Everyone’s heard of “Outer Mongolia”, without actually knowing anything about it. But “Inner Mongolia”? The names come from Imperial China. When they conquered Mongolia they realised that ruling it would be impossible. So the grassland part nearest to Beijing (the “Inner” part) they ruled like the rest of China, but they gave up once the Gobi was in the way, and the “Outer” part was ruled by martial law. “Outer Mongolia” is now the independent country of Mongolia, one of the world’s least visited countries. “Inner Mongolia” is still a part of China, and you can imagine how few go to it? But it was once the richest part of Mongolia – this trip is for the inquisitive and adventurous!

Map

Trip overview

DAY 1 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

Arrival in St. Petersburg. We transfer you directly to your hotel.

DAY 2 – Explore St Petersburg

After breakfast one of our 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 3 – Departing St. Petersburg

A full day for you to pack in the best of the rest. Own transfer this evening to Moskovsky Station where you will board the Moscow bound train.

DAY 4 – Arrival in Moscow

We transfer you directly to your hotel. 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 5 – Explore Moscow

After breakfast the day is free to explore Moscow independently.

DAY 6 – Departing Moscow

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

DAY 7 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

DAY 8 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards into Siberia itself, via Novosibirsk.

DAY 9 – On board The Trans-Sib

Across the River Yenisei, at Krasnoyarsk.

Days 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  Trek, which is available for arrivals between 1st June until 1st September. The Soft Trek is a camping expedition and requires a good level of fitness. You are required to help the guide carry the equipment provided.

DAY 13 – Departing Irkutsk

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

DAY 14 – 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 a herdsman encampment. Tonight you are the guests of the herdsmen, and you’ll stay in a nomadic ger tent.

DAY 15 – Onwards to Harhorin

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 16 – Morning spent with your Nomad family

Free time to explore the Bayangobi area. This evening you stay with your nomad host family and learn traditional Mongolian games.

DAY 17 – 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 18 – Elstei Ger Lodge

Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to partake in optional activities.

DAY 19 – Back to Ulaanbaatar

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

DAY 20 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Huhehot bound train.

DAY 21 – Arrival in Huhehot

Transfer to your hotel.

DAY 22 – Full day guided city tour of Huhehot

The capital of Inner Mongolia.

DAY 23 – Departing Huhehot

Own transfer to the station this evening where you will board the Beijing bound train.

DAY 24 – Arrival in Beijing

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

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.

 *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 – 24 Days

2010 – 25 Days