseeing and people watching. Visit one of the many shops, wander the Alexander Gardens, or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Head down into the metro to explore the beautiful stations or visit another part of the city.
Kremlin and Armoury Ticket
Enjoy a visit to one of the most famous symbols of Russia. For centuries, it was a residence of the tsars, and today it is the official residence of the President of Russian Federation. The Armoury Chamber is a massive treasure trove that houses thousands of items gifted to the Russian tsars and emperors by royals and ambassadors from around the world. Get ready to be stunned by gold goblets, famous Faberge eggs, 18th century embroidery, and gilded royal carriages.
Free Time
With so much to see and do, get exploring.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Saint Basil's Cathedral
Check out the colourful onion-domed towers of stunning St Basil's Cathedral, located right in the middle of a sprawling open square. It is the most quintessential Russian sight, and definitely lives up to its hype.
Red Square Visit
FreeThe Red Square is an excellent place to start exploring Moscow. Indulge in the many fantastic food and shopping options nearby; you also have easy access to St Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum, and Alexandr Gardens. Most of Moscow's main streets lead from Red Square and the famous Moscow metro provides easy access in and out of it.
Alexander Garden Visit
FreeWander the beautiful Alexander Gardens or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Day 3Moscow/Suzdal
Travel to Suzdal, one of the bucolic villages in the Golden Ring. Tour the Kremlin and visit a folk village museum. Opt to taste local mead (honey beer).
With free time, explore the streets of Suzdal, lined with quaint wooden houses, and enjoy relaxing by the river.
The city square is as charming as they come. Wander past the small church and chat with "babushkas" selling pickled cucumbers and mead.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Suzdal Tour
The Suzdal Kremlin is one of the famous sights of Russia. It's whitewashed building with brilliant blue onion-domes dotted with gold stars are a sight to behold. Visit the Kremlin and learn about life in this bucolic town.
After, visit the folk village museum, an outdoor space filled with traditional architecture. Learn about life in this tiny town.
Free Time
Explore this charming area.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life Visit
Enjoy a visit to this museum and learn more about the life of Russian peasants.
Day 4Suzdal/Yekaterinburg
Enjoy more time in Suzdal before a drive to nearby Vladimir to board a train for the roughly 26hr ride to Yekaterinburg.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 5Yekaterinburg
Enjoy a full day on the train crossing the Ural Mountains and the border between Europe and Asia. Arrive to Yekaterinburg in the evening.
Train
Spend a full day on the train before an evening arrival to Yekaterinburg.
Day 6Yekaterinburg/Irkutsk
Explore the sights around Yekaterinburg, including the Church of All Saints and the Romanov Burial Site. Enjoy free time in this Soviet-style city before boarding the Trans-Siberian for Irkutsk.
Yekaterinburg City Tour
Head out for a guided walking tour of the important sites around Yekaterinburg. Take note of the contrast between the elegant onion-domed churches and the gray soviet bulk. Learn more about the devastating history of the Romanov family, and visit the moving monuments at the Church of All Saints on Spilled Blood.
Free Time
Explore more of this fascinating city.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Church of All Saints Visit
FreeEnjoy a visit to this Russian Orthodox Church. It's famous for being the site where Nicholas II, the last tzar of Russia, and several members of his family were shot by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.
Romanov Memorial Visit
Visit this memorial dedicated to the Romanov family, the last family of tzars in Russia who were shot by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.
Days 7–8Yekaterinburg/Irkutsk
Wake up to the rhythm of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Spend two full days travelling through the SIberian taiga forests. Make some new friends or catch up on your reading list.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 9Irkutsk/Listvyanka
Arrive in the morning to Irkutsk and drive to a small town on Lake Baikal, Listvyanka. Enjoy a homestay on the lake with the options to go for a boat ride (in summer), take a short hike, or enjoy a true Russian experience, a banya.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy the Siberian countryside any way you wish — there's plenty to do!
Your Local Living Moment: Listvyanka Homestay
Enjoy a homestay in beautiful Listvyanka along the shores of Lake Baikal and learn about the local culture hands on. The host, Nikolai, is a warm and welcoming, not to mention a fantastic chef. Enjoy the charming home he built himself and his delicious cooking. Opt to try out his banya (Russian sauna), too.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Hiking
FreeLace up your boots and explore this scenic area by foot.
Baikal Limnological Museum
350RUB per personTour the Baikal Limnological Museum and learn all about Lake Baikal and surrounding area’s wildlife and local flora. Visit its living exhibition full of fish and marine life, and check out the arboretum located nearby.
Russian Banya (Bathhouse)
2000-3500RUB per personEnjoy some relaxing in a banya (Russian sauna), which is very popular in Russia. Typically, Russians visit their local neighbourhood banya once a week to get a good scrub, sweat out the toxins, and drink tea with their friends. They often wear floppy felt hats in the sauna and beat each other with birch branches tied together -- it's only true way to get all the vodka out.
Lake Baikal Boat Trip
Head out by boat to explore beautiful Lake Baikal. Enjoy the sun and scenery of this isolated region.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 10Listvyanka/Irkutsk
Drive back to Irkutsk for a walking tour of the city including a visit to the fascinating Decembrists Museum where you'll learn about the revolution the city was built on.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Irkutsk Guided City Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of Irkutsk and learn about the history of how this Siberian gem came to be. Soak in the beautiful architecture of the quaint wooden houses and visit the bustling central market.
Decembrists Museum Visit
The Decembrists Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into early 19th century life in Siberia. On December 14, 1825, there was an uprising of high-ranking officials in St Petersburg demanding reform. The uprising was suppressed and those that weren't executed were exiled to Siberia for life. Wander room to room, learn about their struggle, and their important role in developing the now charming city of Irkutsk.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Irkutsk/Ulan-Ude
Enjoy free time exploring streets lined with wooden houses or haggling at the central market. Hop an overnight train to Ulan Ude in the evening.
Free Time
Explore more of this quaint city.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 12Ulan-Ude
Arrive to Ulan Ude, the city with the largest Buddhist population in Russia. Here, learn about the indigenious people, the Buryats, and how they survive in such a harsh environment. Enjoy a local Buryat lunch.
Your Local Living Moment: Buryat Experience
Meet the local ethnic group of Ulan Ude and learn about life in such a harsh and remote environment. Enjoy a traditional lunch.
Meals included:
LunchDay 13Ulan-Ude
Enjoy free time to explore Ulan Ude.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute— get out and explore.
Day 14Ulan-Ude/Vladivostok
Board the last train of the trip very early and settle in for the 55 hr ride.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 15Ulan-Ude/Vladivostok
Watch the scenery go by, practice your newly acquired Russian skills, and relax to the rhythm of the train.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 16Vladivostok
Arrive in the evening in time for an optional final dinner with the group to recount this truly epic journey.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Day 17Vladivostok
Depart at any time.