“Couldn’t we have the two best en-route stops”, you asked us, “but with more time in each 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 Moscow

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

 

DAY 2 – Around Moscow

After breakfast one of our local expert guides will meet you at your hotel in the lobby for 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 3 – Departing Moscow

A full day to continue your sightseeing. Evening transfer to Yaroslavsky Station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

 

DAY 4 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

 

DAY 5 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards into Siberia itself via Novosibirsk.

 

DAY 6 – On board The Trans-Sib

Across the River Enisei at Krasnoyarsk.

 

DAY 7–10 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. The Adventure Trek is a camping expedition and requires a good level of fitness. and you are required to help the guide carry the equipment provided.

 

 

 

DAY 11 – On board The Trans-Sib

Circumnavigating Lake Baikal towards Mongolia.

 

DAY 12 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Transfer from the station, shower and breakfast.  Depart for city tour to include the Gandan Monastery ceremony. Depart Ulaanbaatar for the Bayangobi region.  Evening arrival at the encampment. Tonight you are the guests of the herdsmen, and you’ll stay in a nomadic ger tent.

 

DAY 13 – Onwards to Harhorin

Depart after breakfast 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 14 – Elstei Ger Lodge

Evening arrival at Elstei Ger Lodge.  This is a different experience from staying with nomads, as Elstei is purposely set up for foreign visitors. This evening, chill out and relax after the long journey.

 

DAY 15 – Elstei Ger Lodge

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

 

DAY 16 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

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

 

DAY 17 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Beijing bound train.

 

DAY 18 – Arrival in Beijing

Arriving into Beijing Central Station at the end of your Trans-Siberian journey.

 

	1 person	2 people	3-9 people
Full On
18 days full on	£2499	£1799	£1710
19 days full on	£2584	£1855	£1763
Extra night Moscow	£90	£60	£60
2-berth upgrade Moscow -Beijing	£560	£560	£560

 

 

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.