Our plan is to head to Mongolia next year but covid has to settle. If we can only get part of the way east then we may còncentrate on Russia and I've started looking into it, just in case. I've been to Russia a lot but for work so flying in and out, looking forward to a slower mode of transport.
Advice? Go.
Language - buy Linkword, easy to get the basics. https://www.linkwordlanguages.com/product/russian-beginners-course-levels-1-and-2-download-package/
Level 1 will enable you to read stuff and understand menus etc.
Thanks.
You are skipping the best parts of Norway i.e. the South Western fijords and the Lofoten Islands. Add on about 5-6 more days for those
The route is not final, just a rough idea of the miles and time needed. Thanks.