Day 1 - Moscow - Irkutsk
Welcome to Moscow! It’s suggested you book your flight to arrive into Moscow a night or two earlier. Then you’ll have time to enjoy Moscow before setting off to Siberia.  See the rates on P.23. If arriving on Day 1, the meeting point for departure to the railway station will be advised. Tonight – late evening departure aboard the epic Trans – Siberian railway to Irkutsk.
Overnight (4) – train.

Day 2 to 5 - Aboard the train 
Rolling out of Moscow, fry – pan flat terrain is left behind, as the train crosses the mineral - rich Ural Mountains. Passing over a total of 5191 km from Moscow, the train makes it’s way across valleys, fields, taiga (conifer forests), rivers and Siberian steppe to Irkutsk (arriving morning of day 5) – gateway to Lake Baikal.
On day 5, enjoy a city tour of Irkutsk. Highlights include the Decembrist Houses and Irkutsk’s Fine Arts museum.
Dinner & overnight – Irkutsk homestay/hotel.

Day 6 - Irkutsk - Listvyanka & Lake Baikal
To lakeside Listvyanka. A magnet for sun seekers and marine biologists, it’s our base for a few days. Like Galapagos, Baikal flora and fauna has evolved in complete isolation, affording visitors a unique and unequalled holiday. We’ll enjoy a boat excursion with picnic on Lake Baikal.
Dinner & overnight – Listvyanka – home stay/lodge.

Day 7 - Listvyanka & Lake Baikal
Today, a walking tour of the village including a visit to the Church of St Nicholas and a visit to the Baikal Lake Institute – headquarters for lake research and marine biology. Rest of the day free for you to relax and enjoy Lake Baikal. Options include – boating, mountain biking, horse riding and dog scootering. You’ll also be able to enjoy a steamy session in a Siberian banya (sauna).
Dinner & overnight – Listvyanka – homestay/lodge.

Days 8 to 10 - Listvyanka - Olkhon Island
Enroute to Olkhon Island, enroute we visit Taltsy - an outdoor museum in the taiga forests dedicated to buildings created by early Evenk and Buryat people.
Off Baikal’s western shore and reached by  ferry, shaman - haunted Olkhon Island is probably the most beautiful of the lake’s 27 islands. Its western shores comprises steppe bounded with dramatic orange cliffs. The island paths are filled with sheep and Buryat herders, whilst the island’s interior is strewn with lakes. At the northern end – once the domain of religious shamans, are waters dotted with Baikal seals (nerpa). Home during our stay is a traditional yurt (felt - type tent) camp near the settlement of Khuzhir.
During our stay we’ll visit Cape Khoboy – an area of stunning natural beauty and Shara Nur (Yellow Lake). A range of optional activities such as – kayaking, water skiing, boating or horse riding are available on Olkhon. We’ll also enjoy an evening campfire with a local Shaman. Siberian banya (sauna) is also available.
3 nights – Olkhon Island – yurt camp including all meals.

Day 11 - Olkhon Island - Irkutsk - Return to Irkutsk  
Olkhon Island – Irkutsk – Return to Irkutsk. Dinner & overnight – Irkutsk – Homestay/hotel.

Day 12 - Irkutsk - Moscow - Farewell to Siberia
Transfer to airport for flight to Moscow. 

Ulan Ude Extension  £249

Day 12 - Irkutsk - Ulan Ude A full day to enjoy Irkutsk. This evening an overnight journey on the Trans Siberian railway to Ulan Ude. Overnight – train. Day 13 - Ulan Ude - Arrival Situated in Eastern Buryatia, despite its Stalinist inspired centre dominated by a surreal Lenin head (the world’s largest) Ulan Ude is decidedly un – Russian. Thanks to its proximity to Mongolia and China, the indigenous people of the region – the Buryats clung on to their Tibetan – Buddhist faith through the Communist era. During our stay, there’s a visit Ivolginsky Datsan - the only Buddhist temple that held out during the Communist period. Also enjoy a Buryat-style lunch and visit a museum of the local lives of indigenous Buryat people. Traditional Buryat dinner & overnight – Ulan Ude – homestay/hotel. Day 14 - Ulan Ude - Moscow - Farewell to Siberia Transfer to airport for flight to Moscow.

Note: You’re free to make onward arrangements for flight ex Moscow for afternoon departures (as our flights arrives in from Irkutsk or Ulan Ude at around 1000 hrs), though be aware that we’ll usually arrive into Moscow Domodedovo. Please ensure you give yourself enough time to transfer to Moscow Sheremetyevo if your flight departs from there. Alternatively, see our postour hotel rates on P.23, if you’d like to stay longer in Moscow.