Trans-Siberian Railway
Moscow Irkutsk Lake Baikal
in 16 days
package tour : departures on flexible dates for individuals.
Discounted rates for pre-established groups
duration : 16 days 15 nights
code : TSB-MI-16
accommodation : hotel and overnight stay on the train
excursions : included as per program.
treatment : full board
highlights : Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk , the Circumbajkalica railway, Lake Baikal
tour note: Itinerary, prices and program are subject to reconfirmation and may vary in the event of changes to flight and train operations and in the event of fluctuations in exchange rates
For rates: you can send your requests to
Moscow
The Russian capital is naturally km zero of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The distance from the Vladivostok terminus is 9,300 km
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Krasnoyarsk
On the Yenisey River, it offers the opportunity to take magnificent cruises on one of the most scenic Siberian waterways.
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Kazan
Capital of Tatarstan, a Russian republic, located about 800 km from Moscow. Islam and Christianity, mosques and splendid churches coexist in perfect harmony in the city.
Irkutsk
It is the most important city in the region of the beautiful Lake Baikal, with imaginatively architectural churches and a series of impressive 19th century buildings.
Yekaterinburg
Siberian city of historical importance, as it hosts interesting museums and places related to the tragic murderer of the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family.
Baikal Lake
Baikal, a natural wonder, is the deepest lake in the world (1642 m), containing 23% of global fresh water. It is found in southern Siberia. UNESCO heritage.
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is considered the capital of Siberia. The city on the banks of the Ob has a population of over 1.5 million, the third most populous city in Russia
Circumbaicalica
The historic Circumbaicalica Railway, from Slyudyanka to Port Baikal, with its breathtaking views is one of the most popular destinations on Lake Baikal.
Program
1 day: arrival in Moscow - train to Kazan
Arrival in Moscow and meeting with the guide.
City Tour Moscow ( external visits): Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM Department Store, Lenin's Mausoleum, History Museum, Kazan Cathedral, Kilometer Zero, Kremlin Walls, Teatralnaya Square , in the center of which stands the famous Bolshoy Theater, Lubianka Square with the KGB building, Tverskaya Street, the main artery of the city with the neoclassical City Hall building, the Lenin Library, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Russian White House , Novi Arbat street, Sparrow Hill with the MGU University, one of the 7 buildings commissioned by Stalin. Once the city tour is over, together with the guide you will go to visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Located on the banks of the Moskva River, a short distance from the Kremlin, recognizable by its enormous golden dome, it is the tallest Eastern Orthodox Church, 104 meters, with a capacity of 10,000 people. In the evening departure by night train to Kazan. Overnight stay on the train.
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2 day: Kazan
In the morning I arrive in Kazan. Meeting with the guide at the station. Breakfast in the city. Guided tour of Kazan: The tour includes the most famous monuments: Kazan Kremlin, the Annunciation Cathedral, the old Tatar Sloboda, the Tugan Avylym Tatar village in the city center, the ancient Marjani mosque, the Kamal theater, the mysterious Kaban lake, the Kazan Millennium Park, Freedom Square, Kazan University, the river embankment offering a unique view of the coast, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Return to hotel and overnight stay.
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3 day: Kazan - Yekaterinburg
First breakfast. Check-out (we leave your luggage in the hotel storage room). Day dedicated to a visit by bus and with a guide to the Raifa Monastery, about 30 km from Kazan and a boat excursion on the Kazanka River. 30 km from Kazan, on the shores of the lake, in the woods of the reserve, there is the Raifa monastery named after the holy hermits of Sinai and Raithu (Raifa in Russian), massacred in the 6th century by gangs of raiders.
It was founded in 1613 by the monk Filaret and other hermits in the middle of a pine forest nestled in an idyllic lake. One of the first churches built within the monastery walls was dedicated to the martyr monks in Sinai and Raithu; in 1670 the Georgian icon of the Mother of God was placed and it is said that from that moment many miracles occurred. Upon returning to Kazan, a boat ride on the Kazanka River (if weather conditions permit, otherwise the guide will propose an alternative). Return to the hotel to collect your luggage, meeting with the guide at 7.40pm at the hotel reception and transfer to the station. In the evening departure by train to Yekaterinburg.
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4 day: Yekaterinburg
Arrival in Yekaterinburg. Meeting with the guide at the carriage, characteristic lunch and continuation for the Yekaterinburg city tour. Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 by Tsar Peter I as an industrial city and at the beginning of the 20th century it was already one of Siberia's largest and most important centers for finance, industry and culture. Yekaterinburg is located on the geographical border between the European and Asian continents. In the center of the city, you will visit a place of notable importance in Russian history: the Blood Cathedral, built on the site where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were killed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
5 day: Yekaterinburg - Novosibirsk
First breakfast. Free time. Check out. Meeting with the guide for the excursion to Ganina Jama, a place now considered sacred by most Russians, located in a forested area of ​​the Ural Mountains at the point where wooden chapels and churches were built in honor of the tsars' family in 1990 Romanov. Visit to the border between Europe and Asia. Erected in 1837 in the Urals at an altitude of 413 m, the memorial stone has been a favorite destination for travelers in the region. At 4.00 pm return to Yekaterinburg and free time for a walk along the main street of the city (pedestrian area) to buy souvenirs and local products. Typical Russian cuisine dinner. Transfer to the station and departure by train to Novosibirsk. Night on the train.
6 day: Novosibirsk
Day on the train. Day by train and in the evening arrival in Novosibirsk. Transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
7 day: Novosibirsk - Krasnoyarsk
In the morning meeting with the local guide, day dedicated to visiting Novoribirsk by bus with a guide. A city tour is planned in the morning, you can admire the largest opera house in Russia, on Lenin Square and also some Orthodox churches that survived the Soviet period. An exciting tour is planned in the very famous scientific city of Akademgorodok, which is located 20 km south of Novosibirsk in the center of a pine and birch forest. Akademgorodok is a city entirely built for scientists and their families and is well known throughout the international scientific community. Novosibirsk State University is located right here and represents one of the main universities in all of Russia. You can visit the House of Scientists with a library of over 100,000 volumes of literature from all over the world. The visit is completed with the museum of local archeology and ethnography (more than 3000 exhibits). Return to the hotel to collect your luggage. Independent transfer to the train station. Departure by train to Krasnoyarsk. Overnight stay on the train.
8 day: Krasnoyarsk
Arrival in Krasnoyarsk in the morning. Meeting with the guide at the carriage, continuation to the Ibis hotel, breakfast. We leave our luggage in the hotel storage room and continue to tour the city. The morning dedicated to visiting the town by bus. This excursion will show you the past, the present and partly also the future of Krasnoyarsk, a city in central Siberian Russia, the capital of the region of the same name. It stands on the banks of the Yenisei River, halfway through its course. It is the third largest Siberian city, an important industrial center and a railway communication hub (it is an important station on the Trans-Siberian Railway). You will learn about the origins of the city, you will visit the place of its foundation and the places linked to its people. Highlights include: the Peace Square with a beautiful view of the Yenisey River, the monument to Andreyu Dubenskomy, reaching up to the "Guardian Hill" and also you will take a walk along the ancient streets of the city. Return to the hotel and free time, dinner and overnight stay.
9 day: Krasnoyarsk - Irkutsk
Breakfast at the hotel, morning at leisure. Meeting with driver with sign, around midday transfer to the station and departure by train (approximately 18 hours of travel). Overnight stay on board.
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10 day: Irkutsk
In the morning, meeting with the guide at the carriage, breakfast and continuation for a guided tour of Irkutsk. Irkutsk is famous for its trade with Mongolia and China and was called the "Paris of Siberia" for its colorful life; visit to the "Irkutsk Regional Memorial Decembrists Museum, Volkonsky House" and the old city with the typical neighborhoods which still consist of wooden houses. Hotel accommodation, free time, dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Overnight at Hotel.
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11 day: Circumbaikalica Railway (Lake Baikal)
Breakfast at the hotel, at 07.30 meeting with driver with sign and departure to the starting point of the tour. Day dedicated to the "Circumbaikalica panoramic train" excursion, a southern branch of the Trans-Siberian railway built to avoid the northern area which presented insurmountable technical difficulties at the end of the 19th century. It was called "the golden buckle of Russia's steel belt" due to the enormous cost of its construction due to the layout of the territory which features high cliffs and rocky reliefs. To complete the 100km route, 39 tunnels were needed for a total length of 8994 metres. From the ship you can admire interesting stone bridges with extraordinary architecture, tunnels and viaducts that adapt to the topography of the region. The train station buildings are constructed of wood and maintain the architecture in the Modern style. Lunch and dinner on board included, in the evening return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
12 day: Irkutsk - Listvyanka (Lake Baikal)
First breakfast. Meeting with the guide, check out and departure towards Irkutsk. Stopping on the way to visit the Taltsy Architectural-Ethnographic Museum houses an extraordinary collection of architectural monuments of the 17th-20th centuries. It is one of the five largest open-air museums in Russia. It covers an area of ​​67 hectares and is home to over 40 wooden architectural and sculptural monuments, typical of 17th century Siberian village life. Transfer to Listvyanka. Lunch in the restaurant.
The small village of Listvyanka, where the famous Shaman's Stone, one of the symbols of Baikal, is located, is located on the western shore of Lake Baikal, 70 km from Irkutsk. This ancient Siberian village is famous for its history: since the 18th century a ferry left from Listvyanka to transport traders who had to travel to Mongolia, China and the Far East.
Visit to the Lake Baikal Museum (Limnological Museum) provides information about the origin and fauna of the lake. A video will give you the opportunity to see the deepest point of the lake bottom (1,637 m) filmed from a submarine. Lake Baikal is frozen from late January to early May, the thickness of the ice near Listvianka can be 70-80 cm. The part of the lake near the source of the Angara River is the only place in Siberia that never freezes. Continuation to the cable car ride from where the breathtaking view of the lake opens up. Transfer to hotel and dinner. Overnight stay.
13 day: Listvyanka - Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal)
Collection and departure for Ust-Orda. Local cuisine lunch. Transfer Ust-Orda – Maloe More (Sakhyurta, also known by the acronym MRS, the departure point of the ferry to Olkhon Island), ferry, transfer to Khuzhir. Accommodation in tourist center. Dinner and overnight on the island.
14 day: Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal)
Breakfast at the hotel, tour of the island to Cape Khoboy. There are unparalleled views of the rapid cliff lake at the northern end, culminating in the spectacular Cape Khoboy. Picnic at Cape Khoboy. On the way back, visit the Roce dello Shamano, a sacred place for shamans, a very important sanctuary. East of the rocks is a long stretch of sandy beach. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight
15 day: Olkhon Island - Irkutsk
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer Khuzhir - Maloe More (Sakhyurta, also known by the acronym MRS, the departure point of the ferry from Olkhon Island). Ferry. Lunch and transfer to Irkutsk. Dinner and overnight stay.
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16 day: Irkutsk - departure
Breakfast . Transfer to the airport. Departure.
included in the tour
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accommodation as scheduled in a 3 superior/4 star hotel
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train accommodation in 2 or 4 seater couchettes based on the cat. choice
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private transfers to and from the airports
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private transfers to and from the stations (as per program)
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meals as scheduled
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train tickets for trains scheduled on the Trans-Siberian Railway
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excursions with Italian speaking guide in each city
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telephone assistance for the entire itinerary
not included
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international flights and domestic flights
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extra services and meals not mentioned in the program
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visa for Russia
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medical insurance policy
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anything not mentioned under "Included in the tour"
Trans-Siberian
Programs
Trans-Siberian itineraries, travel times and stops along the way can be adapted to suit your needs, resulting in a package that meets your expectations. We offer you some example programs from which you can take inspiration for your trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway. In tourgroup specializes in organized trips for pre-established groups. For individuals we can study ad hoc itineraries and optimize them from the point of view of costs, visits and duration. All programs are customizable.
For your requests you can write us at info@intourgroup.com
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destination: Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is known to all as the longest railway in the world. It crosses the territory of the Russian Federation between mountainous landscapes, forests, green valleys and endless plains, crossed by enormous rivers and lakes, touching territories inhabited by welcoming people of different religious faiths: Orthodox, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists. It is a part of the Russian railway system, created to connect the immense territory in a practical, widespread and economical way. The Trans-Siberian Railway is therefore not a simple tourist attraction but an infrastructure of vital importance for the lives of millions of people who use it or live along its route.
length: the Trans-Siberian is the longest railway in the world, with its 9300 km covering the route from Moscow to Vladivostok.
geographical position: the Trans-Siberian Railway is located in Russia and connects European Russia to the Russian Far East, passing through the Ural Mountains, the geographical border between Europe and Asia.
cities and regions: the Trans-Siberian Railway passes through 87 cities, located in Russian regions characterized by extreme cultural and religious variety, such as the Muslim Republic of Tatarstan and the Buddhist Republic of Buryatia.
rivers crossed: there are 16 large rivers that cross the Trans-Siberian railway. The main ones are the Volga, the Yenisei, and the Amur.
time zones crossed: on the Trans-Siberian route traveling from Moscow to Vladivostok and vice versa you cross 7 time zones.
the most western point: the westernmost point on the Trans-Siberian Railway is the city of Moscow
the most eastern point: the easternmost point of the Trans-Siberian route is the city of
Khabarovsk, which is located 5 days from Moscow)
the most southern point: the southernmost point of the Trans-Siberian Railway is Vladivostok, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, 5 days from Moscow.
the most northern point: the northernmost Trans-Siberian city is the city of Kirov
landscape types: European Russia is characterized by extensive plains with rare hills, covered with meadows or forests and steppe. The Ural area, the border between Asia and Europe, is characterized by hills and low reliefs. Beyond the Urals we enter Siberia, first with expanses of infinite steppe which in the eastern part gives way to the Siberian taiga, the splendid landscapes of Lake Baikal, and the famous Russian permafrost, barren and perpetually frozen terrain.
The main, northern route
itinerary : Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan-UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,300 km
The new route, via Nizhny Novgorod
itinerary : Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,260 km
The southern route, via Kazan
itinerary : Moscow, Murom, Arzamas, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
total length: 9,150 km
The Trans-Mongolian, from Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia
itinerary : Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan UdÄ—, Ulan Bataar (Mongolia), Beijing (China).
total length: 7,620 km
Best time to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian route covers areas characterized by a continental climate. Winters are therefore harsh, with frequent snowfall. If you love the winter season and picturesque snowy landscapes, Winter is the season for you but you need to travel with clothing suitable for the low temperatures typical of these climate zones. The spectacle of frozen Lake Baikal certainly repays the effort. Spring, on the other hand, sees a rise in temperatures and the sudden awakening of nature with the melting of the winter snows (from March to the end of April). The season is good for a trip on the Trans-Siberian but be careful of sudden changes in temperatures, which are still possible until May. Summer is definitely the ideal season to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway . Temperatures along the route vary from 15 to 30 or more degrees. Autumn, particularly September and early October, is still a good time to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway . The temperatures are still relatively mild, the line is less crowded and from the window of your cabin you can admire the spectacle of the autumn foliage, the golden Trans-Siberian autumn.
The high season certainly includes late spring, the entire summer and early autumn (April-September). Domestic tourism is particularly active and train travel is in great demand. In these periods it is therefore advisable to plan your itinerary as far in advance as possible to find train tickets on the Trans-Siberian Railway at the best price. The rates of train tickets in Russia vary based on availability and demand.
Tips for traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway
what to bring when traveling on the Trans-Siberian: we definitely recommend a good trolley with wheels, easy to handle in stations and in the narrow spaces of the train corridors. The dimensions must not be excessive to be stored in the appropriate spaces present in each cabin of the train on the Trans-Siberian. It is possible to add a small backpack to have the necessary things at hand on a day-to-day basis (without having to open the suitcase in the narrow spaces of the compartment). Clothing must conform to the temperatures of the period you have chosen for your Trans-Siberian, keeping in mind that the climate in these areas is subject to rapid changes. There is a heating system on Russian trains and the temperatures in the train carriages on the Trans-Siberian are very high. At the same time, the summer heat is mitigated by the air conditioning, which is always present. Heating and cooling are usually centralized, so it is best to dress flexibly to adapt to the temperature of the carriage. Don't forget your slippers, it's not customary to wear shoes on Russian train carriages. In the stopping cities along the route there will be no shortage of pharmacies, we recommend that you also bring a minimum amount of medicines with you on the train (in addition to those you use daily).
bathrooms on the Trans-Siberian : Most carriages on the Trans-Siberian have shared bathrooms. In some cases, first class cabins with private bathrooms are available.
electrical sockets on board Russian trains on the Trans-Siberian Railway: Electrical sockets are not always available in Trans-Siberian cabins. We therefore recommend a small power bank to charge electronic devices. In general the sockets are usually shuko , German style.
internet and telephone line on the Trans-Siberian : not always available as you pass through uninhabited areas. We therefore recommend preparing films, music and ebooks that can be used offline. We also recommend purchasing a Russian SIM, to avoid the high costs of international roaming.
food on board the Trans-Siberian train: restaurant carriages are available on the trains of the Trans-Siberian line, offering typical Russian cuisine. Typical Mongolian and Chinese dishes will be served on routes in Mongolia and China. However, it is recommended to bring a minimum amount of easily storable food with you, especially on longer journeys. On each carriage there is a samovar, a kettle that dispenses hot water for tea or coffee. During stops it can often happen that you can buy food, fruit and vegetables from street vendors in the stations or directly on the platform.
Russian trains on the Trans-Siberian Railway
The enormous distances in Russia have made this convenient and economical way of traveling essential. The railway in Russia is an institution, a vital infrastructure essential for Russian society. Traveling on a train in Russia means sharing the travel experience with people, coming into direct contact with the passengers of a line that every day transports thousands of people for work or tourism, distant destinies that for a few hours or a few days they find each other on a carriage, in a cabin on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.
A. Lux class cabins , with bathroom and shower in the cabin
Luxury VIP class cabins are available on some Trans-Siberian trains, which are twice as large as first class. There are usually 4-6 cabins for each carriage. When there are 4 there is usually also a lounge bar available on the carriage. They are usually equipped with a 120cm wide pull-out sofa bed at the bottom and a 90cm wide upper bunk. The VIP compartments on the Trans-Siberian trains are equipped with a table, wardrobe, independent air conditioning, TV and wifi. They are equipped with a private bathroom, which also functions during stops at the station. Each bathroom has a shower. The cabin door can be closed from the inside.
B. SV 1st class cabins
First class cabins are available on most Trans-Siberian trains. First class cabins on Russian trains have 2 low beds, usually around 80-90cm wide. The maximum occupancy of the cabin is 2 people, but it can be used for single use by purchasing both seats for a single person. The cabin door can be closed from the inside. The cabin is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. On some very long-distance trains, a shower is available in the first class carriages, shared with the bathrooms. As a rule, air conditioning and heating are centralized.
C. Kupe' 2nd Class cabins
The most popular class on Trans-Siberian trains is second class, known as kupe'. These are carriages with shared bathroom, divided into separate 4-seater compartments, equipped with 2 low beds and two high beds. The maximum occupancy of the Kupe' second class cabins is 4 people but they can also be booked for 1-2-3 people by purchasing all 4 tickets in the relevant compartment. The cabin door can be closed from the inside. The cabin is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. As a rule, air conditioning and heating are centralized.
D. Platzkart 3rd Class cabins
The cheapest class on the Trans-Siberian trains is Platzkart, third class. These are carriages with shared bathroom, divided into open 4-seater compartments, equipped with 2 low beds and two high beds. Rows with low and high beds are also available along the corridor. Despite the total lack of privacy, the Platzkart class allows you to fully experience the atmosphere of train travel in Russia. Each seat is equipped with a table and luggage compartment. The air conditioning and heating are centralized.