Short: Moscow - Irkutsk - Beijing

Day 1: Arrival to Moscow

Arrival to Moscow. We will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. This day is reserved for rest as you will be tired after the flight. However, if you prefer to see something on the first day, we recommend you our driving tour of Moscow.

Day 2: Tour of Moscow

This day is reserved for an in-depth exploration of Russia's capital. There will be a quick orientation meeting in the morning after which we will take you to famous Red Square and the Kremlin.

You will visit Red Square, GUM, St. Basil's Cathedral, Kremlin and 2 inside cathedrals, and Armory.

Day 3: Departing Moscow

Today is a start of your great journey across Eurasia. During this trip you will explore the mighty Ural Mountains and Baikal Lake, drive through the dunes of Mongolian desert Gobi, observe agricultural and economical miracles of China. Train departure at 9:35 pm.

But before that you will visit Tretiakov Gallery and Moscow Subway.

Day 4: The Ural Mountains

This day our train will cross the Ural Mountains, which divide Europe and Asia. The Urals have been the backbone of Russia's industrial production for over 300 years.

Day 5: Into Siberia

Having left the Urals behind, our train will be crossing the Great Eurasian Plateau towards Siberia. Siberia is distant, but not desolate. In fact, we will visit Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, which has almost as many inhabitants as Atlanta. Novosibirsk is an important scientific center and even Microsoft maintains offices here.

Day 6: The Mountains of Altai

Altai is a gorgeous mountain range in the southern part of Siberia. It features breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife and untouched nature. Day on the train, through the seemingly limitless track Yenisei, at Krasnoyarsk and heading towards Eurasia.

Day 7: Irkutsk

09:07 Arrive in Irkutsk, met by guide and driver and visit a local eatery for a hot breakfast.
10:30 One and half hour “Round up” city tour of Irkutsk by car taking in the most interesting sights and peculiar features of Irkutsk including its beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), it wooden houses decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20  century and the Decembrists' House.
12:00 Transfer to Listvyanka village on lake Baikal.
13:00 Check-in to Chalet and free time.
18:00 Evening barbecue at the Chalet.

Day 8: Listvyanka

10:00 Visit to the Museum of Wooden Architecture containing unique wooden structures donated from all over Russia and historic houses and buildings of the indigenous people saved from a valley flooded during the construction of a Soviet dam.
13:30 Lunch at a local Siberian restaurant (Sibirskaya Zaimka) to try local Siberian food and visit its private zoo of
native animals. 
15:00 Transfer back to Listvyanka village stopping at Shaman rock on-route.
17:30 Optional sauna in a village “Banya” – included in price but must be pre-booked.
19:30 Evening meal at the Chalet.

Day 9: Lake Baikal

10:00 Visit to a Buryat (original people indigenous to Siberia) settlement 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plane, including; visiting the local lore museum, experience the local greeting ceremony, local arts, crafts and music, meet the Shaman and be “cleansed” and visit a Yurt to sample local teas and join in a traditional meal.
19:00 Tour ends back at a hotel in Irkutsk.

OR

10:00 Starting with a ferry trip to Port Bikal this is a full day trip around Lake Baikal by the famous Circum Baikal Railroad on one of the most complicated stretches of railways in the world that includes 39 tunnels totaling 7 km in its 86 km length. The tour stops at some the most picturesque places on-route to experience the nature of this unique area and at the marble mining city of Sludyanka before rejoining the Trans-Siberian to
arrive at Irkutsk.

21:40 Transfer to hotel in Irkutsk.

Day 10: Depart Irkutsk

Early morning transfer to the railway station where the guide will accompany to the platform and answer any last minute questions.

06:25 Train departs for Beijing capital of China!
 

Day 11: The Chinese border

Day on the train, after a brief stop at the Zabaykalsk, the last Russian city the train will reach, where the impressive procedure of bogie-changing takes place before heading off for Beijing.

 

Day 12: Arrive to Beijing

Throughout the early morning passing through the mountainous river valleys, past the unbelievable great Wall of
China to finally arrive in the stunning Beijing at 05:31 where this part of the journey ends – and the next begins!

CHINA EXTENSIONS * BOOK TOGETHER AND SAVE
Travel All Russia is a member of "Red Square Tours" Family, which enables us to offer tours beyond Russia. We offer a great selection of tours in China, which you can find at our special website: www.travelallchina.com. Or, you can just ask one of out tour managers about available options for Beijing.