Moscow - Kazan - Irkutsk Trans-Siberian Railway

Moscow - Kazan - Irkutsk Trans-Siberian Railway

Day 1: Arrival in Moscow

When you arrive at Moscow airport, we'll be waiting for you to take you to the hotel where we'll stay for the first two nights. Welcome to Russia!

Day 2: Moscow

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll embark on a guided tour of Moscow. First, we'll take a walk around Lubyanka Square, famous for being the headquarters of the KGB in the Soviet era. From there, we'll head towards the Bolshoi Theatre and walk to Red Square. Here stands the undisputed symbol of the Russian capital, St. Basil's Cathedral, where you'll be able to take plenty of photos of its emblematic colorful domes.

We'll finish the tour of Moscow between 2 pm and 3 pm and you'll have the rest of the day free to continue exploring the city.

Day 3: Moscow - Kazan

After breakfast, we'll continue to see the most important monuments of Moscow. This time we'll visit the Kremlin, the former residence of the Tsars and current workplace of the President of Russia. We'll tour its most outstanding buildings, such as the Orthodox cathedrals and the Armory Museum, where we'll see its extensive collection of armor, royal carriages, tableware, and Fabergé eggs.

Next, we'll enter the Moscow metro, whose walls are decorated with marble, mosaics, and frescoes that will leave you speechless. Did you know that it's also known as the underground palace? You'll see exactly why on the tour!

Later we'll take you back to the hotel to pick up your luggage and transfer you to the railroad station, where you'll take the night train, the start of your Trans-Siberian journey. First stop - Kazan!

Day 4: Kazan - Yekaterinburg

Upon arrival in Kazan, we'll start a tour of the historic center of the capital of Tatarstan. We'll visit the Kremlin, a World Heritage Site built by Ivan the Terrible. Inside we'll see the Cathedral of the Annunciation and the leaning tower of Söyembikä, which dates back to the times of Peter the Great - the legend behind it will give you goosebumps!

In the Kazan Kremlin, we'll also witness the city's mix of cultures on visits to the Al-Marjani and Kul Sharif mosques, two perfect examples of Islamic influence in this part of Russia.

In the late afternoon, we'll take you back to the train station to continue our journey on the Trans-Siberian railway to Yekaterinburg.

Day 5: Arrival in Yekaterinburg

When you arrive in Yekaterinburg, we'll be waiting for you at the station to take you to the hotel where you can rest from your journey.

Day 6: Yekaterinburg - Novosibirsk

After a delicious breakfast, we'll start exploring the capital of the Urals. First, we'll visit the monument honoring the victims of Stalin's repression and the obelisk marking the border between Europe and Asia. Did you know that it's typical to toast with a glass of champagne at this location?

Afterward, we'll return to the center of Yekaterinburg to see the Church of All Saints, also called Church on the Blood, built on the exact spot where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were assassinated. We'll continue to learn about the history of Russia by approaching the pine forest where we'll find the Ganina Yama, an Orthodox monastery erected as the first burial place of the last Romanovs.

Finally, we'll return to the hotel, where the car will be waiting to take you to the train station. Next destination: Novosibirsk!

Day 7: Arrival in Novosibirsk

We'll be waiting for you at Novosibirsk railway station to take you to the hotel.

Day 8: Novosibirsk

After breakfast, we'll leave the hotel to start a tour of Novosibirsk, the third most populous city in Russia. We'll give you several options to choose the places you prefer to visit. For example, we recommend entering the West Siberian Railway Museum, which houses a collection of steam locomotives - what better way to delve into the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway?

You can also choose to take a guided tour of downtown Novosibirsk or take a boat ride on the Obi River, one of the most popular activities in the area during the summer months - it's up to you!

Later, we'll return to the hotel to take you to the station and continue the train ride to Irkutsk.

Day 9: Novosibirsk - Irkutsk

You'll spend the whole day traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Irkutsk.

Day 10: Irkutsk - Listvyanka

After spending the night on the train, we'll be waiting for you at the Irkutsk station for a journey to the charming town of Listvyanka, 70 kilometers (43 miles) away. Along the way, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of southern Siberia.

Once at our destination, we'll drop you off at the hotel and you'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy this small town on the shores of Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake. In Listvyanka you can visit the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the Baikal Museum or just stroll around and enjoy the area's peaceful atmosphere.

Day 11: Listvyanka - Irkutsk

After breakfast, we'll pickup to take you to visit the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture, located in the village of Taltsy. In this exhibition on the banks of the Angara River, we'll review what everyday life used to be like in this part of Russia. Inside, the wooden fortress or the shaman's yurt will be especially interesting. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about the customs of the Buryat and Evenki, two groups of Indigenous Peoples that inhabit these lands.

We'll then return to Irkutsk for a tour of the city, considered the Paris of Siberia. As we walk along its many imposing stone buildings, you'll understand the reason for this nickname.

Day 12: Irkutsk

It's time to say goodbye! After breakfast at the hotel in Irkutsk, we'll take you to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

Accommodation

The tour includes 6 nights of accommodation with breakfast in the following hotels:

• Moscow (2 nights): Moscow Ibis Bakhrushina Center 3*
• Yekaterinburg (1 night): Novotel Yekaterinburg Center 4*
• Novosibirsk (1 night): AZIMUT Hotel Siberia 3*
• Listvyanka (1 night): Listvyanka Mayak 4*
• Irkutsk (1 night): Irkutsk Angara 3*

The nights that you do not sleep in the hotels listed above will be spent traveling by night train, in which you'll have a 4-person compartment with two bunk beds. Each train carriage also has two toilets and hot water for making tea, and you'll be provided with clean bed linens and cups.

When booking, you'll only need to indicate the type of room you wish to sleep in at the hotels, as you'll always travel in 4-person compartments on the trains.

Guide in the cities

The guide service is only included in the cities, while on the train you'll travel on your own, enjoying the journey at your leisure.