TransSibFun Train Trip 2018

Day 1

(16 July, Monday)

Welcome dinner. We meet all together for the first time, introduce each other and enjoy traditional Russian cuisine in the restaurant.

Transfer to the train station.

Here the trip begins! We take the train and start to follow the great Trans-Siberian railway!

Day 2

(17 July, Tuesday)

We spend the whole day on the train! Have a look out of the window – the landscape is changing! We are getting closer to the border between Europe and Asia – Ural Mountains!

During the day:

1) The train stops at some stations for 30-40 min, we will be able to go out from the train and see a train station and a bit of the city.

2) Russian language course! We will learn alphabet, reading, some very basic phrases and expressions. Russia is so huge, but the official language is only one.

3) Movie about Russia (part 1). It will give us a general understanding where we are travelling, we will learn a bit about geography, state system, culture.

4) Global Village! This is a big celebration of cultures from around the world. We want to know about each other more! Everyone is supposed to prepare for this event (bring something very traditional from home – food, drinks, snacks…). Besides, we showcase our nations through singing, dancing, food, costumes, music and traditions! Be creative! It will be fun!

Day 3

(18 July, Wednesday)

Arrival to Yekaterinburg. Our first stop on the long way!

Transfer to hotel, breakfast at the hotel, some free time to get ready for a great day ahead!

We will explore the city, we will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints.

Organized lunch. We will eat the most traditional dish “pelmeni” (dumplings) in a special place.

Yekaterinburg is famous for the heavy industry, that’s why we will have a unique opportunity to visit one of the leading heavy machine building company in Russia, manufacturing equipment for metallurgy, mining industry, etc. Uralmash.

This city is the motherland of the first Russian president – Boris Yeltsin. Recently the big center devoted to him was opened. This is an awesome place where we will dive into 1990th reality - Yeltsin Center.

Organized dinner, free time.

Day 4

(19 July, Thursday)

Breakfast at hotel, check out, transfer to train station.

Here we continue the trip! We take the train and heading to Novosibirsk!

We are becoming experienced travelers! You might have some questions about Russian culture, language etc. Maybe you took some interesting pictures of any signs and you don’t understand what’s written there – feel free to ask!

For the most curious travelers we will continue Russian language course and will watch another movie about Russian history.

We will learn how to play a traditional card game called “Durak” (fool).

Mafia game. Get prepared to play your role! :)

Day 5

(20 July, Friday)

Hello Siberia! Our first stop in Siberian city – Novosibirsk.

Transfer to hotel, free time.

Excursion around the city. We will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the city.

We are having a Trans-Siberian train trip and it would be a sin not to see the old trains that were riding the same route but many year ago! So, we go to visit a museum of trains.

Organized dinner in the restaurant with Russian food.

Ballet night in the Opera and Ballet Theater. Did you know that the third most beautiful opera and ballet theater in Russia (after Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and Mariinski Theater in St. Petersburg) is in Novosibirsk! We will watch ballet "Le Corsaire".

We will go all together to explore the nightlife of Novosibirsk.

Day 6

(21 July, Saturday)

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a night full of fun we go to relax a bit and get some adrenaline to the Biggest water-park in Russia (for 3h)! Don’t forget to take your swimwear!

Organized lunch in the restaurant.

There is a very small museum devoted to Russian traditional handicraft made of birch bark. Not many people know about this place… We can get the best souvenirs here!

Organized dinner in the restaurant.

We continue moving! We take a train to the next stop - Krasnoyarsk!

Day 7

(22 July, Sunday)

New day – new adventures! Krasnoyarsk is on our way!

Transfer to hotel, breakfast at hotel, free time.

Siberia is very beautiful and not that scary as we might think! We go highking to one of the most beautiful national parks – Stolby!

Organized dinner with traditional Siberian cuisine.

Day 8

(23 July, Monday)

New day – new adventures! Let’s follow this motto during the whole trip! Rafting day! Siberian rivers are very famous for this type of activity. We will visit nice parts of river enjoy the nature, stop at 2 beaches, and go Russian banya!

Russian banya – connecting people! Russia is big, banya is unique! We will have some real experience!

Lunch and dinner will be served there.

Day 9

(24 July, Tuesday)

Unique opportunity to visit hydroelectric power station! A huge creation where we feel the full power of water!

Tour around the city. We will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the city.

We keep on going! We take a train to the next stop - Irkutsk!

Movie about Siberia.

Day 10

(25 July, Wednesday)

We are close to the lake Baikal - we arrive to Irkutsk!

Transfer to hotel, free time.

Tour around the city. We will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the city.

Organized dinner.

Day 11

(26 July, Thursday)

Early morning, the city wakes up :) We go to see the deepest lake in the world! Lake Baikal. We go to the island Olkhon by boat. We will move around the island and see the most beautiful places!

Organized lunch on the island.

We will come back to Irkutsk in the late evening.

Day 12

(27 July, Friday)

Breakfast at hotel.

We go to Listvyanka – the Baikal gate for the whole day! We will see many beautiful view points and places!

Organized lunch will be served in a fish restaurant in the village.

We come back to Irkutsk, free time.

We take a train further! Next city – Ulan-Ude!

Day 13

(28 July, Saturday)

We arrive to the unknown Russia, nobody expects that it is so diverse! Ulan-Ude city!

Transfer to hotel, breakfast at hotel.

Not many people know that there is a Buddhist region in Russia, we are going to visit a heart of it – Datsan.

Organized lunch.

We come back to the city, free time.

Ulan-Ude a capital of Republic of Buryatia, in this area people speak different language, they have a different culture and different cuisine. We go for organized dinner to a traditional buryat restaurant.

Day 14

(29 July, Sunday)

Breakfast at hotel.

Tour around the city. We will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the city.

Organized lunch in the restaurant, transfer to train station.

Here we go! Our longest transfer by train – 2,5 days! Just 2,5 day! Usually people go from Moscow to Vladivostok without stops, and it takes 7,5 days.

We already know how to play a card game “Durak”, it’s time to participate in a championship!

Day 15

(30 July, Monday)

We spend the whole day on the train! Have a look out of the window – so many km away from Europe!

During the day:

1) The train stops at some stations for 30-40 min, we will be able to go out from the train and see a train station and a bit of the city.

2) Russian language course! For the most curious people! We continue!

3) Famous Russian movie.

4) We will learn something about some Russian traditions.

Day 16

(31 July, Tuesday)

We spend the whole day on the train again! Have a look out of the window – the landscape is changing! We are getting closer to the end of the continent - Vladivostok!

During the day:

1) The train stops at some stations for 30-40 min, we will be able to go out from the train and see a train station and a bit of the city.

2) Russian language course! For the most curious people! We continue!

3) Movie about Far East.

4) We will have a surprise – some special game!

Day 17

(01 August, Wednesday)

Huraaaaaa! We did it! Vladivostok!

Transfer to hotel, breakfast at hotel, free time.

We go to the safari-park! Far East is full of animals (tigers, leopards, deer) – let’s meet them!

Tour around the city. We will see the most beautiful places and viewpoints in the city.

Farewell dinner. Kiss and goodbye! Time to hug everyone and say thanks for the great time and experience we shared together!

The organizers keep the right to change this program due to weather conditions or other unforeseen situations.

Hotel / accommodation issues

Types of accommodation

There are 2 options of accommodation during the trip: Standard and Solo.

Standard accommodation includes a twin room. If you are travelling with a friend / partner or if you are ready to share a room with someone from the group (and I’m sure we all will become friends!) then this type of accommodation is perfect for you :)

Solo accommodation includes a room for 1 person.

Costs :

If booking before 8th April

Standard 2230 EUR

Solo traveler 2500 EUR

If booking 9th April - 16th May

Standard 2500 EUR

Solo traveler 2800 EUR

If booking 17th May - 1st July

Standard 2600 EUR

Solo traveler 2900 EUR

Included:

• Train tickets;

• Accommodation during the whole trip;

• All excursions and entertainment program;

• All transfers during the whole trip;

• Welcome dinner, Farewell dinner;

• All organized breakfasts / lunches / dinners, mentioned in the program;

• Water, fruits, snacks on the train;

• Visa support (invitation for visa application);

• Great friends from all over the world, unforgettable experience and emotions :)

Not included:

• Travel costs to Moscow and from Vladivostok;

• Visa;

• Insurance (we can supply it additionally if needed or you can do it by yourself: www.rgs.ru).