The Trans-Siberian Steam Express
Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 7th June 2009
Most have heard of it. Few have travelled on it and even fewer have travelled on it with steam locomotives.
We are proud to announce our Trans-Siberian Express consisting of the Siberian Tiger private train, and steam hauled for much of its journey. We will go from the majestic St. Petersburg to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, visiting many places on our journey the most notable being Moscow, Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. This must count as a unique opportunity and demand is likely to be high. We are advertising it well in advance to give the opportunity to include it in your plans for 2009.
We are proud to announce our Trans-Siberian Express consisting of the Siberian Tiger private train, and steam hauled for much of its journey. We will go from the majestic St. Petersburg to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, visiting many places on our journey the most notable being Moscow, Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. This must count as a unique opportunity and demand is likely to be high. We are advertising it well in advance to give the opportunity to include it in your plans for 2009.
Saturday 23rd May
Fly to Moscow
We leave London to fly to St. Petersburg where we transfer to a four star hotel for three nights having a welcome dinner on the first evening. (D)
Sunday 24th May
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is often referred to as The Jewel in Russia’s Crown. Today we visit Peterhof, an ensemble of palaces and gardens situated on the Gulf of Finland west of St. Petersburg, designed and built by Peter the Great to be his summer residence. The main palace is likened to Versailles but there is so much else to see. We have lunch at the palace before returning to our hotel in the late afternoon giving some free time before dinner, perhaps to travel on the trams or trolley buses and see the magnificent buildings in the historic centre. (B L D)
Monday 25th May
The Pavlovsk Palace and Pushkin
After breakfast we transfer to the Vitebski station and join our train (hauled by a Ov 0-8-0 and 9P 0-6-0T) for a visit to Pavlovsk Palace, situated about twenty miles from St. Petersburg, one of the most splendid residences of the Russian imperial family. It is a World Heritage Site.
We have a Russian lunch at the nearby Podvorye Restaurant, a typical Russian log house with wooden panels and bear skins hanging on the walls. After, we visit Catherine’s Summer Palace in Pushkin, the Rococo summer residence of the Russian tsars. We have dinner back in St Petersburg. (B L D)
Tuesday 26th May
Steam Express to Moscow
This morning our Trans-Siberian Steam Express will be waiting for us at the Moskovski station. Like many of the Russian stations we visit this is an architecture masterpiece. We are welcomed aboard by the train staff with a reception in the bar car. The massive steam locomotive P36 (a 4-8-4 number 0032) hauls our train at speed along Russia’s premier main line to Moscow, a distance of about four hundred miles. On arrival in Moscow we go to Red Square where we see many famous buildings including Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the palaces and cathedrals of the Kremlin.and the State Historical Museum. After dinner in a restaurant by Red Square we depart Moscow’s Kurskly station around midnight hauled by two P36s. (B L D)
Wednesday 27th May
To Kazan
We wake to the sound of our two locomotives hauling our train along the main line to the east. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan situated on the Volga River. We can visit the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, containing a stunning mosque and a Russian Orthodox cathedral. We join our train in time for dinner and to continue our journey with our two locomotives. (B L D)
Thursday 28th May
Into Asia
This is a day on the train, relaxing and chatting to friends old and new. We reach the Ural Mountains, leaving Europe and entering Asia, before arriving at Yekaterinburg in the late afternoon. It is the fifth largest city in Russia and the main industrial and cultural centre of the area. We can spend the evening sightseeing, discovering the various monuments and historical landmarks, or just relax and enjoy the shops!
We depart Yekaterinburg in the late evening hauled by another steam locomotive (an LV 2-10-2) for a circular trip. (B L D)
Friday 29th May
The Urals
We arrive at Zlatoust, deep in the Urals, in the morning where we visit the last steam locomotive depot to be built in Russia at Hyazeletrovskaya. Most of the allocation is normally used as mobile heating boilers. We continue to one of the last steam locomotive reserves in Russia before returning to Yekaterinburg through Druzhinino. (B L D)
Saturday 30th May
Across Siberia
Departing Yekaterinburg after breakfast we start our long journey across Siberia, hauled by two P36 locomotives (0031 + 0032). At Tyumen we say goodbye to our P36s. We continue our journey hauled by an electric locomotive to Omsk and on to Novosibirsk. (B L D)
Sunday 31st May
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia and is the cultural centre of Siberia. We make a tour the city to see its impressive buildings, including a visit to the world’s largest opera house, and a visit to the West Siberian Railway Museum in Seyatel. The exhibits are well displayed and range from the late 1800s, including the Czar’s carriages, to Russia’s last steam locomotives.
We return to our train for dinner before departing Novosibirsk. (B L D)
Monday 1st June
Relax on the Train
Today is a leisurely day on the train, perhaps to reflect on what we have seen, and look forward to what is in store? The comfort of the train is ideal to watch the scenery as we head past mountains and rivers. (B L D)
Tuesday 2nd June
The Paris of Siberia
We continue in a south easterly direction through Taishet towards Lake Baikal. After breakfast we arrive in Irkutsk known as the Paris of Siberia.
The city, situated on the Angara River, contains many old wooden Siberian houses and museums. We spend most of the day in this beautiful city before departing with two L class steam locomotives for the very steep climb over Devil’s Mountain. If it is light we may get our first glimpse of Lake Baikal, the Pearl of Siberia.
(B L D)
Wednesday 3rd June
Lake Baikal
During the morning we travel along the shores of Lake Baikal to Port Baikal, a distance of sixty miles. This is one of the most scenic lines in Russia, as it twists its way alongside the lake through fifty nine tunnels and over two hundred bridges. In Port Baikal we transfer to a hydrofoil for a cruise on the lake before visiting the village of Listvyanka and its fascinating Limnological Museum. Here we can learn about the area particularly the flora and fauna of the lake. Amazingly it holds 20% of the world’s fresh water being over four hundred miles long and up to fifty miles wide. Later our train takes us along the lake to Slyudyanka. (B L D)
Thursday 4th June
Steam across the Mongolian Border
This morning our train steams around the southern shore of the lake for mile after mile hauled by our two L class locomotives.
Eventually we leave the lakeside to head for Ulan Ude, the junction where we leave the line to the far east of Russia as we turn south onto the trans-Mongolian line. After about seventy miles we pass by the large Gusinoye Ozero (Goose Lake) on our way to the Mongolian border. (B L D)
Friday 5th June
Steam into Ulaanbaatar
We continue steam hauled with our two L class locomotives through northern Mongolia. In the late afternoon we will be welcomed into Ulaanbaatar, a fitting destination to our journey of over four and a half thousand miles from St. Petersburg. We transfer to our four star hotel where we stay two nights. (B L D)
Saturday 6th June
Discover Ulaanbaatar
Today there is a tour of Ulaanbaatar. The city consists of a central district built in the Soviet 1940s and 1950s style architecture, surrounded by and mingled with residential concrete towerblocks and larger ger quarters. Gers are traditional Mongolian large round tents made of felt. One of the few pre-1920 buildings is the Choijin Lama Monastery. We also see the National Museum, Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery, the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace, the Zaisan Memorial and the Parliament Buildings with its large statue of Ghengis Khan. We have lunch in a traditional Mongolian restaurant. Those that want to explore the above in more detail may do so. We meet for a farewell dinner in our hotel. (B L D)
Sunday 7th June
Return to UK
After breakfast we transfer to the airport, flying from Ulaanbaatar to Moscow where we change for our flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Fly to Moscow
We leave London to fly to St. Petersburg where we transfer to a four star hotel for three nights having a welcome dinner on the first evening. (D)
Sunday 24th May
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is often referred to as The Jewel in Russia’s Crown. Today we visit Peterhof, an ensemble of palaces and gardens situated on the Gulf of Finland west of St. Petersburg, designed and built by Peter the Great to be his summer residence. The main palace is likened to Versailles but there is so much else to see. We have lunch at the palace before returning to our hotel in the late afternoon giving some free time before dinner, perhaps to travel on the trams or trolley buses and see the magnificent buildings in the historic centre. (B L D)
Monday 25th May
The Pavlovsk Palace and Pushkin
After breakfast we transfer to the Vitebski station and join our train (hauled by a Ov 0-8-0 and 9P 0-6-0T) for a visit to Pavlovsk Palace, situated about twenty miles from St. Petersburg, one of the most splendid residences of the Russian imperial family. It is a World Heritage Site.
We have a Russian lunch at the nearby Podvorye Restaurant, a typical Russian log house with wooden panels and bear skins hanging on the walls. After, we visit Catherine’s Summer Palace in Pushkin, the Rococo summer residence of the Russian tsars. We have dinner back in St Petersburg. (B L D)
Tuesday 26th May
Steam Express to Moscow
This morning our Trans-Siberian Steam Express will be waiting for us at the Moskovski station. Like many of the Russian stations we visit this is an architecture masterpiece. We are welcomed aboard by the train staff with a reception in the bar car. The massive steam locomotive P36 (a 4-8-4 number 0032) hauls our train at speed along Russia’s premier main line to Moscow, a distance of about four hundred miles. On arrival in Moscow we go to Red Square where we see many famous buildings including Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the palaces and cathedrals of the Kremlin.and the State Historical Museum. After dinner in a restaurant by Red Square we depart Moscow’s Kurskly station around midnight hauled by two P36s. (B L D)
Wednesday 27th May
To Kazan
We wake to the sound of our two locomotives hauling our train along the main line to the east. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan situated on the Volga River. We can visit the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, containing a stunning mosque and a Russian Orthodox cathedral. We join our train in time for dinner and to continue our journey with our two locomotives. (B L D)
Thursday 28th May
Into Asia
This is a day on the train, relaxing and chatting to friends old and new. We reach the Ural Mountains, leaving Europe and entering Asia, before arriving at Yekaterinburg in the late afternoon. It is the fifth largest city in Russia and the main industrial and cultural centre of the area. We can spend the evening sightseeing, discovering the various monuments and historical landmarks, or just relax and enjoy the shops!
We depart Yekaterinburg in the late evening hauled by another steam locomotive (an LV 2-10-2) for a circular trip. (B L D)
Friday 29th May
The Urals
We arrive at Zlatoust, deep in the Urals, in the morning where we visit the last steam locomotive depot to be built in Russia at Hyazeletrovskaya. Most of the allocation is normally used as mobile heating boilers. We continue to one of the last steam locomotive reserves in Russia before returning to Yekaterinburg through Druzhinino. (B L D)
Saturday 30th May
Across Siberia
Departing Yekaterinburg after breakfast we start our long journey across Siberia, hauled by two P36 locomotives (0031 + 0032). At Tyumen we say goodbye to our P36s. We continue our journey hauled by an electric locomotive to Omsk and on to Novosibirsk. (B L D)
Sunday 31st May
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia and is the cultural centre of Siberia. We make a tour the city to see its impressive buildings, including a visit to the world’s largest opera house, and a visit to the West Siberian Railway Museum in Seyatel. The exhibits are well displayed and range from the late 1800s, including the Czar’s carriages, to Russia’s last steam locomotives.
We return to our train for dinner before departing Novosibirsk. (B L D)
Monday 1st June
Relax on the Train
Today is a leisurely day on the train, perhaps to reflect on what we have seen, and look forward to what is in store? The comfort of the train is ideal to watch the scenery as we head past mountains and rivers. (B L D)
Tuesday 2nd June
The Paris of Siberia
We continue in a south easterly direction through Taishet towards Lake Baikal. After breakfast we arrive in Irkutsk known as the Paris of Siberia.
The city, situated on the Angara River, contains many old wooden Siberian houses and museums. We spend most of the day in this beautiful city before departing with two L class steam locomotives for the very steep climb over Devil’s Mountain. If it is light we may get our first glimpse of Lake Baikal, the Pearl of Siberia.
(B L D)
Wednesday 3rd June
Lake Baikal
During the morning we travel along the shores of Lake Baikal to Port Baikal, a distance of sixty miles. This is one of the most scenic lines in Russia, as it twists its way alongside the lake through fifty nine tunnels and over two hundred bridges. In Port Baikal we transfer to a hydrofoil for a cruise on the lake before visiting the village of Listvyanka and its fascinating Limnological Museum. Here we can learn about the area particularly the flora and fauna of the lake. Amazingly it holds 20% of the world’s fresh water being over four hundred miles long and up to fifty miles wide. Later our train takes us along the lake to Slyudyanka. (B L D)
Thursday 4th June
Steam across the Mongolian Border
This morning our train steams around the southern shore of the lake for mile after mile hauled by our two L class locomotives.
Eventually we leave the lakeside to head for Ulan Ude, the junction where we leave the line to the far east of Russia as we turn south onto the trans-Mongolian line. After about seventy miles we pass by the large Gusinoye Ozero (Goose Lake) on our way to the Mongolian border. (B L D)
Friday 5th June
Steam into Ulaanbaatar
We continue steam hauled with our two L class locomotives through northern Mongolia. In the late afternoon we will be welcomed into Ulaanbaatar, a fitting destination to our journey of over four and a half thousand miles from St. Petersburg. We transfer to our four star hotel where we stay two nights. (B L D)
Saturday 6th June
Discover Ulaanbaatar
Today there is a tour of Ulaanbaatar. The city consists of a central district built in the Soviet 1940s and 1950s style architecture, surrounded by and mingled with residential concrete towerblocks and larger ger quarters. Gers are traditional Mongolian large round tents made of felt. One of the few pre-1920 buildings is the Choijin Lama Monastery. We also see the National Museum, Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery, the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace, the Zaisan Memorial and the Parliament Buildings with its large statue of Ghengis Khan. We have lunch in a traditional Mongolian restaurant. Those that want to explore the above in more detail may do so. We meet for a farewell dinner in our hotel. (B L D)
Sunday 7th June
Return to UK
After breakfast we transfer to the airport, flying from Ulaanbaatar to Moscow where we change for our flight to London Heathrow. (B)
 |
 |
 |
Price
| Gold Class Twin Gold Class Single |
£7095 £9895 |
| Heritage Class Twin Heritage Class Single |
£4295 £6295 |
Price includes:
- Flights from London to St Petersburg and Ulaanbaatar to London
- 5 nights hotel accommodation
- 10 nights accommodation on the train
- All meals
- All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as described in the itinerary
- The services of a tour manager
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner