The Baikal Tale

Itinerary day by day

Day 1

Moscow

Departure from Moscow marks the beginning of a grand journey across the country to the shores of Lake Baikal. Thousands of kilometers of breathtaking landscapes and discoveries await.

Day 2

Perm

Perm welcomes you on the banks of the wide Kama River – a city with a rich history, vibrant art objects and the gateway to the underground wonders of the Urals.

Excursion Program A walk through Perm begins with a sightseeing bus and pedestrian route: you will see the famous monument 'Permyak – Salted Ears', the Kama embankment, the historic Sibirskaya Street, Theatre Square with the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Sobornaya Square. Then the route will take you outside the city to the Kungur Ice Cave, the largest gypsum karst cave in the European part of Russia. Eight kilometers of underground passages, 48 grottoes and about 70 lakes, the largest of which covers almost one and a half thousand square meters, will leave a lasting impression.

Day 3

Yekaterinburg

The capital of the Urals stands literally on the border of two parts of the world – here Europe meets Asia. The city preserves the memory of its merchant past, industrial boom, and the tragic fate of the last Romanovs.

Sightseeing Tour A guided tour of Yekaterinburg will introduce you to the dam of the city pond on the Iset River, the monument to the founders of the city Tatishchev and de Gennin, the chapel of St. Catherine, and merchant mansions. You will visit Voznesenskaya Hill with the Rastorguev-Kharitonov Palace and the Church on Blood – the site where the history of the Romanov dynasty ended. A special stop is Ganina Yama, an Orthodox monastic complex in the style of ancient Russian architecture, where you will learn the story of the last emperor's family. The program will conclude with a walk along the symbolic border of Europe and Asia, complete with a glass of champagne and a commemorative certificate.

Day 4

Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk is the youngest of Russia's largest cities, having grown from a railway settlement into a true Siberian capital. Here, constructivist architecture, merchant wooden houses, and one of the country's largest opera houses удивительно combine.

Sightseeing Tour A walk through Novosibirsk will take you along old streets, squares, and gardens, where you'll see the Trading House, wooden merchant houses, and learn why Siberians compare their city to St. Petersburg. The guide will share the history of the city's symbols and introduce you to the works of constructivist architects. The highlight will be a tour of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, Russia's largest music theater, whose grand architecture is as impressive as the performances on its stage.

Day 5

Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk stretches along the mighty Yenisei River at the foot of the famous Stolby. This city offers breathtaking views from above and a sense of pristine Siberian nature right within the city limits.

Sightseeing Tour The sightseeing tour of Krasnoyarsk includes a visit to Bobровый Log Park and a ride up to the observation deck of Stolby National Park by cable car, offering a stunning panorama of the taiga and the Yenisei. You will also visit the observation deck on Karaulnaya Mountain, see the confluence of the Kacha River with the Yenisei, the chapel of Saint Paraskeva, and the famous Kommunalny Bridge.

Day 6

Irkutsk

Irkutsk is known as the 'Paris of Siberia,' renowned for its unique wooden architecture, unmatched anywhere else in the world. The city preserves the memory of the Decembrists, merchant patrons, and pioneers who explored Siberia.

Sightseeing Program A guided tour of Irkutsk will reveal the history of the prison camp and the city center, introduce you to the masterpieces of wooden architecture, and tell the stories of prominent figures whose lives were inextricably linked with this city. Then, you will visit the open-air museum 'Taltsy' on the picturesque bank of the Angara River, where the lifestyle and traditions of the region's peoples from past centuries are recreated, and each exhibit breathes with authentic history.

Day 7

Baikal (Circum-Baikal Railway and Listvyanka)

A day on Baikal begins with the legendary Circum-Baikal Railway, known as the 'golden buckle of Russia's steel belt.' The steam locomotive carries you along the water, through tunnels and over viaducts, while the village of Listvyanka greets you with fresh Baikal air and views of the endless lake.

Journey along the Circum-Baikal Railway At the Slyudyanka station, you'll see the world's only railway station made of white and pink marble and witness the coupling of an L-series steam locomotive, a true veteran of the last century. Under its command, the train will travel from Slyudyanka to Port Baikal along the lake shore: 38 tunnels, 248 bridges and viaducts, stone galleries – each kilometer here is like a page from an engineering chronicle. At the most picturesque points – Kultuk, Angasolskaya, Kirkirei, Polovinnaya, and the Italian Wall – the train makes half-hour stops for photo sessions. From Port Baikal, a boat ride will take you to Listvyanka, where you can visit the fish and souvenir market, take a cable car ride to Chersky Stone observation deck, and return by boat to Port Baikal.

Day 8

Olkhon Island

Olkhon is the largest and most mysterious of the Baikal islands, a sacred place where, according to legend, the Buryat people originated. Here, time flows differently, and nature speaks the language of ancient legends.

Sightseeing Program On the Kometa hydrofoil, you will travel to Olkhon Island, the heart of Baikal. In the village of Khuzhir, you will visit Cape Burhan and the famous Shaman Rock, as well as the magnificent Zagli Bay with its pristine landscapes. After an eventful excursion, the hydrofoil will return you to Listvyanka, where a bus will take you to Irkutsk, the final destination of your rail journey.

Itinerary day by day

Moscow

Perm

Yekaterinburg

Novosibirsk

Krasnoyarsk

Irkutsk

Baikal (Circum-Baikal Railway and Listvyanka)

Olkhon Island

The train: cars & compartments

SV sleeper · 2-berth compartments

Compartment car · 4-berth compartments

Restaurant car

Bar & karaoke car

Shower car

Lux suite · premium compartments

Route map

Upcoming departures

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