“Couldn’t we have the three best en-route stops”, you asked us, “but with more time in  one?”  “What a great chance to get to the Gobi Desert!” we answered, and “The Epic Trans-Sib” was born. The highlight here, obviously, is getting to Erdenezuu, in Bayan-Gobi. It’s built on the site of Genghis Khan’s former Great Encampment (“Kuriltai”), and modern “Harhorin” is actually… Karakorum. But don’t let your eyes miss the other goody here – some super Baikal activity options, including trekking and scuba.

 

Map

 

 

Trip overview

 

DAY 1 – Arrival in Beijing

Make your own way to the hotel. Free time to explore one of the world’s fastest growing capital cities.

 

DAY 2 – Departing Beijing

Own transfer to Beijing Central station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar bound train.

 

DAY 3 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Transfer to a hotel where you have the opportunity to freshen up and have a light snack before departing on your city tour, then transfer to Elstei Ger Lodge.

 

DAY 4 – Elstei Ger Lodge

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

 

DAY 5 – Bayangobi Region

Depart for the Bayangobi region. Picnic lunch en-route. Arriving at herdsmen encampment late afternoon. Tonight you are the guests of the herdsmen, and you’ll stay in a nomadic ger tent.

 

DAY 6 – Onwards to Harhorin

After breakfast depart 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 7 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and check into the Bayangol Hotel. Day at leisure in the capital.

 

DAY 8 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Free time before your evening transfer to the station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

 

DAY 9 – On board The Trans-Sib

Midnight border crossing.

 

DAY 10–12 Baikal programmes

Here we give you the option to make a choice of either Siberian Village which is staying in Listvyanka Village on the shores of Lake Baikal. OR Adventure Trek, which is available for two or more passengers travelling together, for arrivals between 1st June until 1st September. This is a camping expedition and requires a good level of fitness.

 

 

DAY 13 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards via Novosibirsk.

 

DAY 14 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

 

DAY 15 – Arrival in Moscow

Arrival in Moscow. We transfer you directly to your hotel.

 

DAY 16 – Around Moscow

Today there’s a three hour walking 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 17 – Departing Moscow

A full day to continue your sightseeing. Own transfer this evening to Leningradsky Station where you will board the St. Petersburg bound train.

 

DAY 18 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

We transfer you directly to your hotel. Today one of our St. Petersburg local expert guides will meet you at your hotel in the lobby, for a three hour walking tour. The rest of the day is your own. 

 

DAY 19 – Explore St. Petersburg

The day is free to explore St. Petersburg independently.

 

DAY 20 – End of Trans-Siberian journey

You will need to check out of your room by 12 noon.  Own transport to the airport or station on departure.

 

The above description is just a brief outline of the journey. To see a detailed account of our trip and find out essential trip information, we recommend you download the trip itinerary - the link can be found at the right hand side of this page.

	1 person	2 people	3-9 people
Full On
20 days full on	£2780	£1995	£1895
21 days full on	£2865	£2050	£1948
Extra night Beijing	£75	£40	£40
Extra night Moscow	£90	£60	£60
Extra night St. Petersburg	£85	£60	£60
2-berth upgrade Beijing-Moscow	£560	£560	£560
2-berth upgrade Moscow-St. Petersburg	£90	£90	£90

*Please note a seasonal supplement of £50 per person is applicable on all St. Petersburg "full on" trips between 01 MAY  – 30 SEP inclusive.

 

For full details of what's included in the trip price please download the trip itinerary - the link can be found at the right hand side of this page.

 

Extras

 

The journey you have chosen has some “extras” that are necessary and then “extras" that will enhance your trip. We cannot re-iterate too much that at Russia Experience we pride ourselves on making the trip you have chosen the best it can be – so if we don’t mention something you want, ask us and we’ll try our best to make it happen! In return, we try to inform you about any great “extras” along the way, so that you have the chance to try them if you want! Visas are a necessary extra and needed for all the countries you travel through and the current costs and what is needed can be found under Visas.

 

Upgrading to 2- berth compartment

Upgrading to 2- berth compartment on the train is also an option, you will see under Prices. This service is becoming more popular every year and not helped by the train operators only confirming this request 30 days or less prior to your departure. We have however devised a workaround for this that’s proving very reliable. We request a 2-berth at the time of booking but if this comes back not possible we block out a 4-berth compartment for 2 person occupancy. The standard of these cabins remains the same, and you get the extra space and privacy one way or the other.

 

 

We offer a range of unique day trip options

We offer a range of unique day trip options in and from St. Petersburg and Moscow which we recommend you pre-book prior to departure to avoid disappointment. We cannot guarantee them as an option to book locally in Russia (as the specialist local guides will probably already be allocated to pre-booked clients). The options and costs be will found under Russian Cities.

 

Starting or ending in China

We have a range of services for passengers wanting to stay or continue their journey into China at the start or end of their journey.

 

2010 – 20 Days

 

2010 – 21 Days