This group tour is planned to be done by plane. The guests will have an opportunity to get acquainted with the two Russian capitals, Moscow and St. Petersburg, the largest city of the central Siberia, Irkutsk, and the world famous lake Baikal. The tour will start in Moscow (2 nights), continues to Irkutsk (3 nights), and will be over in St. Petersburg (3 nights). Irkutsk, the key point of the trip, is a major industrial, historical and cultural centre of Siberia, and an important Trans-Siberian Railway junction. It lies at an altitude of 1476 feet, on the river Angara which takes its flow from the lake Baikal. The city has also a right to be proud of its beauty, being surrounded by the foothills of the eastern Sayans, and by the heights of the Baikal Range. In winter Irkutsk gives a good idea of the proverbial "Siberian cold", the great frosts being of minus 50 C. The old railway, runs along the coast of the lake Baikal for a distance of 85 km, through 39 tunnels, and viaducts. The wilderness of the mountains and the inimitable beauty of the Lake make the voyage really fascinating. Baikal is a unique world's deepest lake, and the biggest reservoir of fresh water, known for the most interesting flora and fauna most of the species of which (1800 altogether) seem to come from sea like the Baikal seal 'nerpa'. Besides the Siberian highlights the participants of the tour are offered to enjoy the world-renowned monuments and museums of the 2 Russian capitals, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Day 1

Arrival in Moscow; transfer to hotel, check-in, dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast, city tour of Moscow including a visit to the Kremlin; lunch, afternoon tour of the Tretyakov Gallery, and tour of metro; dinner at hotel.

Day 3

Breakfast, time at leisure, packed lunch, check-out, transfer to the airport for flight to Irkutsk. Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to hotel, check-in, a short rest, city tour of Irkutsk, dinner at hotel.

Day 4

Breakfast, tour of the museum of local lore, lunch, afternoon visit to the farmers' market and a stroll along the city, dinner, transfer to the railway station. Departure by train around 11 p.m. to the Lake Baikal. There will be stops for making photos on approaching the lake.

Day 5

Breakfast and lunch are served on the train. The train arrives at the station called Port-Baikal. A ferry takes the party across the Lake to the opposite bank to a village called Listvyanka. Transfer to hotel; check-in. Visit to the Lymnological museum; dinner.

Day 6

Breakfast, bus trip to Irkutsk. Tour of the museum in the open air, lunch in taiga at the restaurant situated on the bank of the Angara river; arrival in Irkutsk, check-in at hotel, dinner.

Day 7

Breakfast check-out, transfer to the airport for flight to St. Petersburg. Arrival in St. Petersburg, transfer to hotel, check-in, dinner.

Day 8

Breakfast, city tour of St. Petersburg, lunch, afternoon tour of the Hermitage, dinner.

Day 9

Breakfast, trip to Peterhof, to visit the summer residence of Peter the Great (the Grand Palace and the park), lunch, afternoon tours of the St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Peter & Paul Fortress; dinner at hotel.

Day 10

Breakfast, check-out, transfer to the airport for flight home. End of services.

HOTELS

INCLUDED SERVICES