Day 1: Arrival in Moscow

Welcome to Moscow! You will be met at the airport by your private driver and taken to your hotel. Today is reserved for rest, but if you prefer to see something on the first day, we recommend our brief driving tour of Moscow.

* We would be glad to offer you extension in Moscow and St. Petersburg with interesting and indepth excursions accompanied by a professional guide. Please ask your destination specialist for additional information about extension in these cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg

Day 2: Moscow City Tour

Today you will embark on an in-depth exploration of Russia’s economic and political center. Following a quick orientation you will visit the famous Red Square, the Kremlin, the GUM Department Store, and St. Basil's Cathedral.

Day 3: Departing Moscow

Today begins your journey across Eurasia! During this trip you will explore the mighty Ural Mountains and Baikal Lake, drive through the dunes of the Gobi Desert, and see the magic of the Orient. Before you leave you will have a full day to explore Moscow.

PLEASE NOTE: LATE CHECK OUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PACKAGE. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO CHECK OUT IN THE MORNING. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR BAGS AT HOTEL STORAGE ROOM OR REQUEST US TO ARRANGE A LATE CHECK OUT FOR YOU (ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY).

Day 4: The Urals

The Ural Mountains divide Europe and Asia and have been the backbone of Russia's industry for more than 300 years. Take advantage of the amazing photo-ops as you pass through these world wonders. It is also one of the few places on earth where you can find rock crystal, items of which can be seen in the Hermitage.

Day 5: Novosibirsk

Having left the Urals behind, your train will cross the Great Eurasian Plateau towards Siberia. Siberia is distant, but not desolate. You will visit Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, which has almost as many inhabitants as Atlanta. Novosibirsk is an important scientific center that supports offices of such wealthy companies as Microsoft and also holds the world record for highest growth rate. Established in 1903, it already has more than a million inhabitants.

Day 6: Sayany Mountains/Krasnoyarsk

Altai is a gorgeous mountain range in the southern part of Siberia. It features breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and untouched nature. You will stop in the town of Krasnoyarsk, the economic and cultural center of East Siberia, one of the largest cities in the region with a population of 950 thousand people.

Day 7: Irkutsk

09:07 You will arrive in Irkutsk, meet your guide and driver, and visit a local eatery for a hot breakfast.
10:30 A “round up” tour of Irkutsk by car will take you by the most interesting sites, including the beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral, wooden houses decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings), constructions of the 20th century, and the Decembrists' House.
12:00 You will transfer to Listvyanka village on Lake Baikal.
13:00 Check-in to your Chalet and enjoy some free time.
18:00 Feast at the Chalet’s evening barbecue.

Day 8: The Baikal Lake, Day 1

10:00 Visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture with its unique wooden structures, historic houses and buildings of indigenous people, and other wondrous exhibits.
13:30 Eat lunch at a local Siberian restaurant (Sibirskaya Zaimka) before visiting a private zoo of native animals.  
15:00 Transfer back to Listvyanka village, stopping at a Shaman rock on the way.
17:30 You have the option of a local Banya sauna. It is included in the price but must be pre-booked.
19:30 You will dine this evening at the Chalet. 

Day 9: The Baikal Lake, Day 2

Today you have two options:

Option 1: Visit a Buryat (original people indigenous to Siberia) settlement 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plain. Once there, you will see the local lore museum, experience a local greeting ceremony, participate in native arts and music, be “cleansed” by the local Shaman, and visit a Yurt to sample local teas and a traditional meal.

OR

Option 2: Starting with a ferry trip, this a full-day excursion around Lake Baikal will take you along the famous Circum Baikal Railroad on one of the most complicated stretches of railway in the world. The tour stops at the most picturesque places to help you absorb the nature of this unique area before taking you to the marble mining city of Sludyanka.

Both tours return you to Irkutsk. 

Day 10: Buryat Republic

This morning your driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the train station. You will meander along Lake Baikal's picturesque shore, giving you a breathtaking view of the lake's gorgeous natural beauty. In the afternoon you will stop in Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic, center of Russian Buddhism. 

Day 11: Zabaikalye/the Far East

Today you will be mesmerized by the Zabaikalye Steppes before stopping in Chita, the capital of the region. In the afternoon you will watch the steppes change to a taiga forest as you leave Siberia and enter the Far East.

Day 12: Russian Far East

You will spend another day on the train while gliding through the pristine forests of the Russian Far East. It is a remote but beautiful region with fertile plains, humid summers, and winters as brutal as Siberia. In the evening you will cross the mighty Amur River and stop in Khabarovsk, a large industrial city and your last stop before arrival in Vladivostok.

Day 13: Vladivostok

You will reach Vladivostok early in the morning and be taken to your home stay where you can relax after your long trip.

Vladivostok is the largest port on the Pacific Coast of Russia. Climb the hills of the "Russian San Fransisco" or hop on a tram to see the promenades of Svetlanskaya Street and Okeansky Prospekt. Vladivostok is also a popular ocean resort, so don't miss the chance to visit one of the luxurious local beaches.

Day 14: Departure

This is the final day of your tour. You will be leaving home with a lifetime of memories and unforgettable experiences. Return to this enigmatic country soon!



* Take an extension to Vladivostok and have a unique chance to see an elusive Amur tiger by choosing any of one-of-a-kind tours that our tour managers would be glad to arrange for you. Please ask your destination specialist for additional information about extension and learn more about the tours here: Amur Tiger, Realm of Amur Tiger