experience grand...
TRANSCRIPT
-
Along the way
MoscowEkaterinburgNovosibirskKrasnoyarskIrkutskLake BaikalKhabarovskVladivostokLeaving from Moscow to Vladivostok
ExperienceGrand Trans-Siberian
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIN
★ A choice of 4 different categories of sleeping accommodation from Economy to Deluxe
★ Possibility of guaranteed double and single accommodation throughout the tour
★ All sleeping cars are newly built or reconstructed and are equipped with modern vacum toilets
★ Deluxe Silver and Deluxe Gold sleeping cars with private lavatory, toilet and shower en suite
★ Beautifully decorated restaurant cars
★ A cosy bar with live piano music in the evening
★ Conference area for lectures and on board entertainment
Moscow: City tour including the Kremlin grounds, Red Square,
Bolshoi Theatre and Sparrow Hills.
Ekaterinburg: City tour including Cathedral-on-the-blood,
Gainina Yama one of Russia’s new holy places.
Novosibirsk: City tour includes orthodox churches which
survived the Soviet times.
Krasnoyarsk: City tour includes visiting viewpoints offering
marvellous views over the city.
Irkutsk: City tour and Private Classical Concert in the wooden
house of former Duke Volkonsky
Lake Baikal: Excursion to Listvyanka Village includes a traditional
Siberian lunch.
Khabarovsk: City tour includes cruise along the Amur River.
Vladivostok: City tour former “closed city” during Soviet times.
The Trans-Siberian railway features on the wish list of many
travellers and, while most opt for the journey between
Moscow and Beijing (or vice-versa), the original route to
(or from) the city of Vladivostok is worth considering.
You can do it in considerable style on just four special
summer 2016 departures. Travelling over the Urals,
through magnificent and alongside the world’s largest
freshwater lake, you’ll cover eight time zones and some
11000 km in around two weeks, journeying across Russia
with every arrangement organised, luxury in each detail
and considerable comfort.
In the know......The word “Kremlin” isn’t Russian – it’s from a
medieval Tartar word meaning “fortress”.
The Urals, forming a 1,500 km border between
Europe and Asia.
Siberia lies entirely in Asia, and its native peoples are
Asiatic it was the Russians who came as settlers.
There are over 30 native Asiatic languages still spoken
in Siberia to this day.
Lake Baikal is the world’s largest, and has more
statistics than any other lake.
In WW2 Stalin had an idea to invade Japan – bytunnel. He gave orders to build tunnels for trooptrains from the Russian mainland, via SakhalinIsland, to Japan. It’s estimated over 30,000 men –mostly convict labour – died on the project, whichnever got further than 8km. On the day Stalin diedthe workers killed their guards and escaped.
On-board
Most visitors to Russia require visas. These must
be obtained prior to departure. Please check
your nationalities visa requirements in advance
of your planned travel dates.
Visa processing times can be up to;
Russia 10 Working Days
However fast track processing is possible.
Due to the support documents required by the
Embassy of Russia (which we obtain), you will
need to book your trip before starting to
obtain visas.
For full information regarding visas, please refer
to our web site.
Hints and Tips
Photocopy your passport including the visas
issued pages, airline tickets and insurance
policies.
Your passport must be valid for at least six
months past the end of your travel dates.
Casual clothing is usually worn on the train,
including at mealtimes. Sturdy, comfortable shoes
for the excursions. During boat rides, a light jacket
or sweater is advisable. (also for restaurants with
strong air-conditioning). And those brave enough
to take a dip in Lake Baikal shouldn’t forget to
bring along their swimsuits. Also, remember to
bring something to cover your head to protect
against the sun and to wear in Orthodox churches.
Climate and time – Average minimum/maximum Temperatures
May June July August
Moscow 8-18ºC 13-22ºC 14-23ºC 13-21ºC
Ekaterinburg 6-16ºC 11-23ºC 13-24ºC 10-20ºC
Novosibirsk 9-21ºC 12-22ºC 11-21ºC 9-20ºC
Krasnoyarsk 9-21ºC 12-22ºC 11-21ºC 9-20ºC
Irkutsk 9-22ºC 11-23ºC 12-24ºC 9-21ºC
Lake Baikal 9-22ºC 11-23ºC 12-24ºC 9-21ºC
Khabarovsk 5-14ºC 18-23ºC 18-23ºC 24-30ºC
Vladivostok 5-14º 18-23ºC 18-23ºC 24-30ºC
There are restaurant cars on the train
which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as
part of the full board service to all guests of
the Grand Trans-Siberian Express.
The carriages are staffed by a team of
highly trained stewards. Their attentive
service will enhance the journey – while
all you have to do is relax and watch the
world roll by!
There are four classes of cabin available
on board : Standard Economy, Standard
Plus, Deluxe Silver and Deluxe Gold.
Visa Requirements Travellers Checklist
DAY 01
S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Your tour
guide will welcome you at the airport and
accompany you to the hotel. There will be
time to relax before this evening’s dinner.
Accommodation 5★ Hotel
Dinner
DAY 02
A full day city sightseeing which includes the
magnificent Red Square and the grounds of
the world famous Kremlin. Other highlights of
today’s excursion include the Bolshoi Theatre
and Sparrow Hills. The Moscow you will see
today will make you forget the old stories of
Russia being grey and dark. Moscow is now a
vibrant city, comparable to Paris or Rome and
full of life. Late afternoon transfer to the
station for the start of your 9,288 km journey
to Vladivostok. Welcome dinner served on-
board this evening.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 03
A full day travelling through the Ural
Mountains, which divide Europe and Asia.
Watching the scenery pass by the window of
your compartment, you will find lots of photo
opportunities. Shortly before arrival the train
passes the geographical border between
Europe and Asia at milepost 1777, which is
marked by an obelisk south of the line. From
now on you are in Asia! Evening arrival to
Ekaterinburg.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 04
A full day in Ekaterinburg, which was named in
honour of Tsar Peter`s wife Catherine
(Yekaterina) in the year 1723. By the 20th
century it became one of the most important
financial, industrial and cultural centres of
Russia. Today’s extensive sightseeing tour
shows historical sites in memory of the last
Russian Tsar, Nicholas ll and his family
including the “Cathedral on the spilled Blood”
which was constructed where the Tsar and his
family were executed by the Bolsheviks in
1918. You will visit also Ganina Yama, the
mine shaft where they were thrown after the
execution. This is one of Russia’s new holy
places where you will visit the seven chapels,
one in memory of each member of the last
royal family.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 05
After passing through the plains of Western
Siberia you arrive in Novosibirsk early evening.
With 1.5 million inhabitants this is Russia’s third
largest city and the biggest in Siberia,
Novosibirsk is regarded as the centre of Siberia.
It was founded in 1893 as the future site of the
Trans- Siberian railway bridge crossing the
Siberian River Ob.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 06
Today you will also have the opportunity to see
some remarkable orthodox churches which
survived the Soviet period. A visit to the local
market gives a deep insight into the daily life of
Siberian people. The Trans -Siberian open Air
Railway Museum situated on the outskirts of
the city shows the most remarkable steam
locomotives and historic passenger cars, which
represent the development of the Trans-
Siberian Railway. This evening the train
continues eastwards towards Krasnoyarsk.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 07
Arrival to Krasnoyarsk, formerly a “closed city”
during Soviet times. The city is located along
the Yenissei River which is the greatest river
system flowing to the Arctic Ocean. Today’s
sightseeing tour takes you to viewpoints
offering marvellous views over the city.
As you are not staying overnight in
Krasnoyarsk, day rooms for showers are
provided at a centrally located hotel for clients
of standard plus and standard economy
categories. (Guests of Deluxe categories have
their shower facilites en-suite).
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 08
This morning you reach Irkutsk the capital of
Eastern Siberia. The city is famous for its trade
with Mongolia and China and formally called
”Paris of Siberia”. You will visit some of the
cities quarters still consisting of wooden
houses. The cultural highlight of the tour is a
private classical concert held at the home of
former Duke Volkonsky. A private classical
concert that you would never expect in such a
remote place.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 09
Today one of the highlights of the tour; Lake
Baikal. This is the largest and deepest fresh
water lake in the world and stretches up to 26
miles from east to west and more than 370
miles from north to south with a depth of
1,620 meters. A one hour coach drive brings
you to Listvyanka, a small village, situated on
the shore of Lake Baikal. A walking tour
through the village shows you typical Siberian
village life. The legend says after bathing in
Lake Baikal your life will become longer. Local
legend claims that you can get five extra years
added by paddling up to your knees and up to
twenty years if you manage to go swimming!
Then Siberian lunch is provided where you can
taste the famous Omul fish, the indigenous
fish of the lake. This evening return to the
hotel in Irkutsk.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Itinerary – 15 daysLeaving from Moscow toVladivostok
ExperienceGrand Trans-Siberian
DAY 10
After an early breakfast you transfer to the
station where you will re-board the train.
Today’s journey crosses a mountain range
located between Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. When
descending from the mountains to the Lake you
will have amazing views of the deep blue water
of Baikal. Take advantage of the fantastic photo
opportunities as you pass through this beautiful
area, which is also a Unesco World Heritage site.
For several hours the main line now
circumnavigates the shore of Lake Baikal. On
arrival to Ulan-Uday the Trans Mongolian track
branches southbound to Mongolia diverting
from the mainline, while you continue
eastbound towards Vladivostok.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
Full day on-board the train. While enjoying the
scenery of Russia’s Far East, you are invited to
join one of the lectures being held by your tour
escort. You will get a deep insight into history,
geography, culture and daily life in Russia. You
also have the opportunity to learn some basics
of the Russian language.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
The train is following the Shilka and Amur
Rivers, which are located close to the Chinese
border. Another relaxed day on-board with lots
of time to watch the scenery or join one of the
on-board lectures. This evening the train crosses
the Amur River on a mile-long bridge and
reaches Khabarovsk for an overnight stop.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
Today you explore Khabarovsk, second largest
city of the Russian Far East, and enjoy an
afternoon boat cruise on the mighty Amur
River. This evening the private train departs for
the last leg of its transcontinental journey.
Accommodation on-board.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
After almost 9,300 km of traveling from
Moscow, crossing from Europe into Asia, the
train arrives in Vladivostok which is situated on
what is called Golden Horn Bay by the Sea of
Japan. A city sightseeing tour acquaints you
with this sea port. An excursion today to
Russky Island which is home to the world's
longest cable-stayed bridge, with a 1104 m
long central span.
Accommodation 4★ Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15
This unique and unforgettable experience comes
to an end and you start your return journey
home. Transfers to the airport are provide by our
service team to connect with your flight
departing Vladivostok.
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.
Itinerary – 15 daysLeaving from Moscow toVladivostok
ExperienceGrand Trans-Siberian
Categories of travel on-board
ExperienceGrand Trans-Siberian
Deluxe SilverDeluxe Silver sleeping cars offer slightlysmaller cabins than on Deluxe Gold cars.Deluxe Silver cabins have a private toilet,wash basin and “wet-room” style showeren suite. Each cabin offers 1 lower and 1upper bed, a table at the window, a chairopposite the beds, a small wardrobe andstorage space. Euro-Sockets for 220 Vare in each cabin, capable for razors,loading mobile phones, cameras andnotebooks. The cars are air conditioned(individual control). The air conditionoperates only during the time the train ismoving. Deluxe Silver sleeping cars haveonly 6 cabins each and may be bookedfor double or single use.
Deluxe Silver cabin dimensions:Cabin 2,00 x 2,70 m = 5,4 sqmLower bed 110 x 185 cmUpper bed 80 x 185 cm
Deluxe GoldDeluxe Gold sleeping cars offer the most spacious and comfortabletype of accommodation on our private train. Deluxe Gold cabinshave a private toilet, wash basin and a spacious shower cabin ensuite. Each cabin offers 1 lower and 1 upper bed, a table at thewindow, a chair opposite the beds, a small wardrobe and storagespace. Euro-Sockets for 220 V are in each cabin, capable for razors,loading mobile phones, cameras and notebooks. The cars are airconditioned (individual control). The air condition operates onlyduring the time the train is moving. Deluxe Gold sleeping cars haveonly 5 cabins each and may be booked for double or single use.
Deluxe Gold cabin dimensions:Cabin 2,00 x 3,50 m = 7,0 sqmLower bed 120 x 185 cmUpper bed 80 x 185 cm
Categories of travel on-board
ExperienceGrand Trans-Siberian
Standard Plus Standard Plus as well as Deluxe Silver are the most popular type ofaccommodation on our private train. Standard Plus cabins are equipped with 2lower beds and 2 upper beds. While only the two lower beds are used for sleeping,the two upper beds can be used as additional storage for luggage – or they simplycan be folded away. Toilets and wash basins for common use are situated at bothends of each Standard Plus sleeping car. The sleeping cars are air conditioned(central control). The air condition operates only during the time the train ismoving. Sockets for 220 V are available in each cabin, capable for razors, loadingmobile phones, cameras and notebooks. Standard Plus cars offer 9 cabins each
When travelling to Vladivostok shower facilities are available in Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk andVladivostok in your hotel rooms where you stay overnight. In addition to that hotel day rooms for showers are at yourdisposal during stops in Krasnoyarsk (one day room per cabin). Therefore on this journey you have guaranteed access toshowers 14 out of 15 days.
Standard Plus cabin dimensions:Cabin 2,00 x 2,00 m = 4,0 sqmBeds 65 x 185 cm
Standard EconomyStandard Economy cabins, the budget way of travellingThis category is popular with those looking for the most economical way oftravelling and is usually booked by families with children or friends travellingtogether. Standard Economy sleeping cars are equipped with 2 lower beds and 2upper beds. Toilets and wash basins are situated at both ends of the cars for thecommon use. The cars are air conditioned (central control). The air conditionoperates only during the time the train is moving. Sockets for 220 V are availablein the car, capable for razors and loading mobile phones, cameras and notebooks.The Standard Economy cars offer 9 cabins each and may be booked only by 4passengers travelling together. In the hotels the 4 passengers will be allocated 2double rooms.
Standard Economy cabin dimensions:Cabin 2,00 x 2,00 m = 4,0 sqmLower beds 65 x 185 cmUpper beds 65 x 185 cm