Trans Siberian railway

   The Trans-Siberian railway is the largest in the world. Actual length is about 10.000 km. from Moscow to Vladivostok. Transsib constructed in XIX – XX centuries connects principal cities and regions of Siberia and Far East with the central part of Russia. To this day the railway’s importance remains undiminished as the only year-round land link between East and West. The Trans-Siberian railway crosses 8 time zones. The most important of more than 80 cities located on its’ way are Moscow, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok.
The first real impulse to start construction works on the new railway was given by Alexander III, the Tsar of the Russian Empire. The construction was extremely difficult and lasted many years. It was a real feat of Russian people. More than 7000 km of the railway were laid in 10 years. During research expeditions, track construction, raising of bridges the best personal qualities of talented Russian engineers, the real road knights, showed. The bridge over the Enissey River in Krasnoyarsk won a
golden medal in the Paris exhibition in 1900. There were a lot of brilliant engineering decisions found during the construction of Transsib - otherwise it would have been impossible to lay the line in difficult geological and climatic conditions. Many engineering achievements, used during the construction, are
still up-to-date.

TRAIN ADVENTURE

Many Russian cities were ‘closed’ to foreigners as a result of their military or strategic significance. Fortunately, the times have changed. Today we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to undertake the most remarkable journey along the Trans-Siberian railway. The great advantage of going by rail is that it allows you to absorb the atmosphere of the country. Make stops along the route, visit Siberian cities and enjoy fantastic landscapes and beautiful Russian nature!

Note: There are two classes available on trains operating between major points along the Trans-Siberian railway: 1st class service is a compartment with 2 lower berths equipped for sleeping. The 2nd class service is a 4-berth compartment with 2 lower & 2 upper berths in the compartment. The bathrooms are located on the two ends of each train car. There is a conductor on duty 24 hours in each car. Train tickets are valid for travel from point-to-point only. Rail passes are not available on these routes.
 

OVERLAND TRANS-SIBERIAN PACKAGE

EKATERINBURG – NOVOSIBIRSK – KRASNOYARSK – IRKUTSK – KHABAROVSK
14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS

This tour is given as an example of possible program along the cities of Trans-Siberian railroad.
The daily itinerary is a subject to change according the train schedule and personal requirements and is given for illustration purposes only.
Special programs of different duration are available upon request.

DAY 1. Arrival in Ekaterinburg, the old Russian city situated on the border of Europe and Asia. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City sightseeing tour. During the tour you will be acquainted with all beauty and present day life of the Urals’s capital. You will see the majestic Alexander Nevsky’s Cathedral, the first stone building of famous Mining Office and visit the Museum of Jewellery and Stone Arts of the Urals. In the evening we invite you to the unique excursion “Between Europe and Asia”.
 

DAY 2. Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Novosibirsk.
 

DAY 3. Arrival in Novosibirsk, the largest Siberian city, situated on the picturesque banks of the
Ob’ river. The city was built during the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad in 1893.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City sightseeing tour. During the tour you will see the main historical and architectural places, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Conservatory. You will have an opportunity to visit the Art Gallery, where the icon collections of famous Moscow and Siberian painting schools are presented. After that, you will make a trip to the so-called Academgorodok, a well-known Siberian scientific town, situated in the beautiful forest area, 28 km far from Novosibirsk.
 

DAY 4. Breakfast. Trip to the old Siberian village (50 km). You will visit the Local Museum, the Cathedral and the workshop of birch souvenirs. Return to Novosibirsk. Transfer to the railway station. Evening departure to Krasnoyarsk.

DAY 5. Arrival in Krasnoyarsk, the largest city-port of Siberia. Its natural beauty – the mighty Yenisei River, endless taiga and cliffs will impress you. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City sightseeing tour. While in Krasnoyarsk you will get acquainted with the richest history, culture and traditions of the Siberian people, which date back to the 17th century. You will see almost the whole city from Karaulnaya Hill and visit the Regional Museum, considered to be one of the best museums in Russia. The museum was opened after reconstruction in 2001 and surprises with its modern view and invaluable historical collection.
Tour by a fast riverboat along the Yenisei to Divnogorsk. This town, initially established for the builders of the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station, now has really become one of the most wonderful towns of Siberia. You will enjoy the view of the stunning rocks of the opposite riverbank, after which the town was named (it means `wonderful rocks`). You can also visit the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station (optional). Return to the hotel.
 

DAY 6. Breakfast. Full-day trip to the unique Nature Reserve “Stolby” (“the region of stone giants”). You will enjoy a breathtaking view of the gigantic, unusual rock formations that can be found in the evergreen taiga countryside. Return to the hotel. Transfer to the railway station. Departure to Irkutsk.
 

DAY 7. Arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. During the city sightseeing tour you will be acquainted with the Russian classical architecture of the end of the 19th century and see the beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, many one- and two-stored wooden houses, decorated with hand-made carvings as well as modern constructions of the 20th century.
 

DAY 8. Breakfast. In the morning you will take the local train from Irkutsk to Lake Baikal, the dippiest in the world, walk along the shore. Lunch on a bank of the lake. Trip along the Old Railroad to the Port Baikal by the unique local train which has only two passenger carriages and or two cargo wagons. The train goes very slowly, about 25-30 km/hour and makes long stops. It runs along the Baikal shore, 5-20 meters from the lake, through the tunnels, bridges and railway stations. Accommodation in the settlement Listvyanka.
 

DAY 9. Breakfast. Walking excursion in Listvyanka, sightseeing, visiting the Museum of Lake Baikal. Return to Irkutsk. Transfer to the airport.
 

DAY 10, 11. Travelling by train through the most scenic part of the journey between Irkutsk and Khabarovsk.
 

DAY 12. Arrival in Khabarovsk, the largest economic, financial and transport centre of Far East.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City sightseeing tour (visiting the Art Gallery and the Local Lore Museum).

DAY 13. Breakfast. Full day trip to the Ecological Tourist Complex, located in the countryside in Sikachi-Alian village. There is a unique place on the Amur bank, where ancient rock drawings have survived. They are approximately 12,000 years old. 25 native peoples live in the Khabarovsk Territory. The most numerous group is Nanais (“the men of the land”). These people are traditionally engaged in hunting and fishing, and are known for their original applied art. You will visit the “Nanai Household”, an open-air museum, see the Nanai people’s way of life and enjoy the ethnographical folklore performance. You can also walk along the ecological path, where the far eastern flora and fauna, endemics, relicts, rare and disappearing species, striking your imagination, are widely represented.
 

DAY 14. Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. End of tour.