• Caucasus
  • Elbrus Region
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
• Central Asia and Iran
  • Uzbekistan and Aral Sea
  • Central Asia and Iran
  • Fann Mountains
  • Tien-Shan Mountains
  • All Central Asia
• Siberia and Pacific
  • Siberia
  • Kamchatka
  • Lake Baikal
  • Tuva and Sayan
  • Altai
• European Russia and Ukraine
  • Curious St Petersburg
  • Russian Capitals
  • Russian North
  • Ladoga Lake
  • Crimea

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This trip starts in Moscow – the capital of Russia. We will see the main historical sites and of course visit the Kremlin – an ancient fortress and place where the Russian government of Russia makes important decisions nowadays as well. It takes us almost 4 days to reach the city of Irkutsk by train – you have a great opportunity to realize, what a big country Russia is. Same as most of the Siberian cities, Irkutsk first appeared on the map of Russian Siberia in the middle of the 17th century and soon it became the residence of the Siberian General Governor. Since  1898 the Trans Siberian railway has passed through Irkutsk. The city has been a cultural capital from the rough Siberian frontier days and it still houses numerous onion-domed churches and boasts neighborhoods of classic wooden Siberian house with beautifully painted and carved shutters, many of them lopsided from decades of sinking in permafrost.Lake Baikal is the oldest and the deepest (1600m) fresh-water lake on the Earth, which contains 1/5 of the world's fresh water. There are more than 400 rivers flowing into the Lake Baikal, but only Angara river flows out of it. Lake Baikal amazes by its beauty. Local people never say “lake” they consider Baikal to be the “holy sea”. Enjoy Siberian hospitality and be sure to taste Baikal omul – special fish with some Russian vodka.

 

OUTLINE ITINERARY

 

Day 1. Arrive in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2. City-tour of Moscow and visit to the Kremlin, which is a symbol of Russia to most people of the world. In the evening we start our Transsiberian railroad journey and leave for Irkutsk.

Days 3-4. On train.

Day 5. Arrive in Irkutsk in the morning and drive directly to Listvianka – a village on the shore of Baikal lake. Sightseeing in Listvianka: walk to the viewpoint and visit to the Limnological museum to learn more about the history of the Lake, its flora and fauna.

Day 6. A boat cruise to the old round-Baikal railway track with its numerous tunnels. Picnic lunch.

Day 7. Drive to Irkutsk visiting Taltsy open-air museum of wooden architecture on the way. City tour of Irkutsk is followed by an excursion to the Museum of Count Volkonsky. In the evening enjoy a leisurely walk in the city center with its famous log houses decorated with beautiful carving. Hotel in Irkutsk.

Day 8. Transfer to the airport for flight to Moscow or make a trip extension and leave for Mongolia by train or flight to Ulaan-Baatar