The Imperial Russia Trans-Siberian Express

Full itinerary of the Moscow - Vladivostok route of the Imperial Russia Express. The Vladivostok - Moscow route includes the same stops and visit programme.

DAY 1 - Arrival in Moscow On arrival at Moscow International Airport our driver will take you to your hotel: once arrived you will have time to settle in and explore the surroundings of the hotel.
DAY 2 - Moscow City Tour and visit to the Kremlin Breakfast in your hotel. In the morning we will take part in a city sightseeing tour of Moscow. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Moscow Kremlin and the Armory Museum: the mighty fortress of the Kremlin, once the majestic residence of the Muscovite Great Princes, hosts today Russia's governmental institutions and the Russian Presidential Cabinet. The visit continues along the charming Arbat Avenue. Before dinner, we will visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and a walking tour of the Moscow Underground. In the evening we will be transferred to the railway station and embark on the Imperial Russia Express. Departure to Kazan.
DAY 3 - Kazan, capital of Tatarstan Breakfast on board. In the morning we will arrive in the Kazan railway station and take part in the city sightseeing tour "Old Kazan": during the city tour we will have the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the Tatar culture and traditions attending the Tugan Avalim Folk Show. After the show the visit continues to the Kazan Kremlin. We will have lunch in a local restaurant , where some of the best local chefs will present us with the best Tatar dishes and a master class on the best traditional recipes. After lunch we will return to the train and depart to Yekaterinburg. Dinner on board.
DAY 4 - Yekaterinburg: between Europe and Asia Breakfast on board. Morning arrival to the Yekaterinburg railway station: today we will take part in the special tour “The Last Days of the Last Tsar”, a themed city sightseeing tour that will introduce us to the history and main locations of the city while following the events that led to the execution of the Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution. We will see the Church on Blood, erected on the place where the imperial family was killed, and we will visit the neighboring monastery to admire its typical drevnorussky design. We will take a short break for lunch, then the tour continues to the border between Europe and Asia, where we will see the monument marking the frontier. In the evening we will return to the train and depart to Novosibirsk. Dinner on board.
DAY 5 - Novosibirsk: the heart of Siberia. Breakfast on board. We will arrive in Novosibirsk around midday and have lunch. In the afternoon we will take part in a city sightseeing tour including the main sights: the Railway museum, Ballet and Opera House, ancient streets, a walk along the Ob river esplanade. Departure to Irkutsk after dinner.
DAY 6 - On board of the Imperial Russian Express traveling across the Great Siberian Steppe. Meals on board.
DAY 7 - Irkusk:the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum and Irkutskaya Sloboda. Breakfast on board Morning arrival to the Yekaterinburg railway station and departure of the city sightseeing tour: visit to the Decembrist House, the “wooden lace” house, also called the “House of Europe”, the most beautiful and amazing streets of the city – Bolshaya Prospektnaya, today – Karl Marx street. Lunch in a local restaurant, then the visit continues to the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum, located on the right bank of the Angara river, and to the “Block 130” – “Irkutskaya Sloboda”, a quarter with reconstructed city buildings of the 19-20 c., where we enjoy some free time before returning to the city centre. Dinner in a local restaurant and departure to Port Baikal.
DAY 8 - Lake Baikal: boat trip to Listvyanka. Breakfast on board. Morning arrival in Port Baikal and transfer to the lake port, where we will embark the ferry to Listvyanka. Once we have set foot on Listvyanka shore we will ascend to the “Chersky Stone” observation point to enjoy a breathtaking view over the lake. Excursion to the town of Listvyanka, where we will visit the Lake Baikal Museum of Flora and Fauna. We will take a short break for lunch, then the visit continues to the local fish market, where we will have the opportunity to stock up with local products and souvenirs. Ferry transfer back to Port Baikal, where we will have a picnic dinner on the beach. In the evening we will return to the Imperial Russia Express and depart to Ulan-Ude.
DAY 9 – Ulan-Ude: the East Gates. Breakfast on board. Morning arrival in Ulan-Ude train station. In the morning we will take part in a city sightseeing tour of the capital of the Republic of Buryatia: we will visit the Ivolginsky Datsan, the Odigitria Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church. After the city tour we will stop for lunch in a typical Mongolian “yurt” tent, where a local family will welcome us with a taste of the best Mongolian dishes. During the lunch we will be presented with a folkloric entertainment programme that will get us acquainted with the Buriat culture and traditions. In the afternoon we will continue the visit to the city. Departure to Khabarovsk in the evening, dinner on board the Imperial Russia Express.
DAY 10, 11 - On board of the Imperial Russian Express traveling along the Chinese border. Meals on board.
DAY 12 - Khabarovsk. Breakfast on board and arrive in Khabarovsk. Sightseeing tour of the city including visit to the Museum of the Regional Studies. Lunch in a restaurant. Boat trip on the river with a folk concert. Master class on matreshka painting. Dinner in a restaurant. Departure from Khabarovsk.
DAY 13 - Vladivostok city sightseeing tour and excursion to Russky Island. Arrival in Vladivostok. In the morning we will take part in a city sightseeing tour including the city’s main sights: view point at Egersheld and Lighthouse at Egersheld cape, Railway station and Marine station, Central square with the Monument to Fighters, Historical Center of Vladivostok, Svetlanskaya Street, Nikolai Triumph Arch, Korabelnaya Nabereznaya, C-56 submarine museum, Nabereznaya of Tsesarevicha, Funicular, View point “Orlinoe Gnezdo", Sports Harbor and visiting Fortress museum. Visit to the Regional lore museum, Orthodox Church. Lunch in a local seafood restaurant. In the afternoon we will take part in a excursion to Russky Island, on the Golden Horn Bay: you will cross the two enormous bridges across the Golden Horn Bay and Eastern Bosporus strait, the latter of which would be a largest cable-stayed bridge upon its completion. Russky Island is opened for Primorye capital's residents and guests, the proximity to the city and convenient transportation turned it to one of the most popular recreation places. The island was significantly transformed after holding the APEC Summit on its territory in autumn 2012. Now you have a chance to watch the large international business center, where summit's main activities will take place, Far Eastern University's campus, which has united Vladivostok's four largest universities, view points from where you can see Primorye shores with fantastic hills, relict forests, beaches with picturesque coastal landscapes, azure bays. Dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 15 - Departure from Vladivostok. Breakfast in the hotel, check-out and transfer to the airport. Comes to an end an unforgettable journey through the cites and peoples of Russia.

Included

• Accommodation on board the Imperial Russia Express
• 1- night stay in Moscow
• 1-night stay in Vladivostok
• Towels, bathrobe and slippers available onboard of the “Imperial Russia” train.
• Visit programme with local guides as per itinerary.
• Excursions will be conducted in English, German, French and Spanish. Other languages available on request.
• Meals: full board
• Tea/coffee on board throughout the day.
• Pick-up at the airports, transfer to hotels and train stations, transfer to the airport (in Moscow and Vladivostok, depending on Tour choice).
• Porter service in the hotel and the railway station.
• Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the country visited.
• Physician on board.
• Tourist voucher/invitation
• English Speaking Group Leader and Tour managers.

Not included:

• Airfare
• Visa application service, consular fee
• Travel insurance (mandatory for every foreign citizen traveling to Russia)
• Drinks in the restaurant carriage
• Additional non-included excursions and other additional non-included services
• Meals on the day of arrival and departure
• Tips and personal expenses

Full itinerary of the Moscow - Beijing route of the Trans-Mongolian Express Imperial Russia. The Beijing - Moscow route includes the same stops and visit programme.

DAY 1 - On arrival at Moscow International Airport our driver will take you to your hotel: once arrived you will have time to settle in and explore the surroundings of the hotel.
DAY 2 - Moscow City Tour and visit to the Kremlin Breakfast in your hotel. In the morning we will take part in a city sightseeing tour of Moscow. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Moscow Kremlin and the Armory Museum: the mighty fortress of the Kremlin, once the majestic residence of the Muscovite Great Princes, hosts today Russia's governmental institutions and the Russian Presidential Cabinet. The visit continues along the charming Arbat Avenue. Before dinner, we will visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and a walking tour of the Moscow Underground. In the evening we will be transferred to the railway station and embark on the Imperial Russia Express. Departure to Kazan.
DAY 3 - Kazan, capital of Tatarstan Breakfast on board. In the morning we will arrive in the Kazan railway station and take part in the city sightseeing tour "Old Kazan": during the city tour we will have the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the Tatar culture and traditions attending the Tugan Avalim Folk Show. After the show the visit continues to the Kazan Kremlin. We will have lunch in a local restaurant , where some of the best local chefs will present us with the best Tatar dishes and a master class on the best traditional recipes. After lunch we will return to the train and depart to Yekaterinburg. Dinner on board.
DAY 4 - Yekaterinburg: between Europe and Asia Breakfast on board. Morning arrival to the Yekaterinburg railway station: today we will take part in the special tour “The Last Days of the Last Tsar”, a themed city sightseeing tour that will introduce us to the history and main locations of the city while following the events that led to the execution of the Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution. We will see the Church on Blood, erected on the place where the imperial family was killed, and we will visit the neighboring monastery to admire its typical drevnorussky design. We will take a short break for lunch, then the tour continues to the border between Europe and Asia, where we will see the monument marking the frontier. In the evening we will return to the train and depart to Novosibirsk. Dinner on board.
DAY 5 - Novosibirsk: the heart of Siberia. Breakfast on board. We will arrive in Novosibirsk around midday and have lunch. In the afternoon we will take part in a city sightseeing tour including the main sights: the Railway museum, Ballet and Opera House, ancient streets, a walk along the Ob river esplanade. Departure to Irkutsk after dinner.
DAY 6 - On board of the Imperial Russian Express traveling across the Great Siberian Steppe. Meals on board.
DAY 7 - Irkutsk: the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum and Irkutskaya Sloboda. Breakfast on board Morning arrival to the Yekaterinburg railway station and departure of the city sightseeing tour: visit to the Decembrist House, the “wooden lace” house, also called the “House of Europe”, the most beautiful and amazing streets of the city – Bolshaya Prospektnaya, today – Karl Marx street. Lunch in a local restaurant, then the visit continues to the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum, located on the right bank of the Angara river, and to the “Block 130” – “Irkutskaya Sloboda”, a quarter with reconstructed city buildings of the 19-20 c., where we enjoy some free time before returning to the city centre. Dinner in a local restaurant and departure to Port Baikal.
DAY 8 - Lake Baikal: boat trip to Listvyanka. Breakfast on board. Morning arrival in Port Baikal and transfer to the lake port, where we will embark the ferry to Listvyanka. Once we have set foot on Listvyanka shore we will ascend to the “Chersky Stone” observation point to enjoy a breathtaking view over the lake. Excursion to the town of Listvyanka, where we will visit the Lake Baikal Museum of Flora and Fauna. We will take a short break for lunch, then the visit continues to the local fish market, where we will have the opportunity to stock up with local products and souvenirs. Ferry transfer back to Port Baikal, where we will have a picnic dinner on the beach. In the evening we will return to the Imperial Russia Express and depart to Ulan-Ude.
DAY 9 – Ulan-Ude: the East Gates. Breakfast on board. Morning arrival in Ulan-Ude train station. In the morning we will take part in a city sightseeing tour of the capital of the Republic of Buryatia: we will visit the Ivolginsky Datsan, the Odigitria Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church. After the city tour we will stop for lunch in a typical Mongolian “yurt” tent, where a local family will welcome us with a taste of the best Mongolian dishes. During the lunch we will be presented with a folkloric entertainment programme that will get us acquainted with the Buriat culture and traditions. In the afternoon we will continue the visit to the city. Departure to Ulaanbaatar in the evening, dinner on board the Imperial Russia Express.
DAY 10 – Ulaanbaatar: Ethnographic excursion to the Terelij National Park and overnight stay in a Mongol tent Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and breakfast. In the morning we will take part in a short visit to the city’s main square and to the Zaisan Memorial. Transfer to Terelj National Park. Arrive to the yurt camp. Upon arrival to the camp we will have the time to settle in your yurt tent and explore the location prior to lunch. Lunch at the camp, after we will perform an ascension to Turtle Rock and enjoy the wonderful view of the surroundings. Hiking tour to the top of overlooking hill to have a general view of the Terelj National Park. On the trip back to the camp we will visit a local nomad family and get introduced to the authentic lifestyle and culture of Mongolian nomads and try their traditional food. Horse riding for an hour (optional), disassembling and building demonstration of a smaller Mongolian Yurt. Dinner and overnight stay in the yurt camp.
Day 11 – Ulaanbaatar: city sightseeing tour and lunch in a local restaurant with folk show Breakfast at the yurt camp and transfer to Ulaanbaatar city centre: visit to the Gandan monastery, the Museum of National History and Bogd Khan winter palace museum. Mongol BBQ lunch with folk show. After lunch we will return to the train station and depart from Ulaanbaatar to the Chinese border. Dinner on board.
DAY 12 - Erlian: crossing the Chinese border. Breakfast on board. Today we will make a stop in the city of Erlian, on the Chinese border, and transfer to the Chinese train. Dinner on board.
DAY 13 - Beijing: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Breakfast on board. Morning arrival in the Beijing railway station an departure of the city sightseeing tour: visit to Tiananmen Square – this area can fit about a million people, this is the world's largest urban area, where the national Museum of China; the House of People's Meetings, the majestic monument to the National Heroes. Forbidden city. Lunch included, Peking Duck dinner. Overnight stay in your Beijing hotel.
DAY 14 - Beijing: the Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will take part in a full day excursion to the Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace. Lunch and Dinner included.
DAY 15 - Departure from Beijing. Transfer to the airport and departure from Beijing. End of an unforgettable journey across the fascinating cultures and landscapes of Europe and Asia.

Included:
• Accommodation on board the Imperial Russia Express in Russia and Mongolia
• Accommodation on board the Chinese train
• 1-night stay in Moscow, 5* hotel
• 1-night stay in Ulan-Bator, in yurta
• 2-night stay in Beijing, 4 or 5* hotel
• Towels, bathrobe and slippers available onboard of the “Imperial Russia” train
• Visit programme with local guides as per itinerary
• Excursions will be conducted in English, German, French and Spanish. Other languages are available upon request.
• Meals: full board
• Tea/coffee on board throughout the day.
• Pick-up at the airports, transfer to hotels and train stations, transfer to the airport (in Moscow, Irkutsk and Beijing, depending on Tour choice).
• Porter service in the hotel and the railway station.
• Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the country visited.
• Phisician on board.
• Tourist voucher/invitation

Not included:
• Airfare
• Visa to Russia, Mongolia or China
• All drinks ordered in the bar car
• Additional non-included excursions and other additional non-included services
• Meals on the day of arrival and departure
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel insurance (mandatory for every foreign citizen traveling to Russia)