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Our Trips

Classic Mammoth Trans-Sib

Beijing to St. Petersburg

 

The idea of this one is to combine the “top stops” into one astonishing itinerary. It’s a nice balance between three “Asian” stops (Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Ulan-Uday). and four “Russian” stops (Irkutsk, Ekaterinburg, Moscow and St. Petersburg). This one’s highly customisable – your stops include one set of options that feature the active outdoors, or another set profiling local culture and tradition. Like most of what Russia Experience does, the only herds you’ll see are sheep or goats – these are side-trips that couldn’t work for big groups even if we wanted to (which we don’t)… we springboard you into the remoter locations away from the railway which have “what you came to see”.

 

Map

 

Trip overview

DAY 01 – Arrival in Beijing

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

DAY 02 – Departing Beijing

Own transport to Beijing Central Station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar bound train.

DAY 03 – 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 04 – Free time at Elstei Ger Lodge

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

DAY 05 – Depart for the Bayangobi region

After breakfast 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.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NOMAD STAYS: When we say "nomad stay" it means exactly that - you are sharing the lives of herdsmen who live on the Mongolian Steppe. There's often no electricity, they don't speak English, and there isn't any plumbing!

DAY 06 – 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 07 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

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

DAY 08 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

Before your evening transfer to the station where you will board the Ulan-Uday bound train.

DAY 09 – Arrival in Ulan-Uday

Arrival late evening in Ulan-Uday, transfer to home-stay by private car.

DAY 10 – Guided trip to Atsagatsky Buddhist Lamasery

After the monastery, try cuisine of Buryatia lunch with a village family.

DAY 11 – Visit to the Ivolginsky Datsan

Excursion to Tarbagatay a village with traditional brightly painted house. Home to the "old believers". Some have called them "Russia's Amish" . Late evening transfer to the station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

DAY 12 – Arrival in Irkutsk

Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal.

DAY 13 – Choose one activity from the list

It’s all included in the trip price.

  • (A) Siberian trek
  • (B) Circum Baikal picnic
  • C) Taltsy wooden museum
  • (D) Do your own thing

DAY 14 – Return to Irkutsk

Transfer from Listvyanka Village back Irkutsk, free time to explore. Early evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Ekaterinburg bound train. 

DAY 15 – On board The Trans-Sib

Heading for Ekaterinburg.

DAY 16 – Arrival in Ekaterinburg

Evening arrival in Ekaterinburg, transfer to hotel by private car.

DAY 17 – Ekaterinburg

Walking and familiarisation tour with local expert this morning. Balance of day free to explore.

DAY 18 – Your choice of Ekaterinburg activties

Please make a choice of one of the day trip options, it is all include in the price.

  • (A) Romanov Graves & Europe Asia Border
  • (B) Siberian countryside and historic village
  • (C) Hiking in the Urals
  • (D) Walk in the Urals Forest

DAY 19 – Departing Ekaterinburg

Walking and familiarisation tour with local expert this morning. Balance of day free to explore.

DAY 20 – Arrival in Moscow

Your driver will meet on arrival and transfer you by private car to the hotel. This morning there's a three hour walking and familiarisation 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 21 – Explore Moscow

Free time to explore Moscow independently.

DAY 22 – 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 23 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

Your driver will meet on arrival and transfer you by private car to the hotel. This morning there's a three hour walking and familiarisation tour.

DAY 24 – Explore St. Petersburg

Free time to explore St. Petersburg independently.

DAY 25 – 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.

Association of Independent Tour Operators  Travel Trust Association