Trans-Siberian Express via Baikal-Amur Magistral (BAM)
Day 1 Moscow
Russia
Arrive at Moscow Airport, where you are met and transferred to the five-star Ritz-Carlton (or
similar). Located in Moscow city centre, and within a short walking distance of Red Square
and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience that gives
way to contemporary cool in the most unexpected places, like from the rooftop O2 Lounge
with its breathtaking views of Red Square and the rejuvenating surroundings of ESPA, the
hotel’s world class spa.
Your first evening in Moscow you will be invited to champagne drinks reception before our
exclusive welcome dinner. Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as
with all meals during the tour.
Why not extend your stay in Moscow with additional nights to explore more of the city at
your leisure or have time to take in a performance at the world-renowned Bolshoi
Theatre? Tickets need to be pre-booked and are subject to schedule and availability.
Day 2 Moscow
Russia
Our touring programme of Moscow principally takes us 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. We will enjoy an exclusive private viewing, before it opens to the public,
followed by a tour of Red Square. This 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 façade of the world famous GUM
department store which was constructed in Tsarist times, is also the sombre and evocative site
of Lenin’s tomb. We will have lunch in Café Pushkin, a legendary Moscow restaurant with a
décor that revives the atmosphere of an early 19th century mansion and serves traditional
Russian cuisine and end the day with a tour of the opulent and unique stations of the Moscow
metro - showpieces of Socialist art furnished with statues, frescoes and mosaics, unsurpassed
anywhere in the world.
With our included Freedom of Choice touring option you may instead wish to visit the
famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art).
Day 3 Kazan
Russia
Situated on the River Volga, the picturesque and historic city of Kazan is the capital of
Tatarstan. Here we have the opportunity to see for ourselves its rich tapestry of history and
culture. One of the highlights of this city tour is our exploration of the Kremlin Fortress, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of this ancient citadel we will explore its
stunning mosque and picture-perfect onion-domed cathedral. You will also have time to
wander through the main pedestrian area of Kazan and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of
the city.
Day 4 Yekaterinburg
Russia
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 civilisations come together in
this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape. Our city tour takes us 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 us with a powerful insight into the turmoil of the Russian Revolution.
Our Freedom of Choice programme will also offer activities such as a walking tour of the
city, or explore the intriguing Soviet military past in a visit to Yekaterinburg Military
Museum which displays fragments of the U2 American spy-plane flown by Gary Powers that
was shot down in this area in 1960 during the Cold War.
Day 5 Novosibirsk
Russia
A modern ‘Soviet’ city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s rich culture
where the arts and science predominate. The city is located in the heart of Russia and is
situated on both banks of the River Ob. Our city tour takes us 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, we visit an impressive statue of Lenin – a marvellous opportunity to have your
photograph taken with this iconic political leader.
This afternoon we will visit Novosibirsk’s excellent Sevatel Railway Museum on
our Freedom of Choicetour. The museum displays locomotives and rolling stock from the late
1800s, including carriages of the Tsars, through to the Soviet era. Or choose to go to the
Mineralogical Centre with its fine display of Siberian minerals.
Day 6 Sayan Mountains & Abakan
Russia
Heading east we can enjoy the peaceful pace onboard, as the Golden Eagle climbs through
the spectacular Sayan Mountains, which stretch for over 1,000kms. As well as watching the
magnificent scenery, there will be a choice of attending one of the various lectures onboard,
socialising in the Bar Lounge Car and we will have a short visit of Abakan.
Day 7 Bratsk
Russia
Overnight we run north-west to Taishet where we officially join the BAM (Baikal – Amur
mainline), the new line that runs north and parallel to the original Trans-Siberian. This
section of the journey was called The Road of Courage, after the many natural obstacles that
had to be overcome during its construction; name the towering Sayan Mountains populated
with dense Siberian forests, rapid rivers and formidable permafrost. This section between
Abakan and Taishet took 23 years to complete. We spend several hours in the city of Bratsk,
visiting one of the biggest hydro-electric dams in the world built during the 1960s and an
impressive feat of technological engineering.
Day 8 Severobaikalsk
Russia
We arrive this morning into the extremely remote location of Severobaikalsk (North Baikal)
where the road network is completely isolated from the rest of the country. The BAM is a
vital lifeline to this beautiful area and we have a full day to explore the unique biodiversity of
life here, and meet some of the local inhabitants. On leaving Severobaikalsk along the Upper
Angara River, we will pass through the four Mysovaya Tunnels as we run parallel to the
Baikal shoreline.
Day 9 Novoya Chara
Russia
We spend part of our day in Novoya Chara, a small place lost in Siberia. The area is famous
for Charoite, a semi-precious lilac coloured gemstone, only found in the Chara area and it is
likely traders will be at the station. We will visit an interesting small museum that covers the
history of the area including the Marble Canyon Gulag and also make a stop of the unique
6km long Sand Dunes. It is a mystery how they came to be here but they have long been an
important site for the indigenous people as artefacts from thousands of years ago have been
found buried here.
Day 10 Tynda
Russia
Heading east we visit Tynda. With a population of around 40,000, it is the largest town for
over 300 miles in any direction. It was built to be the administrative centre for the
construction of the BAM route during the 1970s and our visit to a local museum gives us a
fascinating insight into the building of this line.
Day 11 Novy Urgal
Russia
Travelling through the untouched Tundra we experience Russia at its most remote. The
beauty unfolds before us as we enter a region of permafrost. Here the vast distances and
forbidding geographic and climatic conditions render the entire region an extremist
environment for human existence. Novy Urgal is a town situated towards the eastern end of
the BAM line. To come here is to feel transported back in time to the Soviet Union. Little has
changed in this isolated place since those days and nostalgia for the USSR is strong.
Day 12 Komsomolsk
Russia
Komsomolsk reflects the majestic and expansive urban architecture of the Soviet era,
including the stupendous Pervostroitelei Avenue, 80 metres wide and lined with 1970s and
1980s blocks with Soviet store fronts and signage intact, with parks and playgrounds hidden
behind it. The city was also the gulag capital of the Russian Far East, with over 900,000
prisoners estimated to have passed through its camps. After visiting Komsomolsk at our most
easterly point before we turn south-west for the Pacific and we cross the Amur at Khabarovsk
where we re-join the Trans-Siberian mainline and head towards Vladivostok.
Day 13 Khabarovsk
Russia
Located 15 miles (25 kilometres) from the border with China, Khabarovsk stretches along the
banks of the Amur River. Khabarovsk was founded as a military post in 1858, but the region
had been populated by several indigenous peoples of the Far East for many centuries. We will
visit the memorial to Yerofey Pavlovich Khabarov, the Far East explorer the city is named
after, and the impressive World War Two memorial to the fallen soldiers. We will also have
time at the Regional Museum where the local history has been well-preserved with a rich
collection of artefacts describing the cultural and natural history of the region. We enjoy our
final dinner on board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express this evening.
Day 14 Vladivostok
Russia
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.
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.
Our hotel in Vladivostok, where we stay for one night, is the four-star Hotel Hyundai.
Day 15 Vladivostok
Russia
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Vladivostok Airport to begin your journey
home.