Classic Trans-Siberian from St. Petersburg to Beijing
Tour details
2012 Tour start dates:
Flexible
Price:
First Class: $6,359
Second Class: $5,932
Included in the price:
- Train tickets
- Accommodation at quality hotels in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk and Ulan-Bator
- St. Petersburg: 4 star Pushka Inn and Rossi, or 3 star Herzen and Grand Nevsky Hotels , Moscow: Hotel Aerostar 4 stars, Irkutsk: Hotel Victoria 4 stars, UB: Hotel Gomez - 3 stars
- Accommodation in Mongolian Ger Camp (Nomadic Style Tourist Resort) and chalet Baikal on Lake Baikal (Listvyanka village)
- Airport transfers and all other transportation
- Professional guides and tours at each destination
- Museum entry fees
- Russian, Chinese and Mongolian visas
- Breakfasts, Lunches according to the itinerary
Not included: Airfares (contact us for special airfare offers)
*Please note: specific travel arrangements and train departure times depend on schedules of Russian, Mongolian and Chinese Railways and may be subject to change. Our travel specialist will review your program and issue a final booking confirmation 30 days prior to departure.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in St. Petersburg
Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia’s most beautiful city! St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia until the Revolution of 1917, but remains Russia's most dynamic and amazing city. With the canals of Venice, the palaces of Paris, and the churches of Rome, you will not be disappointed by its beauty and culture. You will have the best guides in St. Petersburg to make the most of your visit to one of the top ten travel destinations in the world. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport arrival gate and will take you to the hotel.
Day 2: St. Petersburg
Today you will go on a panoramic tour of the city with stops at the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. The tour will last four hours, leaving the rest of the afternoon free for you to rest or explore the city on your own.
Peter and Paul Fortress was designed to defend the city from naval attacks, but was used as a political prison for dissidents of the tsarist regime and as a museum during the soviet era. The fortress now stands as the tomb for the Russian imperial family.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood was built to commemorate one of Russia's greatest emperors. Alexander II is most famous for liberating the Russian serfs two years before the abolition of slavery in the U.S. After he was assassinated, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood was erected in his honor.
St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe. Because of its rich decorations, gigantic golden cupolas, and sprawling observation deck, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in St. Petersburg.
Optional evening program: St. Petersburg boasts some of the best theaters in the world. Ask your tour specialist to arrange the tickets.
Day 3: St. Petersburg
The Hermitage Museum is to St. Petersburg what the Kremlin is to Moscow. Located in the gorgeous Winter Palace, it sits in the very heart of the city, a palace so beautiful that not even the Bolsheviks could destroy it during their takeover in 1917. They say that if you were to spend three minutes by each exhibit in the Hermitage it would take you three years to see everything. With an experienced guide leading you through the sea of heart-stopping exhibits, you will see the best of St. Petersburg’s art in four hours. You may continue exploring the palace on your own after the tour.
*Optional tour of the diamond room ($105 per person)
Day 4: Peterhof
Peterhof is a royal residence on the outskirts of the city most famous for its fountain park which rivals that of Versailles. Its sprawling gardens, ornate fountains, and lavish decorations will enthrall you. Duration of the tour is six hours.
Tip: It takes about one hour to get to Peterhof by car. A boat ride is an alternative option that is available during summer (price $35 per traveler).
In the evening you will depart to Moscow.
Day 5: Moscow
Welcome to Moscow! Today your guide will take you on one of the most interesting tours in the world. You will visit the famous Red Square and go inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, built by Ivan the Terrible in the 15th century. Next is the Kremlin and the World War II Memorial in the Vorobyevi Hills Park, as well as the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior, destroyed by the communists and restored only a few years ago. The tour will last about eight hours.
The Kremlin is the most recognizable symbol of Moscow. This ancient citadel was constructed in 1147 to defend the city from the Mongols and the Lithuanians. Moscow has since grown beyond the original walls, but the Kremlin has remained a representation of political power in Russia.
St. Basil's Cathedral stands as one of the most impressive architectural sites in Moscow. This colorful cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed and was built between 1555 and 1561.
Day 6: Depart from 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 make a few final stops in Moscow, namely to the Tretyakov Gallery and the Moscow Subway.
The Moscow Subway was constructed not only to streamline the city's transportation, but also to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviets. The entire subway is a work of socialist realism, making passengers feel as though they are entering various underground palaces, not merely riding the subway to work. On top of immense cultural value, Moscow's subway is a highly efficient transportation system that carries three million passengers daily and spans the entire city in a star-like fashion. Interestingly, the subway can also serve as a nuclear shelter in case of war.
The Tretyakov Picture Gallery is Moscow's most famous collection of art and one of the world's top galleries. It began as the private collection of a wealthy Muscovite merchant, Tretyakov, who lived in the 19th century and donated his collection to the city.
Day 7: The Ural Mountains
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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.
Day 8: Entering Siberia
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.
Day 9: Altai Mountains
Altai is a gorgeous mountain range in the southern part of Siberia. It features breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and untouched nature.
Day 10: 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 11: First Day on Baikal, Listvyanka Village
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 12: Second Day on Lake Baikal
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 13: Depart Irkutsk and Enter Mongolia
Early in the morning you will leave Irkutsk and spend a day traveling by train through the raw nature of the mountains the border Mongolia. You will leave the last major Russian city at midnight before crossing into Mongolia.
Day 14: Arrival in Ulan-Bator, Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Your arrival in Ulan-Bator will be proceeded by a transfer to your hotel where you may shower, freshen up, and have a hot breakfast. Once you are rested you will visit the national park and travel to a Ger camp for a traditional lunch. Walk the surrounding hills, take an excursion to the local meditation centre, and finally return to the Ger camp for an evening meal and overnight stay.
Day 15: Visiting the Nomads
After breakfast you will have free time to enjoy the local area. In the afternoon visit the local herdsman’s family to experience daily life of the nomadic people before transferring to Ulan-Bator to check in to your hotel.
Day 16: Ulan-Bator City Tour
Today you will tour Ulan-Bator with a special trip to the Gandan Monastery and the incredible National History Museum. Shop in the city’s unique antique and cashmere shops before visiting Zaisan Hill for a panoramic view of Ulan-Bator. In the evening, take in a performance of Mongolian folk music and a traditional meal.
Day 17: Free Day in Ulan-Bator
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A free day to explore Ulan-Bator on your own, relax, or take an optional tour. In the evening join one of the parties at a local night club, bar, or restaurant.
Day 18: Gobi Desert
Early in the morning, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the train station. Your train departs at 7:15am to cross the arid Gobi Desert and head into China.
Day 19: Arrival in Beijing
Throughout the morning and afternoon, you will pass through rural China and mountainous river valleys. Get your camera ready as you glide by the incredible Great Wall of China before finally arriving in Beijing. This part of your journey is over – let the next begin!
Tip: Ask your tour manager about a tour extension in Beijing.
Interested in this tour?
Top sights
Arrival in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Peterhof
Moscow
Depart from Moscow
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