Along the wayVladivostokIrkutskMoscow

Leaving from Vladivostok to Moscow via Irkutsk

ExperienceClassic Original Trans-Siberian via Irkutsk

This version of our Classic Original Trans-Siberianincludes a stop at Lake Baikal, the world’s largestfreshwater lake. Like its sister trip, it appeals notonly to train buffs but to historians and those whowant to travel the “original” route - and who aremaybe planning to journey on to Japan. At the lake,you choose from a range of options included inyour trip from the active to the sedentary and eventhe underwater! And if you want to stop at otherSiberian destinations such as Ekaterinburg andUlan-Uday just let us know and we’ll be happy todiscuss the options for adding these to yourexperience.

What’s includedTrain> 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthVladivostok > 1 night 3★ hotel Irkutsk Siberian Village> all transportation included> 2 nights 3★ hotel, Listvyanka Village, breakfast> excursion optionMoscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expert

Train > 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthVladivostok> 1 night 1★ hotel Irkutsk (city based stay)> transfer on arrival> 2 nights hostel> transfer to the station on departureMoscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 1★ hotel, breakfast

FULL ON NO FRILLS

In the know…In WW2 Stalin had an idea to invade Japan –by tunnel. He gave orders to build tunnels fortroop-trains from the Russian mainland, viaSakhalin Island, to Japan. It’s estimated over30,000 men – mostly convict labour – died onthe project, which never got further than8km. On the day Stalin died the workerskilled their guards and escaped.Vladivostok is the terminus of the Trans-Siberian railway and also Russia’s majorPacific sea port. As well as the famousMoscow Metro, there’s a second “SecretMetro” in parallel with the official system. Itwas built to enable Party leaders to movearound the city or go to the airport in secret.Its existence is still officially a secret, and thepublic are unable to see or visit it. Only someeccentric pedestrian subways and illogicalstation-locations on the main system hintwhere the secret one is located.

At The Russia Experience we like to ditch theclichés, discard the puff and concentrate onwhat we do best – bringing to life the world’slongest train route: the places visited, theencounters made and the realisation of ajourney that is both engaging and rewarding.

We continually look at ways of enhancing theTrans Siberian experience, incorporatingseasonal considerations (such as the HarbinIce Festival), providing the historical context(pay a visit to the only remaining Soviet Gulag)or inviting you to savour the diverse culturalinfluences of indigenous people (sit downwith a shaman, or enjoy the Siberian art ofthroat singing!).

We have no group departures, our advertiseddates always operate (barring anythingcompletely out of our control) and, above all,we will tell you it like it is – allowing you tomake the right choice from a portfolio ofjourneys rich in variety and full of memorableexperiences. Sorry! We couldn’t resist at leastone cliché!

No ordinary trip

Visa RequirementsMost visitors to Russia require a visa. Thismust be obtained prior to departure. Visaprocessing times can be up to:Russia 20 Working DaysHowever fast track processing is possible. Due to the support documents required bythe Embassy of Russia (which we obtain),you will need to book your trip beforestarting to obtain visas.For full information regarding visas, pleaserefer to our web site.

Hints and TipsTOP TIP! – How are you getting toVladivostok? There are very few options.Photocopy your passport including thevisas issued pages, airline tickets andinsurance policies. Your passport must be valid for at least sixmonths past the end of your travel dates.

Travellers ChecklistDay pack, back pack, money belt, first aidkit, heat proof mug, instant coffee, teabags, sun hat, lightweight jacket, flip flops,sun cream, warm jacket (Sep-Aprdepartures), ski clothing. (for thoseparticipating), warm waterproof walkingboots, universal sink plug, bottle opener.

Climate and time – Minimum/maximum Temperatures ºCJan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

Vladivostok -15/-02 +03/+12 +18/+23 +24/+30 +12/+22 -15/+4Irkutsk -40/-20 -10/+5 + 8/+22 +26/+38 +10/+24 -15/+8Moscow -20/-10 - 5/+12 +15/+22 +15/+30 +8/+24 -6/+10

These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a flavour of your dailyitinerary. You will be travelling in parts of the world where the unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and, as a result, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary – 12 days Leaving from Vladivostok to Moscow via Irkutsk

ExperienceClassic Original Trans-Siberian via Irkutsk

DAY 01On arrival in Vladivostok make your ownway to the 3★ hotel. (We can obtain ratesfor superior hotels ask a member of thereservations team for details.) At check-in,the hotel reception will advise you they willneed your passport for visa registration.This process takes 1–2 hours. Yourcomplimentary InfoPack is full of ideas forgetting the most out of your free time. No mealsDAY 02Your time is free until your train departs.Hotel Reception can pre-order you a taxi.Transfer to the station where you willboard the Irkutsk bound train.No mealsDAY 03–04 On board The Trans-Sib ... The dining car isthe heart of social life on the train. Itfunctions as bar, lounge, and take-outsnack store, as well as a café servingreasonably-priced meals.No meals

DAY 05 Afternoon arrival in Irkutsk. Our driver willmeet you at the end of the platform,holding a meeting-board displaying “RussiaExperience”. Transfer to U Ozera 3★ Hotelsituated in Listvyanka Village (70km)travelling by road through the forest. TheHotel is set just 50 metres from the shoresof Lake Baikal. Hotel facilities include; sunterrace, sauna (local charge) Laundry andIroning service, restaurant and bar. Allrooms have private bathrooms, tea andcoffee facilities and a minibar. Wi-Fi is freeof charge in public areas. The nearest ATM-machine in the Baikal Hotel (Listvyankaremains a village, and doesn't have therange of banking services you could expectin a city). At check-in, the hotel receptionwill advise you they will need your passportfor visa registration formalities. Thisafternoon set off on your walking touraround Listvyanka Village. This will includea visit to the Limnological Museum (this isan exhibition about the Lake, its formation,wildlife etc. - it includes multimediapresentations, information about thecreatures which live in the darkest depths,and also an aquarium with living aquaticspecies, including the unique freshwaterBaikal seals) and also a small woodenvillage Russian Orthodox Church datingback to the C18th. You return to your hotelat the end of the walk, with time to relaxand enjoy your lakeside surroundings,maybe experience real Siberian "banya"(sauna – local charge).No meals

DAY 06 Choose one activity from the list, it’s allincluded in the trip price! You’ll need toinform us of your choice beforecommencing your journey, so that we canhave the right staff on hand for when youarrive (please note the Siberian weatherputs seasonal limits on some activities –details below). A. SIBERIAN TREK through the Taiga Forestwith a local guide who will explain thewildlife, with a local guide who will explianthe eco system and lore of the Taiga. Thetrek is 4-5 hours long, includes a picnic stylelunch and a good level of fitness is required.(May-Oct)B. CIRCUM BAIKAL PICNIC Take the Ferryfrom Listvyanka to Port Baikal which takesaround 15 minutes. Walk around Port Baikal,where you will see the train station of theold Circumbaikal rail line. Then you will walkalong the rail line to the nearest tunnel (2-3km). Stopping for a picnic lunch on theshore of Lake Baikal. Return to Port Baikal,ferry back to Listvyanka. The excursion isaround 5 hours duration. (Jun-Sep) C.TALTSY WOODEN MUSEUM A two hourtrip which includes a return transfer by car,and entrance fees to the Taltsy open airwooden museum which is situated on theshore of the Angara river. On arrival you arefree to explore independently and there is atea house here where afterwards you canhave a cup of tea and traditional Russiansnack (pancakes, pirodzki, etc) Thispicturesque area shows how life was andhas been sympathetically restored as atourist attraction where you can buy authentic souvenirs. (Year round)D. PORT BAIKAL A day trip to Port Baikalwith a local guide taking a ferry fromListvyanka. On arrival visit the CircumbaikalRailway Museum located at the train stationthen an uphill hike to the White stoneviewpoint and to see the old lighthouse.Followed by a visit to a Russian OrthodoxChurch, lunch and free time walking back tothe village. Return by ferry. Duration 5hours. (May–August)E. SNOW MOBILE TRIP with a local guidethrough the forest, or even out over thedeep frozen lake! The excursion is around 2hours 30 minutes duration. (Dec–Apr)F. DOG SLEDDING trip for a distance of10km 1 dog sled for each client. Theexcursion is around 1 hour 30 minutesduration. (Dec-Mar)Breakfast

DAY 07 After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city.(Where you will have the option to leaveyour bags at our local office.) Our localstaff will provide a map and somerecommendations of interesting places tovisit. Some of our top suggestions (pleasecheck opening times/days before settingoff) Decembrist Museum, Volkonsky Houseand The Epiphany Cathedral. Early eveningtransfer to the station where you willboard the Moscow bound train.BreakfastThere are two train options for the next legof your journey. We use Tr#69 as thestandard option and this train fare isincluded in the trip price. We also offerTr#1 for the next leg of your journey for asupplement. Tr#1 is a faster train and therolling stock is newer, hence the higherfare for this section.(Please note Tr#69 = 88 hours travellingtime, Tr#1 = 75 hours travelling time).Should you wish to book this option pleasecontact our reservations team.DAY 08 - 10On board The Trans-Sib.... It is a greatplace to meet fellow travellers and localsalike, sharing your experiences of yourjourney so far with a few drinks, which nodoubt will include some Vodka – andmaybe smoked salmon and caviar too! No meals

DAY 11S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Veryearly morning arrival. Our driver will bethere to meet you at the end of theplatform, and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. You’ll then betransferred to the Panorama 3★ Hotel.(We can obtain rates for superior hotelsask a member of the reservations team fordetails.) The facilities available at this hotelinclude a Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Lobby Wi-Fi access, Luggage Room, Safety depositboxes and an ATM machine. Your roomwill be allocated on arrival. At check-in, thehotel reception will advise you they willneed your passport for visa registration.After breakfast one of our local expert staffwill meet you at the hotel to take you on athree hour walking tour round thehighlights – you’ll use public transportaround the centre to avoid the traffic jamsand get the hang of the system for whenyou come to use it independently. Ourstaffers are full of ideas for this walk butare flexible about other ideas if you haveyour own. Your walk ends in the city centrearound lunchtime. Your complimentaryInfoPack is full of ideas for getting the mostout of your free time. Some of our topsuggestions (please check openingtimes/days before setting off) wouldinclude visiting the Moscow Kremlin, theTretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Fine ArtsMuseum, or a boat trip along the MosvkaRiver ... perhaps locate some tickets forballet, opera, circus or a concert thisevening? As well as famous classical musictraditions Moscow features on the touringschedules of world names in jazz, rock, popand world music.Breakfast

These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a flavour of your daily itinerary. You

will be travelling in parts of the world where the unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and, as a result, the unexpected can happen and we

may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary - 12 days Leaving from Vladivostok to Moscow via Irkutsk

ExperienceOriginal Trans-Siberian via Irkutsk

DAY 12 You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today. For services we offer in St. Petersburg please refer to our web site.Breakfast