What can be more captivating then crossing almost the whole Russia from East to West by train? It gives the full understanding of country’s scale and treasures, of how diverse and united it is at the same time. You will see all the attractions of Russian cities, visit planet’s deepest lake and enjoy the views of Russia’s endless areas.
Thousands of kilometers from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea — you will hear the beating of the iron heart, what it is silent about, what it is inspired by. Just trust the road and the country will reveal its unexpected sides.
You will see Russia in all its historical greatness, in the mixture of cultures and fortunes, in the architectural splendor and extravagance unifying different people and religions.
Day 1 – Vladivostok
Arrive in Vladivostok today, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can choose to enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity. This evening you will enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 2 – Vladivostok
Vladivostok was founded in 1860 with mission to defend the south-eastern border of Russia. This city is nowadays the home base of the Pacific Russian military fleet. A free access was given to visitors only in 1992. We invite you to explore this city with dramatic past and great future. Enjoy the bay view from a boat or from the top of one of the hills on which the city lies, walk the streets with ocean breeze, check out the historic sites and capture the refreshing spirit of the natural surroundings. Later in the evening you'll board "Imperial Russia" train. Enjoy your dinner onboard & get to know your travel companions.
Day 3 – Khabarovsk
"Imperial Russia" train stops today in the city of Khabarovsk. We will take you to the most important sites and museums of this city. After a lunch break, we invite you to take a boat ride along the Amur River that forms a natural boarder of Russia & China. Enjoy the views of the city and entertainment onboard the boat. Later in the afternoon, take part in the workshop to create your own Russian souvenir – paint your own matreshka, the famous nestling doll, to take as one of the numerous memories from this journey.
Day 4 – onboard "Imperial Russia"
Today enjoy a leasure day onboard while we are travelling through the beautiful landscapes of the Russian Far East. Onboard staff will invite you for a lecture on the Russian history and for a live accordion concert. Don't miss the vodka tasting while listening to the Russian folklore!
Day 5 – onboard "Imperial Russia"
Today enjoy one more leisure day onboard. The train continues the journey and passes through branching to the Trans-Manchurian Railway near Chita and will arrive to Buryatia very soon. We invite you to listen to one of the interesting lectures and participate in our entertainment program.
Day 6 – Ulan-Ude
"Imperial Russia" train will stop today in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. A special spiritual experience is a visit to an active datsan that is today on your program during the city tour. Be a guest to the locals who will welcome you in a traditional yurt. Here you learn how to cook traditional "pozy", play dice, wear traditional costume, and assemble a yurt. Another perspective on the Buryats’ culture is a colorful and spectacular folklore program that you will enjoy here. Later in the evening board "Imperial Russia" train to continue your voyage.
Day 7 – Lake Baikal
Standing on the shores of Lake Baikal, you can’t help being awestruck with admiration by the wonder created by nature itself. It is the deepest Lake in the world that contains the fifth part of the Earth’s fresh water. After breakfast, board a motor ship to sail on the waters of the Baikal to the village of Listvyanka. Here you will visit the unique museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Lake. Not to be missed is the observation point at the Cherssky Stone with a stunning view on the Lake and the Angara river. After a visit to a local market, the journey continues along the original route of the Trans-Siberian Railway for several hours directly along the shore of Lake Baikal. Your train will stop at a particular spot for you to enjoy the majestic lake and a barbeque dinner.
Day 8 – Irkutsk
Our train arrives today in Irkutsk, one of the largest cities in Siberia. This city has preserved quite a few of historical buildings and monuments. During the city tour you will see picturesque wooden houses, visit the Decembrists’ House that will unfold the story of failed uprising of Russian aristocracy who were exiled to this town. After lunch do not miss the opportunity to visit an open-air museum located in the picturesque place of the river bank of Angara. This unique museum will tell you about the daily life of the people in this region in the past. Spend some free time strolling through Irkutskaya Sloboda before you will board your train in the evening.
Day 9 – onboard "Imperial Russia"
Your "Imperial Russia" train pulls through Siberia. Today enjoy your stay onboard to reflect on cities you have already visited. You may want to spend your time having a drink at the bar with your fellow travelers, or you might stay in your cabin and follow the changing scenery. Wooden houses, birch forests and if lucky enough some sun rays over mountain landscapes will greet you. Onboard staff will invite you for a talk on Trans-Siberian Railway and for a live violin concert. Enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop!
Day 10 – Novosibirsk
We arrive in Novosibirsk, the very heart of Siberia, & start our tour of the city in the vicinity of the railway station with the visit to the local railway museum dedicated to the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. After lunch break the city tour will take us the embankment of the Ob river, main squares and streets of the most Soviet city on our itinerary. The local Opera House that stands out among local sites, will impress you with its monumental architecture, and is known as the biggest theater building in this country. Board the train & enjoy your dinner tonight onboard!
Day 11 – Yekaterinburg
Today we arrive in Yekaterinburg & start our discovery of this city that is closely connected with the family of the last Russian Emperor. During the tour, you will visit the memorial Church on the Blood to commemorate the tragic events taken place in this city. After lunch in downtown, we continue our visit. An absolutely must see is a memorial that marks the borderline between Europe & Asia. You will have an opportunity to be in both continents at the same time & keep the memory of it taking pictures. In the evening, we board "Imperial Russia" train. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard!
Day 12 – Kazan
Upon arrival in Kazan, once the capital of the Tatar Khanate you will depart for city tour to explore the Old Kazan. Today, in the White Kremlin of Kazan, a new mosque rises in the immediate vicinity of a Christian cathedral. Enjoy the spectacular folklore program that will give you an insight into the Tatar national epic. We invite you to taste local cuisine while lunch & follow cooking demo revealing the secrets of Tatar cuisine. Later this afternoon you board your train & continue your trip. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard!
Day 13 – Moscow
"Imperial Russia" train traveled over 9000 km along this famous railway to rich Russian capital, the city of Moscow. Enjoy the panoramic tour of Moscow that give you an idea of capital’s dimensions. Explore the Red Square, the very heart of Moscow, with picturesque St. Basil’s Cathedral or enjoy the ride in Moscow subway with the stations that are more likely to be underground palaces. You will be impressed by the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior or stunning view of Moscow standing on the Lenin Hills with your back towards Moscow University. After lunch in the city, continue to the Kremlin, one of the best-known monuments in Russia and in the world. The guided tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Tsars. Enjoy some time in down town strolling along the ancient Arbat Street with its numerous cafes, souvenir shops. Today you will lodge in one of the hotels of Moscow.
Day 14 – Moscow
After breakfast, take an advantage of some free time before your transfer to the airport from where you start your travel home.