Along the waySt. PetersburgMoscowVladivostok

Leaving from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok

ExperienceClassic Original Trans-Siberian

The route from Moscow to Vladivostok has beenconnecting the Russian capital to the country’s fareastern corner since its completion in 1916. As a result itattracted adventurers and writers, while today it appealsnot only to train buffs but to historians and those whowant to travel the “original” route. It’s also popular withthose planning to journey on to Japan. You don’t passthrough Mongolia on this route and nor do you stop inSiberian destinations such as Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk andUlan-Uday, although we’ll be delighted to discuss theoptions for adding the latter to your experience. Thistrip offers the opportunity to start your journey in St.Petersburg, where you will see the contrast between theimperial splendour and the soviet simplicity that existedboth then and now.What’s includedTrain> 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthSt. Petersburg > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expertMoscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expert> transfer to the station on departure

Train > 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthSt. Petersburg > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 1★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expertMoscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 1★ hotel, breakfast

FULL ON NO FRILLS

In the know…As well as the famous Moscow Metro,there's a second “Secret Metro” in parallelwith the official system. It was built toenable Party leaders to move around thecity or go to the airport in secret. Itsexistence is still officially a secret, and thepublic are unable to see or visit it. Onlysome eccentric pedestrian subways andillogical station locations on the mainsystem hint where the secret one is located.In WW2 Stalin had an idea to invade Japan– by tunnel. He gave orders to buildtunnels for troop trains from the Russianmainland, via Sakhalin Island, to Japan. It'sestimated over 30,000 men – mostlyconvict labour – died on the project, whichnever got further than 8km. On the dayStalin died the workers killed their guardsand escaped.

At The Russia Experience we like to ditch theclichés, discard the puff and concentrate onwhat we do best – bringing to life the world'slongest train route: the places visited, theencounters made and the realisation of ajourney that is both engaging and rewarding.

We continually look at ways of enhancing theTrans Siberian experience, incorporatingseasonal considerations (such as the HarbinIce Festival), providing the historical context(pay a visit to the only remaining Soviet Gulag)or inviting you to savour the diverse culturalinfluences of indigenous people (sit downwith a shaman, or enjoy the Siberian art ofthroat singing!).

We have no group departures, our advertiseddates always operate (barring anythingcompletely out of our control) and, above all,we will tell you it like it is – allowing you tomake the right choice from a portfolio ofjourneys rich in variety and full of memorableexperiences. Sorry! We couldn't resist at leastone cliché!

No ordinary trip

Visa RequirementsMost visitors to Russia are required toobtain a visa prior to departure. Visaprocessing times can be up to: Russia 20 Working DaysHowever fast track processing is possible. Due to the support documents required bythe Embassy of Russia (which we obtain),you will need to book your trip beforestarting to obtain visas.For full information regarding visas, pleaserefer to our web site.

Hints and TipsTOP TIP! – How are you departing fromVladivostok? There are very few options.Photocopy your passport including thevisas issued pages, airline tickets andinsurance policies. Your passport must be valid for at least sixmonths past the end of your travel dates.

Travellers ChecklistDay pack, back pack, money belt, first aidkit, heat proof mug, instant coffee, teabags, sun hat, lightweight jacket, flip flops,sun cream, warm jacket (Sep-Aprdepartures), ski clothing. (for thoseparticipating), warm waterproof walkingboots, universal sink plug, bottle opener.

Climate and time – Minimum/maximum Temperatures ºCJan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

St. Petersburg/Moscow -20/-10 - 5/+12 +15/+22 +15/+30 +8/+24 -6/+10Vladivstok -15/-02 +03/+12 +18/+23 +24/+30 +12/+22 -15/+4

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 dailyitinerary. 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, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary – 13 days Leaving from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok

ExperienceOriginal Trans-Siberian

After spending two nights in St. Petersburgand two nights in Moscow you will thenembark on a non- stop train journeythrough to Vladivostok. What this means isyou will spend six nights/ seven days onboard with no opportunity to disembarkand visit any of the fascinating towns andregions you'll be passing through. We hopeyou consider strongly before booking thisjourney, our mantra at Russia Experience is“what makes these trips special is what'spossible along the way in places thatinternational airlines barely touch”. Thetrain journey might be interesting forcompletists – but you'll sail straight past“the good stuff” on this route!DAY 01 “S Priezdom! Welcome to St. Petersburg!” Our driver will be there to meet you fromwhichever flight, train or boat you arrive. You’ll then be transferred to the Vesta 3★Hotel. (We can obtain rates for superiorhotels ask a member of the reservationsteam for details.) At check-in, (after 2pm)the hotel reception will advise you they willneed your passport for visa registration.Your complimentary InfoPack is full ofideas for getting the most out of your freetime. (Please note your train tickets toMoscow are usually e-tickets and are sentwith your final travel documents.)No meals

DAY 02After breakfast one of our local expert staffwill meet you at the hotel to take you on athree hour walking tour round thehighlights – you'll use public transportaround the centre to avoid the traffic jamsand get the hang of the system for whenyou come to use it independently. Ourstaffers are full of ideas for this walk butare flexible about other ideas if you haveyour own. Your walk ends in the city centrearound lunchtime. If you haven't pre-booked any of our range of city excursionsthe rest of the day is your own to explorefurther.BreakfastDAY 03You'll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today but the hotel offers a LeftLuggage service for a small fee. Your day isfree until your evening departure toMoscow. Reception can book you a taxi tothe station. Some of our top suggestions(please check opening times/days beforesetting off) The Hermitage Collection –Winter Palace. The canals and waterwaysof the “Northern Venice”. The RussianMuseum of Fine Art. The Peter & PaulFortress-and the Tombs of the Tsars insidethe Fortress Cathedral. The Church on theSpilt Blood, nearby the Souvenir Bazaar. Breakfast

DAY 04 Early morning arrival in Moscow. Ourdriver will meet you at the end of theplatform and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. You’ll then betransferred to the Panorama 3★ Hotel.(We can obtain rates for superior hotelsask a member of the reservations team fordetails.) The facilities available at thishotel include a Restaurant, Lobby Bar,Lobby Wi-Fi access, Luggage Room, Safetydeposit boxes and an ATM machine. Oneof our local expert staff will meet you atthe hotel around 10am to take you on athree hour walking tour round thehighlights – you’ll use public transportaround the centre to avoid the traffic jamsand get the hang of the system for whenyou come to use it independently. Ourstaffers are full of ideas for this walk butare flexible about other ideas if you haveyour own. Your walk ends in the city centrearound lunchtime. Check-in is after 2pmthe hotel reception will advise you they willneed your passport for visa registration.Your complimentary InfoPack is full ofideas for getting the most out of your freetime. No mealsDAY 05This morning you can continue sightseeingthe Lenin Mausoleum is only open in themornings, and getting there early (it’s inRed Square) helps beat the queues. If youhaven’t pre-booked any of our range of cityexcursions the rest of the day is your ownto explore further. Some of our topsuggestions (please check openingtimes/days before setting off) wouldinclude visiting the Moscow Kremlin, theTretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Fine ArtsMuseum, or a boat trip along the MosvkaRiver ... perhaps locate some tickets forballet, opera, circus or a concert thisevening? As well as famous classical musictraditions Moscow features on the touringschedules of world names in jazz, rock, popand world music. Breakfast

DAY 06

Your day is free until this evenings transfertake you to the station. Although there’s arestaurant car service on board your trainyou may want to supplement this withsome snacks, treats, and fresh fruit thatyou could buy today.Your transfer from thehotel to Yaroslavsky station is scheduledfor 22:30 , so please be at the hotelreception where your driver will meet youand will assist your boarding of theVladivostok bound train.Breakfast

DAY 07 - DAY 12

On board The Trans-Sib… travelling

towards Vladivostok. The dining car is the

heart of social life on the train. It

functions as bar, lounge, and take-out

snack store, as well as a café serving

reasonably priced meals. It is a great

place to meet fellow travellers and locals

alike, sharing your experiences of your

journey so far with a few drinks, which no

doubt will include some Vodka – and

maybe smoked salmon and caviar too!

Along the way you'll see astonishing

Siberian scenery as the deciduous forests

of the Ural Mountains slowly give way to

Siberian pine forests. The major

landmarks are the great rivers you cross,

including the River Ob at Novosibirsk (one

of the most famous bridges on the route),

and the gigantic Enisei River (at

Krasnoyarsk). You pass by Lake Baikal,

and finally past the River Amur (known in

China as the Heilongjiang) and into the

Primorye (“near the sea”) Region.No meals

DAY 13

Morning arrival in Vladivostok. For

additional services in Vladivostok and

beyond please see our website.

No meals

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 dailyitinerary. 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, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary - 13days Leaving from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok

ExperienceOriginal Trans-Siberian