Palace Tours − Luxury Tours Collection Trans−Siberian Express via the BAM (Baikal−Amur Magistral) − Westbound Trans−Siberian Express via the BAM (Baikal−Amur Magistral) − Westbound This Trans−Siberian Express train journey runs from Vladivostok to Komsomolsk where it transfers to the BAM (Baikal−Amur Magistral/Mainline) to bring you to several of the most remote locations in Russia. Travel across the magnificent Russian steppes, along the northern shores of the world's largest freshwater lake and over the Urals, making stops in Tynda, Novaya Chara, Bratsk, Novosibirsk and more. By the time the train arrives in Vladivostok it will have traveled over 6,000 miles one third of the way around the world. The 12 new fully en−suite sleeping cars on board the Golden Eagle feature state of the art amenities. Gold Class cabins have everything from power showers and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen and individual air conditioning and at 77sq ft (7 sq m) they are among the largest rail cabins anywhere in the world. Fully en−suite, the bathrooms contain a separate shower cubicle. Silver cabins are more compact at 60sq ft (5.5 sq m) and have similar facilities with a fully en−suite wet room. A particular delight of the Golden Eagle is our two beautifully appointed restaurant cars, the venue for our chefs to serve carefully prepared meals using only the finest local ingredients. Whether it is the world−renowned 'Borsch', caviar or Omul a fish unique to Lake Baikal we offer a culinary experience representing the very best of Russia. Meals are complimented by wines from around the world, as well as naturally vodka. Yet the social heart of our train is of course the bar car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers& the bar stays open until the last person leaves. ITINERARY Please note that there are no departure dates for this tour in 2010. • Day 1 − Welcome to Russia You are met upon arrival at at Vladivostok Airport and transferred to the four−star Hotel Hyundai for a one−night stay. Enjoy a welcome reception in a city restaurant and start to get to know the fellow travellers with whom you will be sharing this epic 13−night journey. • Day 2 − Enjoy a city tour before boarding the train Today's city tour includes the principal military attractions of this once "closed" Russian town, including a tour of a restored submarine. Board the Golden Eagle Trans−Siberian Express private train later this afternoon and take some time to settle in to your modern, stylish cabin. Enjoy dinner on board the train in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars. • Day 3 − Visit Komsomolsk then join the BAM rail During the night, the train crosses the Amur River in Khabarovsk and reaches the most easterly point of the journey. After visiting Komsomolsk, the train joins the BAM (Baikal−Amur Mainline or Baikal−Amur Magistral), the new line that runs north of and parallel to the original Trans−Siberian Mainline. Head westwards through a virtually untouched area of outstanding natural beauty. After dinner on board you can listen to the resident pianist in our bar car while enjoying a drink with new friends. 1 • Day 4 − Spend the day on board Today is spent on board the Golden Eagle Trans−Siberian Express where you can choose to relax in the bar car, have your first Russian language lesson and enjoy the scenery. Traveling through the untouched tundra, you will experience Russia at its most remote. The beauty unfolds before your eyes as the train enters the region of permafrost. Here the vast distances and forbidding geographic and climatic conditions render the entire region an extreme environment for human existence. • Day 5 − City tour of Tynda The train heads west for a visit to 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 center for the construction of the BAM route during the 1970's and a visit to a local museum gives us fascinating insight into the building of this line. • Day 6 − Visit Novaya Chara’s museum and the unique Sand Dunes Spend the entire day in the village of Novaya Chara, seemingly lost in the middle of Russia. Today's tour includes a visit to an interesting small museum that covers the history of this area including the Marble Canyon Gulag. Many prisoners were sent here during the Soviet regime to mine uranium for the Russian nuclear program. Today the area is famous for charoite, a rare semi−precious lilac colored gemstone unique to this region. It is likely that during your time here, you will meet some of the many gem traders who frequent this area. You are also taken to the unique 6 km long Sand Dunes, the origin of which remains a mystery. We know that they had important significance to the indigenous people of this region and many ancient artefacts dating back several thousand years have been found buried here. • Day 7 − Travel through the Severomuysk mountains This morning, the train travels through the scenic Severomuysk mountain range and passes through the longest railway tunnel in Russia. Stretching for 15.7 km, it was also one of the most complicated of all the tunnels to be constructed along the railway. After lunch, arrive in remote Severobaikalsk (North Baikal), where the road network is completely cut−off from the rest of the country. The BAM is a vital lifeline for this beautiful area at the northern tip of the Lake. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the unique way of life here and also get a chance to meet some of the locals. • Day 8 − Explore the biggest hydroelectric dams and join the “Road of Courage†Spend several hours in the city of Bratsk visiting one of the biggest hydroelectric dams in the world, built during the 1960's. After the tour, continue on to Taishet, where the BAM ends and the train crosses the Trans−Siberian main line. This part of the journey was nicknamed the "Road of Courage" after the many natural obstacles that had to be overcome during its construction; notably the massive Sayan mountains with their thick Siberian forests, rapid rivers and permafrost. Construction began in 1942 and it took 23 years to complete the section between Taishet and Abakan. • Day 9 − Enjoy the scenic view of Sayan Mountains and Abakan Heading west, enjoy the relaxing pace on board as the Golden Eagle climbs through the spectacular Sayan Mountains, which stretch for over 1,000 km. As well as watching the magnificent scenery, you may also choose to attend one of the various lectures/lessons on board, socialize in the bar car and, if time permits, take a short visit to Abakan. • Day 10 − Novisibirsk sightseeing Around breakfast time, stop in Seyatel to visit the Novosibirsk Railway museum before continuing into Novisibirsk, a modern "Soviet" city, where you are taken to the famous Opera House, Lenin Square and the immense river Ob, which flows 3,500 miles from its source to the Arctic. • Day 11 − Enjoy a metropolis tour in the last city in Asia After lunch, arrive in Yekaterinburg, the last city in Asia and capital of the Urals. Today's city tour includes the Romanov execution site, now a Church dedicated to the memory of the Russian Royal family, and the monument to the Europe/Asia divide where you are able to stand with a foot in each continent. 2 • Day 12 − Discover Kazan This morning, arrive in Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan on the Volga river. One of the highlights of the day is our visit to the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, which contains a stunning mosque and Russian Orthodox cathedral. Tonight you will have your final dinner on board the Golden Eagle, your home for the last 11 days. • Day 13 − Explore Moscow's Red Square and the Kremlin Arrive in Moscow mid−morning and spend the rest of the day touring the amazing sites of this vibrant city, including Red Square and the Kremlin. Transfer to a centrally located five−star hotel for a one−night stay and enjoy a farewell dinner where you can say your goodbyes to fellow travelers. • Day 14 − Departure day After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time in the rapidly−changing Russian capital as your tour winds to an end (note that it is possible that the Kremlin visit could be this morning). You are transferred to the airport for your departure flight home or onward to your next exciting destination. DESTINATION INFORMATION • Abakan Abakan is the capital of the Republic of Khakassia in South Siberia. It is located in the central part of Minusinsk Depression, at the confluence of the rivers Yenisei and Abakan, at 53°43'N, 91°27'E. Abakan fort was built at this location in 1675, also known as Abakansk. In Russian Empire it belonged to Yenisei Gubernia. It received the status of town and its current name in 1931. Abakan (together with Tayshet) was a terminal of the major Abakan−Taishet Railway, and now it is an important railway junction. The city has a river port, an airport, industry enterprises, Khakas State University, and three theatres. Furthermore, it has a commercial center that produces footwear, foodstuffs, and metal products. • Bratsk Bratsk is a city in Irkutsk Oblast, located on the Angara River near the vast Bratsk Reservoir.