Unique Trans-Siberian winter journey to Lake Baikal

Arrival in Moscow and transfer to the hotel. Free time to visit the capital on your own. Accommodation at the hotel.

City tour of Moscow’s famous sights including the Red Square, Basilius cathedral, GUM Shopping centre, Novodevichy Convent, the ancient KGB buildings, the Lenin state library and the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU). Visit the Kremlin – a symbol of power and might of the vast Russian lands – with its impressive churches and the Armoury Chamber on the Kremlin grounds which contains a unique collection of Royal Russian and international jewellery including thrones, crowns, carriages, costumes, gold and silverware, all lavishly studded with precious stones. Optional in the evening: visit of a ballet, concert, opera or the famous Moscow Circus (tickets not included). Accommodation at the hotel.

The tour of Moscow continues. Your guide will take you to the Tretyakov gallery where you can marvel at Russian fine art and to the Arbat Street where you’ll have time to buy some clothes for your journey to Siberia. Transfer to the train station and departure on the Trans-Siberian to Novosibirsk. Overnight on board of the train.

On board of the Trans-Siberian train passing various villages alongside countless birch- and broadleaf forests, all covered with white snow. Enough time to enjoy a cup of hot tea from the samovar, to read, talk and relax. Overnight on board of the train.

Arrival in Novosibirsk in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at the hotel.

Novosibirsk is the largest city and cultural as well as economical centre of Siberia. Today, you will walk around the city of Novosibirsk, visiting all the main attractions of the city such as: Novosibirsk Railway Station (the biggest station of the Trans-Siberian Railroad), Ascension cathedral, Krasny Prospect street, Lenin Square (city centre with the biggest world’s Opera House), old wooden houses on Gorkogo Str. (the oldest part of the city), St. Nicolas Chapel (the geographic centre of Russia) and the river Ob’ embankment. Visit of the Local Lore (History Museum), featuring the fascinating and mystical history of Siberia. Our local guides love the city and will make you discover the culture and atmosphere of this fascinating Siberian town! Evening departure with the Trans-Siberian train to Irkutsk. Overnight on board of the train.

On board of the Trans-Siberian train passing a fantastic winter landscape. Overnight on board of the train.

Early morning arrival in Irkutsk and transfer to the fishing village of Listvyianka on the shore of Lake Baikal where you’ll spend the night in a cozy Siberian wooden chalet. Full board included. Lake Baikal is a unique biosphere, the World’s deepest, largest (in terms of volume) and presumably oldest (25 million years) lake containing more than 20% of all running fresh-water on this earth. The threat of pollution by unregulated economic exploitation has led to the creation of the largest protected area to keep the cleanliness of its water and uniqueness of its inhabitation for future generations. The lake is 400 miles long, 40 miles wide and about 1 mile deep. Unlike other deep lakes whose bottom waters are poisoned by hydrogen sulphide and other gases, Lake Baikal’s water is saturated with oxygen from its surface to the deepest point and therefore, living organisms can be found at all levels.

December – January: If the lake is not frozen, you will go on a day hike through the wintery forest and along the shore of lake Baikal.

February – March: Depart for the excursion along and on the frozen ice of Lake Baikal to the village Bolshy Koty. The trek is about 16 km each way.

Accommodation in a typical Siberian wooden house or in a polar tent on the frozen lake (1 night, tent only for groups). Full board included.

December – January: Free day to explore the lake on your own. If the snow is deep enough, you might consider booking a sledge ride with the fast Huskies and visit the Husky centre (optional, not included).

February – March: Return by foot or by Jeep to Listvyanka.

Overnight in a cozy Siberian chalet. Full board included.

Return to Irkutsk. Irkutsk is also called ‘Paris’ of Siberia for its pulsing street life and people’s elegant clothes. Still a major trade centre for furs, Irkutsk enjoys today a certain economic wealth. Short but hot summers and very cold winters, however, make life here a real challenge. During a tour of Irkutsk, your guide will tell you about the development of this Siberian city’s evolution and shows the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. You will see beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), many wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with “wooden laces” (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century and visit the Decembrist House. Accommodation at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport.