Luxury Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Railway Journey - Vladivostok to Moscow and St Petersburg
8 August - 1 September 2011
Day 1 Monday, August 8, 2011 Departure
Today we depart for Seoul, South Korea, on our journey to Russia.
Day 2 Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Seoul
On arrival in Seoul we have a sightseeing tour of the city, capital of South Korea. We are then transferred to our hotel and the afternoon will be free.
Day 3 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Vladivostok
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Vladivostok. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel, the four star Hotel Hyundai.
Day 4 Thursday, August 11, 2011 Vladivostok
Today is a free day to relax and to explore Vladivostok
Day 5 Friday, August 12, 2011 Vladivostok
This morning we will enjoy a tour of the city. Our city tour includes the principal military attractions of this once "closed" Russian town, including a tour of a restored submarine. This afternoon we board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train and have time to settle into our modern, stylish cabins. We enjoy dinner on board the train in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars.
Day 6 Saturday, August 13, 2011 Khabarovsk
Passing directly north of Osaka, Darwin and Seoul we spend our first full day on board the Golden Eagle today. This is the most easterly point of our mammoth journey passing through Khabarovsk, where we stop for a short city tour. We then rejoin the train and cross the River Amur, as we make our way west.
Day 7 Sunday, August 14, 2011 On Board
Our journey today follows the Shilka and Amur rivers, close to the Chinese border. Enjoy Russia at is most beautiful and remote, as The landscape unfolds outside your window. Or you may like to attend one of the absorbing lectures or Russian language lessons.
Day 8 Monday, August 15, 2011 On Board
Today offers you the perfect opportunity to practice your improving Russian or watch a DVD as you wile away a few hours. For those who like to socialise, the Bar Car is the perfect place to enjoy a chat with your fellow passengers.
Day 9 Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Today our journey takes us into Mongolia and we visit the capital, Ulan Bator. Passing the central monument to the legendary ruler, Genghis Khan, we visit the National Museum. Lunch allows us time to experience local hospitality and entertainment at its best as we eat in a Ger (Yurt) restaurant. A Ger is a traditional tent dwelling, used by approximately a third of this nomadic nation. This afternoon there is free time for shopping or an optional visit to Gorkhi- Terelj National Park. We board the train in time for dinner as we head back into Russia.
Day 10 Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Ulan Ude
A morning arrival in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic. A fascinating change of people and faces greet us as we tour the area and travel by coach to the Village of Old Believers. We have time to learn about the local culture and history of these unique people as we are treated to a traditional meal and enjoy a concert featuring local dancers and musicians.
Day 11 Thursday, August 18, 2011 Lake Baikal
Today we wind our way through tunnels and round cliffs along the shoreline of the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal, just one of the many highlights of our journey. The scenery we pass is stunning and the snow-covered mountains on the distant shore form a beautiful backdrop to this awe-inspiring lake. Stopping at one of the bays we have a barbeque on the beach (weather permitting). The brave can even go for a swim! In the afternoon we visit Listvyanka, a small Baikal village nestled at the base of the surrounding hills.
Day 12 Friday, August 19, 2011 Irkutsk
We have a morning arrival into the "Paris of Siberia", Irkutsk. Our tour includes a cultural immersion into the major sights and museums of this fascinating city, whichinclude the classic wooden architecture for which this area is renowned. We are also treated to a private concert at the Decembrist House Museum, which is dedicated to the memory of the exiled aristocrats, who were forced to make this remote outpost their home after a failed revolution in 1825. These intellectuals are credited with helping to bring culture to Siberia.
Day 13 Saturday, August 20, 2011 On Board
Spending the day on board the Golden Eagle as we head east, there is the chance to relax in the bar car, chat to fellow passengers.
Day 14 Sunday, August 21, 2011 Novosibirsk
Today we visit this modern "Soviet" city where we see the world's largest Opera House, Lenin Square and visit the Akademgorodok minerals museum at this "Academy Town", the heart of education and science within Siberia.
Day 15 Monday, August 22, 2011 Yekaterinburg
This morning we arrive into Yekaterinburg, capital of the Urals. Our city tour includes the Romanov execution site, now a church dedicated to the memory of the Russian Royal Family and a trip to the monument to the Europe/Asia divide where we have the chance to stand with one foot in each continent. We cross the Europe/Asia divide and continue into Europe.
Day 16 Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Kazan
After a morning arrival we have a half day to discover Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan on the Volga river. One of the highlights of today is our visit to the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, containing a stunning mosque and Russian Orthodox cathedral. After dinner back on board, we can listen to the resident pianist in the comfortable bar car whilst enjoying a drink with new friends. Our final dinner is served on board the Golden Eagle, our home for the last 12 days.
Day 17 Wednesday, August 24, 2011 Moscow
This morning we arrive in the city of Moscow after having travelled over a mammoth 6000 miles (10,600km) along this epic route to the end of the Trans-Siberian line. We have a city tour of Moscow, including a visit to Red Square and the Kremlin. We see St Basil's cathedral, and in the Kremlin we visit the museum, where we see the Russian collection of Farbegé eggs before we transfer to our hotel, the fantastic centrally located Hotel Metropole. A fantastic Art Noveau-style luxury hotel that was first opened in 1901. It is opposite the Bolshoi Ballet and is a three-minute walk to Red Square. Tonight we will enjoy a dinner to celebrate our arrival in Moscow.
Day 18 Thursday, August 25, 2011 Moscow
This morning we tour some of the modern parts of Moscow, in contrast to the historical city, to see what has been happening over the past few years – you will be amazed! The afternoon will be free.
Day 19 Friday, August 26, 2011 Moscow
This morning we visit the Palace of the Romanov Boyars, a medieval palace that was home to the Romanov family before they took the Russian throne. We see what life was like for an aristrocratic family in Moscow during the Middle Ages. The afternoon will free for you to explore Moscow.
Day 20 Saturday, August 27, 2011 St Petersburg
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to St Petersburg. St Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, was made the capital of Russia in 1712 and is perhaps the most spectacular city in Russia. It is known for its canals and intact centre of 18th-century buildings. On arrival we have a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the oldest building in St Petersburg. Originally built as a fortress to defend against the Swedes, it contains the cathedral of SS Peter and Paul where most of the Russian Tsars from Peter the Great are buried, including the last tsar Nicholas II and his family. We will have a boat tour of the canals of St Petersburg and see the beautiful city from the water. We will then transfer to our hotel, the fabulous five star Kempinski Hotel, Moika 22. The hotel is housed in a St Petersburg mansion, designed by Basil von Witte in 1853. The classical façade of the building has been faithfully retained, while the interior has been entirely reconstructed and decorated with antiques of the period. It has views of the Hermitage and is two minutes walk from Nevsky Prospect.
Day 21 Sunday, August 28, 2011 St Petersburg
This morning we visit the famous Hermitage. Originally the winter palace of the tsars, it is now one of the great galleries of the world. The afternoon will be free for individual exploration of St Petersburg.
Day 22 Monday, August 29, 2011 St Petersburg
Today we travel to the town of Pushkin where we visit the Catherine Palace. Famed as the location of the Amber Room that disappeared during WWII, we visit the palace and see the reconstructed Amber room, that was only completed in the last few years. We then visit the nearby Alexander Palace that was once home to the last tsar Nicholas II. In the afternoon we visit the Summer Palace at Petroverts which is renowned for its spectacular fountains. We return to the hotel and this evening we will enjoy our final night dinner to celebrate our exploration of Russia from Vladivostok to St Petersburg.
Day 23 Tuesday August 30, 2011 Departure
There will be time for some last minute shopping before we are transferred to the airport for our flights back to Australia, or elsewhere, if staying on in Europe.
Day 24 Wednesday August 31, 2011 In flight
Day 25 Thursday September 1, 2011 Arrival
Upon arrival back into Australia, the tour concludes.