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.