Monkeyshrine. Trans-Siberian Train Journeys

Transcription

1 Trans-Siberian Train Journeys Monkeyshrine Trans-Siberian Adventures 2018 Trans-Siberian Railway: Moscow to Vladivostok including Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk / Lake Baikal and Ulan-Ude Polny MV6 (EKIU) 21 days

2 Trans-Siberian Railway: Moscow to Vladivostok 21 day itinerary with tours in Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk / Lake Baikal and Ulan-Ude Code: PO-MV6 (EKIU) from 2,830 Tour Introduction Explore the most important highlights during four stopovers along the way. You will visit Ekaterinburg and the Ural Mountains which is the geographical border between Europe and Asia. Head into central Siberia to visit Stolby National park outside Krasnoyarsk. Next up is Irkutsk and Listvyanka along the magnificent Lake Baikal, before heading to the other side of Baikal to visit Buryat religion in Ulan-Ude, eventually pulling into Vladivostok. Route Moscow Ekaterinburg Krasnoyarsk Irkutsk (Lake Baikal) Ulan-Ude Vladivostok. With an optional pretour extension to St Petersburg. Dates Possible year around with daily departures from Moscow. Tours Hotels Trains Five train journeys, for one or maximum three nights. Fully guided and inclusive tours of: Ekaterinburg city, trip to Nevyansk; Krasnoyarsk city and Stolby National Park; Irkutsk city and Lake Baikal National Park; Ulan-Ude Buryat Culture and Old Believers; as well as city tours of Moscow and Vladivostok. Accommodation in 3* hotels or homestay. Tour Style Polny [полный] is a Russian word which means complete, full, total, entire, overall, absolute. Polny packages are fixed date, small group tours with well designed stopover tours at a range of popular destinations along the route, with English speaking guides, 3* standard accommodation and all transfers included. Tour Includes Monkey info pack, local support, Russian visa invitation sent to you by Train tickets in standard second class four berth cabins, with option to upgrade to first class Moscow 1 night 3* hotel, guided city walking tour, departure transfer Ekaterinburg 2 nights 3* hotel, all transfers, day excursion and city tour with guide. Excursion to Nevyansk Krasnoyarsk 2 nights 3* hotel, all transfers, city tour, excursion to Stolby National Park Lake Baikal: guided tour around Listvyanka village and museum, 2 nights guest house, hike and transfers Irkutsk: 1 night 3* hotel, city tour and transfers Buryatia: 2 day fully inclusive tour, excursions Vladivostok: 2 nights 3* hotel, city tour and transfers Meals as listed in the itinerary (B - breakfast L - lunch D - dinner) Cover Photo by ADS. Old Believers in Ulan-Ude.

3 Trip Highlights» Trans-Siberian train journey, travelling 9,148 km from Moscow to Vladivostok across two continents.» Remarkable scenery including Ural Mountains, the wide expanse of Siberia, countless rural villages, magical Lake Baikal, and the oil fields of Eastern Russia.» Explore different cultures and Russian history with stops in amazing areas such as Ural Mountains, Siberia and Lake Baikal.» Explore Capital cities like Moscow, Ulan-Ude, as well as Irkutsk, Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk and Vladivostok.» Stay in two nights in Listvyanka at the shore of Lake Baikal and sample healthy local Siberian food.» Comfortable and centrally located hotels in Moscow and Vladivostok, with a city tour. Red Square, Moscow Tsar Memorial, Vladivostok

4 Day to Day Itinerary Day 0 Pre tour extension Moscow is world class in terms of attractions and we recommend to spend at least 3 days in Moscow. You should also consider visiting St Petersburg beforehand. We have a number of city tours and tour extensions to add on. Gum department store, Moscow Day 2 Moscow Train Breakfast and free morning in Moscow. Checkout and transfer to station to board your first of several Russian trains along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Departure on train #76/82 at 1:10pm. (B) Moscow Kremlin, ADS, September 2009 Day 1 Arrival to Moscow We include your hotel the day before departure from Moscow. If you didn t extend your stay before, and if this is the day you arrive, there is the option to book a transfer. Guided city walking tour at 2pm (or the next day) to gain a deeper understanding of the Kremlin, museums, Novodevitchy Convent, Metro, etc. Stay the night at the centrally located Arbat House. Day 4 Ekaterinburg Ural Mountains Full day excursion to the city of Nevyansk (80km from Eka), the one time capital of the Demidov dynasty, a very successful family of factory owners. The trip includes a visit to the famous and recently restored Nevyansk leaning tower, and the Transfiguration Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, plus the traditional craft center and famous Nevyansk icons. You will stop at Byngi village on the return trip for lunch. (B L) Alexander Horse Fountains Moscow. Bill Birmingham, July 2011 Day 3 Train Ekaterinburg Arrive to Ekaterinburg at 6:22pm, meet your guide at the platform and transfer to the centrally Nevyansk, Leaning Tower located Chekhov hotel, where you will stay for two nights.

5 Day 5 Ekaterinburg Ural Mountains After breakfast you will have a guided tour of the historical centre with a local guide. Visit 1905 Revolution Square, Church of Spilled and the Chapel of St. Elizabeth, the Hill of Ascension, the Ural Museum of Minerals, statues of Ekaterinburg founders and communist leaders. Free afternoon before transfer to station. Depart on train #92/292 at 9:41pm. (B) Day 6 On board train The train stops around ten times per day, at cities such as Omsk and Novosibirsk This is the mid Siberian railway, which was built between 1893 and 1898 crossing the great rivers Ob and Yenisei. Day 7 Train Krasnoyarsk Early morning arrival at 8:54am and transfer to the Metelitsa hotel, which is a gem of a hotel where you will stay for two nights. In the afternoon you will have a city tour by car with an English speaking guide, including: downtown Mira Prospekt, the Chapel of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, Communal Bridge, Victory Memorial, local Ethnographic Museum (entrance not included), learning some fascinating stories along the way. Day 8 Krasnoyarsk Stolby Nature Reserve This is a full day excursion to the beautiful countryside of Siberia, and a strenuous but exhilarating day. [there are alternative options if you prefer a more relaxed tour]. Crossing the Yenisei River you head out to Stolby Nature reserve and hike 4km to the first outcrop of Stolby rocks. Summer hiking in Stolby National Park. Hucker, September 2012 Here you can gain access to a number of unique rock formations, including: Little Elephant, Grandfather, Feathers and Lion s gate. There are a number of peaks offering views throughout the reserve and how many you visit will depend on your level of fitness, time and the weather. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the outing. Return to city for free evening. (B L) Day 9 Krasnoyarsk Train A few hours free in the morning to relax at the hotel or explore the city s shops before transfer to the train station. Departure on train #70 at 2:41pm. Spend the day relaxing in your comfortable cabin, enjoying the view of the Siberian taiga forest. The train winds around the Sayan mountains with some lovely views. (B) Socialising in cabin, Anne Dudte, January 2013 Day 10 Irkutsk Listvyanka Morning arrival around 10:43am into Irkutsk where you will meet your guide on the station platform. Transfer to Listvyanka. Staying at UD Guesthouse, 2 nights. Enjoy a tour of Listvyanka village and the Lake Baikal museum. Day 11 Lake Baikal Listvyanka Hiking excursion in Baikal National Park for 5 hrs (or alternative by prior request). Your guide will instruct you on the different fauna, flora and habitats on the shore of Lake Baikal, where you will stop for a picnic lunch, with Baikal tea. (B L) Day 12 Irkutsk Free morning before car transfer to Irkutsk and check-in to your hotel, where you will stay for one night. The main part of Irkutsk is easy to navigate by foot and in the afternoon you will have a guided

6 walking tour (2 hrs) to the main sites in the city center, including Karl Marx Street, the Church of the Transfiguration, the Epiphany Cathedral and the former Polish Cathedral. You will stay at the lovely Marussia hotel, an intimate boutique hotel in a district of wooden buildings, with plenty of shops, restaurants and evening entertainment options. (B) Circumbaikal route along Lake Baikal. ADS Day 13 Irkutsk Train to Ulan-Ude Free morning before transfer to station. Depart on train #70 at 11:18am. Travel along shore of Lake Baikal during the day. Arrive in Ulan-Ude at 7:45pm and meet your guide on the platform. Transfer to Geser Hotel, staying 3 nights. (B) Day 14 Ulan-Ude Atsagatski Datsun As the capital of Russia s Buryatia republic Ulan- Ude has a unique mix of the Buryat and Russian people and their culture, of Orthodox and Buddhist religions and Soviet industrial planning. You will visit the photogenic Atsagatski Datsun around one hour from Ulan-Ude and learn how Buddhism plays such an important role in the life of the local people. The monastery was completely destroyed in the 1930 s and was rebuilt as Buddhism has had a rebirth and is a centre for Tibetan Medicine. The local village was founded in the 19th century and keeps the traditions and customs of the Buryat people. You will have lunch with a local family in traditional dress before returning to Ulan-Ude. (B L) Old Believers at Ulan-Ude Day 15 Ulan-Ude Ivolginsk Datsun The highlight of a stopover in Ulan-Ude is the Ivolginsk Datsan monastery, which is situated 35km outside of Ulan-Ude. The backdrop of mountains on the wide open plain is a beautiful setting. This is the centre of Buddhism in Russia and an important pilgrimage site. You will wander past teaching areas where students study Philosophy, Tantrism, or Buddhist art and Tibetan language, monks living quarters, and various temples and the impressive Itygel Khambin datsun. Continue on to the Old Believers, who separated from the Russian Orthodox Church as Protestant religion and were exiled to Siberia in the 18th century. You will see their church and a small museum and visit a local home for a traditional lunch with organic local foods. (B L) Day 16 Ulan-Ude Train Free morning in Ulan-Ude before transfer to station. Depart on train #2/8 at 2:44pm. (B) Day 17 & 18 Train On train crossing the Russian far east. Day 19 Train Vladivostok Arrive in Vladivostok at 6:55am and you meet your driver on the platform. Transfer to Primorye Hotel, where you ll stay for 2 nights. Day 20 Vladivostok Guided city walking tour (10am - 3 hrs). (B) Day 21 Vladivostok Transfer to airport (or port) for onward travel from Vladivostok - End of tour. (B)

7 Ulan-Ude. ADS, Sep 2009

8 Monkeyshrine Trans-Siberian Tours Monkeyshrine is a registered trading name of The Russia Experience Ltd 1d, The Court Lanwades Business Park Kennett, Suffolk CB8 7PN, UK Fully bonded tour operator Member of the TTA #U Skype: monkeyshrine Hong Kong: Beijing: UK: +44 (0)