The idea of this one is to combine the “top stops” into one astonishing itinerary.  It’s a nice balance between three “Russian” stops (Moscow, Ekaterinburg and Irkutsk) and three “Asian” stops (Ulan-Uday, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing).  This one’s highly customisable – your stops include one set of options that feature the active outdoors, or another set profiling local culture and tradition. Like most of what Russia Experience does, the only herds you’ll see are sheep or goats – these are side-trips that couldn’t work for big groups even if we wanted to (which we don’t)… we springboard you into the remoter locations away from the railway which have “what you came to see”.

 

Map

Trip overview

DAY 01 – Arrival in Moscow

Arrival in Moscow. Your driver will meet on arrival and transfer you by private car to the hotel.

DAY 02 – Around Moscow

After breakfast one of our local experts will meet you at your hotel in the lobby for a three hour walking and familiarisation tour, to introduce the city (and its public transport system) and to get your sightseeing off to a flying start. The rest of the day's your own.

DAY 03 – Departing Moscow

A full day to continue your sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to Kazansky Station where you will board the Ekaterinburg bound train.

DAY 04 – Arrival in Ekaterinburg

Arrival late evening in Ekaterinburg, transfer to hotel by private car.

DAY 05 – Around Ekaterinburg

Walking and familiarisation tour with local expert this morning. Balance of day free to explore.

DAY 06 – Your choice of Ekaterinburg activities

Please make a choice of one of the day trip options it's all included in the trip price.

• (A) Romanov Graves & Europe Asia Border
• (B) Siberian countryside and historic village
• (C) Hiking in the Urals
• (D) Walk in the Urals Forest

Check out of your room around 9pm Private car to the station, where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

 

DAY 07 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling eastwards via Novosibirsk.

DAY 08 – On board The Trans-Sib

Across the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk.

DAY 09 - Arrival in Irkutsk

Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal.

 

DAY 10 - Choose one activity from the list

It's all included in the trip price.

• (A) Siberian trek
• (B) Circum Baikal picnic
• (C) Taltsy wooden museum
• (D) Do your own thing        

DAY 11 - Return to Irkutsk

Transfer from Listvyanka Village back to Irkutsk, free time before your evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Ulan-Uday bound train.

DAY 12 – Arrival in Ulan-Uday

Transfer to home-stay. Guided trip to Atsagatsky Buddhist Lamasery. After the monastery, try cuisine of Buryatia lunch with a village family.

DAY 13 – Visit to the Ivolginsky Datsan

Excursion to Tarbagatay a village with traditional brightly painted house. Home to the "old believers" some have called them "Russia's Amish".

DAY 14 – Departing Ulan-Uday

Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar bound train.

DAY 15 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Transfer from the station, shower and breakfast. Depart for city tour to include the Gandan Monastery ceremony. Depart Ulaanbaatar for the Bayangobi region. Evening arrival at the encampment. Tonight you are the guests of the herdsmen, and you’ll stay in a nomadic ger tent.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NOMAD STAYS: When we say "nomad stay" it means exactly that - you are sharing the lives of herdsmen who live on the Mongolian Steppe. There's often no electricity, they don't speak English, and there isn't any plumbing!

DAY 16 – Onwards to Harhorin

Depart after breakfast for a day trip through the countryside of Övörkhangai Province in the direction of Harhorin. Our route takes us into the Orkhon Valley, a World Heritage Site. This afternoon we arrive at modern Harhorin – the settlement Genghis Khan would have known as Karakorum. Nothing is left of the ancient settlement, but on its site is the (rather later) monastery of Erdene Zuu, one of the most important Buddhist centres in Mongolia. Returning back to our nomad host family.

DAY 17 – Morning spent with the Nomads

Free time to explore the Bayangobi area. This evening you stay with your nomad host family and learn traditional Mongolian games.

DAY 18 – Elstei Ger Lodge

Evening arrival at Elstei Ger Lodge. This is a different experience from staying with nomads, as Elstei is purposely set up for foreign visitors. This evening, chill out and relax after the long journey.

DAY 19 – Elstei Ger Lodge

Free time at Elstei Ger Lodge. Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to partake in optional activities.

DAY 20 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and check into the Bayangol Hotel. The balance of the day is your own to explore this city of contrasts. Culture, shopping, food? This capital city won’t disappoint.

DAY 21 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Beijing bound train.

DAY 22 – Arrival in Beijing

Arriving into Beijing Central Station at the end of your Trans-Siberian journey.