Trans Siberian Rail Journey, Winter In Russia - uVisitRussia
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Trans Siberian Rail Journey, Winter In Russia

This is a private, tailor-made tour. We can design the itinerary according to your needs, interests and budget. Spend one week on the trans Siberian train and then another one at the Lake Baikal, hike across its frozen waters, get to know local indigenous culture and experience famous Siberian winter.

Stretch your limits and have an adventure of a lifetime! Jump on the world's longest train route to experience Russia's complexity and diversity. Get to know the biggest country in the world, cross several time zones and pass by countless Siberian towns and villages. And all this in winter, when the temperature drops even to -40 degrees Celsius! Experience winter you've never even imagined and see taiga fully covered with snow. Dive into Russian culture, meet its people and get to know Russia from different perspectives.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Take a guided sightseeing tour around Moscow, visit its most important tourist attractions and warm yourself up over a home dinner with Muscovites.
  • Spend a week on a trans Siberian train. Relax, read books, drink tea, chat with your companions and enjoy Russian snowy landscape.
  • Go ice-walking across Baikal Lake.
  • Spend some time in a Siberian village at Baikal, get to know Buryats and their culture

Note:

  • The best time for this tour is January to March.
  • You should bring special warm clothes and need to be in a good physical condition.
  • We are happy to modify this tour by visiting more cities on the way from Moscow to Irkutsk (if you're more into culture) or with additional activities on Baikal (if you're more into outdoor adventure).
Type: Small Group Tours
Duration: 12 days

Itinerary Hide all details

Day 1: Arrive to Moscow

Welcome to Russia. Arrive to Moscow, transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we will give you suggestions on what you can do, to enjoy your first hours in snowy Russia.

Day 2: Introduction to Moscow

Take a guided sightseeing tour around the centre of Moscow. Begin with Kremlin. Grab lunch like a local at the typical Russian canteen in GUM Department Store. Afterwards, take a take a walk around the Red Square, see stunning Bolshoi Theater and walk along Tverskaya Street. In the evening, catch a warm dinner on Arbat, the oldest pedestrian street in Moscow.

Day 3: Back to The USSR

In the morning discover the soviet side of Moscow. Hide from the chill and dive into the famous Moscow's metro. Stop at the most beautiful stations of the Red, Green and Ring lines. Afterwards see famous Stalin's skyscrapers, the most spectacular examples of Soviet architecture. In the afternoon experience a bit of the local Moscow lifestyle. Have a typical Russian dinner with a Russian family and taste different local delicacies. In the evening start your Trans Siberian train journey to Irkutsk.

Day 4: Day 4-7: On the train Moscow - Irkutsk

Almost four days on a train sounds like an adventure (80-87 hours)! Trains in Russia are the most reliable mean of transportation: they can get you almost to any part of the country, they are always on time and they are safe. The train from Moscow to Irkutsk is not a touristy train - it's a typical one used also by locals, who travel to work, to visit their families or go for a holiday.

Day 8: Irkutsk

Arrive in Irkutsk and take some rest. In the afternoon, go for a guided tour around the city centre. Walk around 130 Kvartal and Uritsky Street, visit Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and Irkutsk Regional Memorial Decembrists Museum. Finish your tour on the embankment of Angara River and enjoy the city snowy landscape.

Day 9: Listvyanka

After breakfast, transfer to Listvyanka and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, take a tour around the village. Visit the Baikal Limnological Museum and the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church.

Day 10: Ice walking

Eat hearty breakfast, wear warm clothes, special boots and ... Go for an ice walking tour across frozen waters of Baikal! The walk goes from Listvyanka to Bolshie Koty and takes the whole day (a distance of 20km). It’s completely safe - the frozen ice on Baikal is up to a meter thick. In the evening enjoy a warm dinner together with your hosts - a Buryat family and finish your day in banya - a famous traditional Russian sauna.

Day 11: Ice walking

Spend one more day walking/ skating across the frozen waters of Baikal. Today go to Bolshoe Goloustnoe, which is about 30km from Bolshie Koty. Enjoy the stunning winter landscapes of Baikal and take the most amazing pictures you could ever imagine. In the evening check it at the local guest house. Have a warm bath and a delicious dinner. Enjoy the last evening at Baikal.

Day 12: Farewell

In the morning, transfer to Irkutsk. Depending on your flight - transfer to the airport or to the hotel.

What's included

  • Visa invitation
  • All tours/ activities listed in the itinerary
  • All domestic train tickets
  • Accommodation in 3* hotels/ guest-houses
  • Airport pick up and hotel transfers
Additional info

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements.

Price

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Group Tour

Price per person

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Visa

Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.

Sights included in program

Moscow : The Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin, the beautiful and ancient ensemble stands high on the hill towering over the left bank of the Moskva river. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power and might of the Russian state, the national idea expressed in stone. It is the oldest part of the city, its political, historic and cultural centre, and the seat of the country's highest bodies of power. The Kremlin contains unique specimens of Russian metal cas... Read more
Moscow : Red Square
The famous Red Square is located in the heart of Moscow. Of course, no trip to Russia would be complete without a visit to Red Square, perhaps Russia's most well known place, and possibly the most famous city square in the world. It is Russia’s most recognizable landmark and is usually tourists first stop in Moscow. It is surrounded by Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Kremlin. Visitors... Read more
Tverskaya Street is a central Moscow street as well as one of the oldest ones. According to certain historical data, Tverskaya Street already existed in the 12th century. Russian Monarchs entered Moscow through this street. It is hard to believe today but Moscow started where Tverskaya Street did. Moscow’s best buildings, hotels, and shops were built here. Tverskaya Street is one of Moscow’s most expensive trade streets. It is also a ... Read more
Moscow : Moscow Subway
Moscow's Metro stations together amount to the most beautiful public transport facility in the world. Visitors to Moscow should not miss taking a ride on this glorious underground rail system, and exploring the stations. Each one has its own distinct aesthetic identity, variously adorned with Realist artworks, chandeliers, ornate pillars and marble floors. Moscow's metro caters to two and half billion passenger rides per year, making it the secon... Read more
The Bolshoi Theatre is a symbol of Russia for all time. It is one of the leading ballet and opera companies in the world. It was awarded this honor due to the major contribution it made to the history of the Russian performing arts. This history is on-going and today Bolshoi Theatre artists continue to contribute to it many bright pages. The Bolshoi building, which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow's main sights, was opened on... Read more
The St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscow just that this fascinating church at the heart of Moscow, is an exemplary work of art, which touchingly and glamorously traces back the history of Russia in an encompassing and solemn manner, that no other tourist attraction can ever surpass. It is an interesting milestone and a great leaping step towards world tourism and the interesting pieces of history in its courageous, attractive and worth reading whol... Read more
Moscow : Arbat Street
In every city steeped in history there is always a street which attracts tourists like a magnet. This is a place filled with spirit of its own, while buildings bordering it and side-streets stemming from it each have a story to tell. In Moscow it is Old Arbat or simply Arbat – one of oldest and most popular walking streets. Today Arbat is as important landmark as Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre and St. Basil Cathedral. Read more
Moscow : GUM
The GUM shopping mall is a landmark in Moscow's Red Square. It occupies the majority of the historic square's east side with a facade stretching the length of two and a half football fields. The Gum (pronounced as 'goom') department store was built over a hundred years ago and is a testament to the expertise of late nineteenth century Russian architecture. With the looks of a royal palace this mall is a fitting addition to the numerous gems surro... Read more
Irkutsk : 130 Kvartal
Transport yourself back in time and take a stroll along 130 Kvartal, a restoration project of traditional Siberian wooden houses of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, some transported from other locations, some constructed to blend in with original structures in the area. Read more
Current place the Lower Embankment has been used since the founding of Irkutsk. On the spot where now a mound and viewing platform, was a dock for privatewire ships and boats, which led to the carriageway of the Spasskaya tower of the Kremlin, Irkutsk. Along the shore of the Angara was formed meadows and the road to Znamensky monastery. Gradually (with the increase in the settlement) of the free territory was built up with blocks. On the Lower Pr... Read more
A true adornment of Irkutsk is the Epiphany Cathedral. This church looks quite unusually. It is colorful and ornate and does not resemble classic orthodox churches. The matter concerns its decoration: the church’s façade and its tholobate are decorated with pictures of the saints in whole-length. Besides, the church is fancy decorated with ornamented tiles, and brightly painted like Russian popular prints. The influence of old-Russia... Read more
Irkutsk is recognized as the Decembrists' center of Russia. Museums were opened (in 1970 and 1985, respectively) in houses where the families of Sergei Trubetskoy and Sergey Volkonsky had lived. You'll find here genuine things that belonged to the Decembrists and replicas of lost things such as pieces of furniture, tableware, stoves, musical instruments, ancient chandeliers, embroidery, books, sheet music, and pictures and photographs. On certain... Read more
Baikal : Irkutsk
An unique old city, Irkutsk was known as «Paris of Siberia» in the middle of the 19th century. It plays a remarkable role in the Russian history and it's not accidentally called the city-museum. Irkutsk saves many ancient monuments, romantic look, church cupola's lighting upon the blue current of Angara River. This incredible city is called the midst of the Earth, since it's equidistant from the three world's oceans: the Arctic, the P... Read more
Listvyanka is perhaps one of the oldest Russian settlements on the shore of the great Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. It is a charming village dotted with traditional Siberian wooden houses, with a main road that runs right along the shore of fantastic lake, making it the perfect base to explore this picturesque region. This old-style Siberian village is one of the most visited places in Siberia. Everything about it impresses our imag... Read more
Baikal : Bolshie Koty
Bolshie Koty is an ancient settlement on the shore of fabulous Lake Baikal. One of the most picturesque places on the lake, Bolshie Koty is a remote and isolated village (reachable only by feet or by boat, no road) where one can relax and take a break from city life and traffic noise to simply enjoy the beauty and serenity of this region. The warm hospitality, the beautiful location and the peace and quiet the village offeres is compelling reason... Read more
Baikal Limnological museum is located at the beginning of Listvyanka, beautiful old-style Siberian village, on the shore of fabulous Lake Baikal. The museum is engaged in collecting and storage the materials and analysis of the information bound with the lake.The unique exhibits tell about the origin and the history of the lake, its fantastic flora and fauna, geological structure, climate and tectonics of Pribaikalye. All scientific activities of... Read more
Bolshoe Goloustnoe is amazing and unique village, built in the classic wooden style on the southwestern shore of famous Lake Baikal, and is inside the beautiful Pribaikalsky National Park. It is not too far from other villages, but its history and character differs a lot. Bolshoe Goloustnoe is the fabulous place to come for the authentic Siberian experience in a stunning setting. You will admire amazing wooden old buidigs, learn about Buryat cult... Read more
1/7th of the World : Baikal
Lake Baikal in Siberia is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site and was also voted as one of Russia's Seven Wonders. It's not hard to see why. Baikal is one of those rare spots on the earth where nature has still remained genuine and untouched. The magnificent landscapes – the lake is surrounded by high mountain chains - and the unique clarity of the crystal-clear water, which runs into a darkness teeming with fish. Siberians believe that ... Read more
1/7th of the World : Russian Food
Russian Food is a collection of the different cooking traditions of the Russian people.  Read more
Explore : Moscow
Moscow can be an overwhelming experience for visitors - there's just so much to see in this vast and vibrant city, from the truly sublime to the ever-so-slightly ridiculous. Moscow has been one of the world's ballet capitals for almost two centuries. It is home to the Bolshoi Ballet, founded in the late 18th century and based at the Bolshoi Theatre. It is called the "world capital of museums". It's no surprise, considering that there are over a ... Read more
US$ 2078
per person, based on 2-people group
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Price for persons:

Our flexible payment options allow you to pay 20% of a deposit first and the remaining 80% in 14 days prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.

Also you get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis.
In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.

Speak to an expert
Call us now

+1 (888) 845-8877

Speak to an expert
Call us now

+1 (888) 845-8877

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