Travel 8000 km from Europe to Asia with the leisurely pace of the railway that was a revolution for the inaccessible Siberia, following the most preferred by the tourists route – from Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia.

Dates in 2012: 25^th May, 13th July, 17^th August, 7^th September

Experience the feeling of eternity and glory while passing through the endless birch forests and vast steppes at all times[Gallery not found] of the year. Travelling by train gives you the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of the places you are passing by. This is the classic route from Moscow through the boundless Siberia and the wild Mongolia to the exiting and densely populated megalopolis of Beijing. Besides staying in Russia’s and China’s pulsing capitals, we make trips to the countryside in Siberia and Mongolia. First stop on the train journey is the old caravan city Irkutsk, which has a reputation as Siberia’s most beautiful city. We drive to the 600 km long Baikal – the world’s deepest lake, housing several animals only found here such as the freshwater seal. We sail out on the lake and visit villages with authentic Russian village life and the unique Siberian nature. In Mongolia, we get off from the train in the capital, Ulan Bator, and from here we head off to the Mongolian steppes in the National Park Terelj, where the folklore comes into your skin when we feel the true nomadic style staying in the traditional round filt tents. The journey continues to the east towards the Chinese capital Beijing. Just before arriving we see through the window of the train The Great Chinese Wall – one of the new seven world wonders. We are spending several days in Beijing and see the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and other interesting places. Of course, climbing of the Chinese wall is a must. This 19-day tour gives you plenty of both big city culture and unique nature experiences in landscape of plains and steppes. Unique nature and culture of two continents. City life, rural urbanization and nomads.

Price: 2 215 EUR

Single supplement in the hotels (not in gers and private accommodation): 335 EUR

Group size: min 10 persons

Program:

Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Transportation to the hotel and accommodation. In the evening sightseeing in Moscow’s famous subway with beautiful marble columns, crystal chandeliers and ornate ceilings.

Day 2. City tour including the Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin, where we see the Armoury with one of the world’s largest treasure chambers.

Day 3. Free day. In the evening transportation to Yaroslavskaya train station, where we get on the train and are introduced to our compartments where we stay for the next four days.

Day 4-6. Travel by train. We pass through the Ural Mountains with million cities Perm and Ekaterinburg. Further east we come through the large Siberian cities such as Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. The landscape in this part of the railway switches between coniferous and birch forests and small villages, where development is still far behind the big cities.

Day 7. Arrival in Irkutsk. Pick up at the station followed by city tour which ends at the hotel. On this tour, we include visit to the Decembrists’ Museum.

Day 8. In the morning transport to the village of Listvjanka at Lake Baikal. Here we see the old wooden church and sail north on Lake Baikal to the small village of Bolshie Koty, which is beautifully situated on the lake’s western shore. Private accommodation in wooden houses. After dinner evening is on your own disposal. Possibility of genuine Russian Banya (sauna).

Day 9. Departure in the morning by boat back to Listvjanka. Lunch and then transport back to Irkutsk, where we are on the road visiting Taltsi Ethnographic Museum (open-air museum) with the unique architecture. Arrival in Irkutsk in the afternoon, overnight at hotel.

Day 10. Departure by train to the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator (approx. 24 hours). We pass by the Buddhist provincial capital of Buryatia Ulan Ude.

Day 11. Arrival in Ulan Bator in the morning. Transportation to the hotel and accommodation. Then city tour with visit to the Museum of Natural History housing the world-famous dinosaur skeletons found in the Gobi desert. In the evening folklore show with Mongolian throat singing and traditional music and dances.

Day 12. After breakfast we drive from Ulan Bator to Terelj National Park (approx. 75 km). Here we stay in traditional round white felt yurt (ger). Possibility for hiking and riding (hire of horses on spot) in the stunning mountain and forest areas in the park.

Day 13. Return to Ulan Bator, where we see a factory for producing of gers. Afternoon and evening are at your own disposal.

Day 14. In the morning departure by train to China’s capital Beijing (approx. 30 hours). In the evening we arrive at the border where train cars must have their wheels replaced because of the different track width in China.

Day 15. Arrival in Beijing in the afternoon. Transportation to the hotel for accommodation. In the evening there is entertainment with world-renowned Chinese acrobatics.

Day 16. Today we make excursions to the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City situated at the end of Tiananmen Square. The Ming and Qing dynasties have ruled from here. Here we are shown around and see a selection of 800 spectacular buildings, which is said to contain 9,999 rooms. The evening is free.

Day 17. Program in Beijing continues with a trip to the highlight of any trip to China: the Great Wall. It is an unforgettable experience to stand on this impressive building, which stretches more than 6000 km across the country. Afterwards we head to one of Beijing’s beautiful landmarks: Temple of Heaven. Afternoon and evening are at your own disposal.

Day 18. Day at leisure.

Day 19. Transport to the airport according to the return flight.

Included in the price: 10 nights double/twin accommodation at 3-star hotels with breakfast included; 1 night accommodation in ger camp up to 4 people per ger and 1 night private accommodation in wooden houses up to 4 people per room; train ticket Moscow-Irkutsk-Ulan Bator-Beijing for 2-nd class (4 persons in compartment); all excursions and transport according to the program above; all entrance fees; English-speaking tour-leader from Penguin Travel from arrival in Moscow till departure from Beijing; local English-speaking guides on all trips.

Program (departure: every Sunday, year round)

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival to Moscow, transfer to the hotel for accommodation (if you want to spend more time in Moscow you can arrive on an earlier day)

Day 2 (Monday): City tour in Moscow in the morning.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Free time in the morning. In the evening transfer to the train station for departure to Beijing via Mongolia (Note: you will need a transit visa for Mongolia)

Day 4-8 (Wednesday – Sunday): In the train

Day 9 (Monday): Arrival to Beijing in the afternoon, transfer to the hotel and accommodation or transport to the airport for departure (or you can start exploring Beijing and China, see our tours in China)

N.B.! Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. You are not entitled to any refund in this case. Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events. We reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard

Economy program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Beijing, accommodation at hotel Izmailovo Vega*** in Moscow without breakfast, walking city tour in Moscow with English speaking guide. Transport from/to airport or train stations is not included

Standard program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Beijing, transfers airport – hotel – airport and train station – hotel – train station, accommodation at hotel Cosmos*** in Moscow with breakfast, city tour in Moscow with transport and English speaking guide

Program (Start: every Monday, year round)

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival to Moscow, transfer to the hotel for accommodation (if you want to spend more time in Moscow you can arrive on an earlier day)

Day 2 (Tuesday): City tour in Moscow in the morning.

Day 3 (Wednesday): Free time in the morning. In the evening transfer to the train station for departure to Ulan Bator

Day 4 – 7 (Thursday – Sunday): In the train

Day 8 (Monday): Arrival to Ulan Bator in the morning, city tour and accommodation in a hotel.

Day 9 (Tuesday): Excursion to Terelj National Park and accommodation in ger camp, free time to explore the park

Day 10 (Wednesday): Back to Ulan Bator, accommodation in hotel and free time.

Day 11 (Thursday): Transfer to the train station in the morning and departure for Beijing.

Day 12 (Friday): Arrival to Beijing in the afternoon, transfer to the hotel or transport to the airport for departure (or you can start exploring Beijing and China, see our tours in China)

N.B.! Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. You are not entitled to any refund in this case. Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events.

Economy program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Ulan Bator – Beijing, accommodation at hotel Izmailovo Vega*** in Moscow without breakfast, Ovoo Hotel in Ulan Bator with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard),  excursion to Terelj Park in Mongolia with transport and English speaking guide, walking tour in Moscow with English speaking guide. Transport from/to airport or train station is not included, neither is the city tour in Ulan Bator.

Standard program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Ulan Bator – Beijing, transfers airport – hotel – airport and train station – hotel – train station, accommodation at hotel Cosmos*** in Moscow, hotel Peace Bridge*** in Ulan Bator (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), the mentioned tours with transport and English speaking guide

Program (Departure: Friday on an odd date, year round)

Day 1 (Friday): Arrival to Moscow. Transport to and accommodation at a hotel (if you want to spend more time in Moscow you can arrive on an earlier day)

Day 2 (Saturday): City tour in Moscow in the morning.

Day 3 (Sunday): Free time in Moscow, in the evening transfer to the train station and departure for Irkutsk

Day 4 – 6 (Monday – Wednesday): In the train

Day 7 (Thursday): Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning, transfer to Listvyanka by Baikal Lake with tour in the village, accommodation at a hotel

Day 8 (Friday): Free time in Listvyanka, back to Irkutsk, accommodation in a hotel

Day 9 (Saturday): Free time in Irkutsk, in the evening transfer to the train station for departure to Ulan Bator

Day 10 (Sunday): In the train

Day 11 (Monday): Arrival to Ulan Bator in the morning, city tour, accommodation at a hotel

Day 12 (Tuesday): Excursion to Terelj National Park with accommodation at a ger camp.

Day 13 (Wednesday): Back to Ulan Bator, accommodation at a hotel

Day 14 (Thursday): Transfer to the train station in the morning, departure for Beijing

Day 15 (Friday): Arrival to Beijing, transfer to the hotel for accommodation or transport to the airport for departure (or you can start exploring Beijing and China; see our tours in China)

N.B.! Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. You are not entitled to any refund in this case. Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events.

Economy program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, accommodation as follows: Izmailovo Vega*** in Moscow without breakfast, private accommodation in Listvyanka and Irkutsk, hotel Ovoo in Ulan Bator with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), exursions to Listvyanka and Terelj Park with transport and English speaking guide, walking tour in Moscow with English speaking guide. Transport from/to airport or train station is not included, neither is the city tour in Ulan Bator

Standard program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, transfers airport – hotel – airport and train station – hotel – train station, accommodation as follows:  hotel Cosmos*** in Moscow, hotel Baikalskiya Terema in Listvyanka, hotel Victory*** in Irkutsk, hotel Peace Bridge**** in Ulan Bator – all with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), the mentioned tours with transport and English speaking guide.

Program (Departure: Sunday in the period June – August)

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival to Moscow. Transport to and accommodation at a hotel (if you want to spend more time in Moscow you can arrive on an earlier day)

Day 2 (Monday): City tour in Moscow in the morning.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Transfer to the train station and departure for Irkutsk

Day 4 – 6 (Wednesday – Friday): In the train

Day 7 (Saturday): Arrival to Irkutsk in the morning, excursion to Bolshie Koty, accommodation at a local family.

Day 8 (Sunday): Back to village of Listvyanka, visit to the open air museum of Taltsi, and return to Irkutsk

Day 9 (Monday): Free time in Irkutsk. In the evening transfer to train station and departure for Ulan Bator

Day 10 (Tuesday): In the train

Day 11 (Wednesday): Arrival to Ulan Bator in the morning, city tour, accommodation at a hotel

Day 12 (Thursday): Start of Gobi tour. Accommodation at a ger camp in Ikh Gazryn Culuu

Day 13 (Friday): Driving to the south to Tsogt Ovoo, accommodation in ger camp

Day 14 (Saturday): Drive further south to the Eagle Valley, accommodation in a ger close to a nomad family.

Day 15 (Sunday): Continue to Tsagan Ovoo, visit to Onk Monastery. Accommodation in a ger camp

Day 16 (Monday): Drive to Kharkhorin – the old capital of the Mongolian Empire. Accommodation in a ger camp close to Erdene Zuu Monastery

Day 17 (Tuesday): Visit of Erdene Zuu, then drive to Erdensat, close to the Tuul River. Accommodation at a nomad family. Excursion to the river

Day 18 (Wednesday): Back to Ulan Bator with a stop at Hustai National Park. Accommodation at a hotel in UB

Day 19 (Thursday): Transfer to the train station in the morning, departure for Beijing

Day 20 (Friday): Arrival to Beijing, transfer to the hotel for accommodation or transport to the airport for departure (or you can start exploring Beijing and China; see our tours in China)

N.B.! Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. You are not entitled to any refund in this case. Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events.

Economy program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, accommodation as follows: Izmailovo Vega*** in Moscow without breakfast, private accommodation in Irkutsk & hotel Ovoo in Ulan Bator with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), the mentioned tours to Bolshie Koty and Gobi Desert with transport, full board and English speaking guide, walking tour in Moscow with English speaking guide. Transport from/to airport or train station is not included, neither is the city tour in Ulan Bator

Standard program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, transfers airport – hotel – airport and train station – hotel – train station, accommodation as follows: hotel Cosmos*** in Moscow, hotel Victory*** in Irkutsk, hotel Peace Bridge*** in Ulan Bator – all with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), the mentioned tours with transport and English speaking guide

Program (departure: every Wednesday, June – August)

Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival to Moscow. Transport to and accommodation at a hotel (if you want to spend more time in Moscow you can arrive on an earlier day)

Day 2 (Thursday): City tour in Moscow in the morning.

Day 3 (Friday): Transfer to the train station at noon and departure for Perm

Day 4 (Saturday): Arrival to Perm at about noon, transport to hotel and free time.

Day 5 (Sunday): City tour in Perm and visit to Khokhlovka open air museum

Day 6 (Monday): Free time in Perm, in the afternoon transport to the train station and departure for Irkutsk

Day 7-8 (Tuesday, Wednesday): In the train

Day 9 (Thursday): Arrival to Irkutsk

Day 10 (Friday): Excursion to Bolshie Koty, accommodation at local family

Day 11 (Saturday): Back to Listvyanka, visit to Taltsi open air museum and back to Irkutsk

Day 12 (Sunday): In the morning transport to the train station and departure to Ulan Bator

Day 13 (Monday): Arrival to Ulan Bator in the morning, city tour, accommodation at the hotel

Day 14 (Tuesday): Excursion to Terelj National Park with overnight at a ger camp

Day 15 (Wednesday): Back to Ulan Bator and free time

Day 16 (Thursday): In the morning transfer to the train station and departure for Beijing

Day 17 (Friday): In the afternoon arrival to Beijing and transport to hotel for accommodation or transport to the airport for departure (or you can start exploring Beijing and China, see our tours in China)

N.B.! Please, note that on certain dates and tours you might travel in a group with other tourists, if they have booked a trip on the same dates. We cannot say if this is the case in advance. You are not entitled to any refund in this case. Prices for hotel accommodation are subject to change in periods of exhibitions or other special events.

Economy program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Perm – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, accommodation as follows: Izmailovo Vega*** in Moscow without breakfast, hotel Ural*** standard room in Perm without breakfast, private accommodation in Irkutsk with breakfast, hotel Ovoo in Ulan Bator with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), excursions in Perm, to Bolshie Koty and Terelj Park with transport and English speaking guide, walking tour in Moscow with English speaking guide. Transport from/to airport or train station is not included, neither is the city tour in Ulan Bator.

Standard program includes: train tickets 2^nd class Moscow – Perm – Irkutsk – Ulan Bator – Beijing, transfers airport – hotel – airport and train station – hotel – train station, accommodation as follows: hotel Cosmos*** in Moscow, hotel New Star*** in Perm, hotel Victory*** in Irkutsk, hotel Peace Bridge*** in Ulan Bator – all with breakfast (we reserve the right to change the hotels if no availability with hotels of similar standard), the mentioned tours with transport and English speaking guide