Naadam Trans-Mongolian: Moscow - Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk - Baikal - Mongolia Naadam - Beijing
It dates back several centuries and showcases national sporting obsessions such as archery, wrestling and horse riding as well as featuring a ceremony packed with dancers and musicians. This is a great opportunity to combine our regular Trans-Mongolian tour with the Naadam Festival.
Itinerary Hide all details
Arrival Transfer to the Hotel
Arrival in Moscow where our driver will be there to meet you in arrivals with a sign board. Transfer to the hotel.
Exploring Moscow. Red Square, St. Basil’s, Lenin Mausoleum
It's time to explore Moscow on foot with this comprehensive yet unhurried walking tour. Taking in sights such as Lubyanka Square, once the site of the Soviet-era KGB HQ, Teatralnaya Square where you'll find Bolshoi Theatre and Tverskaya Street, the best shopping street in the capital, you'll get a good overview of the centre city's sights. Our walk will end in Red Square. St Basil's Cathedral, dating from the 16th Century, dominates the square with its brightly coloured domes. GUM department store, Kazan Cathedral and, of course, the Kremlin's imposing walls give St Basil's a run for its money. We'll see Lenin's embalmed body in his Mausoleum before returning to the hotel.
Kremlin & Armoury. Departure to Yekaterinburg
Today it's time to delve into the Kremlin's long and interesting past. Once the Tsar's residence and now the office of the Russian president, you'll start in Cathedral Square where you can almost feel the spirits of the historic figures who once stepped on those same paths. The Armoury Museum, first a storehouse and then a museum, houses an eclectic collection of treasures including the chalice of Yuri Dolgorukiy, the helm and armour of Boris Godunov, a collection of over fifty Faberge eggs, golden and silver works of applied art by Russian, European and Oriental masters and priceless weaponry. Lastly, we'll head underground to take a ride on Moscow's elaborate underground transit system. Tonight we'll transfer to the railway station to board our fast comfortable train to Yekaterinburg which has a choice of first and second class accommodation as well as a dining car.
Transfer to the Hotel
This evening, our driver will meet you at the carriage with a sign board with your names for your transfer to the hotel.
Ganina Yama & Cathedral on the Blood. Europe-Asia Border. Departure to Siberia
Yekaterinburg is infamous as the site of the execution of the last Tsar, Nikolay II and his family. A memorial cathedral has been erected on the very spot and we will visit to pay our respects. Later we'll continue to Ganina Pit, a unique orthodox monastery built on the precise location of the initial burial place of imperial remains. We visit seven wooden churches in the heart of a centuries-old pine forest and travel to the Europe-Asia border. We also stop for a visit to the Memorial honouring the victims of the Stalin’s repressions of the 1930s to 1950s. It's then back to the train station. We have a train to catch, this time to Irkutsk.
Onboard
Lake Baikal
Three days later, we'll pull into Irkutsk station where our guide will meet you with a sign board upon your arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to Listvyanka village (appr. 70 km). The rest of the day is free to explore this pretty little lakeside village. Perhaps visit the St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church and the Baikal Lake Museum where you will learn Siberian traditions, history, flora and fauna of the deepest freshwater lake in the world.
Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. Exploring Irkutsk
Our guide will meet you at your accommodation. First we will make a stop at the open-air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. Occupying a picturesque location right on the Angara River's banks, it houses a fascinating collection of exhibits relating to local history and culture. See wooden houses, step inside a Russian fort, look at a 15th Century watchtower and learn more about the lifestyles of the Evenk and Buryat people who live in this region. Back in the city, we take a tour to admire the varied architecture.
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.
Arrival in Mongolia. Visit to Chinggis Khaan Monument. Terelj National Park
Our guide will meet you at the railway station. Stopping off at the Chinggis Khaan monument, the largest equestrian statue in the world, we then drive to Terelj National Park. Its most famous rock formation, Turtle Rock, is a highlight of today's itinerary but we're sure you'll be delighted with the pristine alpine scenery and diverse flora and fauna of this pretty region. Later we will try our hand at milking a cow, ably assisted by the local nomads for whom this is part of their daily routine. Overnight tonight will be in a traditional felt tent known as a ger or if it's too cold, a cosy wooden lodge.
Ulan Bator City Tour. National History Museum
We return to Ulan Bator. There, we'll take a city tour. Mongolia's capital is situated on the bank of the river Tuur, surrounded by four mountains that local people believe to be sacred. We will visit Gandan Hiid Monastery, the country’s largest monastery, as well as Sukhebaatar square. An unmissable museum completes our itinerary: the Museum of National History, where you will learn about the past of the Mongolian empire, ancient states period (Hunnu, Turkish and Uighur), the Mongolian Empire of 13th-14th centuries, the Mongolian's traditional lifestyle, clothing and jewellery, as well as current politics.
Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony
Today we'll attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival. A colourful ceremony, it's an important fixture on the Mongolian sporting calendar and well attended by locals and foreign tourists alike. We'll tour the Central Stadium for Sports and Cultural Performances, where we will have a unique chance to witness wrestling and an archery contest. We'll round off the evening with a celebratory Gala dinner.
Naadam Festival – Enjoy Horse Racing
Our driver will meet you at your accommodation and drive you to Hui Doloon Hudag to watch some horse racing and to soak up the local atmosphere. Return to Ulan Bator in the evening.
Departure to China
This morning, we transfer to the railway station. Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the lobby of the hotel. Crossing the border into China we shall take a comfortable train. With a choice of first and second class accommodation as well as a decent dining car and bar, this is a popular way to journey between these two Asian capitals.
Arrival in China. Exploring Old Beijing (Hutong Area)
On arrival in Beijing, our driver will meet you with a sign board at the station. Transfer to the hotel. Leaving our bags, we'll swap the car for a rickshaw to dive into one of Beijing's last surviving hutongs, 13th Century districts characterised by narrow alleyways. Next, the rickshaw will take us to Shichahai Lake where you can see the famous Drum Tower and opt to take a boat out on the lake.
Tiananmen Square. Forbidden City & Summer Palace
Located in the centre of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is our first stop today. Infamous since 1989 when government tanks crushed a pro-democracy demonstration, it's a different place today. Families congregate in this, the world's largest city square. At the edge of the square you'll find the Forbidden City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the Imperial Palace and many important ancient wooden structures. In the afternoon, we visit the Summer Palace on a guided tour.
Badaling Great Wall. Visit to the Olympic Green
Our last day in China is spent at another UNESCO site, this time the Great Wall at Badaling. It's relatively close to the capital, less than fifty miles away, and is the best preserved section of the wall. Returning to the city, we make what's now become an essential stop at Olympic Green to see the famous venues of the 2008 Summer Games up close: the Beijing National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, the Aquatics Centre, the Green Hockey Field and many others.
Departure for the Airport
Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the hotel lobby and deliver you to the airport in good time for your flight home.
What's included
- Accommodation
- Breakfasts in the hotels
- Full-board in Mongolia & China
- Train travel (overnight)
- Guided tours & entrance fees
- Airport & railway transfers
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional excursions and services
- Meals on the trai
- Optional excursions
- 1st class train upgrade
- Theatre and circus tickets
Single supplement - $345
Solo supplement - $1175
First Class train upgrade - $645
- 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 package | Price per person | |
---|---|---|
Excluding flightsPrice per person | Book now |
Tour Reservation
Ready to buy? To complete your purchase, please select travel dates, travelers and click Purchase button.
Contact us
Just browsing or have a question? We will be happy to assist! Send a message to one of our awesome destination specialists.
Email usJust browsing or have a question? We will be happy to assist! Send a message to one of our awesome destination specialists.
Back to bookingVisa
Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.
Sights included in program
Thanks ! We will reply you in less than 24 hours (usually within 1-2 hours).
Thanks ! We will reply you in less than 24 hours (usually within 1-2 hours).
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.
Speak to an expert
Call us now
+1 (888) 845-8877
- Home
- |
- Tours
- |
- Day tours
- |
- Rail tours
- |
- Shore excursions
- |
- My trip
- |
- About
Group Tour Packages
Company Information
US office
3422 Old Capitol Trail Suite 1252,
Wilmington DE, 19808 USA.
US toll-free: 1-888-845-8877
Russian office
Ligovsky pr. 57, Office 19,
191040, St. Petersburg, Russia
tel: +7-812-309-5339
© 2001 – 2024 by Northern Crown, Ltd. uVisitRussia and uVisitRussia.com are registered trademarks. Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy
Why Do You Need Our Travel Expert
Contact our experts, and they will help you to plan your best trip to Russia, with attention to every detail!
Our Experts have been in the travel industry for many years, guarantee to offer first class customer service, excellent value for money and unbiased advice. They are standing by to find and build your dream holiday to one of the world's most fascinating destinations - Russia.
Your personal Travel Expert will guide you through each stage of the travel process, from choosing a program that fits you best to support during your trip.
Just tell us your e-mail, and we'll take care of everything!
Ask a Travel Expert ![](/img/green_question.png)
Leave your phone number
Your tour request has been received. Thank you !
We have sent you the confirmation message to [email]
Please make sure that you receive this message (sometimes e-mail messages may go to the spam/junk mail).
If you did not get this message, it means you will not get message with the tours' selection as well. If you use a Yahoo!, Gmail, AOL or Hotmail, we recommend to add request@uvisitrussia.com to your address book.
We recommend to leave your phone number. If we will not heard back that you received the e-mail with the tours' selection, we will contact you by phone.
And you will not miss the best tour for you.
Thank you ! Your request for Travel Expert assistance has been sent. We will e-mail you within 1 hour.