RUSSIA

 

The Trans-Siberian Express, across Russia by private train.

Seen here being pulled by two steam trains on a special occasion, the Trans-Siberian Railway has always evoked a great rush of enthusiasm in all who hear those words. Memories of the great old Cold War movies, where these trains always figured. Indeed, they are still the only method of transport that can cross the enourmous expanse of Russia all year round. Added to this, it was formerly almost impossible to get a visa to visit Siberia due to its Military and economic importance. Today that has all changed and it is relatively easy to get visa・s.

 

A great misconception is that the Trans-Siberian Railway ends in Beijing, it actually goes a lot further east to Vladivostok, on the Pacific coastline. It is a spur line that takes this great railroad to Beijing, after crossing the plains of Mongolia. Alternatively we can also organize train tours of the Southern Republics, starting in Moscow and finishing in Tashkent, or vice versa, following the Silk Road for its last section.

A first Class sleeping Compartment.

These beautiful carriages were originally privately built for the Royal Family and aristocracy of Russia, when it was under the Great Romanov Dynasty. The decoration was and has been restored to the opulence that prevailed at this time, when money was only in the hands of a few and they took great pride in owning or having commissioned, the finest and best craftsmen to create these wonderful mobile homes, to transport them from their Town Houses in Moscow or St. Petersburg to their country houses wherever they may have been.

Deluxe class sleeping compartment with private shower.

 

Day 1             Depart Hong Kong by air for Moscow.

            Arrive Moscow and transfer to Hotel Baltschug Kempinski (5*) for overnight.

 

The Kremlin Church, Moscow

 Day 2            Full day sightseeing in Moscow, including Red Square and the Kremlin.

After which taken to the Station to join the Trans-Siberian Express Private Train.

Depart Moscow

 

Day 3                         Arrive in St. Petersburg, Visit the spectacular Peterhof Palace Gardens and Catherine・s beautiful Summer Palace. Full City tour. Overnight at the 4*Astoria Angleterre Hotel, opposite the golden domed St. Issac・s Catherdral.

 

The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Day 4             Morning visit to the State Hermitage and Winter Palace with one of the world・s most remarkable collections of art. The exhibits here ranges from sculpture to paintings and lithographs, its size and range are astounding.

In the afternoon depart St. Petersburg by train.

 

Day 5             A full day on the train enjoying the comfort, space and service found on no other Trans-Siberian train. Heading east, you are already north of Tehran when you pass through Vyatka (Kirov).

 

The graves of the Romanov・s outside Yekaterinburg.

Day 6                         Crossing the Europe/Asia divide before the train arrives in Yekaterinburg, capital of the Urals. Your tour of this city includes the Romanov Execution site, where the Tsar and his entire family were executed on the orders of the Revolutionary Leaders. Also visit the Urals Mineralogical Museum.

 

 

Day 7             A stopover in Novosibirsk, where there is a visit to the State Opera House, Lenin Square and the Ob River, which flows some 3,500 from its source to the Arctic Ocean.

 

Day 8             Heading ever eastward you enjoy the relaxed pace of life on board the train. By Krasnoyarsk you are passing north of Mongolia, Burma, Thailand and Malaysia.

 

Day 9             Morning arrival in Irkutsk, known as the Paris of Siberia. There are tours of the major sights and museums, including the classic Siberian Wooden Architecture, with the opportunity of some spare free time to allow you to do some shopping or personal sightseeing.

 

 

The train travelling next to Lake Baikal on the 12 day sojourn to Vladivostok.

Day 10           A very spectacular journey alongside Lake Baikal to Port Baikal. The tracks are cut into the cliffs, through tunnels and over bridges to keep alongside the lake. There will be a stop on the way for a barbeque lunch (Weather permitting), followed by a short cruise on the lake. Visit Listvyanka and the fascinating exhibition of the area・s unique ecology at the Limnological Institute.

 

Day 11           Morning arrival in Ulan Ude, Capital of the Buryat Republic. Here there is a city tour that includes a visit to the colourful Buddhist Temple at nearby Ivolginsk. The train is now north of Hanoi and Saigon and when passing through Chita overnight you will be north of Beijing.

 

The wood paneled Dining car on the Private train.  

Day 12           Following the Shilka and Amur Rivers, you are never far from the Chinese border. Siberia at its most remote and beautiful now unfolds before you as you enter the region of permafrost, (though it certainly will not be cold in the summer). Here the vast distances and the forbidding geography and climatic conditions render the entire region a difficult environment for human existence.

 

Day 13           The last full day on the train, as it is now to the north of Seoul, Darwin and even, interestingly, Osaka. The train now reaches its most easterly point of the entire journey, passing through Khabarovsk, where the River Amur is crossed. A farewell dinner is served as the train now heads Southwest for Vladivostok and the Pacific coast.

 

Vladivostok, looking down over the inlet.

  

Day 14           Morning arrival in Vladivostok, and the end of the line. Disembark the train and taken to the Hotel Hyundai. After a tour of the town, you return to the Hotel for a Gala Farewell dinner.

 

Day 15           Transfer to the airport and a flight back to Hong Kong

            Arrive Hong Kong.

 

This is a suggested Itinerary only. It can be lengthened or shortened to suit your available travel dates. It can also be made to include other destinations in Russia or Asia either outbound or homeward bound.

The return journey covers the same route, but starts in Vladivostok and completes in Moscow.

 

Departure dates for 2003 and 2004

Eastward        February 24th                        Westward      March 9th

                        May 24th                                                         June 8th

            ******June 23rd 100th Anniversary Commutative Steam hauled             throughout to Ulan Bataar******                                                                        July 10th (from Ulan Bataar)

                        July 26th                                                         August 10th

                        August 30th                                                    September 14th

                        October 4th                                                    October 19th

                        December 8th                                                 December 21st

                        January 12th 2004                                         January 25th 2004

                        February 23rd 2004                                      March 7th 2004                                              May 15th 2004                                       May 30th 2004

                        July 1st 2004 Ulan Bataar only                    July 10th from Ulan Bataar                          July 24th 2004                                       August 8th 2004

                        August 28th 2004                                          September 12th 2004

                        December 6th 2004                                       December 19th 2004

                        February 2005

 

Prices start from US$4,295 for Moscow to Vladivostok or US$4,295 for Moscow to Ulan Bataar for the train section, add air to complete the costing.. 

For the Steam hauled special commemorative journey, prices start from US$6,395

 

Prices are subject to change, by the Train or Operator, without notice.