Trans-Siberian trip from Beijing to Moscow
In May 1891, the construction of the World’s longest and most difficult to build railway was started after years of controversy amongst the Czars: the Trans-Siberian railroad. The link between Moscow and Vladivostok, some 6.000 miles apart, was completed 14 years later employing a labour force of over 90.000. Ever since the rail service linking Europe with the Far East was established at the turn of last century, foreign travellers and adventurers have been fascinated by this great journey and crossed Siberia to reach the Pacific or China. Across the Ural mountains to Siberia, through towns that were built along the rails into the Mongolian steps and Gobi desert, the Trans-Siberian journey offers a great opportunity to experience an unforgettable journey. You will meet local people and learn about their culture and way of life and be part of it. You may find yourself draining a bottle of vodka with a Russian soldier in exchange to a piece of chocolate, or discussing business and politics with Mongolian traders on the train. Meeting point on the train is the dining car where borscht and fish with lots of potatoes and cabbage is served.
Every journey begins with a first step. Your journey – of course – with a first kilometre on railroad. An unforgettable adventure with the Trans-Siberian Railway is awaiting you. Discover vibrant cities, marvel at the endless vastness and impressing variety of the beautiful nature. Dive into the traditions and culture of the Russian, Mongolian and Chinese people. Go on a trip of your lifetime!
Itinerary Hide all details
Arrival in Beijing. Transfer to your hotel. Beijing is home to millions of small shops and street traders, the place to shop for souvenirs and bargains. Enjoy your first opportunity to wander explore the streets and to taste the delicious Chinese food in all its variations. Accommodation at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will visit the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square and the Hutongs, the traditional old city in Beijing where you can hop an a Rickshaw and visit a local family with your local guide. Accommodation at the hotel.
After breakfast, your guide will take you to one of the most powerful symbols of ancient Chinese civilization – the Great Wall of China, stretching 6,350 km. It took more than one million people and ten years to build the Great Wall of China, designed as a defensive structure. In 1987 it was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. You will visit the less crowded Mutianyu section. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather. The second part of the trip will take you to the Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings where emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties visited for annual ceremonies of pray for good harvests. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will board the famous Trans-Mongolian train direction Ulaanbaatar. You will follow the great wall and have a magnificent view of the Gobi desert. Enter into a new culture, welcome to Mongolia. Food can be bought at the restaurant carriage. Overnight on board of the train.
After arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will explore the historic city with your local guide. Amongst other places, you will visit the palace of Bogdo Khan and the Gandan abbey. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a famous and very high quality folklore show in the evening including the famous throat singing. Accommodation at the hotel.
Transfer to Terelj National Park, home to goats and yaks that hungrily munch away on the edelweiss growing on the alpine pastures. Your local guide will introduce you to the Nomadic way of life of still many Mongolians today. On a jeep, you will travel to a Mountain Camp in a remote area at Terelj National Park, one of the most beautiful landscapes of the world, where you will sleep in gers (traditional but modern Mongolian yurt, full board included) and enjoy a hike in the hills. Visit of Turtle rock and Buddhist Hanging Temple.
In the morning, you can explore the surroundings on a ride through the grasslands. You will also visit a Mongolian family living in gers at their Summer place, where you can taste local meals. In the afternoon, transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and boarding of the train direction Irkutsk. Overnight on board of the train.
Morning arrival in Irkutsk and transfer to your hotel. Irkutsk is also called ‘Paris’ of Siberia for its pulsing street life and people’s elegant clothes. Still a major trade centre for furs, Irkutsk enjoys today a certain economic wealth. Short but hot summers and very cold winters, however, make life here a real challenge. During a tour of Irkutsk, your guide will tell you about the development of this Siberian city’s evolution and shows the most interesting sights and peculiar features of one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. You will see beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), many wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with “wooden laces” (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century and visit the Decembrist House. Accommodation at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Listvyanka, a small fisher village on the shore of lake Baikal. On a stroll around the village you will visit the church of St. Nicolas, walk to Chersky viewing point where you can enjoy a fabulous view on the lake and the Angara-River (if clear weather) and visit the Limnological museum (Baikal museum). Your home is a typical Siberian wooden chalet near the lake where local food will be prepared by your host. A Russian steam bath right on the shore of the lake invites to experience a typical Russian sauna (optional, not included).
The morning is at your leisure. You can also book a boat trip on the lake Baikal (not included if less than 4 persons). You will leave Listvyanka around midday and visit the Wooden Architecture Museum of Tsaltsy on the way back to Irkutsk, where typically old churches, shaman houses and a fortress have been rebuilt in original style. Accommodation at the hotel.
In the morning, catch the train direction Moscow. The whole day on the Trans-Siberian train passing various villages alongside countless birch- and broadleaf forests. Enough time to enjoy a cup of hot tea from the samovar, to read, talk and relax. Overnight on board of the train.
Whole day and overnight on board of the Trans-Siberian train.
Whole day and overnight on board of the Trans-Siberian train.
Morning arrival in Moscow, Russia’s bustling capital. Transfer to your hotel. Afterwards, city tour of Moscow’s famous sights including the Red Square, Basilius cathedral, GUM, Novodevichy Convent, the ancient KGB buildings, the Lenin state library and the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU). Visit the Kremlin – a symbol of power and might of the vast Russian lands – with it’s impressive churches and the Armoury Chamber on the Kremlin grounds which contains a unique collection of Royal Russian and international jewellery including thrones, crowns, carriages, costumes, gold and silverware, all lavishly studded with precious stones. Optional in the evening: visit of a ballet, concert, opera or the famous Moscow Circus. Tickets on request (not included). Accommodation at the hotel.
After breakfast, visit the famous Arbat street, Moscow’s lively pedestrian area to do some shopping, discover the Moscow metro, famous for its palatial marble stations with mosaics, chandeliers and precious materials and marvel at the great collection of Russian fine art at Tretyakov-Gallery. Optional in the evening: visit of a ballet, concert, opera or the famous Moscow Circus. Tickets on request (not included). Accommodation at the hotel.
Depending on your departure time, you will have some time to enjoy the city on your own. Transfer to the airport.
What's included
- Train tickets (1st or 2nd class)
- All transfers
- 6 overnights on board of the train
- 7 overnights in 3-4-star hotels, double room with shower/bath, incl. breakfast
- 1 nights in a traditional Siberian wooden chalet, double room with shower, incl. full board
- 1 night in a traditional Mongolian yurt, double room, private (if available) or shared bathroom, incl. full board
- Guided visits to sights and landmarks mentioned in the program with a local english-speaking guide including all entries and fees in each city
- Included meals: Breakfast in all hotels, full board in Listvyanka and Terelj National Park, all lunches in Beijing
- Visa invitations and documentation to get the visa for Russia, Mongolia and China
- Travel documentation
- Assistance of our partners in case of emergency in each city
- International flights: Depending your itinerary and departure city, we will be happy to assist you to find the best flight tickets to reach your destination and return.
- Visa consular fee: visit the website of your local consulates for details
- Meals unless mentioned
- Tips and personal expenses
- Hotel Single sup. : 399$
- Train 1cl. (2 berth bed cabin): 628$
- Boat trip on lake Baikal if less than 4 persons: 58$
- Kung fu Show (including transfers) in Beijing: 52$
- Beijing Duck Dinner in Beijing: 58$
Season: All year round, best time from May until October. Starting days (day 1) on Wednesdays or Saturdays to follow this itinerary.
This itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to your needs. Please let us know if you need an individualized quote.
Preparation for your Trans-Siberian railway trip
To prepare your Trans-Siberian journey we are going to send you more details about all details latest 1 month prior to departure. We recommend taking a backpack or trolley bag with you as it is more comfortable than a suitcase and fits better into the storage space in the train. However, you will never need to walk longer than a few minutes with your luggage. Please check our list of what to take on your Trans-Siberian journey. No specific physical health and fitness is required, the most important part is to be prepared mentally and culturally for the many different people and cultures you are going to meet. For that reason, we suggest reading about Russia, Mongolia or China in advance. We have a collection of titles in our online bookstore that we can highly recommend. A must for all Trans-Siberian travellers is the Trans-Siberian Handbook by Bryn Thomas, Athol Yates and Tatyana Pozar-Burgar.
General informations
Traveling in Russia, Mongolia and China requires patience and a sense for adventure. It is, however, safe to travel. We have encountered many anecdotal issues during the journeys in the past 20 years we have been organizing guided tours in Russia. Even though the situations were bizarre sometimes, these experiences have made our trips truly unforgettable and have given us a true approach to all those different ways of thinking. We have sent over 150 people on our tours each year so far, from 17 years old students to senior managing directors and even a retired 80 year-old lady made it safely. So, why don’t you join us for this life-enhancing experience?
About the trains
We book original authentic Trans-Siberian Railway trains (local Russian, Mongolian or Chinese trains). All trains are different depending on the route, which means comfort in 1st and 2nd class, cleanliness and friendliness of the train staff vary from train to train. We can’t be held responsible for any inconvenience on the train as we don’t have any influence on trains and employees of the Trans-Siberian Railway company.
For our travel program, we choose the trains with the best suitable arrival and departure time in each city. If you would like to book 1st class, please note the following:
1st class compartments are not always available, especially in high season, due to limited number of 1st class cabins and a high volume of travellers. Also, not all segments provide trains with 1st class wagons. We will do our best do secure a 1st class cabin for you. However, if there are not enough 1st class tickets available or a train doesn’t have 1st class, we will book an entire 2nd class cabin for you to ensure your privacy. Space and comfort of the cabins as well as comfort of bathrooms in 1st and 2nd class are basically the same.
A train ride with the Trans-Siberian is something special and mythical for the flexible and adventurous traveller who likes to enjoy the original and authentic Trans Siberian train ride. In the age of modernisation and high-speed trains, this authentic experience might not be available anymore in 10 years.
Information about your guide
You will be guided around by local guides in Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Irkutsk / Lake Baikal and Moscow (natives from the respective cities), they will explain all details about culture, history, and the daily life of “their” cities. This is a unique opportunity to get to know Russia, Mongolia and China while traveling the Trans-Siberian. We are looking forward to have you on board!
Price
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1 traveler (2nd class)Price per person | Book now | |
2-3 travelers (2nd class)Price per person | Book now | |
4-5 travelers (2nd class)Price per person | Book now | |
6-9 travelers (2nd class)Price per person | Book now | |
10 travelers (2nd class)Price per person | Book now |
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Back to bookingVisa
Russian visa support (Russian visa invitation letter) is included.
Sights included in program
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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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