Look forward to a fairy tale journey through Siberia and its magical winter landscapes! Enjoy a ride in a troika sleigh, the morning light reflecting off the frost in the taiga birch woods, the crisp, clear winter sun and the stunning Lake Baikal – just a few of the memorable moments on a journey through Winter Wonderland in a perfectly-heated train. Exceptional highlight: Spend a night in a nomads' camp in Mongolia in totally unspoilt surroundings!
Map
The Journey
DAY - 1 Welcome to Moscow
On arrival to Moscow , your tour guide will welcome you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. After settling in, take a guided walk to discover the magic of Moscow's legendary Red Square and enjoy its stunning illuminations. This evening your overnight accommodation is at a first class hotel.
DAY - 2 Sightseeing Moscow
Explore Europe's most dynamic city on a panorama city tour with its contrast of traditional onion-shaped golden domes decorating small churches and cathedrals and the power centres of the new mega-rich companies such as Gazprom. Afterwards, relax over lunch in a restaurant themed on Russian history before joining your special carriage to depart from the impressive backdrop of one of Moscow's major stations. On board, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.
Download our trip itinerary for full details of the tour plus visa requirements, climate info, hints, tips, and a travellers' checklist.
DAY - 3 On board
This morning, take in the landscape of rolling steppes in old Russia's heartlands and cross the impressive bridges over the rivers Volga and Kama before starting the climb to the Ural Mountains – usually a magical snowy landscape at this time of year. Enjoy insights into Russian life with entertaining on-board talks on the Cossacks and winter life in Siberia, as well as a film on Russia's last tsar.
DAY - 4 Ekaterinburg
Ekaterinburg, the historical capital of the Ural region. Ekaterinburg has gone down in history as the place where Tsar Nicolas II, the last tsar of Russia, was murdered with his family in 1918. A short city tour includes the attractive city centre, restored in 2009, as well as the commemorative Cathedral on the Blood, built in 2003 on the site of the tsar's execution. Back on board, your train continues across the rolling steppes of western Siberia. .
DAY - 5 On board
The vastness of Siberia Your train, by now a home from home, continues across Siberia. Relax and enjoy the magical winter views of snowy birch and larch woods in the sunshine! A vodka tasting with classic Russian snacks in the restaurant car explores some of the less familiar aspects of Russian customs associated with food and drink. An entertaining film offers a fascinating insight into Russian culture.
DAY - 6 Krasnoyarsk
This morning arrive in Krasnoyarsk — according to writer Anton Chekhov, the most beautiful city in Siberia. The short city tour focuses on an overview of Krasnoyarsk's captivating history. The mix of old and new streets vividly illustrates how the city has grown and changed down the years. Enjoy a view of Peace Square, the city's oldest square, and the stunning vistas across the Yenisei river. Naturally, there is also a stop at the beautiful Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel, the symbol of Krasnoyarsk. Back on board, your train continues on to Irkutsk.
DAY - 7 Irkutsk
The train pulls into Irkutsk station. Leaving your main luggage safely on board, a transfer takes you to your hotel at the Baikal village of Listvyanka. After time to settle in, a visit to the local open-air museum offers a vivid insight into the history of the region, and traditional life and lifestyles in old Siberia. The traditional lifestyle theme continues in the evening with a chance to visit a banja, the original Russian sauna.
DAY - 8 Lake Baikal
What could be more romantic than a horse-drawn troika sleigh ride — the next highlight on your programme! From February, this is followed by an exhilarating motorised sledge ride on the frozen Lake Baikal. Afterwards, it is onwards and upwards by cable car (if already in operation) to a special vantage point with stunning views out across Lake Baikal. This vantage point is also renowned for its cold temperatures – so this may be the place to experience the lowest temperatures you have ever known! Subsequently, a visit to a local family includes a tasty traditional Russian meal. The final stop around the lake is the Baikal Museum, which showcases this area's special ecosystem and the lake itself, the world's largest fresh water reservoir. The day ends in Irkutsk in your centrally located hotel.
DAY - 9 Irkutsk
Today's guided walking tour includes the fascinating Museum of Architecture and Ethnography, the Trans-Siberian Memorial to Tsar Alexander III, the Drama Theatre and the vibrant and bustling covered market — just the place to find a few souvenirs! A city tour takes you to one of East Siberia's largest monastery complexes and to the House of Europe. Back on board in the evening, your train pulls out of Irkutsk station heading for Ulaanbatar
DAY - 10 On board
After the intensive and varied programme of the last days, a day on board offers an ideal chance to relax and recharge the batteries! The entertaining on-board talks focus on winter travels during the age of the tsars and the Mongol invasions.
DAY - 11 Nomad experience
Over breakfast, watch the taiga mountain landscape of northern Mongolia slide by with its scattered nomad settlements. As your train pulls into the Mongolian capital city of Ulaanbatar this morning, porters are already waiting to help with your luggage. Your mid-class hotel is conveniently located in the centre of the city. This first night in Ulaanbatar also offers the chance to stay in a (preheated) nomad felt tent in unspoilt — and probably very frosty! — surroundings (advance booking required). Sleeping in a traditional felt tent under the stars in the majestic quiet of nature – a truly unique experience! This afternoon is dedicated to a visit to the National Museum of Mongolia. Those taking hotel accommodation can enjoy an evening programme of Mongolian folklore with throat singing, music performed on the traditional bowed string instrument, the morin khuur, national costumes, myths and dance. The nomad felt tent option includes traditional Mongolian tales around an open fire.
DAY - 12 Ulaanbaatar
Today's programme offers such impressive sights as the Buddhist Gandan monastery and the quirky architectural masterpiece of Choijin Lama Temple. The temple architecture is unique worldwide for its dramatic depictions of the torments of hell for those leaving the path of righteousness. This afternoon excursion visits a family of cattle breeders just outside the city.
DAY - 13 Journey ends Ulaanbaatar
Your journey through this magical winter landscape has come to an end!
While Ulaanbaatar marks the journey's end for some guests, we offer the option to continue on to Beijing. The scheduled Chinese train leaves Ulaanbatar for Beijing in the morning. The journey to China's capital city takes around 35 hours in total, and crosses the vast Gobi desert. An experienced guide is on hand to assist, for example, with arranging meals on the train. Evening brings the last night in a sleeping car on this journey
DAY - 14 Arrival in Beijing
The train pulls into Beijing this afternoon. After settling into your centrally located first-class hotel, there is still enough time to get a first impression of this fascinating city.
DAY - 15 Beijing
Start the day with an extensive guided tour of the legendary Forbidden City. Afterwards, join the city tour for such sights as the magnificent Temple of Heaven. This evening, enjoy a delicious speciality dinner in one of Beijing's top Peking Duck restaurants.
DAY - 16 Beijing and back home
Breakfast in the hotel is followed by a transfer to the airport and the flight home.
Download our trip itinerary for full details of the tour plus visa requirements, climate info, hints, tips, and a travellers' checklist.
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