Premium Trans

Arrive in Moscow and transfer to the 5-star Four Seasons Moscow where you meet the rest of your group and Tour Manager for a welcome reception and dinner. Overnight Moscow. (D)

We spend the day in Moscow and take a tour of its famous sights, including the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral. Following lunch in a Moscow restaurant, this evening we join the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, for our fabulous 12-night adventure to Vladivostok. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

Our first stop on our Trans-Siberian adventure is Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan on the River Volga. The city is renowned for its ornate buildings, including the colorful onion-domed cathedral, the inspiring Kul Sharif Mosque in the grounds of the impressive Kazan Kremlin, and the classical style buildings of the university. (B, L, D)

Today we cross the Europe-Asia divide and arrive in Yekaterinburg, founded in 1723 by Peter the Great. Here we visit the site where the Romanov family, headed by Tsar Nicholas II, was murdered in 1918, now marked by a church dedicated to their memory. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

A modern "Soviet" city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk's rich culture where the arts, science and literature predominate. Our city tour takes us to the Opera House. An architectural marvel, it houses two permanent ballet and opera companies and is the largest opera house in the world. In front of the Opera House, we visit an imposing statue of Lenin, presenting a marvelous opportunity to have your photograph taken with this iconic political leader. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

We spend Day 6 on the train enjoying the passing scenery as we travel through the Sayan Mountains. Enjoy drinking in the views at your leisure or take advantage of the many comforts offered on board our luxurious train. On Day 7 we arrive in Irkutsk, founded by Cossacks. One of the largest and best-known cities in Siberia, it takes its name from the nearby Irkut River, which meets the mighty, 1,640-foot-wide Angara River, close to the city. Surrounded by dense forest lands, Irkutsk was founded in 1661 AD as a fort to colonize lands stretching right through Siberia to Alaska. Though little is known about the place from that time, it gained notoriety in the early 19th century, when many Russian nobles, artists and officers were sent into exile in the city for taking part in the Decembrist revolt against Tsar Nicholas I. The city is affectionately known as 'the Paris of Siberia', and much of the city's cultural heritage came from these political outcasts. Many of their wooden houses have survived, and during a sightseeing tour we take in the fascinating wood-carved architecture and visit the city's most significant sights and museums, including the Decembrist House Museum. Overnight train. (Days 6 & 7 – B, L, D)

Today we experience one of the true highlights of our journey through Siberia. The Golden Eagle skirts vast Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake, totally frozen at this time of year. We wind our way through tunnels and along cliff-hugging tracks on our way to the small village of Listvyanka, nestled at the foot of the surrounding hills. At the frozen Lake Baikal, we enjoy a thrilling hovercraft ride, followed by the opportunity to watch ice fishing and sample the freshly caught fish, which will be smoked in a mobile smoke house and served warm, with ice-cold vodka. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

The ethnic and cultural diversity of Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic, offers a unique insight into its heritage. As we tour the area you will notice the different faces of these welcoming Buryat people. During our exploration of the Old Believers’ Village we have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of these religious people as we are treated to a concert featuring local traditions and folk singing. Afterwards, we take a private flight into Mongolia, to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. (B, L, D)

We explore Mongolia today with a visit to its capital, Ulaan Baatar. Mongolia, once the very center of an enormous empire led by Genghis Khan, is a country rich in culture and history with beautiful landscapes and nomadic people. Mongolia is famous for its endless green Steppes, grazing livestock and white, nomadic Gers (Yurts) dotted all across the countryside. Passing the Genghis Khan monument, we take a guided tour before lunch and an afternoon visit to the Bogd Palace Museum and a local cashmere factory. After, we return to Ulan Ude by plane, rejoining the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a more leisurely pace today as we travel through the beautiful landscape of the Russian Far East. You may like to attend one of the interesting lectures or Russian language lessons. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

The train follows the Shilka and Amur Rivers close to the Chinese border. Our route takes us across an area of permafrost, as remote as it is dramatic. Passing directly north of Seoul, Darwin and Osaka, we spend day 13 on board the Golden Eagle as the most easterly point on our mammoth journey is reached passing through Khabarovsk, where we cross the River Amur. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner onboard our private train that has been our home for the last 12 days as we approach our final destination on this unforgettable journey. Overnight train. (Days 12 & 13 – B, L, D)

After traveling across 8 time zones and covering a staggering 6,600 miles, our epic journey concludes today, as the Trans-Siberian Express arrives in Vladivostok. Our city tour will also take us to the iconic suspension bridge over Golden Horn Bay, one of the largest of its kind worldwide, which opened in 2012 for the APEC conference. This evening you are invited to our farewell dinner. Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as with all meals during the tour. Our hotel in Vladivostok, where we stay for one night, is the five-star Lotte Hotel Vladivostok. Overnight Vladivostok. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we are free to make your way home. Airport transfers are provided. (B)