Winter Trans-Siberian

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Moscow

  Transfer to the hotel Free time to rest after the flight One night at the hotel

• day 2

  Moscow Nails

  Start your introduction to Moscow with a guided walking tour in the city center. Our tour will show you the main places of the city, while avoiding many tourist crowds. Walk down Tverskaya Street, pass through secret courtyards invisible from the main street, and visit a hidden church that escaped demolition during the Soviet period only thanks to its discreet location. Learn fascinating stories and legends about Moscow and its city center. Next, take a tour of Red Square and discover Moscow's most remarkable sights: the colorful Saint Basil's Cathedral, the famous Lenin Mausoleum, and the magnificent State Historical Museum. Stroll along Nikolskaya Street to admire the splendid Bolshoi Theatre with its famous quadriga, as well as the largest ballet company in the world. Then, you can visit the Kremlin (optional activity).

• day 3

  Art, architecture and family meal

  Early in the morning, the guide will pick you up for an excursion to the Tretyakov Art Gallery. The gallery features a unique collection of Russian art, including masterpieces by artists, ancient religious paintings, and modern compositions. This world-renowned museum displays major works by artists from around the world and offers specialties for all tastes. Our guide will help you not to get lost in the many halls of this legendary museum. After a short lunch break, we will explore the Moscow metro, which looks more like a palace than just a means of transport. From time to time, we will go out to admire another architectural pride of Moscow: the Stalin skyscrapers, or the so-called "Seven Sisters." This will help you better understand the local life of an ordinary Muscovite, who spends a lot of time in the city's underground arteries. It is truly an enjoyable experience, as the Moscow metro is the most beautiful in the world and surprisingly efficient too! To end this day, you will be invited by a local family to experience Russian cuisine! A real apartment, local products, a traditional meal, and friendly conversation: this is the recipe for keeping the best memories! Do not be afraid to ask all your questions and do not miss the opportunity to participate in the meal preparation process. Your hosts will be happy to share not only their culture but also their family recipes. Then, you will have the transfer to the train station where you will take the night train to Kazan.

• day 4

  Discover the Muslim capital of Russia.

  The transfer to the hotel and check-in. Today, you will discover a totally different Russia, its Muslim side. Explore an incredible mix of cultures and 1000 years of history in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city and admire mosques and Orthodox churches standing side by side. Most of the signs are written in three languages: Russian, Tatar, and English! Stroll along the pedestrian Baumana Street, paved with multicolored bricks. Next, visit the Kazan Kremlin. Its citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. This visit will give you an excellent overview of the history of Kazan and a better understanding of the coexistence of different nationalities, religions, and languages. Next to the citadel, visit the Qol Sharif Mosque, the Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral, the Söyembikä Tower, also called the Khan's Mosque.

• day 5

  From Kazan to Yekaterinburg

  In the morning, you will have free time. Take advantage of it to discover the city by yourself. In the afternoon, you will have the transfer to the station. At 14:56, take the night train to Yekaterinburg.

• day 6

  Yekaterinburg

  You will arrive in Yekaterinburg early in the morning (06:07, local time). You will have a transfer to your hotel where you can rest. After resting, start discovering Yekaterinburg, the fourth largest city in Russia, located on the border of Europe and Asia. During our guided car tour, we will discover the most fascinating sites in the heart of the Urals, such as the panoramic Iset River, the large historic 1905 Square, the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Trinity Cathedral, a very modern monument dedicated to the QWERTY keyboard, and finally the "Europe-Asia" monument where you can take a unique photo standing on both sides of the border between the two continents at the same time. And if we are lucky, we may witness a typical Russian wedding, as this is a favorite spot for wedding photos. There is another historical event that made Yekaterinburg so famous: it is the building where Tsar Nicholas II's family was assassinated. Today, we will visit the Church on the Blood, built in 2003 on the site where Nicholas II, his wife, his four daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and the young Tsarevich Alexei were killed in a sinister basement in the summer of 1918. The monastery we will visit has 7 wooden churches (the number of family members). There, you will learn the history of the Romanovs and can buy handmade icons embroidered by nuns.

• day 7

  Ganina Iama

  The locality of Ganina Yama is located about 20 kilometers from Yekaterinburg, near the village of Chuvakich. In the 19th century, on this piece of land, its owner, named Gavriil, was searching for gold, but he could only extract iron ore. The local inhabitants nicknamed the owner of the mine Gania, hence the name. At the beginning of the 20th century, the mine was abandoned, and in 1918, the remains of the members of Tsar Nicholas II's family and their entourage were buried there. The monastery was built at the beginning of the 2000s; its grounds contain seven churches, like the number of members of the imperial family. Busts of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna have also been installed there. Since November 2013, a diocesan pilgrimage center has been open there. Travel by car. In the evening (9:49 p.m.), you will take the train to Krasnoyarsk (35 hours).

• day 8

  A day on the train to Krasnoyarsk

  The train is an inherent part of the locals' lives. Since Siberia is a vast region and the cities are located very far from each other, the train is the best means of transport. Feel like a Siberian, talk to your travel companions, admire beautiful landscapes through the window, or read a book!

• day 9

  Krasnoyarsk

  Today, you will arrive in the third largest Siberian city – Krasnoyarsk, whose population exceeds one million inhabitants. After your arrival, you will be accompanied to the hotel to rest. Later, you will enjoy an exploration tour during which a guide will show you an impressive view of the Yenisei River, which divides the city into two parts: one located in Eastern Siberia, the other in Western Siberia. We will also visit one of the other symbols of Krasnoyarsk, the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel. And to fully enjoy local life, we will walk along Theatre Square, named after the main Russian theatres, the heart and soul of the city. The calm avenue, beautiful monuments, a warm and comfortable atmosphere: this is the recipe for a superb walk in Krasnoyarsk.

• day 10

  Nature reserve

  Today, we are going to explore the Stolby Nature Reserve (Zapovednik Stolby). One of the most wonderful trails highlights the beauty of Siberian nature. This trail is easy to follow and offers an excellent view that will contribute to your spiritual calm and leave you with unforgettable memories. This nature reserve is a splendid forested area with impressive rock outcrops and spectacular viewpoints. Enjoy it and don't forget your camera!

• day 11

  Train to Irkutsk

  In the afternoon (1:30 p.m., local time), take the train to Irkutsk (18 hours).

• day 12

  Irkutsk

  Arrival early in the morning, transfer to the hotel, check-in, refreshment. You have already traveled more than 5000 km on the Trans-Siberian and the time difference with Moscow is 5 hours! Today, you will see the best of Irkutsk, an ancient Siberian city. With your guide, you will stroll on Kirov Square (the oldest place in the city, always full of young people). There you will see the beautiful Governor's House, the Irkutsk State Linguistic University, the magnificent Church of the Savior, the great and powerful Eternal Flame Memorial, the majestic Roman Catholic Cathedral, and finally, you will have a walk along the two most beautiful central streets, the main arteries of the city – Karl Marx Street and Lenin Street. Irkutsk was founded as a settlement of gold merchants and fur tax collectors from the nearest region. Later, the city became a center of social life for officers, artists, and a number of noblemen sent into exile in Siberia. Today, it is a large city located on the Trans-Siberian Railway, with a majestic mix of architectures from different eras and a very nice district for walking around. Night in Irkutsk.

• day 13

  Trip to Lake Baikal

  Today, you will discover the pearl of the Trans-Siberian journey: Lake Baikal. You will have the transfer to the village of Listvyanka, where you will visit the Baikal Museum. This museum is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the lake. In the aquariums, you will see animals that live in the lake. Then, take a walk along the shores of this enormous lake. You can even walk on the ice of this frozen lake. You will have lunch in Listvyanka. In the evening, you will return to Irkutsk in order to take the train to Ulan-Ude. During these 3 days, you will visit Cape Khoboy, the Three Brothers mountain, Kharantsi Island, and Ogoy Island in a Russian jeep. In the evening, you will return to Irkutsk in order to take the train to Ulan-Ude (8 hours).

• day 14

  Ulan-Ude

  After your arrival, you will be accompanied to the hotel to rest a little. Soon, our guide will come to pick you up to take you to visit Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia! Today, you will see the largest monument in the world representing Lenin's head, a magnificent Opera and Ballet theater, impressive monuments to the horsemen that illustrate the history of Buryatia, the sculpture of Mother Buryatia, and many little secret places that only locals know. We will make a detour to learn more about Buddhism in Russia. The Ivolginsky Datsan was opened in 1945 as the only Buddhist spiritual center in the USSR. Today, it is the heart of Buddhism in Russia and also a place that welcomes a phenomenon that continues to intrigue scientists and attract thousands of believers: the preserved body of Chambo Lama Itigelov, who died in 1927 and is still sitting in the lotus position. It is a unique opportunity to visit a sacred place on this sacred land. In the evening, our guide will invite you to a friendly dinner at their family's home. You will get to know the culture of Buryatia through its cuisine and its sincere stories, ancient legends, and anecdotes.

• day 15

  From Ulan-Ude to Khabarovsk

  Late in the morning, you will be accompanied to the station to take a 50-hour train to Khabarovsk (2nd class compartment for 4 people).

• day 16

  Day on the train

  A whole day on the train is an excellent opportunity to organize your memories and rest. You have already traveled 6000 km across Russia on this legendary route, the Trans-Siberian! Talk with other travelers, read a book, or note down the remarkable points of the journey, because it has already been so dynamic that it would be a real shame to forget all those little things that made up your adventure. Don't forget that you can buy food at the stations where the train makes long stops or in the dining car. And don't miss the chance to take an excellent photo for Instagram with tea in a traditional Russian train glass and a glass holder ("podstakannik" in Russian)!

• day 17

  Khabarovsk

  Today, you will arrive in the magnificent city of Khabarovsk, located only 30 km from the Chinese border. After your arrival at the hotel and a short rest, your guide will come to pick you up for a city tour. Start your walk at Lenin Square, visit the Ethnography Museum, pass by the Square of Glory, stroll along Beregovaya Street, and admire beautiful churches. In the evening, you will be accompanied to the station to take an 11-hour overnight train to Vladivostok (2nd class compartment for 4 people).

• day 18

  Arrival in Vladivostok

  Arrival in Vladivostok, transfer to the hotel, check-in, rest. In winter, the temperature in Vladivostok drops below minus 20°C, but most days are clear and sunny. So, don't forget to pack warm clothes in your suitcase! Another interesting fact about Vladivostok: since 2000, the annual Tiger Day has been celebrated there. It is dedicated to the preservation of the Amur tiger population, which is endangered in Primorsky Krai. Also, Vladivostok has the longest bridge in the world. The time difference with Moscow is 7 hours!

• day 19

  Vladivostok

  Get ready to explore Vladivostok, the easternmost point of the Trans-Siberian. It is also one of the most picturesque, attractive, and diverse cities (in terms of culture, language, and cuisine) in Russia. At this stage, you have already traveled about 10,000 km. Vladivostok is the last stop of your Trans-Siberian adventure. After lunch, you can join the guided tour to discover the oldest part of the city. Start the tour by taking a photo in front of the monument that marks the terminus of the Trans-Siberian and indicates: "The distance from Moscow is 9288 km." You can certainly be proud of yourselves, as you have come so far! Visit the central square, pass by the Monument to the Fighters for Soviet Power in the Far East. Visit the S-56 Submarine Museum and the naval military museum to discover the maritime dimension of Vladivostok, the largest Russian port on the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about the history of Vladivostok. Visit the V.K. Arseniev State Maritime Museum and the house with the public garden of Yul Brynner. Listen to stories about Millionka, a former Chinese criminal district. End this day at the highest point of the city, Eagle's Nest Hill, and admire an exceptional view of Vladivostok!

• day 20

  Departure

  Breakfast, check-out. Transfer to the airport. It's time to say goodbye to Russia!