Siberia

Siberia, Russia8 days

About

With options for 1 day and 5/6 day tours from Lake Baikal from the Ural Mountains to the great Lena River, the sheer size of Siberia is hard to comprehend. Freezing in winter and stifling in summer, the remaining seasons transform this expanse into one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. This tour takes you on a romantic train ride on the Trans-Siberian express to Irkutsk, the nearest big city to glorious Lake Baikal, with options to explore further into the taiga (forest) and beyond.

You should experience it because...

See into the heart of Russia where local cultures retain their own sports, passions and languages, and where the emptiness of the valleys and their mysterious spaciousness will take you on a fascinating voyage of discovery.

The Trans-Siberian railway

The three day journey from Moscow to Irkutsk can be broken at several different cities en-route (Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, and Novosibirsk).

After a few days exploring Irkutsk, there are options either to continue east, or to take them more interesting route south through Mongolia and on to Beijing.

Consider stopping off at three other notable Siberian cities – Tomsk, Tobolsk and Ulan-Ude as you travel through the continent.

Enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world as you watch from the window – in late spring/early summer a profusion of wild flowers carpet every valley. Autumn turns the trees to amber and the undergrowth to red.

Places covered 8 Days

Day 1 Arrive Moscow, overnight stay.
Day 2 Moscow, sightseeing and attractions
Day 3-5 Trans-Siberian Express railway journey
Day 6 Morning arrival in Irkutsk, sightseeing and attractions
Day 7 Day trip to Lake Baikal
Day 8 Depart Irkutsk by plain, or onward train journey to Mongolia & China

Days Details
1 Arrive Moscow, overnight stay.
2 Moscow, sightseeing and attractions Take a wonderful city tour with Tretakov Gallery. Amble down Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s Fifth Avenue that hums in the summer with people browsing the chic shops and enjoying the art nouveau buildings. Be amazed by the gargantuan Cathedral of Christ the Saviour that dominates the skyline along the Moscow River, and the Novodevichy Convent founded in 1524 to celebrate the taking of Smokensk from Lithuania. Up to Poklonnaya Hill, set in an area that is steeped in Russian military history, with its five terraces symbolising five years of conflict and 1,418 fountains – one for every day. Past majestic Moscow State University, to Sparrows Hill for a spectacular daytime panoramic view of the city and sights of the tent roofs and onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the apex of Russian political power – the Kremlin, and the pyramid architecture of the Lenin mausoleum. Finally, the Tretyakov Gallery, the exotic boyar castle that houses the world’s best collection of Russian icons and an outstanding collection of Russian art. If nightlife is your thing, head off after dinner to the legendary Krysha Mira – ‘roof of the world’ that’s hidden away in the old Badaevsky brewery and one of Moscow’s most exclusive places to party.
3-5 Trans-Siberian Express railway journey The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world. It was built between 1891 and 1916 to connect Moscow with the far-east city of Vladivostok. En-route it passes through the cities of Perm, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Chita and Khabarovsk. If you are going to stop-off on the way, plan your route in advance, unless you are taking the suggested itinerary trip from Moscow to Irkutsk. The train stops for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours. You can get out of the train and there are always people on the platform that offer a variety of fresh foods and drinks. Many of the trains have dining cars. There is a samovar (hot water dispenser) in each carriage, and many travellers pack dried soups and noodles, and instant hot drinks. Watch the endless green sweep of the Russian countryside passing by, mixed with streams, dramatic rock faces and beautiful pine forests and meadows filled with wild purple flowers.
6 Morning arrival in Irkutsk, sightseeing and attractions Irkutsk was founded in 1661 as a Cossack garrison to control the indigenous Buryats. It was also the springboard for 18thcentury expeditions to the far north and east including Alaska. Irkutsk dispatched Siberian furs and ivory to Mongolia, Tibet and China in exchange for silk and tea. From the late 17thcentury, the city was a political, economical and cultural centre of Siberia. The majestic Russian classical architecture of the city reflects this era, and sits well with the brick mansions that sprung up in the late19thcentury and early 20thcentury. Beautiful Russian Orthodox churches and the fairy-tale Bogoyavlensky Cathedral sit side-by-side with traditional one and two-storied wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with ‘wooden laces’ (hand-made carvings).Learn more about the city at the City History Museum that houses a comprehensive overview of the city’s three and a half centuries.
7 Day trip to Lake Baikal Larger than Belgium, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake, full of crystal clear water with visibility down to 40m. Full of wildlife, flora and fauna, the lake has developed its own eco-system with over 2000-recorded animal and plant species of which 70%-80% are found nowhere else. From Irkutsk, the tour follows a picturesque taiga-forest route up and down flowing hills and tree-lined trails to the source of the Angara River. Step into a world-gone-by at the old-style Siberian village of Listvyanka, on the shores of the Lake, and famous for its trade history. From here, merchants used to cross the lake to Mongolia, China and the Far East. Learn more about the origin and wildlife of the lake at the Museum of Lake Baikal, and see the deepest point of the lake on a video film that was taken from a submarine. Taste local delicacies in the village including hot or cold smoked and salted omul and grayling fish, pelmeny (stuffed dumplings), pirozhiki (with cabbage or meat or berries), and sandwiches with caviar. On the way back to Irkutsk, visit the open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture – original wooden houses from local villages, equipped with the old-style furniture and utensils, showing life in Siberia from the 16thto the 19thcenturies. See also inside a Russian fort, a 15thcentury watchtower, a Siberian Izba (house), a chapel, and a Shaman yourt.
8 Depart Irkutsk by plane, or onward train journey to Mongolia & China

€ 1,500 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 6-9 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary as applicable -First arrival and last departure transfers -Entrance and excursion costs as indicated Travel is based on private coaches with Local guides .Get in Touch to discuss on how we could tailor the trip to suit you .

Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season

Russia is a year-round destination that positively blooms in spring and summer, with palaces, parks & gardens in Moscow and St. Petersburg heaving with beautiful flowers, luscious green foliage and manicured lawns. Enjoy ‘white nights’ in northern St. Petersburg during mid-summer, travel on the Trans-Siberian express to Lake Baikal in spring & autumn, & enjoy winter adventures in picture-perfect snowscapes in Kamchatka & Eastern Russia. From May through to September the Baltics are thriving, with beautiful natural landscapes in Lithuania, architectural treasures in Latvia, and wonderful parks & palaces in Estonia

CUSTOMIZE ITINERARY INQUIRE NOW

Can’t find the perfect itinerary?

BUILD YOUR OWN CUSTOMIZE EXISTING

Want us to get in touch?

or talk to an expert on +91 9845095098

About Us

Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

Our accreditations