The Trans-Siberian Express in Winter 2013 

Early Booking Discount

Book before 31 August 2012 and receive an early booking discount of £400 per person.

We meet at London St Pancras International and embark on an extraordinary journey across almost half of the globe by train. We depart by Eurostar for Brussels in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. In Brussels we join Europe's high-speed network, travelling in First Class via Cologne to Berlin, where we spend the night at the Maritim Hotel. On Day 2 we continue our journey east, travelling across the Polish border to the impressive city of Warsaw. We spend a night in the Polish capital at the Radisson Blu Centrum Hotel. (Day 1-E,D; Day 2-B,D)

You have some free time this morning to explore Poland's capital. Take a stroll around Warsaw's quaint Old Town and explore the atmospheric streets, lined with merchants' houses, craft shops and cafés. Later we board the overnight sleeper train for a journey through the night to Moscow. (B)

After a journey across Poland and into Russia, we arrive in Moscow in the late afternoon. Upon leaving the train we transfer to the 5-star Moscow Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel, where we enjoy a welcome reception and dinner in the evening. On Day 5 we spend the day in Moscow and take a tour of its famous sights, including the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral. This evening we join the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, for our fabulous 12-night adventure to Vladivostok. (Day 4-D; Day 5-B,L,D)

Our first stop is Vladimir, one of Russia's oldest communities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visit the beautiful Uspensky Cathedral, before we move on to Suzdal, a perfectly preserved walled city dating back to 1024. Here we visit the atmospheric St Euthymius Monastery for an enchanting choral performance and enjoy a horse-drawn Troika sledge ride around Suzdal. (B,L,D)

Today we cross the Europe-Asia divide and arrive in Yekaterinburg, founded in 1723 by Peter the Great. Here we visit the poignant site where the Romanov family headed by Nicholas II of Russia was murdered in 1918, now a church dedicated to their memory. On Day 8 we alight in Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, for a guided tour including the Opera House, the largest in the world, and Lenin's imposing statue. (Days 7-8-B,L,D)

We spend Day 9 on the train enjoying the passing scenery as we travel through the Sayan Mountains. On Day 10 we arrive in Irkutsk, founded by Cossacks. The city is affectionately known as 'the Paris of Siberia'. During a sightseeing tour we visit the city's most significant sights and museums including some classic Siberian carvedwood architecture and the Decembrist House Museum. We also enjoy a concert before leaving for the wooded encampment of Zaimka (Hunters Lodge), where we are met by local women in traditional costume and treated to food and drink in the authentic wooden houses. (Days 9-10-B,L,D)

Today we experience one of the true highlights of our journey through Siberia. The Golden Eagle skirts vast Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake, totally frozen at this time of year. We wind our way through tunnels and along cliff-hugging tracks before stopping by the side of the lake to visit the Ice Festival. We ride across the lake by hovercraft for your chance to experience a snowmobile or a dog troika ride. Alternatively, try your hand at ice-fishing and smoke your freshly caught fish in the mobile smokehouse, delicious served warm with ice-cold vodka. (B,L,D)

Today we arrive in Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic. Here we visit the Old Believer's Village, where we have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of these religious people as we are treated to a traditional meal and enjoy a concert featuring local musicians and dancers. On Day 13 we arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Passing the Genghis Khan monument, we visit the National Museum before enjoying lunch in a traditional yurt. Day 14 is spent on board as we continue east through this vast and varied country. (Days 12-14-B,L,D)

The train follows the Shilka and Amur Rivers close to the Chinese border. Our route takes us across an area of permafrost, as remote as it is dramatic. During Day 16 we reach the most easterly point of our journey and as we head towards the Pacific coast, we enjoy a farewell dinner on board. (Days 15-16-B,L,D)

After travelling across 11 time zones and over 8,000 train miles, our epic journey from London to Vladivostok concludes today, as the Trans-Siberian Express arrives in Vladivostok, where we disembark. We take a tour of the city before transferring to the Hyundai Hotel for one night. On Day 18 we transfer to the airport for our return flight via Moscow to London. (Day 17-B,L,D; Day 18-B)

E=Eurostar Meal, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
These meals, where shown are included in the price of your holiday.



We are delighted to offer a version of the tour beginning with a flight from London to Moscow. Although shorter in length (15 days), this Trans-Siberian adventure still includes all the splendour of Moscow, plus the classic rail journey to Vladivostock. The two tours will join together in Moscow.