“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. 

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 – 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 – Explore Listvyanka

Transfer back to the city of Irkutsk, Evening transfer to the station where you will board 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.

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

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.