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Trans-Mongolian Express
19 days, Beijing to Saint-Petersburg
Itinerary
Day 1Beijing
Arrive at any time. Want to experience more time in Beijing? Book the Beijing Express, a three-day pre-tour package. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
There are no planned activities until the group meeting in the evening.
Want to explore more of Beijing? Add the “Beijing Express” to your adventure and spend three days getting to know the city with the expertise of a local guide. This package includes two nights accommodation in Beijing, a hike along the Great Wall and a tour of the Forbidden City. With time to indulge in local cuisine and explore the ancient laneways of central Beijing, this three day express is the perfect way to kickstart any trip. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Beijing Express
Want to explore more of Beijing? Add the “Beijing Express” to your adventure and spend three days getting to know the city with the expertise of a local guide. This package includes two nights accommodation in Beijing, a hike along the Great Wall, and a tour of the Forbidden City. With time to indulge in local cuisine and explore the ancient laneways of central Beijing, this three-day express is the perfect way to kickstart any trip. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Day 2Beijing/Ulaanbaatar
Ride the rails through China and into Mongolia. Watch as the landscape changes and make friends with neighbours.
While on board, settle in and enjoy impressive views as the train tackles the mountains before descending to the arid lands of Inner Mongolia and continuing into the heart of rural Asia.
In the evening, reach the border post of Erlian. Here, the train's wheels will be changed to accommodate a different gauge rail. Opt to stay on board and watch it happen.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Border Crossing (China - Mongolia)
Ready for a link more ink in your passport? Cross from China to Mongolia.
Day 3Ulaanbaatar
Awake to the stunning landscapes of the south Gobi. The classic image of Mongolian horses and gers (yurts) dot the scenery from horizon to horizon. The occasional nomad encampment appears mirage-like through the carriage window. Arrive to Ulaanbaatar, get your bearings on an orientation walk. Afterwards, stop for a visit to No Limits Cafe and enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks prepared and served by local youth with Down Syndrome, and their mothers. Then start exploring, choose to take in a local cultural show or enjoy some Mongolian barbecue.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute — start exploring.
Your G for Good Moment: Cafe No Limits Visit
Pop in for a visit to the No Limits Cafe and enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks prepared and served by local youth with Down Syndrome, and their mothers.
The Down Syndrome Association of Mongolia is a non-profit organization that supports children who live with Down syndrome, and their families. The organization focuses on creating community awareness, advocacy, and educational efforts within Mongolia. The No Limits Cafe began as an effort to create job opportunities and training for young people with Down syndrome and their mothers who are often left out of benefitting from economic opportunities. Through the cafe, the program works to break down barriers for people and families living with disabilities.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Mongolian Cultural Show
30000MNT per personEnjoy an evening of song and dance at the Mongolian Cultural Show. The show includes 15 different performances, including traditional songs, dancing, throat singing, and contortionists.
Day 4Ulaanbaatar/Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Enjoy an included city tour with a local guide to learn more about the rich history and culture of Mongolia. Later, leave the metropolis and travel into Mongolia's Terelj National Park. Enjoy a night in a traditional ger camp.
Discover one of the most important Mongolian temple complexes, the Gandan Monastery. Learn about the history of Buddhism in Mongolia and hope for the chance to see chanting monks. If lucky, a local fortune teller may be around to share some wisdom. After the Monastery, the tour will continue in the Winter Palace of the last Mongolian King (the only King's palace that survived the revolution). At the end of the tour, visit Zaisan Hill, a great viewpoint with a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers.
Gandan Monastery Guided Tour
Discover one of the most important Mongolian temple complexes, the Gandan Monastery. Learn about the history of Buddhism in the region and see if you can spot some chanting monks. If lucky, a local fortune teller may be around to share some wisdom.
Bogd Khan Palace Guided Tour
Visit the Winter Palace of the last king (now a museum) and learn more about life in imperial Mongolia. Tour the six temples, and see clothing, furniture, and royal items from this interesting time period.
Zaisan Hill Visit
Head to the top of Zaisan Hall to see the Russian monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died in World War II. Take in a bird's-eye view of the city.
Genghis Khan Monument Visit
Towering over the banks of the Tuul River, the 131ft tall Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is truly a sight to behold amid the flatlands of Mongolia. According to legend, this is where the mighty Khan discovered a golden whip that aided his many conquests. Stop by the visitors' centre, then ascend into the head of the horse, where a panoramic view of the landscape awaits.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Local Living Moment: Traditional Ger Stay
Enjoy the simple life in the grasslands of Mongolia. Stay in traditional gers, which are round wooden tents covered in felt, with a stove in the middle. There are beds inside the spacious interior and the gers stay quite cozy, even in Mongolia's brutal winters. Enjoy some typical Mongolian fare and try your hand at archery, or opt to hike to a Tibetan monastery with a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Spend the night in a ger camp learning about traditional life.
Walk through the valleys and live simply while overnighting in a traditional ger camp.
Your Local Living Moment: Traditional Ger Stay
Enjoy the simple life in the grasslands of Mongolia. Stay in traditional gers, which are round wooden tents covered in felt, with a stove in the middle. There are beds inside the spacious interior and the gers stay quite cozy, even in Mongolia's brutal winters. Enjoy some typical Mongolian fare and try your hand at archery, or opt to hike to a Tibetan monastery with a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Gorkhi Terelj National Park/Irkutsk
Head back to Ulaanbaatar for a few hours before boarding the train to Siberia.
Return back to Ulaanbaatar before boarding the next train.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
Enjoy a few more hours in this fascinating capital city.
Border Crossing (Mongolia - Russia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Say goodbye to Mongolia and hello to Russia.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Irkutsk/Listvyanka
Travel to Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Opt to visit Baikal Limnological Museum, enjoy a 'banya' (Russian sauna) or take a boat ride on the lake.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Baikal Limnological Museum
350RUB per personTour the Baikal Limnological Museum and learn all about Lake Baikal and surrounding area’s wildlife and local flora. Visit its living exhibition full of fish and marine life, and check out the arboretum located nearby.
Lake Baikal Boat Trip
Head out by boat to explore beautiful Lake Baikal. Enjoy the sun and scenery of this isolated region.
Russian Banya (Bathhouse)
2000-3500RUB per personEnjoy some relaxing in a banya (Russian sauna), which is very popular in Russia. Typically, Russians visit their local neighbourhood banya once a week to get a good scrub, sweat out the toxins, and drink tea with their friends. They often wear floppy felt hats in the sauna and beat each other with birch branches tied together -- it's only true way to get all the vodka out.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 8Listvyanka
Spend a full day exploring the surrounding countryside of Lake Baikal.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. With free time, catch a glimpse into why this is the "Galapagos of Russia". Opt to go for a boat ride or take a short hike.
Free Time
Enjoy a full day in Listvyanka exploring the surrounding countryside.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Lake Baikal Boat Trip
Head out by boat to explore beautiful Lake Baikal. Enjoy the sun and scenery of this isolated region.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Listvyanka/Irkutsk
Head back to Irkutsk for an included city tour of one of the most beautiful cities in Siberia. Take some time to shop like the locals at the Central Market to stay well-fed on the voyage.
Irkutsk Guided City Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of Irkutsk and learn about the history of how this Siberian gem came to be. Soak in the beautiful architecture of the quaint wooden houses and visit the bustling central market.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Decembrists Museum Visit
300RUB per personThe Decembrists Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into early 19th century life in Siberia. On December 14, 1825, there was an uprising of high-ranking officials in St Petersburg demanding reform. The uprising was suppressed and those that weren't executed were exiled to Siberia for life. Wander room to room, learn about their struggle, and their important role in developing the now charming city of Irkutsk.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Irkutsk/Yekaterinburg
Continue on from Irkutsk to Yekaterinburg. Drink with locals in the dining car, buy homemade food on the platform from "babushkas" (Russian grandmothers), read, relax, play cards, meet your fellow passengers, watch the taiga forests go by — this is what the experience is all about!
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 11Irkutsk/Yekaterinburg
Continue on and arrive to the soviet-style city in the Ural Mountain region.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Day 12Yekaterinburg
Enjoy a guided tour of Yekaterinburg, including the Church of All Saints on Spilled Blood and the Black Tulip monument.
With free time, opt to see a performance at the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre, visit the fine art gallery or spend some time at the military museum.
Yekaterinburg City Tour
Head out for a guided walking tour of the important sites around Yekaterinburg. Take note of the contrast between the elegant onion-domed churches and the gray soviet bulk. Learn more about the devastating history of the Romanov family, and visit the moving monuments at the Church of All Saints on Spilled Blood.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Yekaterinburg/Moscow
Cross from Asia to Europe on this 24hr train from Yekaterinburg to Moscow.
In the morning, board the Trans-Ural Railway. Say farewell to Asia while crossing the Urals into Europe.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Yekaterinburg/Moscow
Arrive to Moscow and start exploring. Take an orientation walk of the metro then opt for a Moskva River boat trip or a visit to Lenin's Mausoleum, the Tretiakov Gallery or St Basil's Cathedral.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Make the most of your time in this fascinating city.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Lenin's Mausoleum
FreeReady to meet one the most famous embalmed leaders in the world? Lenin's Mausoleum is a popular stop for travellers in Russia and is located conveniently in Red Square.
Moskva River Boat Trip
400RUB per personCome aboard this riverboat trip to enjoy some fresh air and a whole new way to see Moscow. Spot famous attractions while cruising down the river, and catch many sights you may miss on shore. Perhaps, discover some new places to visit later on foot.
Saint Basil's Cathedral
Check out the colourful onion-domed towers of stunning St Basil's Cathedral, located right in the middle of a sprawling open square. It is the most quintessential Russian sight, and definitely lives up to its hype.
Day 15Moscow
Enjoy a guided Kremlin and Armoury tour before free time to explore.
The area around the Red Square is perfect for sightseeing and people watching. Visit one of the many shops, wander the Alexandr Gardens or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Head down into the metro to explore the beautiful stations or visit another part of the city.
Kremlin and Armoury Ticket
Enjoy a visit to one of the most famous symbols of Russia. For centuries, it was a residence of the tsars, and today it is the official residence of the President of Russian Federation. The Armoury Chamber is a massive treasure trove that houses thousands of items gifted to the Russian tsars and emperors by royals and ambassadors from around the world. Get ready to be stunned by gold goblets, famous Faberge eggs, 18th century embroidery, and gilded royal carriages.
Free Time
With so much to see and do, get exploring.
Optional Activities - Day 15 HideShow
Red Square Visit
FreeThe Red Square is an excellent place to start exploring Moscow. Indulge in the many fantastic food and shopping options nearby; you also have easy access to St Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum, and Alexandr Gardens. Most of Moscow's main streets lead from Red Square and the famous Moscow metro provides easy access in and out of it.
Day 16Moscow
Enjoy one last day with free time to explore the many museums, art galleries, or theatres that Moscow has to offer.
Free Time
Spend the day soaking in the sights, eating in a local café or visiting museums.
Optional Activities - Day 16 HideShow
Alexander Garden Visit
FreeWander the beautiful Alexander Gardens or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Lenin's Mausoleum
FreeReady to meet one the most famous embalmed leaders in the world? Lenin's Mausoleum is a popular stop for travellers in Russia and is located conveniently in Red Square.
Day 17Moscow/Saint-Petersburg
Take an early morning transfer to the train station and board a high speed train to St. Petersburg. Get oriented with the city before enjoying some free time to explore.
St Petersburg, one of Europe's finest cities, is home to baroque European architecture combined with the opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Its tree-lined streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a favourite destination for travellers from around the globe.
Upon arrival to St Petersburg take a walking tour of the city. Learn the sordid history of the city from the Peter the Great to Dostoevsky to the Seige of Leningrad.
Train
Hop on the high speed train and head to St. Petersburg.
Saint Petersburg Walking Tour
Take a guided walking tour to get familiar with the city – each walking tour is different based on the route the local guide chooses to take. Discover the hidden back alleys and small parks St Petersburg is famous for, as the local guide lifts the veil on this hidden world. Learn about the city’s fascinating history, and hear retelling of stories about famous buildings and local residents. Typically, the tour will stay around Nevsky Prospekt and will often end at the Hermitage, with visits to the Kazan Cathedral, the Church on Spilled Blood, and St Isaac's Cathedral along the way.
Optional Activities - Day 17 HideShow
Midnight Canal Boat Tour
800RUB per personOpt for a midnight canal cruise in St Petersburg during the summer months when the sun barely sets. The experience is particularly fantastic in June during the White Nights' celebrations.
Day 18Saint-Petersburg
Visit the Hermitage Museum with free time to continue exploring the "Venice of Russia."
Hermitage Museum Visit
Visit the Hermitage Museum, one of the biggest museums in Europe, famous for its amazing art collection. Be inspired by its varied exhibitions, and wander among storied walls – the museum was previously home to the Tsars for almost 200 years.
Free Time
Explore the opulent streets of this city.
Optional Activities - Day 18 HideShow
Midnight Canal Boat Tour
800RUB per personOpt for a midnight canal cruise in St Petersburg during the summer months when the sun barely sets. The experience is particularly fantastic in June during the White Nights' celebrations.
Peterhof Visit
1500RUB per personOne of St. Petersburg's most famous and popular visitor attractions, the palace and park at Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) are often referred to as "the Russian Versailles", although many visitors conclude that the comparison does a disservice to the grandeur and scope of this majestic estate.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 19Saint-Petersburg
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.