Golden Eagle Transiberian Express Lake Baikal

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian – Winter Wonderland (Eastbound)

Sail down the beautiful rivers

The most epic rail journey in the world - the renowned Trans - Siberian Express! Travel 6,500 miles on the luxurious Golden Eagle, your luxe hotel on wheels. During your two weeks you will see some of the most unique places in the world, Lake Baikal, Ulaan Baatar, Vladivostok - almost inaccessible by any other route and certainly not in the same level of comfort or luxury. Alternatively, for the ultimate Dr. Zhivago experience, make the same journey in winter, with the Winter Wonderland Explorer.

Enjoy a Private, Historical and Cultural Tour from Moscow to Vladivostok aboard the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express, with your personal English-speaking guides.

Trip Departure:

February 21 - March 7, 2017

Download PDF Itinerary here.

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PRICING FROM

Silver Class: $15,895.00 per person, double occupancy. $23,495.00 single occupancy Gold Class: $19,595.00 per person, double occupancy. $28,695.00 single occupancy. Imperial Suite: $30,995.00 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy on request. Prices are per person for the fully inclusive tour Moscow to Vladivostok. Air-fare is not included. Prices are subject to change until deposit is received.

Arrival | Arrival

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian - Winter Wonderland (Eastbound)

Arrive at Moscow Airport, where you are met and transferred to the luxury five-star Ritz- Carlton, featured in 2016 as part of our commemoration of 100th anniversary since the opening of the final section of the Trans-Siberian line.

Superbly located in Moscow city centre, and within easy walking distance of Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre, this historic hotel offers spacious and luxurious accommodation. The O2 Lounge, a stylish rooftop terrace, features panoramic views over the Red Square and the Kremlin. The spacious ESPA spa centre includes a hot tub, indoor pool, and 14 treatment rooms. Crystal lighting, candles and beautiful facilities create the perfect atmosphere, and a wide variety of spa treatments, as well as the sauna, are available. There is also a fitness centre, and a beauty salon.

Moscow | Moscow

Your touring program of Moscow principally takes you to the grandeur of the Kremlin – the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow – and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber. You also visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful facade of the world famous GUM department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb.

With your Freedom of Choice touring options you may instead wish to visit the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art).

Upon arrival at Moscow Kazansky Station, you will be greeted in the magnificent Imperial Waiting Room with a cold glass of Russian Champagne and canapes as you mix with the other guests and are welcomed by the train staff. The excitement in the waiting room audibly mounts and, 30 minutes before departure, your car attendants will escort you to Platform 1 where a military brass band is playing and the Golden Eagle awaits.

Vladimir & Suzdal | Vladimir & Suzdal

The historic city of Vladimir was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s oldest communities with an architectural wealth. The whole city was decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned.

The pastoral town of Suzdal is one of most perfectly preserved walled cities in Russia dating back to 1024 and is located 22 miles (35 kms) from Vladimir. Here you visit the atmospheric St. Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral performance.

Yekaterinburg | Yekaterinburg

Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great, Yekaterinburg is the capital of the Urals. Known as the Great Divide, the Ural Mountains create the natural border between Europe and Asia so that the cultural and architectural influences of European and Asian civilizations come together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape.

Your city tour takes you to the poignant site where the Romanov, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, was executed with his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918 following 78 days of imprisonment. Now a church dedicated to their memory, this site provides you with a powerful insight into the turmoil of the Russian Revolution.

Novosibirsk | Novosibirsk

A modern ‘Soviet’ city, you experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s rich culture where the arts and sciences predominate. The city is located in the heart of Russia and is situated on both banks of the River Ob. Your city tour takes you to Lenin Square where the imposing Opera House is located.

An architectural marvel, it houses two permanent ballet and opera companies and is one of the largest opera houses in the world. In front of the Opera House, you visit an impressive statue of Lenin – a marvelous opportunity to have your photograph taken with this iconic political leader. Alternatively, your Freedom of Choice tour goes south of the city to visit Novosibirsk’s excellent Railway Museum, which displays locomotives and rolling stock from the late 1800s, including carriages of the Tsars, through to the Soviet era.

Onboard | Onboard

Today you relax onboard as your train travels through Siberia. In comfort enjoy the ever- changing views as sweeping panoramas of natural snow-covered beauty unfold before you.

Accommodation: Golden Eagle

Irkutsk | Irkutsk

Your visit to Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, takes in the most significant sites and museums in this fascinating city, including an exploration of the classic wooden architecture with its intricately carved lace-like decorations that has given many of this region’s buildings such a distinctive and unique appearance. You also visit the Decembrist House museum which is dedicated to the memory of the aristocrats who were exiled to this remote outpost after the failed uprising of 1825, and you recreate the atmosphere of that time with a champagne reception and private concert.

Alternatively you may wish to visit a traditional Russian Banya (sauna) on our Freedom of Choice tour.

Lake Baikal | Lake Baikal

Your day by Lake Baikal offers a real highlight of traveling through Siberia in winter. Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal and today will be an unforgettable part of our Trans-Siberian journey.

For five hours you wind your way through tunnels along cliff hugging tracks above the frozen lake with a vista of snow-capped peaks along the far shore forming a picture-perfect backdrop. Completely frozen in winter, Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and at this time of the year you will visit the shore side Ice Festival to look at the many intricate works of ice art.

You are taken in a hovercraft on the frozen lake to the place where the ice fishing, dog sledges and snowmobiles are situated and you will enjoy the perfect vantage point to appreciate the magnificence of this unspoilt location.

There is the opportunity to watch the under-ice fishing and try the freshly caught fish which will be smoked in a mobile smokehouse and served warm with ice-cold vodka. Delicious!

Ulan Ude | Ulan Ude

The ethnic and cultural diversity of Ulan Ude offers a unique insight into its heritage. As you tour the area you will notice the different faces of these welcoming people. You will meet the people of the Old Believers’ Village and have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of these religious people. You are treated to a concert featuring local folk singers.

Ulaan Baatar | Ulaan Baatar

Your Trans-Siberian adventure takes you into Mongolia and a visit to its capital, Ulaan Baatar. Mongolia, once the very center of an enormous empire led by Genghis Khan, is a country of beautiful landscapes, nomadic people and rich in culture and history. Mongolia is famous for its endless green Steppes, grazing livestock and white, nomadic Gers (Yurts) dotted all across the countryside.

You start the tour at Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist Monasteries housing a community of over 500 monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates as ‘the great place of complete joy’. At Sukhbaatar Square you can see the central monument to Genghis Khan, undoubtedly the most feared and revered Mongol and visit the National Museum where you learn about the country’s intriguing history. You also have the opportunity to visit a traditional Ger and meet a nomadic family.

Onboard | Onboard

Enjoy a more leisurely pace today as you travel through the beautiful Russian landscape of this vast and varied country.

Onboard | Onboard

Passing directly north of Seoul, Darwin and Osaka, you spend your last full day on board the Golden Eagle as the most easterly point of your journey is reached passing through Khabarovsk, where you cross the River Amur. Tonight, you enjoy your last dinner onboard as you approach your final destination on this unforgettable journey.

Vladivostok | Vladivostok

After traveling through 8 time zones and over 6,600 miles (10,600km) along this epic route to the end of the Trans-Siberian line, the Golden Eagle pulls into Vladivostok.

Vladivostok is a military port, located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan and is home to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Due to its military importance, the city was closed to foreigners between 1930 and 1992. Vladivostok (literally translated as ‘Ruler of the East’) offers visitors an interesting opportunity to explore its principal military attractions including a visit to a preserved World War Two submarine. Your city tour will also take you 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.

Your hotel in Vladivostok, where you stay for one night, is the four-star Hotel Hyundai.