Trans-Mongolian train trip from Moscow to Beijing 17 days

Transfer airport - hotel.

Overnight at the hotel Budapest.

City tour of Moscow's famous sights including the Red Square, Basilius cathedral, GUM Shopping centre, Novodevichy Convent, the ancient KGB buildings, the Lenin state library and the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU). Visit the Kremlin – a symbol of power and might of the vast Russian lands – with its impressive churches and the Armoury Chamber on the Kremlin grounds which contains a unique collection of Royal Russian and international jewellery including thrones, crowns, carriages, costumes, gold and silverware, all lavishly studded with precious stones. Optional in the evening: visit of a ballet, concert, opera or the famous Moscow Circus (tickets not included).

Overnight at the hotel Budapest.

Another day to enjoy Moscow. Visit the famous Arbat Street, Moscow’s lively pedestrian area to do some shopping, discover the Moscow metro, famous for its palatial marble stations with mosaics, chandeliers and precious materials and marvel at the great collection of Russian fine art at Tretyakov-Gallery.

Transfer hotel - train station.

Train Moscow - Yekaterinburg

"Optional surcharge train 1st cl. (2-berth cabin)"

Transfer train station - hotel.

Arrival in Yekaterinburg.

Overnight at hotel Tsentralny.

Today, you will discover Yekaterinburg, the third largest city of Russia. You’ll be taken to the City Pond, Prospect Lenina, the Hill of Ascension and its ancient church founded in 1792, the Historic Square, the Dam, monument of founders of the city – Tatischev and Gennin, Peter’s Court, the Chapel of St. Elizabeth, the Square of the Soviet Army, the Square of the 1905 Revolution and other historical buildings. Learn about the tragic death of the last Russian tsar Nickolay II and his family at the Church of Blood where the Romanov's were killed by the Bolsheviks. You'll then leave the city and drive to the so called Ganiana Yama pit. After the execution of the Romanov family, the bodies of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family were secretly transported to Ganina Yama and thrown into the pit. Seven chapels were later constructed at the site, one for each member of the royal family in memorial to the Tsar. The journey will end with the visite of the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center.

Transfer train station - hotel.

Train Yekaterinburg - Novosibirsk

"Optional surcharge train 1st cl. (2-berth cabin)"

Transfer hotel - train station.

Overnight at hotel Marins Park.

Arrival in Novosibirsk.

Late check-out is included.

Welcome to Novossirsk, capital and largest city of Siberia. You will drive to the scientific city of Akademgorodok. Akademgorodok is the only scientific city in the world, where all the branches of sciences are presented. Visit of the famous Geology Museum at Geology Research Institute and the Open-Air Train Museum (a collection of the old Trans-Siberian trains) as well as the Ob reservoir – an artificial sea. In the afternoon, you will walk around the city of Novosibirsk, visiting all the main attractions of the city such as: Novosibirsk Railway Station (the biggest station of the Trans-Siberian Railroad), Ascension cathedral, Krasny Prospect street, Lenin Square - the city center with the biggest world’s Opera House - old wooden houses on Gorkogo Str. (the oldest part of the city), St. Nicolas Chapel (the geographic center of Russia) and the river Ob’ embankment. Visit of the Local Lore (History Museum), featuring the fascinating and mystical history of Siberia. Our local guides love the city and will make you discover the culture and atmosphere of this fascinating Siberian town!

Transfer train station - hotel.

Train Novosibirsk - Irkutsk

"Optional surcharge train 1st cl. (2-berth cabin)"

On board of the train.

Having crossed the forests, beside lakes and rushing rivers, swamps and remote villages of painted wooden houses, you will discover Irkutsk and Listvyanka, a small village on the shore of Lake Baikal. You can enjoy a bath in the ‘Old Man’, as local people call the lake, if you’re brave enough to dive into the cold water. Its water is amazingly transparent: Stones and fish can be seen to a depth of about 50m and they seem so close that a first-time visitor may be tempted to pick one up. A visit to the Limnologic Institute will reveal many of the lakes mysteries, one of is that there are millions of microorganisms living in the lake whose main purpose is to clean the water of all pollutants. On a stroll around the village, visit the church of St. Nicolas and a traditional fisher-market, walk to Chersky viewing point where you can enjoy a fabulous view on the lake and the Angara River if the weather is clear.

Overnight at Baikal Chalet.

Arrival in Irkutsk.

In the morning, free time to hike around or experience the lake from another perspective during a boat trip (optional). You will leave Listvyanka around midday and visit the Wooden Architecture Museum of Tsaltsy on the way back to Irkutsk, where typically old churches, shaman houses and a fortress have been rebuilt in original wooden style. Irkutsk is also called ‘Paris of Siberia’ for its elegant street life and people. During a city tour in Irkutsk, your guide will tell you about the development of the Siberian city evolution and shows the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. You will see elaborate Russian Orthodox churches, a Polish Cathedral, the only Siberian Gothic-style building, many wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with wooden laces hand-made carvings, as well as modern constructions and visit the Decembrist House, a fascinating museum displaying the life of the Trubetskoy and Volkonsky family, or the Siberia museum of ethnology.

Overnight at hotel Courtyard by Marriott.

Transfer hotel - train station.

Train Irkutsk - Ulan Bator

"Optional surcharge train 1st cl. (2-berth cabin)"

Welcome by your driver and guide at the train station. Quick passage into town before heading east to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a true natural paradise at the gates of the Mongolian capital: rock formations chiseled by erosion, mountains with pine trees, plains littered with wild flowers and edelweiss, rivers and lakes. Stop at the famous Turtle rock, from where you'll walk to the monastery of Aryaval, also called the hanging temple. Enjoy a fabulous view of the green valley. Those who wish can go on a horseback ride along the Tuul River which is a great way to discover the landscape in contrast between rivers, steppes and forests. Meet a nomadic family for cultural exchanges. They'll happily offer you their house horse milk beer, and other varieties of dairy products. Get comfortable in your own yurt in a traditional yurt camp after this adventurous day.

Arrival in Ulan Bator.

Overnight in a traditional mongolian yurt.

On the way back to the city you'll visit the equestrian statue of Genghis Khan. With it's 40 meters in height, it is the tallest statue in the world of a man on horse. Inside you'll find a museum that is dedicated to the history and life of Ghengis Khan. Return to Ulaanbaatar. City tour including Sukhbaatar Square, Bogdo Khan Palace, residence of the first King of Mongolia, Gandan Buddhist monastery, then dive into the heart of Mongolian history at the superb museum of national history. Three floors of a rich and glorious past, violent and noble, from prehistory to the Soviet period, including the creation of the great Mongol empire by Genghis Khan. In the evening, a traditional Mongolian show at Tumen Ekh: folk dances, contortion and khoomi, overtone singing as well as the famous throat singing.

Overnight at hotel Ulaanbaatar.

Transfer hotel - train station.

Train Ulan Bator - Beijing

"Optional surcharge train 1st cl. (2-berth cabin)"

Today’s excursion in Beijing will take you to the Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings where emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties visited for annual ceremonies of pray for good harvests. You’ll then visit the Houhai Hutong, one the most popular old town quarters in Beijing. Hop on a rickshaw and walk through the old lanes. The alleys give a wonderful glimpse into yesterday’s world, the old way of life and traditional Beijing culture, and highlight the dramatic changes the rest of Beijing has undergone. Beijing is home to millions of small shops and street traders, the place to shop for souvenirs and bargains, and the last opportunity to taste the delicious Chinese food in all its variations.

Arrival in Beijing.

Overnight at hotel Penta.

Today you will visit the Forbidden City and the famous Tiananmen Square in Beijing city center. The afternoon excursion will lead you to one of the most powerful symbols of ancient Chinese civilization – the Great Wall of China, stretching 6,350 km. It took more than one million people and ten years to build the Great Wall of China, designed as a defensive structure. In 1987 it was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. You will visit the less crowded Mutianyu section. A cable car takes you to a good section, where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains.

Overnight at hotel Penta.

Transfer hotel - airport.