Trans Siberian - May '18

I have studied in school geography that the longest rail line is from Vladivastok to Moscow covering a distance of 9289 Kms but that’s never been in the memory after the exams were done. This came back to my memory when Countryside announced the tour of Trans-Siberian train trip. However, the trip was not from Vladivastok but from Beijing to Mongolia. Reading the itinerary, I found it to be a touristy one and wasn’t very sure. But finally, I decided to do this – Trans-Siberian Railway aboard The Tsar’s Gold Train which is a private train. I also decided to board the train from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia instead of Beijing so that I could spend a few days in Mongolia. (Read my blog on Mongolia)

Travel Date : 19th May ’18 to 27th May ‘18

Company : Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd

On reaching the station saw the beautiful train waiting for us, found my coach and there were two Russian speaking attendants waiting to help us board the train. We were about 24 people from India and my cabin mate was Dr. Ravindra Rupwate. Once on board, the first task was to sort out the luggage. Inside the cabin there is not enough space to keep big suitcases. Hence the daily requirements will have to shifted to a smaller suitcase that can go under the berth. There is space outside the cabin to keep the bigger suitcases that is easily accessible when required. The bed was done up very well for us to get a good rest. The train slowly started moving at around 2300 hours.

The train journey doesn’t mean that one will be in the train 24 x 7. Almost on all days the train will halt in a particular station. Once we alight from the train, a bus will be waiting to take us around the place. This gives a chance to see the small towns and cities of Russia. Generally, we were back to board the train around 4 PM. The coach and cabin are thoroughly cleaned for us to start the train journey again. All the trips are so meticulously planned and executed. Throughout the trip including the local bus tours we had an English speaking guide.

19 May’18 | Ulan Ude

We travelled through the valley of Mongolia’s largest river, the Selenga on the way to Ulan Ude which is a city in East Siberia. Here the train reaches the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. We reached Suhe Baatar, Mongolian Border Control around 6 AM and Nauschki, Russian Border control around 8 AM. Our first stop was at Ulan Ude at around 315 PM. We alighted here to explore this city and returned at around 7 PM.

20 May’18 | Lake Baikal

The train moved alongside Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world. Having breakfast in the restaurant coach in the train and watching the never-ending lake is a unique experience. The first stop for the day, was at Port Baikal at around 845 PM. Here we did a cruise on the Lake Baikal and visited Taltsy open air museum. Back in the train on time for lunch. The train once again followed the scenic route along the shores of Lake Baikal. Next stop was at the village called “110 Km” (Polovinnaja) at around 545 PM. The stop here was for the daring ones to take a dip and swim in the lake with the temperature about 5 degree. In spite of the cold and slight wind there were many co-passengers who had the courage to take the dip. This was then followed by an unlimited supply of vodka and Bar-be-Que on the shores of Lake Baikal. After an sumptuous Bar-be-Que, the train left at 1050 PM.

21 May’18 | Irkutsk

We arrived in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia in Tsarist times. Here we had an opportunity to check-in to a hotel. This was a good break from the train journey. During the city tour, we got to see the Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, the new memorial to Tsar Alexander III, and the photogenic market hall.

22 May’18 | Trans-Siberia

After the breakfast in the hotel and checking out, we headed back to the train and continued with our journey enjoying once again the spectacular view of the diverse landscapes of eastern Siberia. In the train we had a vodka tasting session with Russian snacks which is not to be missed. There was no stop on this day. Here the time changes and before going to bed the clock has to be set back by 1 hour otherwise you may wake up for a wrong alarm.

23 May’18 | Novosibirsk

The train arrived in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia at around 5 PM. Here we were greeted with bread and salt in the customary Russian manner, Russian music and dancers. Once in the city we were taken on a city tour, markets and the opera house. The train left at 830 PM to our next destination Yekaterinburg . Here the time changes and before going to bed the clock has to be set back by 2 hours.

24 May’18 | Yekaterinburg

Around the afternoon the train arrived at Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Ural Federal District. The city is known as the place where the Russian tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in 1918. Here we got to see the Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood and a few other interesting places. Back on board around 7 PM, the train was ready to roll across the European continent. Here the time changes and before going to bed the clock has to be set back by 2 hours.

25 May’18 | Kazan

After breakfast you reach Kazan, the Tatar capital on the banks of the Volga. The train reached Kazan around 10 AM. Here we had an opportunity to spend almost the whole day in going around the city, Tatar mosques, the most famous Russian Orthodox cathedral and a tour of Kazan’s Kremlin. Being the penultimate day, we had our farewell dinner and were back in the train around 6 PM.

Day 11: 26 May’18 | Welcome to Moscow

Today was the day to say goodbye to the Tsar’s Gold train and the hospitable crew. Around noon, we arrived in the Russian capital of Moscow. We were then taken to the Kremlin grounds with its magnificent cathedral. Several of the building interiors can also be viewed. After dinner, we had the experience of discovering the city’s magic during an hour-long “City of Lights” tour, including a stop at Red Square, and a ride on the underground to view two of Moscow’s particularly beautiful metro stations. The night was an incredible experience !!

Day 12: 27 May’18 | Tour of Moscow and Flight Home

After an ample breakfast at the hotel, we were taken for a tour of the city that takes to the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Lomonossov University, the New Maidens’ Convent (Novodevichy Monastery), and Red Square with its colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral, as well as to the notorious former KGB headquarters and the White House. With this the great trip comes to an end and we left to the airport to return to our sweet home.

Distance Map :

Total Distance from Beijing to Moscow – 7,923 KM

Total Distance from Ulaanbaatar to Moscow – 6,349 KM

The Trans-Siberian Railway aboard The Tsar’s Gold Train was definitely a different experience with all elements of fun, opportunity to see the interior towns / cities of Russia, scenic view and of course Vodka. The crew was outstanding and is truly an example of “Service with a Smile”. I can’t end this without a mention on the food served in the train and it was outstanding. Being a vegetarian and on top of it no dairy products, I never had a problem throughout the trip. However it is important to inform them the dietary requirements at the time of booking and they will take care of the rest.

Tips :

• There are different types of cabin categories available. In the lower end, there are two options available, one is a cabin that can accommodate 4 passengers and other is 2. I took a cabin with 2 and it was very comfortable. People who had taken 4 was not very comfortable as they felt it was cramped. So, at the time of booking take the right decision. It may be difficult to change later.

• It is a quite a bit of walk to the restaurant coach and with the movement of the train it becomes difficult. This has to be done at least twice a day for breakfast and dinner. If you have difficulty in walking then it will be better to have your coach as close to the restaurant as possible.

• Carry a small duffle bag along with the big suitcase. This will be helpful to keep the daily requirement in the cabin under the berth and also for the day when the hotel accommodation is provided.

• The food served in the train is typical European and is bland. In case you want to occasionally open the Indian palate, then you may want to carry some food. There is no restriction in carrying the food inside the train / restaurant coach including liquor.

• English language is definitely an issue in the train, in places we visited and Moscow. So you may want to carry a translator app in your phone.

• The money paid in India towards the trip doesn’t include the gratuity. This has to be paid on the penultimate day and generally in US Dollars. You may want to calculate this before leaving India and take sufficient USD.

• On some days it is a long train ride. To break the monotony, you may want to carry your tablet with offline content say from Netflix or Prime so that you can watch them. You may also want to carry a small portable speaker to listen to some music.

• If you want to photograph leaning outside a window, then there is only one window that is opened most of the time. Find this out on Day 1. I managed to get this only on Day 3.

• There are enough charging points available and so charging is not an issue as long as you carry the right adapter.

Source of information : Countryside & Wikipedia

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