Travel with us to Russia. Trans-Siberian Railroad: Trans Siberian Express

Trans Siberian Express - 2009

Trans Siberian Express - 2009, Go East, 15 days/14 nights

Moscow - Kazan - Yekaterinburg - Novosobirsk - Krasnoyarsk - Irkutsk - Circum Baikal Rail Road - - Ulan-Ude - Ulan-Bator - Beijing

Train description

In Russia and Mongolia you travel onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
At the Chinese border station Erlian passengers change to a Chinese train for the last part to Beijing. The Chinese train consists of only Standard Class carriages.
There are 3 types of accommodation on the Trans Siberian Express:

FIRST CLASS CAR
for 1 or 2 persons per compartment

This modification of carriage of the high-level comfort perfectly befits both for business people and for tourists because it is possible to combine work and rest. The carriages offer 6 compartments and are equipped the system of conditioning (therefore windows cannot be opened), heating, light (daily and evening). Each compartment offers of 2 sleeping berths (1 lower bed is 120x190 cm in size and 1 upper bed is 95x190 cm in size), arm-chair, table, dress closet with hangers, luggage shelf, washstand, shower, ecologically clean (vacuum) WC, Internet wall outlet, DVD with TV monitor, radio point (train broadcasting), socket 220V for equipment charging, call of conductor button. The compartment may be locked by conductor on request.

STANDARD CLASS CAR
for 1 or 2 persons per compartment

This carriage ideally befits for a trip with the intensive excursion program. There is all of necessary for traveling with comfort. The carriages offer 9 compartments for tourists and are equipped the system of conditioning (therefore windows cannot be opened), heating, light (daily and evening), ecologically clean (vacuum) WC at either end of the car, socket 220V for equipment charging. Each compartment offers 2 lower sleeping berths are 65x185 cm in size (also can be equipped of 2 upper beds), table, place for clothes with peg, luggage shelf, radio point (train broadcasting). The compartment may be locked by conductor on request.

RESTAURANT CAR

The restaurant car on the train that serves breakfast-lunch-dinner and designed in different styles, equipped with the professional kitchenware and equipment allowing to shorten time of preparation of food and considerably to promote its quality.

BAR CAR

The bar car is a soul of the train and comfortable zone on the train and allowing the passengers to relax with a drink, dance and enjoy the scenery passing in the window.

Schedule

Day	Tour 1		Tour 3		Tour 5		Tour 7		Time (local)	City	Accommodation
1	Wed	01.07	Fri	24.07	Sat	15.08	Sat	12.09		Moscow	Moscow
2	Thu	02.07	Sat	25.07	Sun	16.08	Sun	13.09	19.00	Moscow	Train
3	Fri	03.07	Sun	26.07	Mon	17.08	Mon	14.09	09.00-14.00	Kazan	Train
4	Sat	04.07	Mon	27.07	Tue	18.08	Tue	15.09	09.30-13.30	Yekaterinburg	Train
5	Sun	05.07	Tue	28.07	Wed	19.08	Wed	16.09	14.00-22.00	Novosibirsk	Train
6	Mon	06.07	Wed	29.07	Thu	20.08	Thu	17.09	12.00-17.00	Krasnoyarsk	Train
7	Tue	07.07	Thu	30.07	Fri	21.08	Fri	18.09	12.00-22.00	Irkutsk	Train
8	Wed	08.07	Fri	31.07	Sat	22.08	Sat	19.09	08.00	Port Baikal	Train
9	Thu	09.07	Sat	01.08	Sun	23.08	Sun	20.09	09.00-14.00	Ulan-Ude	Train
10	Fri	10.07	Sun	02.08	Mon	24.08	Mon	21.09	10.00	Ulan-Bator, Terelj	Terelj
11	Sat	11.07	Mon	03.08	Tue	25.08	Tue	22.09	08.30-18.30	Ulan-Bator**	Train
12	Sun	12.07	Tue	04.08	Wed	26.08	Wed	23.09	10.00-16.00	Erlian	Train
13	Mon	13.07	Wed	05.08	Thu	27.08	Thu	24.09	06.00	Beijing	Beijing
14	Tue	14.07	Thu	06.08	Fri	28.08	Fri	25.09		Beijing	Beijing
15	Wed	15.07	Fri	07.08	Sat	29.08	Sat	26.09		Beijing

* - in tour 1 at the 2nd day Tretyakov Art Gallery instead Kremlin (Kremlin only outside).
** - in tour 1 Naadam Festival, in tour 3, 5, 7 Mini Naadam show.

Program

Day 1, Arrival Moscow

Arrival in Moscow - the capital of the Russian Federation, one of the world biggest megapolis. Our representative will meet you at the airport and you will be provided by the group or individual transfer to the hotel**. Welcome dinner at the city restaurant. Accommodation in Moscow hotel**.
Day 2, Moscow

The first part of the city-tour shows you Peace Avenue with Ostankino TV Tower, Garden and Boulevard Rings, Banks of the Moskva River and Novodevichi convent, Sparrow Hill with Moscow State University, Bow Hill with Victory Park, Kutuzov Avenue and The House of Government (White House), New Arbat Avenue and Tverskaya Street. The second part of the city-tour shows you the Red Square - a magnificent architectural ensemble, the Kremlin with Cathedrals and the Armory Chamber - the Treasury of Russian Tsars with its unique collection. Evening transfer to the train station where your private special train Trans Siberian Express will be waiting for you. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 3, 22.08.2007, Kazan

Arrival in Kazan - the capital of the Rebublic of Tatarstan - starts with a comprehensive tour of the city. The Kazan Kremlin is the chief historic citadel of Tatarstan, that was built on behest of Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the former castle of Kazan khans. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. Also we show you the Qol-Sarif mosque and minarets, the Square of Freedom, magnificent Orthodox Churches and Cathedrals, the Palace of the president of Tatarstan. In the afternoon you will enjoy a Volga boat trip with folk show. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 4, Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg is a historical, administrative and economical capital of the Ural Region that forms a natural border between Europe and Asia. The city was founded in 1723 and developed as a fortress, gradually turning into the centre of the Ural. It was here that the Russian industry was born. Yekaterinburg became the place of imprisonment and tragic events in the life of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family. An excursion takes you to architectural monuments of Russian classicism of the 18-19th centuries, the obelisk which marks this virtual border and you'll also see Temple-on-Blood which is located on the place of Ipatiev's house where the Tsar family lived its last days. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 5, Novosibirsk

The next stop on Trans Siberian thoroughfare is Novosibirsk - the capital of Siberia with 1,5 million population, Russia's third largest city and the biggest of Siberia, celebrated first centenary in 1993. Its name means "a new city of Siberia" in Russian. Novosibirsk is also the largest scientific centre in Siberia which comprises the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and branches of the Medical and Agricultural Academies. During a sightseeing tour you will see the Red Avenue, Lenin Square, the Theatres of opera and ballet, the geographical centre of Russia - a chapel, Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral, building of the railway station - the greatest in Siberia, embankment of Ob River, Trans Siberian bridge through Ob. Also excursion to Akademgorodok (The Academic Town) with visit to the museum of mineralogy (unique collection of minerals, ancient fauna and flora of Russia, decorative stones), open-air museum of railway technique (the history of the Railroad, locomotives and cars of all periods). Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 6, Krasnojarsk

Krasnojarsk is the largest Siberian port on the Yenisei River. The history of the city, founded by the first Russian explorers, dates back more than 300 years. The variety and beauty of the Krasnojarsk Region are striking - high mountains and deep canyons, the boundless and thick taiga where one can see ermines, polar foxes, deer and bears. The national park Stolby is well known for its unique natural granite structures which rise up to 100 m high. It is practically untouched corner on the right bank of the Yenisei River. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 7, Irkutsk

In the morning arrival in Irkutsk, one of the oldest Siberian cities that is situated in the Eastern Siberia on a picturesque bank of the Angara River. Irkutsk was founded as a small settlement in 1661 and soon got the status of a city. At the end of the 17th century Irkutsk turned into the most important transit point on trade routes from Russia to China and Mongolia. During a sightseeing tour you will see Kirov Square, eternal flame, Orthodox Churches and Cathedrals, you will visit the bell tower from where it is a beautiful view on a city, the old wooden town, museum of Decembrists with private classical concert. Also you'll visit Taltsy - an open-air museum of wooden architecture. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.

Day 8, Circum Baikal Line and Lake Baikal

Trans Siberian Express will present you with amazing trip of this day - Circum Baikal Line which used to be a part of Tran Siberian Railroad which join two great branches - Eastern and Western rail lines, disconnected by Baikal Lake. It was called the "Golden Buckle of Russia's steel belt" due to the transcendental cost of the construction. The shoreline landscape which high rocky cliffs and walls made a great difficulty for construction of this railroad mostly represent. For the whole length of Circum-Baikal Line (less than 100 km) 39 tunnels were built, with a total length of 8994 meters. For the present moment this part of Trans Siberian Line is not included into general railroad line and it became an open-air museum. There is not much traffic on this railroad, only few local and excursion trains. The road starts from the dead end in Port Baikal (small settlement across Listvyanka village), goes along the picturesque southern shore of Baikal Lake and joins the main Trans Siberian Line in Sludyanka village. In Listvyanka village you will admire: Limnological museum, St.-Nicholas Church and make a boat cruise on the Baikal Lake. Lake Baikal being invariably called "Pearl of Siberia" is a unique natural phenomenon not only of the Asia continent but also of the Planet. It's the deepest (1620 m) Lake in the world and is estimated to contain one-fifth of all the Earth's fresh surface water. Vegetative organisms and animal species are 60% endemic. A photo stop will be arranged at a small village where you can get off the train, put your feet into the clear and cold water of Lake Baikal. A Baikal picnic is also a part of our program. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 9, Ulan-Ude

This day we arrive in Ulan-Ude - the capital of the Buryat Republic of the Russian Federation. It's situated at the junction of the Selenga and the Uda Rivers, on a crossroad of trading routes leading from China and Mongolia to Russia and Europe. The settlement of Nizhnyudinsk (former name of Ulan-Ude) was founded in 1666 as a winter outpost of the Russian Cossacks. Buryatia is a unique land with its wild and virgin nature, endless steppes, alpine meadows and taiga, Buddhist temples, nomad's tents and shamans. During an excursion you can visit Ivolginsky Datsan (Buddhist Monastery) that is the centre of Buddhism in Russia. When leaving Ulan-Ude the Trans Siberian Express switches from the Trans Siberian Road to the Trans Mongolian Road on its way to Ulan-Bator. The train reaches the Russian border station of Naushki and the Mongolian border station of Sukhe-Bator. All passport and custom controls are held in the train. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 10, Ulan-Bator and Terelj

In the morning the train arrives in Ulan-Bator - the capital of Mongolia. Transfer to Terelj National Park (70 km). Arrival at Terelj tourist camp. On arrival at the camp some time will be given to settle gers and freshen up prior to lunch. After lunch you will have the excursion to Turtle Rock and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Then there will be a short hiking tour to the top of Overlooking Hill to have a general view of Terelj National Park and then you will continue exploring the local area. Horse riding and disassembling and building of a smaller Mongolian ger. You will meet the sunset in the wide steppe and observe night stars. Accommodation in Ger.
Day 11, Terelj and Ulan-Bator

You will visit a nomadic family and get introduced to the authentic lifestyle and culture of Mongolian nomads and try traditional dairy food, after lunch transfer to Ulan-Bator and you'll visit Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery and National History Museum, the Bogd Khaan Palace museum, climb to the Zaisan Hill for viewing Ulan-Bator city in the whole. In the evening you will enjoy Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. Small shopping tour for buying Mongolian souvenirs. Trans Siberian Express will leave Ulan-Bator for China. Enjoy the rest of the day viewing the wonderful scenery of Mongolia with gers, nomads, and horses passing by from time to time. Accommodation onboard the Trans Siberian Express.
Day 12, Erlian (transit town)

In the morning you will arrive at the Mongolian border village of Zamyn-Uud and after a passport and customs check in the Chinese border town of Erlian. All passport and custom controls will be again in the train. In Erlian railway station the Russian railway gauge system ("broad gauge" 1520 mm wide) meets the China railway gauge system ("standard gauge" 1435 mm wide). The Trans Siberian Express therefore terminates in Erlian. The connecting Chinese train will be waiting on the same platform. While service staff transfers your luggage to the Chinese train you will enjoy a sumptuous Chinese welcome lunch. In the afternoon the Chinese train will pass through Gobi desert. Accommodation onboard the Chinese train.
Day 13, Beijing

In the morning the train arrives in Beijing - the capital of China - with its ancient history it has always been of great interest to people all over the world. Emperors and khans always ruled this Forbidden City, unreachable for ordinary people. During full day tour we will see Imperial Palace ("Forbidden City"), the Summer Palace. Accommodation in Beijing hotel****.
Day 14, Beijing

Excursion to the Great Chinese Wall and to the Ming Tombs. A farewell dinner will be held in the "Beijing duck" restaurant. Accommodation in Beijing hotel****.
Day 15, Beijing & Departure

Morning leisure in Beijing. Airport group or individual transfer will be provided by our service team to connect with your flight departing Beijing.

Price (in EURO per person per trip):
Category First class (ex-Deluxe) 7550 EURO per 1 person 3450 EURO for Single supplement Hotels for passengers in category First class: Moscow: 4** Ulan-Bator: Ger camp Beijing: 4**	Category Standard (ex-First class) 4470 EURO per 1 person 1950 EURO for Single supplement Hotels for passengers in categories Standard: Moscow: 4** Ulan-Bator: Ger camp Beijing: 4**

Book this tour

Fill in the reservation form and book this tour

We can offer any type of accommodation in compartments. The price information will be send you after request.

Price includes:

9 nights accommodation onboard the private train Trans Siberian Express

1 night accommodation onboard the private Chinese train

1 night accommodation in Moscow hotel****

1 night accommodation in Terelj gers

2 nights accommodation in Beijing hotel****

full board throughout the tour, starting with welcome dinner on the first day and terminating with breakfast on the last day (go east) and starting with breakfast on the second day and terminating with breakfast on the last day (go west)

bathroom set (towel and soap)

bath robe and slippers

morning or day or evening cup of tea or coffee are complimentary

extensive trip on the ancient rail lines of the Trans-Siberian Railway directly on the banks of Lake Baikal with photo Stopp

luggage service

brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian railroad as well as the geography and history of the country

doctor on board (from Moscow till Erlian and from Erlian till Moscow)

showers on board

culinary specialties (Beijing Duck, Caviar and vodka tasting, picnic on lake Baikal)

transfers airport - hotel - airport in Moscow and Beijing

excursions according to the program with local guides as well

English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese speaking guides (other languages on request) (guarantee with language group from 10 persons on board the train)

English Speaking Tour Director throughout the tour

Services Not Included:

International Flights

Visa Russia, Mongolia, China

Gratuities

Payment Conditions: EUR 850 pp required with booking, non refundable

Cancellation Conditions:
Up to 91 days 25 %
90-61 days 40 %
60-31 days 50 %
30-16 days 80 %
15-00 days 100 %

All rates are NET and given in EURO.
VAT is included. All rates are subject to change.

Please, don`t hesitate to contact us by e-mail manager@mita-tour.com or phone directly to our office. We will answer all your questions. We are sure you won`t reget if you decide to present yourself and your family with this unforgettable experience.

	Russia, Moscow, B. Yakimanka st., 31, office 201 Phone: +7-499-238-23-12, Phone/Fax: +7-495-604-45-69