This Trans-Siberian Railway Winter tour is perfect for the adventurous traveller. It’s challenging and exciting, taking you across the breadth of Russia (the largest country in the world) and across several time zones. Stay in a combination of locally-owned hotels and the comfort of your train cabin along the way. The train leaves from Moscow, Russia's capital, so you will have the opportunity to explore this buzzing, beautiful city before you set off on your epic journey. For one week you will be on the train, whizzing through countless cities, towns and villages and witnessing the Taiga fully blanketed with snow. Then spend time in the Siberian part of Russia, getting to know the indigenous culture and experiencing the famous and magical Siberian winter. The final leg of your journey will take you to Vladivostok in the very east of Russia. A journey to rival all others!
Day 1 - Moscow
- Visa information for Russia
- Arrival transfer from Moscow airport to your hotel
- Time at leisure before starting your Trans-Siberian Railway tour
Day 2 - Moscow
- Winter walking city tour of Moscow
- St. Basil's Cathedral (winter)
- Lenin's Mausoleum (winter)
- State Historical Museum (winter)
- Local market tour
Day 3 - Moscow, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl Zalessky
- Winter day trip tour of the Golden Ring
- Sergiev Posad in winter
- Pereslavl Zalessky - visit ancient churches and the Blue Stone
- Train from Moscow to Kazan
Day 4 - Kazan
- Transfer from railway station to your hotel in Kazan
- Explore Kazan in winter - the Muslim side of Russia
- The Kazan Kremlin
Day 5 - Kazan
- Tour of historic Sviyazhsk by car
- Transfer from your hotel in Kazan to the railway station
- Train from Kazan to Krasnoyarsk
Day 6 - Kazan
- Train from Kazan to Krasnoyarsk
Day 7 - Krasnoyarsk
- Transfer from the railway station to your hotel in Krasnoyarsk
- Explore Stolby Nature Reserve
- City tour of Krasnoyarsk
- Enjoy a traditional Siberian tea ceremony
Day 8 - Krasnoyarsk
- Transfer from your hotel in Krasnoyarsk to the railway station
- Train from Krasnoyarsk to Irkutsk
Day 9 - Irkutsk
- Transfer from railway station to your hotel in Irkutsk
- Siberian history and food walking tour
Day 10 - Olkhon island
- Transfer from Irkutsk to Olkhon island
- Explore Baikal in winter
Day 11 - Olkhon island
- Explore on Russian jeeps
- Experience a Russian banya (sauna)
Day 12 - Olkhon island, Ulan Ude
- Walking on frozen Baikal Lake
- Transfer from Olkhon island to Irkutsk
- Train from Irkutsk to Ulan Ude (overnight)
Day 13 - Ulan Ude
- Transfer from railway station to your hotel in Ulan Ude
- Ulan Ude city tour
- Buddhist experience: trip to Ivolginsky Datsan
- Traditional dinner with local family
Day 14 - Vladivostok
- Transfer from your hotel in Ulan Ude to the railway station
- Train from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok
Day 15 - Vladivostok
- Train from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok
Day 16 - Vladivostok
- Train from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok (second full day)
Day 17 - Vladivostok
- Transfer from railway station to your hotel in Vladivostok
Day 18 - Vladivostok
- Vladivostok city tour
Day 19
- Departure transfer from your hotel in Vladivostok to the airport
The most popular and best time to go to Russia is during the summer months of June, July and August, where the days are balmy and long. That being said, it can easily be argued that there isn't a bad time to go to Russia, as all the seasons are equally wonderful in their own ways. The snow begins to melt in April and the cool, sunny spring days (right through til early June) are ideal for exploring the cities of St Petersburg and Moscow. Easter is hugely important to Russians making this a very interesting time to visit too. The summer months are popular for the Trans-Siberian Railway, but again this runs year round (even through the frozen months) and you will perhaps find the quieter periods more enjoyable. Autumn (September - October) is a beautiful golden time to visit, and many say that seeing Russia sparkling under blankets of snow over the winter (November - February) is well-worth the plummeting temperatures. Christmas in Russia is on the 7th January, so the sparkling markets are still open early in the year and this is a lovely, quiet time to explore the cities.
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