Our Trips

Epic Trans-Sib

Beijing to St. Petersburg

“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 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 transfer 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 – Elstei Ger Lodge

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

DAY 05 – 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.

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

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 07 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

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

DAY 08 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

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

DAY 09 – 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 Bolshoe Goloustnoye, which is available for two or more passengers travelling together, for arrivals between 1st June until 1st September.

Option 1 – Siberian Village

DAY 10 – Arrival in Irkutsk

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

DAY 11 – 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 12 – Departing Irkutsk

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

Option 2 – Bolshoe Goloustnoye

DAY 10 – Arrival in Irkutsk

Early morning arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer by car to Bolshoe Goloustnoye village, on the shores of Lake Baikal. The village is made up almost entirely of wooden-built traditional Siberian izba solid log houses.

DAY 11 – Trekking along the Baikal shore (20 km)

After breakfast we get ready to set off on foot along the shores of Baikal! There are a few upward hauls – but it’s all on paths, with no scrambling! The astounding views across the world’s greatest lake make it all worth while. The afternoon is more downhill, heading into Kodilnaya – where there’s a log cabin for our overnight accommodation, and a warm fire burning in the hearth. Our staff will be busy making a hot supper for you, while you ease-off your walk in the sauna before suppertime. Today’s total route is twenty kilometres, or around twelve miles.

DAY 12 – Departing Irkutsk

After breakfast we repack our day-packs and continue our shoreline saunter towards Bolshie Koty – the Baikal village whose name means “Big Cats” in Russian. We cover ten kilometres (six miles) today – but some of it is a bit steep, so we take a steady pace! On arrival at Bolshie Koty we’ll take the local timetabled hydrofoil service across the waters of Lake Baikal, back to the city boat terminal in Irkutsk. There is a chance to have some free time (we’ll watch your bags!) in Irkutsk before this evening transfer to the station for the Moscow bound train.

DAY 13 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards via Novosibirsk.

DAY 14 – 15 On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

DAY 16 – Arrival in Moscow

Very early morning arrival in Moscow. Your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you by private car to the hotel. Your room will be allocated on arrival. You will have a chance to have breakfast before setting out on today’s three hour walking and familiarisation tour. This will introduce you to the city (and its public transport system) and 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

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 19 – Explore 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 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.

Association of Independent Tour Operators

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	1 person	2 people	3-9 people
Full On
20 days full on	£3005	£2280	£2185
21 days full on	£3090	£2335	£2240
Extra night Beijing	£75	£40	£40
Extra night Moscow midweek	£110	£75	£75
Extra night Moscow weekend	£90	£65	£65
Extra night St. Petersburg	£90	£65	£65
2-berth upgrade Beijing-Moscow	£560	£560	£560
2-berth upgrade Moscow-St. Petersburg	£100	£100	£100