Day 1: Arrival in St. Petersburg, Airport pick-up
Upon your arrival at the Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, we will pick you up in the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel located downtown. After settling in, you can spend the rest of the day on a good rest for recovering from the jet lag. Accommodation: Courtyard St. Petersburg Vasilievsky or similar (4 stars)
|
Day 2: St. Petersburg city tour
In the morning, your vacation will start with a 4-hour city tour of St. Petersburg. We will pick you up at your hotel and head to Nevsky prospect, an 18th-century street which was considered one of the most beautiful streets worldwide, for the splendid architectures astride. Taking some photos of the Kazan Cathedral's grand façade, the mesmerizing Vasilievsky Island in the distance, and the enormous St. Isaac Cathedral in the Late Neoclassical style, we will then go to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first building erected in this city. You will see this majestic building from outside. Next, we will go for a walk in the Senate Square, built in the memory of the Decembrist Revolt, and the historic Palace Square in front of the Winter Palace. Your guide will fill this walk trip with interesting stories. After that, we will move to today's last stop - the Hermitage Museum, a massive museum collecting over 2.7 million artworks from Western Europe, the Orient, Egypt, ancient Rome and Greek. Concluding the visit, we will transfer you back to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Courtyard St. Petersburg Vasilievsky or similar (4 stars)
Hermitage Museum Hermitage Museum
|
Day 3: Peterhof day tour, Transfer to Moscow by high speed train (second class seat)
After breakfast, we will drive about 30 kilometers to visit the Petrodvorets, also called Peterhof. It is an extravagant palace complex well-known as 'the Russian Versailles' but more prominent in the construction of fountains, which are great in number and exquisitely designed. In the afternoon, you will continue to Moscow by a 4-hour high speed train trip. We will provide you with the see-off and pick-up services between the train station and your hotel. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Series or similar (4 stars)
Peterhof - Summer Palace Fountains of the Palace
|
Day 4: Moscow highlights tour
In the morning, we will take you to explore Moscow by comfortable vehicle. Passing by the famous Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre, and Tverskaya Street, we will reach the first stop - Kitai-Gorod quarter, an old district with ancient churches and traditional-style buildings. After the visit, we will head to Novodevichy Convent, a fabulous 16th-century cloister where many renowned musicians and writers rest in peace. We will admire its brilliant appearance. Then move to the Victory Park to learn about the Communist history of this city by the sculptures and the open-air museum of military equipment. For a change, we will then go up the Sparrow Hills for the fascinating scenery consisting of Moscow city and boundless green. Next, a guided tour of Moscow Kremlin will bring a climax to today's Russia package. Located centrally in Moscow, this majestic complex, which was once the imperial palace for various emperors, comprises lots of amazing architectures and museums such as Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Lastly, we will visit the most beautiful metro station here and take the metro to Arbat Street, where you will find both traditional handicrafts and trendy items. Then drive to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Series or similar (4 stars)
|
Day 5: Moscow to Irkutsk by flight for 6 hours
Today, we will escort you to the airport on time for your flight to Irkutsk. On landing, you will be picked up by our local guide and driver and be taken to your hotel for the check-in. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Victoria Hotel (3 stars)
|
Day 6: Drive to Olkhon Island sightseeing stops
After breakfast, we will set off to Olkhon Island by vehicle around 09:00. Halfway we will stop to visit the Buryatia History Museum at the Buryat Village of Ust Orda. You will get close to the local lifestyle, religions and traditional customs and have a lunch with authentic Buryat's food. About 17:00 we will reach the destination and take you to check in at your simple but comfortable hotel. Afterwards, we will have a guided visit to Shaman Cape, a sacred place of the Shamanists that considered the residence of Altay' god. In the evening, you will enjoy a homemade dinner at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House Nabaimar
|
Day 7: Group day tour of Cape Khoboi
Around 10:00, we will start with a group tour of Olkhon's northern point - Cape Khoboi, by Russian off-road bus. Your journey will be filled with endless beauty of nature, highlighted by the peaceful Lake Baikal. An interesting picnic lunch, serving fish soup, sweets and Siberian tea made of local herbs, will add more flavors to your trip. At around 16:00 you will be taken back to the hotel and have dinner there. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-picnic, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House Nabaimar
Buryat Village Lake Baikal
|
Day 8: Drive back to Irkutsk & visit Irkutsk, Airport see-off
After breakfast, we will drive back to Irkutsk with a lunch en-route. On arrival, we will have a guided tour of Irkutsk, which covers the elegant Kirov Park; squares of three beautiful churches - Church of Our Savior, Epiphany Cathedral and Polish Roman Catholic Church; the War Memorial; Bridge of Love; the bright Triumphal Arch; the Sign of the Cross Convent featuring the unique iconostasis; the entertaining Drama Theater and imposing Monument to Alexander III; and a stroll at wooden district 130, where located many well-designed wooden houses and nice souvenir shops. When your Russia tour package concludes, we will escort your to the airport for your onward flight. We wish you a smooth trip! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
|
