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[sibways]

Geography:Siberia is the part of Asia extends from Ural mountains to The North Pacific and from The Arctic ocean to the borders of China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. It's huge with 13,1 million km2 and 77% of the territory of Russia, but only 25% of Russia's population (36 million people). Major cities include:Barnaul, Irkutsk, Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, Novokuznetsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tomsk, Tyumen, Anadyr, Khabarovsk, Yakutsk, Vladivostok, Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky.
The highest points in Siberia are the active volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka, in the Kamchatka peninsula and Belukha mountain, in Altai region.
Climate:Vegetation in Siberia is mostly taiga, with a tundra belt on the northern fringe, and a temperate forest zone in the south.
The climate in West Siberia (Omsk, Novosibirsk) is several degrees warmer than in the East (Irkutsk, Chita). With a lowest record temperature of −71.2 °C (−96.2 °F), Oymyakon (Sakha Republic) has the distinction of being the coldest town on Earth.
Transport:Many cities in Siberia, such as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, cannot be reached by road from other major cities in Russia or Asia. The best way to tour Siberia is through the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Trans-Siberian Railway operates from Moscow in the West to Vladivostok in the East. The train has 2nd class 4-berth compartments, 1st class 2-berth compartments, and a restaurant car. Cities not nearby the Railway are best reached by air. Offroad cars are preferrable for small cities and villages regarding to season. Last times the roads become better but in some places they are terrific.
In airports taxi takes about 25-30 USD to bring you from airport to the center.
Currency: Russian rubles (RUR) = 0,03 USD, but to the North prices for food and accomodation are higher than in Europe.
Entry: The best way is by air from Moscow. There are many directions to all major cities of Siberia. Europeans could use services of S7 airlines f.e. which flies from Germany to Novosibirsk directly. Habitants of Far east and Asia could use airplanes from China, Japan and Korea to Vladivostok and Novosibirsk. There is cheap and interesting way to get to Siberia by Air Astana to Kazakhstan and then to Novosibirsk by train (visa matters have to be solved)
Accomodation:There are hotels in every town reachable by plane or train. Conditions depend on a town but in major cities you'll find good hotel for your demand. Also in major towns there are bureaus of apartments which can be much cheaper and more convenient than hotels. They keep the reputation but use trusted bureau only.
Safety:The main dangers in cities are fraud, stealing and boozy twerps. When taking taxi in airport discuss the price from A to B, not the price for 1 km, take trusted taxi only. Just be careful and look for your stuff. In deep villages you'll find best hospitality and no danger at all.
Religion:There are a variety of beliefs throughout Siberia including Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Tibetan Buddhism, and other denominations of Christianity.[29] An estimated 70,000 Jews live in Siberia.[30] The predominant group is the Russian Orthodox Church.

[sgwelly]

I am planning a trip on the Trans Siberian and am wondering what it will be like in the middle of winter. How much sunshine hours will I have during the day? Also, is the cold too much for travelling? Thanks.

[sibways]

Sunshine hours for Siberia are 9am - 4pm
In the middle of winter it could be any temperature below 0 Celsius. It depends on anticyclones coming from Kara Sea. In the regions where the rail goes the temperature can be low as -45 of Celsius (like now). The average period for such cold is about 1-2 weeks. Then it becomes warmer (-15 degrees). After some time the cold can return. So you have to be prepared with really warm clothes for December-February period if you intend go outside for whole day. Because the cold comes very quickly due to the continental climate of Siberia. The hint is to have thermos bottle with sweet hot tea inside.
If you want to visit cities only, you have no need to buy down clothes as you go from one warm place to another.
It is nothing fearful in this cold. Just be prepared.

[sgwelly]

Thanks for that. Does it rain in winter or do you have clear blue skies?

We never get below -1 in winter. What kind of clothing do you suggest for the Siberian winter?

[sibways]

You're welcome. No rain in winter but it snows often. I prefer down jacket for low temperature. Boots must be large enough not to compress legs with wool socks.
For -10 -15 degrees some jacket with synthetic fibers is good enough if you travel across cities.
The wool cap i necessary too. No skimpy jeans. For hands some ski gloves are good enough.

It sounds strange but for outdoor activities -1 is worse than -15 as the snow melts better and the clothes become wet while loosing heat.

[sgwelly]

hi ii there

I am planning for a trip to sieberia this march.surely and no doubt the things described by you in your description will prove to be very useful to me.

Thanks in advance .

Warm Regards

Love to hear your experience in March!