Siberian Snowscapes

Russia-€™s Far East is known as the land of ice and fire and we are sure to start with warm hearts as we acclimatise to the frosty temperatures of Vladivostok. The far terminus of the Trans Siberian heralds the start of our journey. 

Once forbidden to foreigners, Vladivostok and its 19th century buildings are now revitalised. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Hop on ferries to remote beaches on former navy-only islands or head to higher ground for spectacular views of Golden Horn Bay.

There is a feeling of excitement as your Trans Siberian journey begins. During your time on board you will get to know fellow passengers as we relax in the comfortable four-berth compartment that is your home for this leg of the journey across eastern Siberia to the Buryat city of Ulan Ude.

The eastern section of the railway takes us through some spellbinding scenery, winding tunnels and taiga forest freshly covered in snow. Settle into your warm carriage as you are transported across Siberia to Ulan Ude, home of the Buddhist Buryats.

Ulan Ude is the home of Buddhism in Siberia, an important stop on our journey.
Soak in the laid back, peaceful atmosphere of Ulan Ude greatly induced by the soothing influence of the local Buddhist culture. View the world-€™s largest Lenin head standing at 7.7 metres tall! 

Today we spend some time at the picturesque Buddhist monastery of Ivolginsky Datsan, one of Russia's spiritual highlights. Monks will gladly guide you through the temple, most of them speak a number of languages. Among its treasures is a collection of old Buddhist manuscripts written on natural silk in the Tibetan language.
A visit to the Old Believers Village is highly recommended, and a wonderful opportunity to witness the culture and way of life of its beautiful people.
Later, this evening we board our overnight train that will whisk us through the snow-laden birch forest of Siberia to Irkutsk.

Early morning we arrive into a snowy Irkutsk and drive out to the pretty village of Listvyanka, on the shores of Lake Baikal. Here we have time to explore the village with its traditional houses, and spectacular landscapes. Gain an insight into the traditional lives of Siberian people and the lake-€™s inhabitants with a visit to the Limnological Museum.

You may see the waters frozen solid, or with a few floating icebergs, either way the waters will be sparkling in the winter sunlight. There are plenty of ways to keep warm, either with a hike to take in the natural vistas or in a traditional Russian banya or sauna.
On some departures we celebrate Christmas at the Lake, on others a snowball fight will suffice.

We leave the pristine icy shores of Lake Baikal to return to Irkutsk, en route we step back into the past at the Museum of Wooden Architecture.
Just before the clock strikes midnight we board our train that will carry us onto Kazan throughout the next three nights.
Settle back into your cosy compartment and watch the silver birch forests flicker by from the train window.

Our Trans Siberian journey continues across wide rivers and span bridges, time and distance slip away as we while away the hours in the dining car making new friends, gazing from the window or relaxing in our cabins.

This afternoon we arrive into Kazan with its bewildering combination of Orthodox and Islamic architecture and beliefs.

Kazan is an impressive city where the domes of Orthodox churches and the minarets of the Islamic mosques vie for attention in the skyline. Today, we visit Kazan-€™s UNESCO World Heritage Listed Kremlin. You cannot help but admire the marvellous towers, glistening domes and ornate minarets encased within the Kremlin that is still today the very heart of the city.
Later this evening an overnight train will whisk us off to Russia-€™s capital -€“ Moscow.

Today we reach our final destination of Moscow. Here, surrounded by the red walls of the Kremlin the festivities continue, either with memorable fireworks for New Years, Orthodox Christmas in January or, if travelling in March, the Shrovetide festival of Maslenitsa offers the opportunity to mingle with the locals and sample tasty pancakes. There-€™s always a reason to celebrate.

The Kremlin, a walled complex of domed cathedrals and palaces, was the religious center of the Russian Orthodox Church and also the residence of the tsars. You will visit a collection of tsarist treasures in the Armoury Chamber; the Cathedral of the Assumption where Tsars were crowned, the Bell Tower and the Faberge jewels and icons.

All good things come to an end and so does our Siberian Snowscapes journey. We say farewell to our fellow travellers and depart our hotel this morning.