Our Trips

Epic Trans-Sib

St. Petersburg to Beijing

“

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 01 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

Arrival in St. Petersburg. Your driver will meet on arrival and transfer you by private car to the hotel.

DAY 02 – Around St. Petersburg

After breakfast one of our local experts will meet you at your hotel in the lobby for a three hour walking and familiarisation tour.

The rest of the day is your own.

DAY 03 – 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 04 – Arrival in Moscow

We transfer you by private car directly to your 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 05 – Explore Moscow

Free time to explore Moscow independently.

DAY 06 – Departing Moscow

Transfer to Yaroslavsky Station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train.

DAY 07 – On board The Trans-Sib

Travelling through Kazan and Ekaterinburg.

DAY 08 – On board The Trans-Sib

Onwards into Siberia itself via Novosibirsk.

DAY 09 – On board The Trans-Sib

Across the River Enisei at Krasnoyarsk.

DAY 10–13 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 – Explore Listvyanka

Day at leisure at Listvyanka Village.

DAY 13 – Departing Irkutsk

Transfer back to the city of Irkutsk, Evening transfer to the station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar 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 – Kodilnaya

Today is a rest day – we don’t go anywhere! After breakfast you are free to wander around the village of Kodilnaya, explore the woods and natural surroundings – relax, read a book, sunbathe, or go for a swim in Lake Baikal.

DAY 13 – 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 Ulaanbaatar bound train.

DAY 14 – On board The Trans-Sib

Circumnavigating Lake Baikal towards Mongolia.

DAY 15 – 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.

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 16 – 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 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

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

DAY 19 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and check into the Bayangol Hotel. The balance of the day is your own to explore this city of contrasts. Culture, shopping, food? This capital city won’t disappoint.

DAY 20 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

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

DAY 21 – Arrival in Beijing

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

Association of Independent Tour Operators

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	1 person	2 people	3-9 people
Full On
21 days full on	£3115	£2325	£2255
22 days full on	£3220	£2380	£2280
Extra night St. Petersburg	£90	£65	£65
Extra night Moscow midweek	£110	£75	£75
Extra night Moscow weekend	£90	£65	£65
2-berth upgrade Moscow-St. Petersburg	£100	£100	£100
2-berth upgrade Moscow-Beijing	£560	£560	£560

Our Trips

Epic Trans-Sib

St. Petersburg to Beijing

Map

Trip overview

DAY 01 – Arrival in St. Petersburg

DAY 02 – Around St. Petersburg

DAY 03 – Departing St. Petersburg

DAY 04 – Arrival in Moscow

DAY 05 – Explore Moscow

DAY 06 – Departing Moscow

DAY 07 – On board The Trans-Sib

DAY 08 – On board The Trans-Sib

DAY 09 – On board The Trans-Sib

DAY 10–13 Baikal programmes

Option 1 – Siberian Village

DAY 10 – Arrival in Irkutsk

DAY 11 – Choose one activity from the list

DAY 12 – Explore Listvyanka

DAY 13 – Departing Irkutsk

Option 2 – Bolshoe Goloustnoye

DAY 10 – Arrival in Irkutsk

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

DAY 12 – Kodilnaya

DAY 13 – Departing Irkutsk

DAY 14 – On board The Trans-Sib

DAY 15 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

DAY 16 – Onwards to Harhorin

DAY 17 – Elstei Ger Lodge

DAY 18 – Elstei Ger Lodge

DAY 19 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

DAY 20 – Departing Ulaanbaatar

DAY 21 – Arrival in Beijing

1

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2

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3-9

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Full On

Extras

Upgrading to 2- berth compartment

Starting or ending in China

2012 - 21 Days

2012 - 22 Days