Grand Winter Westbound

Name: Grand Winter Westbound
Location: Russia

Type:Private

Season:December - February

Duration:23 days

Grade:Moderate Consider some walking (about 2 hours per day).

Destinations:Vladivostok Ulan-Ude Irkutsk / Lake Baikal Yekaterinburg Kazan Moscow St Petersburg

Rate:from $6,830 USD per person

Incredible Russia opens up its unexpected sides once you dare for a real winter adventure. Look over the bleak and unending snow-capped peaks of Russia's most isolated wilderness from the cozy comfort of a fast travelling train. The infinity of snow covered spaces of the world 's largest country, the warmth and hospitality of the locals, a rich cultural and entertainment program will make your Trans-Siberian railway holidays truly unforgettable. Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Russia! This is hop on/hop off train tour.

Special Christmas itinerary and lots of winter fun! Cross the country during one epic journey. Continue to the Baltics or Scandinavia
- Accommodation, train tickets, transfers and guided tours in the cities are included
- Explore rich Russian history and culture, taste cuisine, see the best of Russia through years from Tsars to the Revolution, from USSR to present days
- Visit arguably one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, UNESCO World Heritage site of historical St. Petersburg and ancient Russian capital Moscow
- Merry Xmas in Russia and New Year in Moscow!
- Treasures of Kazan, late Romanovs' shelter in Yekaterinburg, natural wonders of Baikal, ancient Buryat culture in one journey
- Extensive sightseeing program
- Unique photography opportunities
- Itinerary is flexible on request
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Choose your package

Dates & rates

1st Class 1st class (2-berth compartment long-haul trains/economy fare bullet train/economy fare local flights) 2nd Class 2nd class (4-berth compartment long-haul trains/economy fare bullet train/economy fare local flights)

from Vladivostok to Ulan-Ude by train fare first class economy

from Ulan-Ude to Irkutsk / Lake Baikal by train fare first class economy

from Irkutsk / Lake Baikal to Yekaterinburg by train fare first class economy

from Yekaterinburg to Kazan by train fare first class economy

from Kazan to Moscow by train fare first class economy

from Moscow to St Petersburg by train fare by bullet train, standard class, 4 hours ride. Please inquire about business or 1st class upgrade and flight options economy

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Inclusions

Accommodation

Hand-picked centrally located hotels of the selected category (3* or 4* hotel of your choice)
1 night Vladivostok // 1 night Ulan-Ude with early check-in and late check out // 2 nights Listvyanka // 1 night Irkutsk // 2 night Yekaterinburg // 2 nights Kazan // 3 night Moscow // 4 nights St. Petersburg
6 nights on board

Meals

Full breakfast at the hotels (exсept Day 1)
4 lunches: Buryat lunch at Lake Baikal // Russian lunch in Taltsy with tea and honey degustation // Christmas lunch // Tatar cooking master-class with lunch in Kazan
Vodka tasting at the Taltsy museum (Lake Baikal)
Group tour: New Year Gala dinner

Transportation

Train 2nd class train compartment as per itinerary
from Vladivostok to Ulan-Ude by train fare economy
from Ulan-Ude to Irkutsk / Lake Baikal by train fare economy
from Irkutsk / Lake Baikal to Yekaterinburg by train fare economy
from Yekaterinburg to Kazan by train fare economy
from Kazan to Moscow by train fare economy
from Moscow to St Petersburg by train fare economy

Superior trains on the route with a/c, heaters and dining carriage for your comfort. 1st class: one place in 2-seats compartment. 2nd class: one place in 4-seats compartment. If you'd like more privacy, we can buy out an entire compartment for you.
Meet & greet at the airports/train stations
Private return airport/train station transfers
Metro pass in Moscow
Private transportation on tours as per program in a comfortable a/c car/minivan/bus (except on walking tours)

Sightseeing

Vladivostok full day (8 hours) guided tour: harbour, Submarine S-56, Golden Bridge, view point Eagle’s Nest, Vokzalnaya Square, the monument of the Trans-Siberian Railway, Russky Island
Ulan-Ude full day (8 hours) guided tour: Atsagatski Datsan, Lenin’s head monument, Old town // Ulan-Ude full day (8 hours) guided tour: Ivolginsky Datsan, Old believers village
Ust-Orda day guided tour: Datsan Monastery
Dog Sledding
Lake Baikal (Listvyanka) full day (8 hours) guided tour: Shaman rock, Baikal Museum of Limnology, Chersky Stone observation point (Cable car), St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church
Guided tour to Taltsy Open Air Siberian Museum
Irkutsk half-day (4 hours) guided tour: St. Epiphany Cathedral, Kirov Square, the icebreaker “Angara” museum
Yekaterinburg full day (8 hours) guided tour: Church of All Saints, Ganina Yama, Europe-Asia Border, Ural village tour
Kazan full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Kazan Kremlin, Kul Sharif Mosque, Syumbike tower, Chak-chak museum, Old Tatar village
Full-day (8 hours) guided tour of Moscow: Highlights include the Moscow Kremlin, the Kremlin Armory, the Red Square, Saint Basil's Cathedral (outside), GUM, the Bolshoi Theatre (outside), Novodevichy Convent (outside), Sparrow hills, Christmas markets
Second full-day (8 hours) guided tour of Moscow: Highlights include Tretyakov State Art Gallery, Kolomenskoye Estate & Wooden Palace, Metro tour, VDNKh
St. Petersburg full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, Isaac Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood
Day (6 hours) guided tour of Pushkin/Tsarskoe Selo: Highlights include Catherine’s palace & Amber room, Troyka ride experience
Russian national folk show in St Petersburg's Nikolaesvky Palace (with dinner)

Entrance tickets & visas

Entrance tickets to all included sightseeing attractions (except optional)
Russian Visa supporting documents, including an official visa invitation letter, and step-by-step guide on how to apply for your visa

We value your comfort

24/7 support before and during your trip with us
Best places to stay, to eat, to go out and have fun - safe and secure with the tour operator that specializes in Russia. Tips already included
Group tours are fully escorted by a bilingual tour director
Maximum group size 20 people

CHECK OUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT TRAVELLING WITH US

Nathan Adams, Australia: Travelled on the Trans - Siberian Railway in Dec 2019/Jan 2020.

What can i say. Since the moment i made contact from Australia and was thinking of a new adventure in Russia the communication, the staff, the ease of use, the price all came into play. Out of that i received friendship, laughs, experiences, memories and of course A holiday I will cherish in more ways than one. If you're considering Russia. Yes. Do it. All the way, you will love it. Food, history, people, experiences (and of course a few cheeky drinks).

If you're looking for a team that will make it happen. Yes. Discovery Russia is your team, from abroad, back home and on the ground. It's my last day of a 18 day holiday to Russia. The people on tour, the team/guides. I m going to miss them all. Your inclusions will leave you exhausted, but so glad you choose it all. I know I'm coming back.