Classical Trans-Mongolian: Moscow - Irkutsk - Baikal - Mongolia - Beijing - uVisitRussia
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Classical Trans-Mongolian: Moscow - Irkutsk - Baikal - Mongolia - Beijing

One of the most iconic railway journeys in the world, travel from Moscow to Beijing through Mongolia.

Following the classic trade route, this Trans-Mongolian journey offers the opportunity for exploring some of the greatest cultures in the world. Beginning in Moscow we travel across Siberia to Irkutsk and through Mongolia before reaching the Chinese capital.

Type: Small Group Tours
Duration: 17 days

Itinerary Hide all details

Day 1: Saturday - Moscow

Arrival Transfer to the Hotel

Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector at Moscow’s airport with a sign board. From there you’ll transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Sunday - Moscow

Exploring Moscow. Red Square, St. Basil’s, Lenin Mausoleum

We begin our exploration of the Russian capital with a walking tour that takes in the most important sights of central Moscow. These include Lubyanka Square, once the nerve centre of the KGB in Soviet times, the Bolshoi Theatre and busy Tverskaya Street where shops, restaurants and people congregate. From there we make our way to Red Square. Arguably one of the most famous squares in the world, the name translates as beautiful, and it’s as aptly named today as when it got its moniker. We’ll absorb world famous sights like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Kazan Cathedral and the Kremlin towers, as well as paying a visit to the GUM department store.

Day 3: Monday - Moscow

Kremlin & Armoury

The Armoury Museum and Tsar Treasures, the first stop today, are one of the country’s unmissable sights. After a stroll in Cathedral Square, we’ll see what was once the storehouse for the Kremlin weaponry and later home to the Imperial Court’s most valuable possessions. The huge collection includes over fifty Faberge eggs, golden and silver works of applied art by Russian, European and Oriental masters, invaluable weapons and other works made of precious metals and stones. Finally today we’ll have a ride on the Moscow Underground. No ordinary transit system, this working metro features stations adorned with marble, mosaics, stained glass panels and bronze sculptures that would look at home in any art museum.

Day 4: Tuesday - Moscow

Free Day. Departure to Siberia

Today you have a free day on your own to discover the city for yourself. Optional excursions are available to book should you wish. Later, our driver will collect you from the hotel to transfer you to the train station for a comfortable rail journey to Irkutsk.

Day 5: DAY 5 - 7: Wednesday - Friday

On-board the Train to Siberia

Day 8: Saturday - Irkutsk - Listvyanka

Lake Baikal

Our guide will meet you with a sign board upon your arrival in Irkutsk and you’ll transfer to Listvyanka village, a journey of about 70km. Listvyanka sits on the shore of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake, on which you can take a boat ride. There’s also an interesting museum, market and Nerpinarium offering seal shows to visit should you choose.

Day 9: Sunday - Listvyanka - Irkutsk

Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. Exploring Irkutsk

On the way, we’ll make a stop at the open-air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy, situated on the river Angara’s banks in a forest. Its extensive collection of wooden houses and tents offer a glimpse into the traditional lifestyles of the Buryat and Evenk people in this region. You can also see the interiors of a Russian fort and a 15th century watchtower, as well as glimpse at a Shaman yurt and other interesting objects. Back in the city, we’ll admire Irkutsk’s impressive architecture and pretty log houses.

Day 10: Monday - Irkutsk

Departure to Mongolia

Transferring to the railway station, we leave the warm hospitality of the Siberian Russians and start our trip to Mongolia by comfortable train.

Day 11: Tuesday - Ulan Bator - Terelj

Arrival in Mongolia. Chinggis Khaan Monument. Enjoy Terelj National Park

Our guide will meet you at the railway station for your included transfer to Terelj National Park. We pause at the Chinggis Khaan monument which is located at Conjinboldog area on the bank of the Tuul River, a short drive from the Mongolian capital. This statue, the largest equestrian statue in the world, affords panoramic views to all those who climb it. In Terelj National park, we have a guided tour through this breathtaking landscape. We will explore Turtle Rock and after lunch at the campthere will be an opportunity to hike tonearby Aryabal monastery. Towards the end of the day we will visit a nomad family and get involved with country life, learning how to milk a cow and prepare dairy products. In summer, we will spend the night in a traditional felt tent known as a ger, whereas in winter, temperatures dictate it will be more comfortable in a wooden lodge.

Day 12: Wednesday - Terelj - Ulaanbaatar

Ulan Bator City Tour. National History Museum

Our driver will meet you at your accommodation for your return transportation to Ulan Bator, where we will have a city tour taking in Gandan Hiid Monastery, the country’s largest remaining monastery, Sukhebaatar Square and the Museum of Natural History, where you will see real dinosaur remains. We also have an included guided Visit to the National History Museum, one of the leading museums for Mongolian cultural heritage.

Day 13: Thursday - Ulan Bator

Departure to China

Look for our driver who will meet you with a sign board at the lobby of the hotel for your railway station transfer. We’ll take the Thursday-only Train 24, a fast train popular with foreign tourists. Choose from first class compartments (two berths, semi-private facilities including a shower) or second class (four berths, toilet and hot water only). The train has a dining car where meals can be purchased and also boiling water can be obtained from train attendants.

Day 14: Friday – Beijing

Arrival in China. Exploring Old Beijing (Hutong Area)

On arrival in Beijing, our driver will meet you with a sign board at the station and take you to the hotel. We’ll explore the ancient hutongs by rickshaw, neighbourhoods with narrow alleys dating from the Yuan Dynasty of the 13th century. From there, we take in the pretty views at Shichahai Lake where we can visit the Drum Tower, one of the city’s more famous sights. It will be possible to take a boat trip out onto the lake should you wish. Afterwards, you’ll have a free evening to explore the city by yourself.

Day 15: Saturday - Beijing

Tiananmen Square. Forbidden City & Summer Palace

Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing is the largest city square in the world and also the site of several key events in the Chinese history, including government troops stopping pro-democracy protesters there in 1989. On the edge of the square sits the Forbidden City, location of the Imperial Palace at the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties and famed for its collection of ancient wooden structures. Later, we move on to the Summer Palace which features elegant landscaped gardens in a lake setting.

Day 16: Sunday - Beijing

Badaling Great Wall. Visit to the Olympic Green

It’s surely impossible to say you’ve truly visited China if you haven’t set foot on the Great Wall, so we drive about 70km from Beijing to Badaling, the location of the most accessible and best preserved of the sections of the wall. On our return to the city, we stop off at the Olympic Green, built for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games. You’ll tick off some of the most recognisable venues including the Beijing National Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Green Hockey Field and many others specially constructed for this world sporting event.

Day 17: Monday - Beijing

Departure for the Airport

This is the end of your tour. Our driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight home.

What's included

  • Accommodation
  • Breakfasts in the hotels
  • Full-board in Mongolia & China
  • Train travel (overnight)
  • Guided tours & entrance fees
  • Visas: consular & processing fees
  • Airport & railway transfers
Not included in the price
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Optional excursions and services
  • Meals on the train
Additional expenses
  • Optional excursions
  • 1st class train upgrade
  • Theatre and circus tickets

Single supplement - $225

Solo supplement - $595

First Class train upgrade - $695

Additional info
  • Price “Excluding flight” does not cover airfare, you are free to book your own flights. Alternatively we can quote an airfare for you. We advise not to delay with booking your tour as airfares may go up.
  • Single supplement goes towards single room (cabin for cruises) accommodation.
  • Solo supplement is payable in the unlikely event when you are the only person on the tour. It will be refunded if other people join the same tour.

Price

Price packagePrice per person
Excluding flights

Price per person

Book now

Visa

Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.

Sights included in program

Moscow : The Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin, the beautiful and ancient ensemble stands high on the hill towering over the left bank of the Moskva river. The Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power and might of the Russian state, the national idea expressed in stone. It is the oldest part of the city, its political, historic and cultural centre, and the seat of the country's highest bodies of power. The Kremlin contains unique specimens of Russian metal cas... Read more
Moscow : Red Square
The famous Red Square is located in the heart of Moscow. Of course, no trip to Russia would be complete without a visit to Red Square, perhaps Russia's most well known place, and possibly the most famous city square in the world. It is Russia’s most recognizable landmark and is usually tourists first stop in Moscow. It is surrounded by Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Kremlin. Visitors... Read more
Tverskaya Street is a central Moscow street as well as one of the oldest ones. According to certain historical data, Tverskaya Street already existed in the 12th century. Russian Monarchs entered Moscow through this street. It is hard to believe today but Moscow started where Tverskaya Street did. Moscow’s best buildings, hotels, and shops were built here. Tverskaya Street is one of Moscow’s most expensive trade streets. It is also a ... Read more
Moscow : Moscow Subway
Moscow's Metro stations together amount to the most beautiful public transport facility in the world. Visitors to Moscow should not miss taking a ride on this glorious underground rail system, and exploring the stations. Each one has its own distinct aesthetic identity, variously adorned with Realist artworks, chandeliers, ornate pillars and marble floors. Moscow's metro caters to two and half billion passenger rides per year, making it the secon... Read more
The Bolshoi Theatre is a symbol of Russia for all time. It is one of the leading ballet and opera companies in the world. It was awarded this honor due to the major contribution it made to the history of the Russian performing arts. This history is on-going and today Bolshoi Theatre artists continue to contribute to it many bright pages. The Bolshoi building, which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow's main sights, was opened on... Read more
The Armoury Chamber - a treasure-house, it is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex, and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1808. The museum collections were based on the precious items that had been preserved for centuries in the tsars’ treasury and the Patriarch’s vestry. Some of the exhibits were made in the Kremlin’s workshops, others were accepted as ambassadorial gifts. The Armoury Cha... Read more
The St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscow just that this fascinating church at the heart of Moscow, is an exemplary work of art, which touchingly and glamorously traces back the history of Russia in an encompassing and solemn manner, that no other tourist attraction can ever surpass. It is an interesting milestone and a great leaping step towards world tourism and the interesting pieces of history in its courageous, attractive and worth reading whol... Read more
The Cathedral square came into being as early as the C14th, when the first stone churches were built here. At its northern end the square is framed by the massive golden dome of Assumption Cathedral, almost filling one end of the square. The space under its huge portal is filled by the image of the Holy Virgin surround by Archangels. Adjacent to Assumption Cathedral are the Patriarch's Chambers, with their pedestrian arches and Church of The... Read more
Moscow : GUM
The GUM shopping mall is a landmark in Moscow's Red Square. It occupies the majority of the historic square's east side with a facade stretching the length of two and a half football fields. The Gum (pronounced as 'goom') department store was built over a hundred years ago and is a testament to the expertise of late nineteenth century Russian architecture. With the looks of a royal palace this mall is a fitting addition to the numerous gems surro... Read more
Kazan Cathedral Russian: Казанский собор, formally known as the "Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan", is a Russian Orthodox church located on the northeast corner of Red Square in Moscow, Russia. The current building is a reconstruction of the original church, which was destroyed at the direction of then General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, in 1936. Read more
The name is first mentioned in 1480, when Ivan III settled many Novgorodians in the area.They built the church of St Sophia, modelled after St Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod, and called the area Lubyanka after the Lubyanitsy district of their native city. Read more
Baikal : Irkutsk
An unique old city, Irkutsk was known as «Paris of Siberia» in the middle of the 19th century. It plays a remarkable role in the Russian history and it's not accidentally called the city-museum. Irkutsk saves many ancient monuments, romantic look, church cupola's lighting upon the blue current of Angara River. This incredible city is called the midst of the Earth, since it's equidistant from the three world's oceans: the Arctic, the P... Read more
Listvyanka is perhaps one of the oldest Russian settlements on the shore of the great Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. It is a charming village dotted with traditional Siberian wooden houses, with a main road that runs right along the shore of fantastic lake, making it the perfect base to explore this picturesque region. This old-style Siberian village is one of the most visited places in Siberia. Everything about it impresses our imag... Read more
Baikal Limnological museum is located at the beginning of Listvyanka, beautiful old-style Siberian village, on the shore of fabulous Lake Baikal. The museum is engaged in collecting and storage the materials and analysis of the information bound with the lake.The unique exhibits tell about the origin and the history of the lake, its fantastic flora and fauna, geological structure, climate and tectonics of Pribaikalye. All scientific activities of... Read more
Taltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture is an unique storage of history and culture of the peoples of Eastern Siberia. This incredible open-air museum consists of several fabulous exhibit areas which hold interesting ethnographical collections and show life of the Siberians. The variety of amazing Siberian wooden izbas, churches, living houses and Buryat wooden yurts were brought together from different parts of Siberia. The museum is conveniently l... Read more
1/7th of the World : Baikal
Lake Baikal in Siberia is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site and was also voted as one of Russia's Seven Wonders. It's not hard to see why. Baikal is one of those rare spots on the earth where nature has still remained genuine and untouched. The magnificent landscapes – the lake is surrounded by high mountain chains - and the unique clarity of the crystal-clear water, which runs into a darkness teeming with fish. Siberians believe that ... Read more
1/7th of the World : Beijing
Beijing, formerly romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China, the world's second most populous city proper, and most populous capital city. The city, located in northern China, is governed as a direct-controlled municipality under the national government with 16 urban, suburban, and rural districts. Beijing Municipality is surrounded by Hebei Province with the exception of neighboring Tianjin Municipality to the southea... Read more
1/7th of the World : Ulaanbaatar
If Mongolia's yin is its pristine countryside, then Ulaanbaatar conforms nicely to its yang. Located in north central Mongolia, fabulous Ulaanbaatar is the cultural, industrial, and financial heart of the country. The city was founded in 1639 as a movable (nomadic) Buddhist monastic centre, and in the twentieth century, Ulaanbaatar grew into a major manufacturing centre. Mostly described, as sunny, peaceful and open, Ulaanbaatar is a city of cont... Read more
Explore : Moscow
Moscow can be an overwhelming experience for visitors - there's just so much to see in this vast and vibrant city, from the truly sublime to the ever-so-slightly ridiculous. Moscow has been one of the world's ballet capitals for almost two centuries. It is home to the Bolshoi Ballet, founded in the late 18th century and based at the Bolshoi Theatre. It is called the "world capital of museums". It's no surprise, considering that there are over a ... Read more
Beijing : Drum Tower
The Drum Tower was built in1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan, when it stood at eh very heart of the Yuan capital Dadu. At that time it was known as the Tower of Orderly Administration (Qizhenglou). In 1420, under the Ming Emperor Yongle, the building was reconstructed to the east of the original site and in 1800 under the Qing Emperor Jiaqing, large-scale renovations were carried out. In 1924, the name of the building was changed to the Tower ... Read more
Forbidden City, Chinese (Pinyin) Zijincheng or (Wade-Giles romanization) Tzu-chin-ch’eng, imperial palace complex at the heart of Beijing (Peking), China. Commissioned in 1406 by the Yongle emperor of the Ming dynasty, it was first officially occupied by the court in 1420. It was so named because access to the area was barred to most of the subjects of the realm. Government functionaries and even the imperial family were permitted only limi... Read more
Beijing : Great Wall
A Chinese saying goes that He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man. If we laid the bricks and rocks used in the Great Wall of Ming to form a wall one meter (1.1 yard) wide and five meters (16.4 feet) high, it could circle the earth at the equator with great ease. It is such a spectacular and formidable architectural feat that anyone who comes to China should not miss it under any circumstances. Read more
Beijing Olympic Forest Park was built for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It was the leisure site for athletes, coaches, and official staff to get relaxed from tense competitions. The tennis, shooting, and hockey competitions were held there. After the closing ceremony, it has been transformed to the city's back garden for sightseeing, recreation and sports. As the largest urban green landscape in Asia and the largest park in Beijing, one can str... Read more
Beijing : Shichahai Lake
Shichahai is a famous scenic area in the northwest part of Beijing, which includes three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard. Read more
Beijing : Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, northwest of Beijing, is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in China. It is only a short drive (15 km) from central Beijing but seems like another world. Read more
Tiananmen Square, Chinese (Pinyin) Tiananmen Guangchang or (Wade-Giles romanization) T’ien-an Men Kuang-ch’ang, open square in the centre of Beijing, China, one of the largest public squares in the world. Read more
One of the most beautiful spots in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park apart from its nature is Aryabal Temple. This hidden in the mountains temple is located nearby Turtle Rock, 56 km away from Ulaanbaatar city. Surrounding areas attraction full of granite formation set among scenic valleys and hills with a winding river and groves of trees. Read more
The Gandantegchinlen Monastery is a Mongolian Buddhist monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. The Tibetan name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy". It currently has over 150 monks in residence. It features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Avalokiteśvara. It came under state protection in 1994. Read more
The Natural History Museum was created in 1924 and was called “National Museum”. In 1956, it becomes the “Central State Museum” and, later, in 1997, expands and becomes “Natural History Museum”. The Natural History Museum recounts 4,7 billion years of evolution and shows 800 objects dating back from the palaeolithic period. Read more
Mongolia’s wonderful National Museum sweeps visitors from the Neolithic era right to the present day. It’s UB's only genuine blockbuster sight, offering an unparalleled overview of Mongolian culture, ranging from stone-age petroglyphs and exquisite gold ornamentation to, arguably the highlight, the full gamut of traditional ceremonial costume – which unmistakably inspired the look of characters from the Star Wars prequels. Read more
In 2008, a gigantic statue of Genghis Khan riding on horseback was erected on the bank of the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog, 54 km east of the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, where according to legend, he found a golden whip. The statue is 40 meters tall and wrapped in 250 tons of gleaming stainless steel. It stands on top of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, a visitor center that itself is 10 meters tall, with 36 columns representing the 36 khans f... Read more
Ulaanbaatar : Suchebaatar Square
In July 1921 in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, Damdin Sükhbaatar (the ‘hero of the revolution’) declared Mongolia’s final independence from China. A square later built on the spot now bears his name and features at its centre a bronze statue of the revolutionary astride his horse. In 2013 the city authorities changed the name of the plaza to Chinggis Khaan Sq, but in 2016 Sükhbaatar's descendants won a court battle to rest... Read more
Ulaanbaatar : Terelj National Park
Terelj National Park is the most popular destination and the third biggest protected area in Mongolia . Visitors can take leisurely strolls on meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a dazzling variety of other wild flowers, view fascinating rock formations against a backdrop of pine covered mountains and wander along the wooded banks of a mountain stream. The park is located 80 km away from Ulaanbaatar and is one of the most beautiful places in Mong... Read more
Ulaanbaatar : Turtle Rock
Turtle Rock, ”Melkhii Khad”, is a surprising granitic formation, 24 metres (79 feet) high, whose form reminds of a turtle. Its old name was Mungut Khad. Read more
US$ 2795
per person, based on 2-people group
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Price for persons:

Our flexible payment options allow you to pay 20% of a deposit first and the remaining 80% in 14 days prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.

Also you get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis.
In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.

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+1 (888) 845-8877

Speak to an expert
Call us now

+1 (888) 845-8877

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