TRANSSIB, SILK ROAD, TIBET, CHINA

Transsiberian tours (15 days)

Eastbound

Moscow - Vladivostok Tour
by the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express 
 

Duration: 15 days.

Day 1. Moscow
Flights are met at Moscow airport and guests are transferred to a five star hotel, centrally located in the heart of this vibrant city for a one-night stay. We enjoy a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel and start to get to know fellow travelers with whom we will be sharing this 14 night epic journey.

Day 2.  Moscow
Today we have a city tour of Moscow, which includes a visit to Red Square and the Kremlin. In the late afternoon we board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train and have time to settle in to our modern, stylish cabins. We enjoy dinner on board the train in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars. 

Day 3. Kazan
After a morning arrival we have a half day to discover Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan on the Volga river. One of the highlights of today is our visit to the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, containing a stunning mosque and Russian Orthodox cathedral. After dinner back on board we can listen to the resident pianist in our comfortable bar car whilst enjoying a drink with new friends.

Day 4.  Yekaterinburg
We cross the Europe/Asia divide before arriving into Yekaterinburg, capital of Urals. Our city tour includes the Romanov execution site, now a Church dedicated to the memory of the Russian Royal family and a trip to the monument to the Europe/Asia divide where we have the chance to stand with a foot in both continents.

Day 5. Novosibirsk
Today we visit this modern “Soviet” city where we see the world’s largest Opera House, Lenin Square and visit the Academgorodok minerals museum at this “Academy Town”, the heart of Education and science within Siberia. 

Day 6 . On board
Spending the day on board our Golden Eagle as we head east, there is the chance to relax in the bar car, chat to fellow passengers and maybe have our first Russian language lesson. 

Day 7. Irkutsk
We have a morning arrival into the “Paris of Siberia”, Irkutsk. Our tour includes a cultural immersion into the major sights and museums of this fascinating city, which include the classic wooden architecture for which this area is renowned. We are also treated to a private concert at the Decembrist House museum, which is dedicated to the memory of the exiled aristocrats, who were forced to make this remote outpost their home after a failed revolution in 1825. These intellectuals are credited with helping to bring culture to Siberia.

Day 8. Lake Baikal
Just one of the many highlights of our journey. We wind our way through tunnels and round cliffs along the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. The scenery we pass is stunning and the snow-covered mountains on the distant shore form a beautiful backgdrop to this awe-inspiring lake. Stopping at one of the bays we have a barbeque on the beach (weather permitting). The brave can even go for a swim! In the afternoon we visit Listvyanka, a small Baikal village nestled at the base of the surrounding hills. 

*** A completely different experience, we witness the lake at its most beautiful during winter departures. The frozen and snow covered lake allows guests the opportunity to participate in our winter activities programme, such as Siberian Husky dog-sledding and ski-doing.

Day 9. Ulan Ude 
Just one of the many highlights of our journey. We wind our way through tunnels and round cliffs along the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. The scenery we pass is stunning and the snow-covered mountains on the distant shore form a beautiful backgdrop to this awe-inspiring lake. Stopping at one of the bays we have a barbeque on the beach (weather permitting). The brave can even go for a swim! In the afternoon we visit Listvyanka, a small Baikal village nestled at the base of the surrounding hills. 

Day 10. Ulaan Baatar
Today our journey takes us into Mongolia, and we visit the capital, Ulaan Baatar. Passing the central monument to the legendary ruler, Gengis Khan, we visit the National Museum. Lunch allows us to experience local hospitality and entertainment at its best as we eat in a Ger (Yurt) restaurant. A Ger is the traditional tent dwelling for approximately a third of this nomadic nation. This afternoon there is free time for shopping or an optional visit to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. We board the train in time for dinner as we head back into Russia.

Day 11. On board
Enjoying the peaceful pace on board our train, we have the choice of attending one of the lessons and lectures on offer, listening to one of our musicians in the Bar Car or viewing the beautiful scenery as we travel through this vast country.

Day 12. On board
Today is a good opportunity to relax and maybe watch a DVD or practice our newly learnt Russian. Following the Shilka and Amur rivers, we are never far from the Chinese border. Watching the scenery it is clear that we are now passing through the Russia at its most remote. 

Day 13. On board
Our last full day on board our private train. We are now north of Seoul, Darwin and interestingly, Osaka. We reach the most easterly point of the journey passing through Khabarovsk, where we cross the river Amur. Final dinner is served on board the Golden Eagle, our home for the last 12 days. 

Day 14. Vladivostok
Today we arrive into Vladivostok after having travelled over a mammoth 6,000 miles (10,600km) along this epic route to the end of the Trans-Siberian line. Our city tour includes the principal military attractions of this once “closed” Russian town, including a tour of a restored submarine. We transfer to the four star Hotel Hyundai for a one-night stay and say our goodbyes at the farewell dinner.

Day 15. Vladivostok
Breakfast at the hotel with transfers being provided to the airport for departure by international flights. 

Included: accommodation on board the train; hotel accommodation as per itinerary; all meals starting with dinner on the first day, arrival/ departure transfers, all guided off train programmes; services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee, mineral water 24 hours a day; a doctor. The tour language is English. French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese speaking guides are available on request and at a supplement. 

Not included: airfares; charges of a personal nature; any optional excursions; drinks in the bar car; visa and excess luggage charges; insurance and laundry services.

You are welcome to travel by the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express along the Great Transsiberian Way!