Tour Operator: The Russia Experience

Trip Itinerary
To book this trip call: 08700 66 45 11
Moscow - Beijing

Day 01 Arrival in Moscow! We transfer you directly to your hotel-your first night in Moscow.

Day 02 After breakfast your local expert will meet you at the hotel, to whiz you round the highlights. This is using public transport to familiarise you with the city centre and help smooth your path…  at least until lunchtime! Afternoon and evening free to explore.

Day 03 A full free day for you to pack in the rest! Mid-evening we take you to your waiting train-to Siberia!

Day 04 The Trans-Sib line leads you past Kazan and Ekaterinburg…

Day 05 Then onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk…

Day 06 Across the River Yenisei, at Krasnoyarsk

BAIKAL Programmes - Choose either Siberian Village or Fisherman's Cape

1) Siberian Village:
DAY 07 Arrival into Irkutsk and transfer (1hr) to Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal. Stay in an authentic Siberian log-cabin (izba). Lunch. See the village, the old Church, and the Lake Wildlife Museum with your friendly local expert. Then get it all off your chest the Siberian way-in the sauna! (banya) You'll be ready for your home-cooked supper after all thatthen sleep like a log in a log cabin.

DAY 08 Choose one activity from below its all included
in the trip price!
(A) 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).
(B) TAKE A FRESHWATER SCUBA DIVE in Lake Baikal (they say you gain a year of life if you dive in!) with qualified CMAS-instructors (requires PADI-1), (May-Oct.) 2 dives included (Feb-Mar.) Ice Dive. 1 dive included.
(C) SNOWMOBILE TRIP (2 hrs) with a local guide through the forest, or even out over the deep-frozen lake! (Dec-Apr).
(D) DO YOUR OWN THING-maybe take off on a Cliffside walk, or mosey around the village, or take a dip in Lake Baikal! Supper, then maybe try the local bar? Overnight with host family.

DAY 09 Transfer to Irkutsk (1hr) and stay in a city apartment with a local family, in soviet city style. Day free to explore, dinner with host family. (Or upgrade to tourist-class hotel if you rate comfort over authenticity, and prefer to dine out this evening instead?).

2) Fishermans Cape of Lake Baikal
DAY 07 Transfer directly from Station to the remoter village of Bolshoe Goloustnoye (110km on rural roads). Your local guide shows you the village, the Old Church, and lake shoreline. Get the 20th Century out of your system in a real Russian banya (sauna) which will sharpen your appetite for home-cooked food for supper. Sleep soundly-the modern world is far, far away.

DAY 08 Leisurely lakeside walk (9km) to Ushkani Cape,
and visit our friends the fishermen for lunch at their cabin. Leisurely walk back to Bolshoe Goloustnoye Village. Supper, then relish the hushed silence away from the tourist throng.

DAY 09 By car to Irkutsk (110km) 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 10 Early car to the station-you're heading out of Russia tonight! Late night border crossing (2+ hours halt for formalities).

DAY 11 Mid-morning arrival in Outer Mongolia! Shower, breakfast, transfer to a Mongolian Ger Camp-with accommodation in traditional Mongolian wood-framed felt tents (gers). The Mongolian steppes are outside your new home - so go and explore! Lunch and Supper are included (yes, there are vegetarian options too).

DAY 12 Local activities are available, weather permitting. The Mongolian Winter (November-March) is very harsh. For example Horse-riding (for a small local charge) with local herdsmen or walking, or maybe play traditional Mongolian sports? As the nearest bar or restaurant is 50km away, breakfast, lunch and supper will be provided for your stay at
the Ger Camp. 

DAY 13 Back to Ulaanbaatar. Internet cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs are waiting for you to let your hair down Mongolian style. Overnight 3* hotel. 

DAY 14 Transfer to your departing Beijing-bound train this morning. Midnight border crossing and onwards into China!

DAY 15 Thunder on across China-past the Great Wall. Mid-afternoon arrival into Beijing Central Station. Your trans-siberian journey comes to an end.

Trip available in reverse - contact us for details.