Weather is not unfriendly!

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1                            Arrive St. Petersburg (D)

Transfer To Hotel. Afternoon/Evening at leisure to unwind or browse the shop and streets.

Day 2                           At St. Petersburg (B,D)

Today panoramic sightseeing tour of the city regarded as one of the top ten most beautiful cities in the world. Photostops near iconic monuments including St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Saviour on the Spilled Blood (also called Bloody Church) and more before reaching the Hermitage, formerly the Summer Palace and now considered one of the greatest museums in the world.

The museum visit is included.Long day light hours permit further explorations.

Optional : show at Marinsky Theater

Day 3                           At St. Petersburg(B,D)

Today there is a memorable excursion to see the magnificent Peterhof Palace and its fabulous gardens.
Often referred to as “Russia’s Versailles,” it is every bit as extravagant as the French chateau.
Explore the Grand Palace, creating an imposing impression from the Lower and the Upper Parks;  marble terrace, enjoy magnificent views over the Grand Cascade, made up of staggering waterfalls; Encounter the chessboard Chess Mountain, fountains disguised as umbrellas, and a fountain that sprays anyone unlucky enough to step on a particular paving stone! Return to hotel. Late afternoon at leisure.

Optional : folk show at Nikolavsky Palace

 Day 4                           St. Petersburg – Moscow (B,D) 714 km 3 hr 45 min

DEP 09:10 ARR 13:05

Morning Transfer To Station For Train To Moscow. Proceed on the superfast Sapsan train to Moscow in 4 hrs. On arrival, proceed to hotel and check in. Later , a city tour of the capital city…..see the kremlin walls, the massive red square, lenin’s Masoleum, the Gum Departmental Store, Arabat street, Bolshoi Theater from outside . Evening at leisure. Long day light hours permit further exploration on your own.

Optional : Russian Circus

Day 5                            At Moscow (B,D)

 Today is basically at leisure. Do what you want. Optional tour can be arrange but what is included is an unforgettable journey on the Moscow Metro.

They say the treasures of Russia are stored in the palaces of the Moscow underground ; above the underground is the Kremlin which guards it and St Basil’s blesses it. And above Kremlin there is only Heaven !

The ornamentation — crystal chandeliers and cobalt blue glass, exquisite red marble quarried in Russia, magnificent bronze columns and intricate ceiling plaster relief — forced people to physically ‘look up’ to the light, giving thanks to Stalin, or so he assumed,” Burdeny told Mashu Mashu. Pertaining to socialist philosopher Nikolay Chernyshevsky’s maxim that “art is no use unless it serves politics,”

We visit on the metro a few most beautiful metro stations such as Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Novoslobodskaya and more.

Day 6                           Moscow – Kazan(B,D) 816 km 12 hr 15 min

Today we visit Kremlin & the Armory museum.

Gain insight into Russian heritage and culture, and take the opportunity to get some great photos at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights include viewing the Ornate Horse carriages, the Armours, richly designed costumes of the Tsars and Tsarina and the fabulous Faberge Eggs of which 5 are displayed in the museum. (Later we will tell you the story of the Faberge Eggs)

Later return to hotel to collect your bags and transfer to station for the. Beginning of your Trans-Siberian journey. The train departs at 2050 hrs.

Day 7                           Arrive Kazan and transfer To Hotel. (B,D)

 08:45 Arrival at Railway Station. Meeting at the Railway Station with English-speaking guide. Transfer to hotel. Breakfast and then Check In

Afternoon: city tour “Kazan – my love”. During the excursion you will visit the most interesting and ancient places in Kazan: Kazan Federal University, Square of Fr

eedom, Town Hall, Kremlin Street, “Exaltation of the Cross” Church and the miraculous Kazan Icon of the God’s Mother, Puppet theatre “Akiat”, Tatar village “Tugan Avylym”, Park of 1000th anniversary of Kazan, Opera and Ballet Theatre

Later Walking excursion to Kazan Kremlin which is the object of UNESCO which walls united two religions – Islam (Legendary Kul Sharif Mosque) and Orthodox Christianity (Annunciation Cathedral – XVI century). Continue on a Walking excursion along the Bauman street in the center of the city with guide. This is the main trading street nowadays where the tourists can choose variety souvenirs.

Day 8                           Kazan – Yekaterinburg (B,D) 961 km 13 hr 15 min

Today, we go on a scenic excursion to discover the nature of Tatar.

Stroll through a lush forest and marvel at the crystal-clear waters of lakes Protochny, Maliy and Bolshoi. Witness the breathtaking views of lakes that don’t freeze in winter – even in temperatures below 0 degrees.

Kazan lake Tour And Transfer To Station For Train To Yekaterinburg in the afternoon.
Train departure 15:17

Day 9                            Arrive Yekaterinburg (B,D)

06:35 Arrive at Yekaterinburg.Transfer to the hotel (Tsentralnaya 3*) Check in after breakfast at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of the city and its Head into the historic center of Yekaterinburg with your guide and visit the iconic 1905 Square. Get an insight into the history of the city from pictures that will be shown to you by the guide.

Visit the splendid Church on the Blood, located at the site where the Romanovs were executed, and the Chapel of St. Elizabeth ; Church on the blood and the border of Europe and Asia + a visit of the monastery Ganina Yama 20km away from Yekaterinburg (the story about the last Russian Tsar’s family) Take in beautiful views of the city and the city’s pond from an embankment and from Ascension Hill.Orientation tour followed by dinner in yekaterinburg city centre.

Day 10                          Yekaterinburg – Novosibirsk(B,D) 1600 km 20 hr 18 min

Today transfer to the town of Nevyansk (70 km North of Yekaterinburg)

12.00 Excursion to the Leaning Tower of Nevyansk, an old industrial town founded by the wealthiest Russian dynasty of the Demidoffs. The Leaning tower was built 300 ago to express the power of the dynasty in the Urals.
An interesting whispering room is located on the sixth floor of the tower. On the seventh and eighth floors you will see an old English clock that still works and plays melodies.

Later transfer to the pottery village (10km). Lunch at the potters wooden house. Two work shops at the pottery + visiting a local church and a short walk in the village.

Local potters invite you to see their workshops: You can also create something by yourself.

Dinner and then we collect our baggage and proceed to station for our train to Novosibrisk, the 3^rd biggest in Russia (in Siberia). DEP 21:50

Day 11                          Arrive Novosibirsk At 2010 Hrs.(B,D)  You have arrived Siberia !!

Arrive Novosibirk train station at 2010 hrs. Transfer to the hotel AZIMUT or similar.

Check-in and free time. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 12                          Novosibirsk – Irkutsk (B,D) 1848 km 1 d 4 hr 45 min… the most scenic stretch

City tour with a visit of Nevsky Cathedral and 1 museum (Historical, Art Museum).
Novosibirsk is the only settlement of the Trans-Siberian Railway constructors that later became a million-plus city, will cover all of the main attractions of the city: Novosibirsk Railway Station, the biggest station of the Trans-Siberian Railroad; Krasny Prospekt Avenue, the longest straight street in Eurasia (7km/ 4.4miles); Lenin Square, the city center with the world’s second biggest Opera House (after that of Buenos Aires); ancient wooden houses on Gorky Street, the oldest part of the city; St. Nicholas Chapel, marking the geographic center of the former Russian Empire; embankment of the 7th longest river in the world (the Ob river); colorful Siberian farm-market; one museum will be visited. Some free time in the afternoon.Dinner and then transfer to station for your train to Irkutsk departure 20:30

Day 13                          On Train

Enjoy the scenery; listen to music; catch up on your reading; perhaps take a stroll along the bogies.

Day 14                          Arrive Irkutsk at early morning around 06:30

Breakfast and early check inn. Transfer to your hotel.Afternoon city tour.

Irkutsk is the administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, and one of the largest cities in Siberia. Many distinguished Russians were sent into exile in Irkutsk for their part in the Decembrist revolt of 1825, and the city became an exile-post for the rest of the century.

Afternoon city tour. Begin at the historical centre of Irkutsk on the Angara coast. The city began in 1661 on Kirov Square. Nearby, see the Savior Church, which is considered the oldest stone building in all of Eastern Siberia. Visit the Epiphany Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church. Explore the Znamensky Monastery and the illustrious collection of icons at the Holy Cross Church.
Walk along the main street of the city, Karl Marx Street, to the Angara River. There is the Irkutsk Drama Theater, the Irkutsk Regional Museum, and many other buildings built in the early 20th century. Proceed to the central embankment of Irkutsk at Angara River, which is a favourite place for walks and mass celebrations.
Away from the embankment, visit an interesting historic district, the buildings of which appeared in the early 18th century.

Evening; we will treat you to an Indian dinner in the heart of Siberia!!

 Day 15              At Irkutsk (B,L,D)

The railroad was named “the Golden Buckle of the Great Siberian Trail”. The “Buckle” – as it connected the Trans Siberian railway divided by Baikal lake; the “Golden” – because

the total value of building operations exceeded the cost of all railroads in Russia at those time. At the end of 70’s the railway was recognized as the historic and architectural monument and now it is under government protection.

The Circum Baikal railway tour starts in Irkutsk and ends in Irkutsk in the evening. In summer light snacks can be bought on the train at the restaurant carriage. It is recommended to take your own food before the train trip. The thermos with hot boiled water is always available in every carriage.cross the Angara river (2 km) by ferry-boat to Listvyanka. Return to Irkutsk.

The train ride is along the shores of lake Baikal, the largest fresh water lake in the world…..stores enough water to feed the world for 40 years!

Day 16                          Irkutsk – Moscow – India

Transfer to airport for your flight back to India via Moscow with great memories of a great holiday and exploration. DEP 13:00

Inclusions:

• Return airfare on Aeroflot ex New Delhi
• Hotel accommodation on twin share basis with breakfast
• 2nd class (equivalent to Indian first class) with bed linen and blankets
• Porterage at stations
• Transfers airport hotel station
• Guided sightseeing and visit to attractions as per itinerary
• Daily dinner (some Indian meals including one planned in the heart of Siberia)
• Travel insurance, visa fees and tour kit.

Supplements apply for travel on other airlines / other cities which will be provided on request.
Supplements apply for business class travel and single occupancy which will be provided on request.

Exclusions:

• Goods and Service Tax @ 5%.
• Any expenses of personal nature.
• Any unforeseen escalations due to the dynamic nature of air & train tickets and exchange rate
• Any other item or expenses not specifically mentioned under inclusions.

Based on travel from New Delhi by Aeroflot by Economy class.

Supplement for travel in Business class to Russia and back (excl. Irkutsk – Moscow ) RS. 1.10 lakhs approx.

Supplement for travel by other airline x cal/bom/blr/maa/hyd; in economy class : RS 35-50000 approx.

Tour price is valid for travel in May & September. High seasons prices apply for travel in June-September which will be known in February and estimated at +10% of the price in May.

Information for travellers:

• Prices are per person on Double Sharing basis.
• Hotel Check in usually at 1400 hrs. and check out 1100 hrs. However we have provided for early check in surcharge at Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk.
• On this program dinners are provided early in the cities.
• Prices are based on the lowest run of the house rates at designated hotels.
• Surcharges may apply during peak season or high occupancy periods.
• Train schedules are as available now and may change.

The air and train prices are based on current prices as shown in system.

The train schedules are as available at the time of publishing this program. And is provisional. Correct timings / change in train schedule will be known only after February when the summer schedules are published by Russian Railways. There could be some changes in schedule and prices.

Train reservations open 90 days before departure and prices change/increase as seats/berths get sold.

Accordingly there could be some changes in the price.

Bed linen & blankets are provided on train. Trains have restaurant cars where passengers can have a meal or snack. Cash payment is required at the restaurant cars

It is advisable to carry snacks with you which can be purchased locally or carried from India if a must.

For these programmes , the group size is small …. 8- 12 per group.

Passengers are informed that they should carry comfortable walking shoes , 1 or 2 hand towels , suitcases fitted with castors ( not very big for convenience) thermal inners , warm jackets/pullovers and cap & gloves & socks.

And ofcourse your medicines.

We provide for porterage at stations where possible

As we would like all passengers to be in the same bogie ,  and get prices on trains at the cheapest possible we ask for tour payments in advance as per schedule provided.

Cancellation charges apply for train tickets .. usually 25 % of the train fare upto 15 days prior departure.

The package provides for 5 nights of train journey and 10 nights of hotel stay for the basic tour.The objective is to provide more content and time at each place which is not possible on a short excursions from train… that are provided in all rail tours.

The cheapest and convenient air travel is on Aeroflot ex New Delhi and passengers from other cities need to join at New delhi. However flights are available from other cities … on Emirates , Qatar , several European Airlines but cost more.

You have the option to travel on the airline and we will help dovetail to our schedule .

The programme is escorted on the entire land portion of the itinerary.

Vegetarian food is available but often may not be exactly to your culinary tastes . Indian meals are provided where possible including one in Siberia !!

 Russia has made great efforts in facilitating tourist traffic especially after the Word cup soccer . So travel without apprehensions . Respect the local customs and you’ll have a memorable tour.

 Visas: Once you are register and the booking are confirmed, a visa support letter is generated from Russia. You only need to fill up a simple visa application form and photograph, passport and provide some very minimal documents. We shall assist in the process.

Payment schedule :

100 days prior departure : Rs 1.25  lakhs with passport photo copy , pan card copy  n registration form filled in and signed.

75 says prior departure    : Rs 1 lac

45 days prior departure    : balance amount

Bon voyage