Moscow to Bovanenkovo on the remote Yamal Peninsula by rail | 9 days

This high-quality private train was first launched in 2013, operating from Moscow to the Yamal Peninsula in Russia’s Arctic region of north-west Siberia.   Its operation relies on local demand so do ask us for the latest news before deciding to book.

The route of the Yamal Polar Express is 3,550 kilometres (2,206 miles) by train from Moscow, north-west to the Arctic, across the Ural Mountains, into Asia and Siberia, across the Arctic Circle to the remote outpost of Bovanenkovo and back to Salekhard, the capital of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region in Russia’s north-west region of Arctic Siberia.

After crossing Europe’s longest river – the Volga – the train heads north into Arkhangel province. Stopping for a brief tour of Kotlas, the train then enters the Komi Republic on its long trek north. Over the Ural Mountains it passes the Europe-Asia border and enters Siberia, the great ‘sleeping land’. Salekhard lies on the Arctic Circle and, following a visit here, the train continues onto the Yamal Peninsula – well above the Arctic Circle, on the world’s most northerly railway.

The season runs from May to September and there are also winter departures in November when the ‘Northern Lights’ can be seen to best effect.

Sightseeing can be arranged at either end in Moscow and St Petersburg and other cities around Russia.

Day 1: Fly to Moscow

Day 2: Optional Moscow sightseeing – highlights include Kremlin Territory and Cathedrals, Armoury Museum, Red Square, Lenin’s Tomb, St Basil’s Cathedral, evening train departure.

Day 3: Kotlas and the Pechora railway

Day 4: The trans-polar railway, Ural Mountains and Siberia

Day 5: Salekhard and the Arctic Circle

Day 6: Obskaya to Bovanenkovo railway

Day 7: The Yamal Peninsula

Day 8: Fly Salekhard to Moscow

Day 9: Fly to London

Guide price from £2,995 per person