On arrival in Beijing you make your own way to the hotel – any taxi driver will quickly find the address. The convenient location of the hotel positions you to get the most of this legendary Imperial city, where the rich traditions of Buddhism, Daoism, and
Confucianism meet with the opulence of the Chinese Emperors and the vibrant realism of contemporary China. Chinese hotels cope badly with the idea of foreigners who haven’t yet arrived so we’ll have your onward rail tickets delivered once you have checked in, with user hint and, directions to the station. The hotel is in the heart of the golden area of the capital, surrounded by major business centres, tourist attractions and only minutes away from the Wangfujing Street, Tiannamen Square and the Forbidden City
No meals.
Day 2 - Depart Beijing
Make your own way to the station giving yourself at least one hour on arrival to complete security (metal-detectors are now in force and there can be queues to use them) and find your train and platform. And then you’re heading off, along the most famous railway in the world!
Breakfast
Day 3 - 4 - On board the Trans-Manchurian Express
On board the Trans-Sib… heading across
Manchuria, (this is a region of north east Asia)
which historically has been inhabited by
Jurchen people, otherwise known as the
Manchu. This route lies east of Greater
Mongolia in the north east of China, and is
the historic rail route from Beijing to Moscow –
as well as being the longest international rail
route in the world. 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 (Listyanka
remains a village, and doesn't have the range
of banking services you could expect in a city).
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)
F. 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!)
This afternoon set off on your 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 - Return to Irkutsk
After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city. You will be given a map and some
recommendations of interesting places to visit by our local staff. 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 travelling towards Moscow. 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. 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!” early morning arrival. Our driver will be there to
meet you at the end of the platform, and will be hold a meeting-board with your name on. You’ll then be transferred to the Irbis 3* Hotel to drop your luggage. 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, (after 2pm) the hotel reception will advise you they will need your passport for visa registration. This process takes 1–2 hours. 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. Your complimentary InfoPack is full of ideas for getting the most out of your free time.
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. 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.
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. BEIJING: One night, room-only. 3* Hotel SIBERIA: All transfer provided. Two nights hotel Listvankya Village with breakfast included. MOSCOW: Transfers on arrival and departure. Two nights stay in a 3* Hotel, breakfast, included. 3 hour personalised guided walking tour of the city.
No frills trips: TRAIN: 2-Class 4-berth rail for complete journey. BEIJING: One night, room-only. 1* Hotel IRKUTSK: Transfer arrival and departure. Two nights hotel accommodation with breakfast. MOSCOW: Transfer on arrival only. Two nights stay in a 1* Hotel, Breakfast included.
Trip Price Guide (per person):
1 person
2 people
3-9 people
Full on
$3217
$2578
$2548
No Frills
$2178
$1928
$1838
Spicing it up
Full on
extra night Moscow
$177
$111
$111
Full on
extra night Beijing
$119
$59
$59
No frills
Extra night Moscow
$138
$83
$83
No frills
extra night Beijing
$99
$49
$49
Upgrade to
2 berth rail
$795
$795
$795
Due to the nature of these destinations all prices are subject to change. Contact us to confirm exact price.
these are the dates when this itinerary works:
2012 - 12 days
2012 - 13 days*
May 04, 11, 18, 25
June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
July 06, 13, 20
August 03, 10, 17, 24
September 07, 14, 21
October 05, 12, 19, 26
November 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
December 07, 14, 21
May 04, 11, 18, 25
June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
July 06, 13, 20
August 03, 10, 17, 24
September 07, 14, 21
October 05, 12, 19
November 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
December 07, 14, 21
** Supplement per person for the extra night is $165 for one,
$109 for two or more
** Additional Night Siberian Village - Listvyanka Village
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.
