On arrival in Vladivostok you’re free to make
your own way to the hotel – any taxi driver will
quickly find the address.
No Meals.
Day 2 - Depart Vladivostok
Your time is free until your train departs. Hotel
Reception can pre-order you a taxi. Transfer to
the station where you will board the Irkutsk
bound train. No Meals.
Day 3 - 4 - On board the Trans-Siberian Express
On board The Trans-Sib… The dining car is the
heart of social life on the train. It functions as
bar, lounge, and take-out snack store, as well
as a café serving reasonably priced meals. No Meals.
Day 5 - Arrive Irkutsk
Evening arrival in Irkutsk. Our driver will meet
you at the end of the platform, holding a
meeting-board marked with your name.
Transfer to “U Ozera Hotel” (the name
translates as “At the Lake Hotel”, although it is
not directly at the lake shore) situated in
Listvyanka Village (70km) travelling by road
through the forest. The facilities available at
this hotel include; cafe-bar, Russian “banya”
(sauna), safe at the reception. The nearest
ATM-machine in the Baikal Hotel (Listvyanka
remains a village, and doesn't have the range
of banking services you could expect in a city).
At check-in the hotel reception will advise you
they will need your passport for visa
registration formalities. No Meals.
Day 6 - Baikal Free Choice Programme
Choose one activity from the list, it’s all included in the trip price! You’ll need to inform us of your choice before commencing your journey, so that we can have the right staff on hand for when you arrive (please note the Siberian weather puts seasonal limits on some activities – details below). Want to extend your life? Local legend claims that you can get anything from five extra years of life (paddling up to your knees) up to twenty years if you manage to go swimming!
A. SIBERIAN TREK through the Taiga Forest with a local guide who will explain the
wildlife, eco- system and lore of the Taiga (May-Oct).
B. CIRCUM BAIKAL PICNIC Take the Ferry from Listvyanka to Port Baikal which takes around 15 minutes. Walk around Port Baikal, where you will see the train station of the old Circumbaikal rail line. Then you will walk along the rail line to the nearest tunnel (2-3 km). Stopping for a picnic lunch on the shore of Lake Baikal. Return to Port Baikal, ferry back to Listvyanka. (Jun-Sep)
C. SNOW MOBILE TRIP with a local guide through the forest, or even out over the
deep frozen lake! Two hours (Dec–Apr).
D. DOG SLEDDING trip for a distance of 10 km. 1 dog sled for each client (Dec–Mar).
E. TALTSY WOODEN MUSEUM A three hour trip which includes a driver, and English speaking guide to the Taltsy open air wooden museum on the shore of Lake Baikal. This picturesque area shows how life was and has been sympathetically restored as a tourist attraction where you can ride Troikas and also buy authentic souvenirs. There is a tea house here also to refresh you after a busy morning sightseeing. (Year round)
E. DO YOUR OWN THING maybe take off on a cliff side walk, or mosey around the
village, or take a dip in Lake Baikal! (Weather permitting!)
Balance of day free time to explore the village at your own pace. Maybe try a local bar?
This afternoon you will enjoy a walking tour
around Listvyanka Village. This will include a
visit to the Limnological Museum (this is an
exhibition about the Lake, its formation,
wildlife etc - it includes multimedia
presentations, information about the
creatures which live in the darkest depths, and
also an aquarium with living aquatic species,
including the unique freshwater Baikal seals)
and also a small wooden village Russian
Orthodox Church dating back to the C18th.
You return to your hotel at the end of the walk,
with time to relax and enjoy your lakeside
surroundings, maybe experience real Siberian"banya" (sauna - small payment locally at the
hotel).
Breakfast.
Day 7 - Depart Irkutsk
After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city.
You will be given a map and some
recommendations of interesting places to
visit, free time to explore. Afternoon transfer
to the station where you will board the
Moscow bound train. Breakfast
Day 8 -10 - On board the Trans-Siberian Express
On board The Trans-Sib…. It is a great place
to meet fellow travellers and locals alike,
sharing your experiences of your journey so far
with a few drinks, which no doubt will include
some Vodka – and maybe smoked salmon and
caviar too! No Meals.
Day 11 - Arrive Moscow
“S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” very early morning arrival. Our driver will be there to meet you at the end of the platform, and will hold a meeting-board with your name on. You’ll then be transferred to the Panorama 3★ Hotel to drop your luggage off. The facilities available at this hotel include a Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Lobby Wi-Fi access, Luggage Room, Safety deposit boxes and an ATM machine. At check-in, the hotel reception will advise you they will need your passport for visa registration. This process takes 1–2 hours. Your complimentary InfoPack is full of ideas for getting the most out of your free time. Around 10am one of our local expert staff will meet you at the hotel to take you on a three hour walking tour round the highlights – you’ll use public transport around the centre to avoid the traffic jams and get the hang of the system for when you come to use it independently. Our staffers are full of ideas for this walk but are flexible about other ideas if you have your own. Your walk ends in the city centre around lunchtime. If you haven’t prebooked any of our range of city excursions the rest of the day is your own to explore further. Some of our top suggestions (please check opening times/days before setting off) would include visiting the Moscow Kremlin, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, or a boat trip along the Mosvka River… perhaps locate some tickets for ballet, opera, circus or a concert this evening? As well as famous classical music traditions Moscow features on the touring schedules of world names in jazz, rock, pop and world music.
No Meals
Day 12 - Around Moscow
If you haven’t prebooked any of our range of city excursions the day is your own to explore further.
Breakfast.
Day 13 - Depart Moscow
You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today. For services we offer in
St. Petersburg please refer to our "St. Petersburg Add On" Breakfast.
Included in the trip: TRAIN: 2-Class 4-berth rail for complete journey. VLADIVOSTOCK: One night room-only 3* Hotel. LAKE BAIKAL: 2 nights at 3* Hotel with breakfast. Free choice excursion. MOSCOW: Transfer on arrival. Two nights 3* Hotel, including
breakfast. 3 hour personalised walking tour of the city.
no frills TRAIN: 2-Class 4-berth rail for complete journey. VLADIVOSTOCK: One night room-only 1* Hotel. IRKUTSK: Transfers on arrival and departure. Two nights 1* Hotel Irkutsk. MOSCOW: Transfer on arrival only. Two nights 1* Hotel, breakfast included.
Trip Price guide:
1 person
2 people
3-9 people
Full on
$3725
$2887
$2798
No frills
$2169
$1895
$1774
Spicing it up
Full on extra night Moscow
$177
$111
$111
Full on extra night Vladivostok
$255
$173
$173
No frills extra night Moscow
$156
$94
$94
No frills extra night Vladivostock
$184
$123
$123
Upgrade to 2 berth rail
$990
$990
$990
Due to the nature of these destinations all prices are subject to change. Contact us to confirm exact price.
Departures on odd numbered days of the month. Few rare exceptions – please confirm with us.
Booking Flights?
We have a range of airline tickets which fit in well with our trips. Run your flight requirements past us before confirming your flight arrangements.
