Welcome to Real Russia Premier providers of travel and visa services to the Russian Federation

Day 1 — Arrival

Arrival in Moscow and transfer to the four star “Cosmos” hotel, conveniently located in the city centre next to the ex Soviet Achievements Exhibition Park, the Russian Cosmonaut and Space Museum and within 5 minutes' easy walk of the nearest metro station.

Day 2 — Moscow: Full Day City Tour

Orientation meeting by our expert guide where the train tickets will be issued, an overview of the tour provided and any questions you may have answered, followed by…

A full day tour exploring Moscow including “must see” metro stations, Alexander Gardens and the eternal flame, Red Square, The Kremlin, St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's mausoleum and the famous artists quarter of Old Arbat, a visit to the VDNKh Soviet exhibition centre and the memorial to Soviet cosmonauts.

Day 3 — Moscow: Free day

This day is totally given to explore Moscow, relax or book one of the many optional excursions on offer.

Day 4 — Depart Moscow

Pack and prepare for a 12:00 noon check-out. Transfer to the railway station where our guide will assist you to purchase provisions for the train if required, settle everyone into their cabins and answer any last minute questions.

16:50 — Train #16, The “Ural”, a high quality train departs for Yekaterinburg.

Day 5 — Arrive Yekaterinburg

Evening arrival in Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains, at the border between Europe and Asia, being met by a guide who will take you to the hotel and assist with check-in.

Day 6 — Yekaterinburg: Full Day Tour

Full day tour including the historic city centre, “1905” Square, Isset river dam, the chapel of Saint Catherine, the town's first stone-built house, the residence of the Rastorgouyev-Kharitonov merchant family and the Church on the Blood of All Russian Saints built on the house where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks.

Sample the famous Ural Pelmeni and other Siberian cuisine at lunch before continuing on to visit the Europe / Asia border marker outside the city. To reach it you will travel along a part of the “Great Siberian Trek” used for hundreds of years to transport exiles from Europe to Siberia and will visit the memorial of political repression en-route.

Day 7 — Yekaterinburg: Free Time

This day is totally given to explore Yekaterinburg, relax or book one of the many optional excursions on offer before preparing to check out and be ready by midnight for a transfer to the railway station. The guide will settle you in to the train carriage and answer any last minute questions.

Day 8 — Depart Yekaterinburg

Train #2, the famous firmini train “Russia”, leaves the eastern foothills of the Ural mountains, ultimately heading to Irkutsk, home to one of the world’s greatest natural treasures, the awesome Lake Baikal! But first weave your way through the Siberian plane via Novosibirsk – an oasis of civilization and Siberia’s largest city.

Day 9 — Heading into Siberia

All day on the train, through the seemingly limitless tracks and endless forests of Siberia, passing the mighty Altai region, crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk and heading deep into Asia.

Day 10 — Arrive Irkutsk — Tour of Listvyanka on the Shore of Lake Baikal

Following arrival in Irkutsk, you will be taken to Listvyanka village on the shores of Lake Baikal via the famous undulating “Eisenhower Road” through thick Siberian forests where you will have time to freshen up and have a meal.

After you have eaten you will  visit the fascinating Museum of Wooden Architecture containing unique and historic wooden structures donated from all over Russia, including buildings of the indigenous people saved from a valley flooded during the construction of a Soviet dam. Try local cuisine with lunch at a Siberian restaurant, then back to Listvyanka village via the famous Shaman rock. Round off the day with a traditional Baikal dinner and by indulging in an optional sauna in the village “Banya”.

Day 11 — Full Day Tour

Either a full day trip around Lake Baikal including a ferry ride and journey on the famous Circum Baikal Railroad, one of the most complicated stretches of railways in the world. The tour stops at some the most picturesque places en route to experience the nature of this unique area, and at the marble mining city of Sludyanka. The tour ends with check-in to your hotel in Irkutsk.

Or a visit to a Buryat (original people indigenous to Siberia related to the Mongols) settlement 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plane, including visiting the local lore museum, experience the local greeting ceremony, local arts, crafts and music, meet the Shaman and be "cleansed"; and visit a Yurt to sample local teas and join in a traditional feast. The tour ends with check-in to your hotel in Irkutsk.

Or an escorted tour of the local Baikal Museum and aquarium comprising animals that are exclusive to the legendary lake, including the famous Baikal seal. A chair lift ride to a panoramic view point, lunch in a local restaurant followed by a visit to a Russian Orthodox Church and finally exploring a local fish market with all its hustle, bustle and colour - not to be missed. The tour ends with check-in to your hotel in Irkutsk.

Day 12 — City tour and free time in Irkutsk

After breakfast enjoy a one and a half hour “Round up” city tour of Irkutsk by car, taking in the most interesting sights including beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), houses decorated with “wooden laces” (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions and the Decembrists' House.

The rest of the day is free to relax, sightsee, shop or book one of our many option excursions.

Day 13 — Depart Irkutsk

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the railway station with a guide on hand to accompany you to your carriage and answer any last minute questions before catching Train #4, a high quality Chinese intercontinental train heading for Ulan-Bator, capital of Mongolia and home of the famous Gengis-Khan!

Day 14 — Arrive Ulan-Bator and Gorkhi Terelj National Park

After arrival you will have a chance to freshen up and eat a hearty breakfast at a hotel before enjoying the beauty of the world famous Gorkhi Terelj National Park; lunch at a local Ger camp is followed by walking in the hills, an excursion to Turtle rock and a meditation centre and finally, return to the Ger camp for an evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 15 — Mongolian Steppe: Visiting the Nomads

Breakfast is followed by free time to enjoy the local area and relax; then, after lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit a local herdsman’s family to experience the fascinating daily life of nomadic people before being transferred back to Ulan-Bator and your hotel.

Day 16 — Ulan-Bator: Full day Tour

Full day city tour including Gandan Buddhist Monastery and the truly remarkable national history museum containing many world famous and unique exhibits. After lunch at a local restaurant (cost not included), browse in art, antique and cashmere shops before visiting Zaisan Hill to view the city panorama. End the day with a traditional meal and Mongolian folk music and dance entertainment. Phew!

Day 17 — Ulan-Bator: Free day

A free day to explore the distinctive charm of Ulan-Bator on your own, relax or take an optional tour, and in the evening join a party at one of the many night clubs, bars and restaurants which seem to be never ending.

Day 18 — Depart Ulan-Bator and Cross the Gobi Desert

An early start to catch the regular weekly train (#24) to Beijing, soon leaving the Mongolian capital behind, travelling on through the arid wastes of the majestic Gobi desert and towards the Chinese border in the south. Later in the evening the train will reach the Chinese border where the impressive procedure of bogie-changing takes place before heading off for Beijing.

Day 19 — Arrive in Beijing

Throughout the morning and afternoon, passing through rural China and mountainous river valleys, past the amazing Great Wall of China to finally arrive in the Chinese capital Beijing at 14:30 where this part of the journey ends…

… and the next begins!

Northen Capital, the St Petersburg extension

Spend a few days exploring the stunning city of St Petersburg built on the shores of the Baltic as his window to the west by one of Russia's greatest Tsars, Peter I.

Within a few days you will discover some of the many delights of this “Venice of the North” including one of the greatest treasures in the world, the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress on the banks of the Neva, the golden coated St Isaac's Cathedral and a trip through its many canals before setting off for Moscow.

A great way to get your Trans-Siberian adventure off to a flying start.

Click here to download itinerary for standard extension
Click here to download itinerary for enhanced extension

Dragon City, the Beijing extension

Surely your journey does not end when you arrive in Beijing!

You will be collected from the international railway terminal in Beijing and transferred to a city centre hotel where you can freshen up before starting to discover this vibrant Asian city.

Over the next three days and two nights take in the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Mao's Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, the Silk Market, Peking Duck and Dim Sum.

All of this and more awaits you with our popular Beijing round up.

Click here to download itinerary

Extra night in Moscow

Extra night in St. Petersburg

Extra night in Beijing

Firstly, please ensure that you have read the tour terms and conditions as this booking will be subject to them.

If after reading the information provided you have any questions or need something clarifying, then please get in touch, we are happy to answer any questions and help you to get the most out of your Trans-Siberian adventure!

Finally, when you are ready to start the first step of your journey, complete the form below and click the “Request Tour!” button. If you prefer, you may complete the booking form which is included in the tour itinerary document and send it to us by fax or post.

As you have indicated your group size is ten or more travellers then we will contact you to discuss the special options and prices available.

Please complete the form below and click the “Request Tour!” button or, if you prefer contact us and we will be happy to get your journey started.

Firstly, please ensure that you have read the tour terms and conditions as this booking will be subject to them.