Compare Trans-Siberian Rail Journey by National Geographic Expeditions vs Accessible Georgia - 12 Days by Travel for All

Days 1 & 2: U.S./Vladivostok, Russia

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Hyundai

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Vladivostok. Check into our hotel and gather for a welcome dinner tonight.

Day 3: Vladivostok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As a strategic naval outpost, Vladivostok was closed to most of the world from World War II until the end of the Cold War. Get acquainted with this now-thriving city on a tour that includes the brightly painted railway station and Our Lady Grieving Orthodox Church, the only one of its kind allowed to remain in the city during Stalin’s reign. See the Pacific Navy War Memorial and the Krasny Vympel steamboat, take in views of the city and its bay from the Eagle’s Nest observation platform, and stroll the historic Vladivostok Naval Cemetery. This evening, climb aboard our luxury train and set off on our journey across Russia.

Day 4: Khabarovsk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the lively squares of Khabarovsk and visit the Natural History Museum by the Amur River. Learn about the flora and fauna of the region, and see artifacts from the indigenous tribes of the Goldi and the Gilyak.

Days 5 & 6: On Train/Siberia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As the train slips through rolling hills and Siberian villages of log houses, relax with a book, attend a talk by our expert, or simply watch the wild and remote countryside pass by. On our second day on board, we enter the sweeping Mongolian steppe.

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During a morning in Mongolia’s capital city, visit the National Museum to trace the history of Genghis Khan and explore the culture of the steppe nomad. Then head for nearby Gorkhi-Terelj National Park to enjoy the alpine scenery, watch a demonstration of Mongolian horseback riding and visit a traditional ger (felt tent). This evening, enjoy dinner and a performance of Mongolian throat singing and traditional dance before we reboard our train and continue on our way back into Russia.

Day 8: Ulan Ude, Russia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The train rolls through the valley of the Selenge River, which flows into Lake Baikal. Stop in Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic and once a major trading post between China and Irkutsk. Pay a visit to a village of Old Believers, a group descended from 17th century religious exiles whose fascinating culture has changed little over the centuries. Watch a performance of their unique choral music.

Day 9: Lake Baikal

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive at beautiful Lake Baikal, called the "sacred sea" by locals and named a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The lake basin holds about 20 percent of the world's unfrozen fresh water. Our train route hugs the rocky shores and passes through 33 tunnels. Take in spectacular views from the train, and stop for a barbecue on the shore. In the afternoon, explore the village of Listvyanka and join a family for tea in their home.

Day 10: Irkutsk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend today in Irkutsk, an important Siberian outpost established by the Cossacks in 1652. In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers, and nobles were exiled here for their involvement in the Decembrist revolt. Visit the city’s historic sights, and wander through a delightful collection of classic Russian and Siberian cottages at the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Stop for a private bell-ringing performance atop a bell tower, and then enjoy a private concert and champagne reception at the Decembrist House Museum.

Days 11 & 12: On Train/Novosibirsk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a day to relax on board, taking in stunning scenery as the vast Siberian taiga unfurls. The following day, stop in Novosibirsk, Siberia’s largest city, to see the opera house and Lenin Square.

Day 13: Yekaterinburg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Yekaterinburg, where Russia's last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Visit the Romanov execution site—now a church dedicated to their memory, and view the city's ornately decorated wooden houses.

Day 14: Kazan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, explore Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, perched on the banks of the Volga River. Tour the city’s Kremlin, the turquoise-topped Qol Sharif Mosque, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Pay a visit to the Kazan Conservatory and enjoy a concert performed by the students. Then set off on a private cruise around the walls of the city’s Kremlin before returning to our train to depart on the final leg of our journey.

Days 15 & 16: Moscow

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Moscow Marriott Royal Aurora

Disembark in Moscow, and check into our hotel before an afternoon city tour. After dinner at a local restaurant, take a guided stroll through Red Square at night. The following morning, explore the legendary Kremlin. Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral, and view court regalia from the Romanov dynasty at the Armory Museum. After lunch, visit the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which sweeps some 360 feet into the sky. Delve into the history of space exploration at the recently updated Memorial Museum of Astronautics, and enjoy a specially arranged talk by a Russian cosmonaut.

Day 17: Moscow/U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1: Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia

Home for people with diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The name “Tbilisi” /warm/ was given to the city because of the area’s numerous sulphuric hot springs.

Meeting at Tbilisi airport

Transfer to the hotel

Breakfast at the Hotel

Spend the afternoon sightseeing, Visit Old Tbilisi :

Sameba -Trinity a magnificent cathedral erected on the top of Elia rock, the beautiful View where you can see all panoramas of all historical parts of Tbilisi

Artistic Theatre Square of The Gabriadze

The Bridge of Peace –Glass Bridge through the river see both side panorama of Tbilisi

The Asian- type coloured baths, built on hot sulphur springs – a favourite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests (A. Pushkin, A. Duma, A. Tolstoy);

Visit Leselidze avenue where side by side locate Synagogue Georgian and Armenian churches and Mosque symbol religious diversity and tolerance

Georgian National Museum – you can see the sensational unique discoveries and artefacts of ancient period archaeological treasures; option

Optional welcome Dinner in a traditional Georgian restaurant with unforgettable folk music, dance and delicious Georgian cuisine or Diner in Tbilisi Funicular with beautiful park.

Day 02 : Tbilisi – Telavi – Kvareli --- Kakheti region

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Tbilisi - Telavi. - Kvareli ---Kakheti region

Breakfast at the hotel

Drive along the “Wine Route”, through the beautiful landscape of vineyards and wine-producing villages.

Town Telavi. Administrative and cultural centre of the region. The town sits on a hilltop above the Alazani valley with the Caucasus Mountains in the background. Telavi hosted The International Festival of classical music;

The Royal castle, the pantheon and the Persian-style Palace of King Erekle II (XVIII c.)

Lunch in Nadikvari Park – View of Caucasus Mountains.

Gremi castle – museum the royal capital city, the Royal Tower Ensemble. Historically, one of the important trading centres of this region.

Visit Wine Corporation “KHAREBA” wine degustation.

Overnight in Kvareli

Day 03: Kvareli – Sighnaghi- Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Sighnaghi Town of love is built on the right bank of Alazani River, on a higher hill. Royal fortified town with narrow streets surrounded by the defensive walls with 23 towers.  Here was   a place where the Georgian King used to join the army before the battle.

Dinner   the most delicious dishes are cooked with local, natural, fresh, seasonal product

Sighnaghi Historical-Ethnographic Museum where extraordinary ethnographic,      archaeological and medieval materials are kept.( expectable only first floor)

The defensive wall surrounding Sighnaghi. Because of the wall’s high location the beautiful view of Alazani Valley is well visible.

Gala dinner in Tbilisi

Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 04: Tbilisi-Borjomi-Aspindza

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Mtsketa – Town-museum. The ancient capital of Georgia. Known as “Hole Place”, is considered as the second” Jerusalem”. Situated on a plain at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the ancient trade silk route ran here.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – The biggest Christian temple in Georgia. A sacred place, where the Christ’s robe is kept. UNESCO World Heritage site.

Town Borjomi – Borjomi mineral water park .A synonym for healthy, pure mineral water

Day 05: Aspindza - Vardzia

Meals: Breakfast

Vardzia (Georgian Petra) rock- cut town complex founded (12-13th cc) Golden Age period during the reign of Queen Tamar. There is – well fortified monastery with 600 apartments, 28 wine-houses, churches, library, storeroom of medicines, important political, cultural, educational and spiritual centre of the country.

Vardzia is not adapted, it is rock- cut down, but surround is very good view  and outside you can see all panoramas of these rocks town)

Overnight in Aspindza

Day 06: Aspindza - Tskaltubo

Meals: Breakfast

Rabat castle, the former  largest slave bazaar till XVIII c. –  The site of ethical and religious diversity,  historical symbol of Georgian tolerance, where you can see Georgian, Armenian and Moslem  buildings of public worship standing next to each other. Within the 7 hectare castle complex there is a church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue.

Tskaltubo is little town a spa resort that is famous for its radon-carbonate mineral springs. This unique gift of nature was not without reason called the “Living Water”. Today, modern installations give us the opportunity to treat, prevent and improve body tone.

Overnight in Tskaltubo

Day 07: Tskaltubo

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the Hotel

Free Time.  Spa Capsule: hydro massage (optional)

 Day 08: Tskaltubo- Batumi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel

Batumi – one of the oldest sea-side cities in Georgia was inhabited from as early as the third century BC. Having all the resources necessary for the resort cities, at present days Batumi became the distinguished tourist center at the Black Sea cost. Batumi is always green and sparkling.

Sightseeing:

“Old Batumi” Small, white, mostly 2-3-storied 150 years old, buildings are decorated with mythical creatures with a lot of open cafes with  aromatic hot black coffee prepared on the heated sand.

PIAZZA Batumi is one of the most beautiful squares in whole Georgia is distinguished by its painting, as well as by its exquisite mosaics and stained glass windows. Piazza Square has already become the venue of numerous entertaining and cultural events.

Dinner plus an evening Batumi laser show and dancing fountains then overnight in Batumi

Day 09: Batumi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Batumi

Visit Gonio fortress – Roman fortification in Adjara, on the Black sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the Chorokhi River. The village sits 4 km north of the Turkish border.

Visit Batumi Delphinium – you can swim and take pictures with Dolphins (option);

Batumi Seaside Boulevard.

Overnight in Batumi

Day 10: Batumi – Tskaltubo

Meals: Breakfast

Sightseeing

Batumi Botanic Garden is a unique place famous for its unique flora. It has a beautiful view on black sea and Caucasus Mountain.

Overnight in Tskaltubo

Day 11: Tskaltubo- Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Kutaisi   One of the most beautiful and ancient cities in West Georgia – Emeriti region. Kutaisi has contributed much to the process of Georgian unification. According to the legend Kutaisi was the final destination of the Argonauts.

Bagrati 10- 11th cc. Situated on the top of the hill, it was an ancient citadel, a royal palace and one of the most important castles from 6th to 17th c. nowadays it’s distinguished for its elegant proportions, grand size, facade composition, ornaments and relief carvings and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site,

Rest and Lunch in Village Ubisa

Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 12: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Transfers to the airport included