Russia
Russia is a fantastic choice - from the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, through the Siberian taiga to the mineral spas around the Black Sea coast... Moscow... St.Petersburg... Golden Ring... you must see this special magic!
Moscow - the capital of Russia offering a mix of bustling nightlife and impressive sightseeing - The Kremlin, Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University, Novodevichy convent, White House of Russia, Lubyanka Square with the former KGB headquarters, Victory Park, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Red Square and Kitai-Gorod area, Moscow streets and squares, and much more…
Moscow in one of the largest cities in the world with its population over 15 million people. Founded more than 850 years ago the historical capital offers a wealth of cultural, musical and entertainment activities to its visitors. The Vorobiev Hills - one of the highest point of Moscow with fascinating view to the city.
St.Petersburg - a city, rightfully described as «Northern Venice» or «Pearl of the Baltic». Visit this 300 years old exquisite city of palaces and canals, built by tzar Peter the Great as his "Window on the west", St.Petersburg enjoys a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere and some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. For those interested in culture and history, St.Petersburg is the perfect holiday destination.
"Most people only come to St.Petersburg once, they do the standard program; they see the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul fortress and the opening of the bridges, and they think it is all that is interesting about St.Petersburg"
In a bid to change that view, the city hopes to offer theater premieres and jazz and cultural festivals in its impressive courtyards and to capitalize on its history as the last seat of the imperial family.
The Golden Ring is a group of towns and cities including Suzdal, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Kostroma and others that once played an important politcal, spiritual and cultural role in ancient Rus. They offer a host of restored and abandoned churches, monasteries and fortresses, rich museums and preserved wooden villages.
Kamchatka - more than 1,000-kilometer-long peninsula dividing the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean - one of the least explored regions on Earth. Few destinations can offer such an awe-inspiring combination of wildlife and breathtaking scenery as the Russian Far East and the volcanic Kuril Islands of the north Pacific. This spectacular region has largely escaped the ravages of mankind and to this day remains one of the few true wildernesses left on Earth
Kamchatka, one is surrounded on three sides by volcanoes in a land of the most amazing virgin nature.
Kamchatka, once closed to foreigners, for a year had over 4,000 travelers visit its hot springs and view its wildlife and spectacular sunsets. It is a beautiful wilderness, but there are no roads and the only means of transport is helicopter.
Lying on the very edge of Russia, Vladivostok is known as one the last Russian stops on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Founded as a military outpost in 1860, Vladivostok soon grew in importance as an international trading port.
The best waters to ply are the crystal-clear depths of the pearl of Siberia - Lake Baikal- one of the genuine Seven Natural Wonders of the World, 636 kilometers long, 80 kilometers wide - and is the world's deepest lake. Surrounded by forests and mountain peaks, the waters are transparent to a depth of 40 meters in the summer, and freeze over so thick in the winter that the Trans-Siberian Railroad once ran over its surface. The lake has more than 2,000 recorded plant and animal species - bears, elk, lynx, sables, freshwater seal, trout, salmon and sturgeon. It is fed by 336 rivers, with only one river feeding out.
Trans-Siberian Train Journey from Moscow to Vladivostok
Day 1
Arrival in Moscow. Meeting at the airport, transfer by car directly to your hotel.
Day 2
After breakfast your local guide will meet you at the hotel, to whiz you round the highlights. This is using public transport to familiarize you with the city center and help smooth your path... at least until lunchtime! Afternoon and evening free to explore.
Day 3
A free day, take your pick of the best of Moscow! Mid-evening we take you to your Siberia bound train!
Day 4
The Trans-Sib line, leads you past Kazan and Yekaterinburg.
Day 5
Then onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk...
Day 6
Across the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk...
Day 7
Arrival into Irkutsk and transfer (1 hour) to Listvyanka Village on shore of Lake Baikal. Stay in an authentic Siberian cottage (izba). Lunch, walking tour of the village including Baikal Lake Wildlife Museum. That evening have a real Siberian Sauna (banya), which will give you an appetite for a home-cooked supper. Overnight with host family.
Day 8
Choose one activity from the list (it’s all included in the tour price)
- TAKING A SHORT SOFT TREK through the Taiga Forest-with a Forester Guide to explain the wildlife, ecosystem and lore of the Taiga. (May-Oct).
- SIBERIAN SCUBA a freshwater dive in the world's Greatest Lake, with CMAS-qualified instructors. (requires PADI-1). (May-Oct). 2 dives included.
- DO YOUR OWN THING - maybe take off on a cliff side walk, or mosey around the village, or take a dip in Lake Baikal! Supper, then maybe try the local bar? Overnight with host family. (Year round option weather permitting!)
Day 9
After breakfast entirely free day at Lake Baikal Village. Supper included too. Overnight with host family.
Day 10
Transfer to Irkutsk (1hour) and stay in a city apartment with a local family, in soviet city style. Day free to explore the city, dinner with host family. (Or upgrade to tourist-class Hotel if you rate comfort over authenticity, and prefer to dine out this evening instead?).
Day 11
Transfer to station for early morning departure for Vladivostok.
Day 12 & 13
On board
Day 14 Morning arrival into Vladivostok, your Trans-Siberian journey comes to an end.
Please Note:
This is not a group tour. When individuals book they are on the same train, but will be scattered throughout the train in different carriages and not necessarily be placed with other individuals on the same tour. Bookings of 2 or more people will be placed together in the same compartment.
If other passengers have booked the same dates as you, and you have chosen a tour that has 'off train' activities, you will be with these people during these periods, but when you're on the train you are on your own and guides do not travel with you.
It is very likely, especially in the summer months, to meet other travelers in the dining carriage of the train.
In Moscow you will have a buddy who will provide your transfer and also your sightseeing tour. They also help you onto the train for your departure.
All activities 'off the train' will be escorted.
The facilities on the train include;
* Eight compartments per carriage
* Four beds per compartment
* Baggage Storage in each compartment
* A toilet and wash basin per carriage
* Two security guards per carriage
* One shower per train which costs US$1 to use (sponge baths recommended)
* One dining carriage per train, open 24/7
* Trains are non-smoking but you can smoke between carriages
* Train travels at approx 55 miles per hour
* There are rarely electrical facilities on board to charge cameras/i-Pods/batteries. Please bring along enough spare batteries or a portable charger to suffice your journey.
Any questions? Help is always available
via e-mail
