eastern empires - 15 days

CLASSIC ITINERARY: Day 1: Moscow Moscow. Arrival transfer from Moscow Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airport to our hotel. Overnight - Moscow Day 2: Red Square Moscow - breakfast. The city that kept Bond busy! Moscow is the brash democratic capital of the new Russia and nerve centre of the former USSR. Taking a Metro to Red Square, you have a guided walk of the sights. Rest of day free. Overnight - Moscow Day 3: Moscow Moscow - Yekaterinburg - breakfast. Free day. This afternoon, an included transfer to rail station for the train to Yekaterinburg. Overnight - train.

Choose your Adventure     Make the most of your time in Yekaterinburg by choosing one of our optional activities that most appeals to you. Please specify your preference at time of booking. For more information, please click here.

Day 5: Ganina Yama
Yekaterinburg - breakfast. Founded in 1723 to exploit the mineral riches of the surrounding Urals and Siberia , historically or perhaps infamously, it was here in Yekaterinburg in the cellar of a house that once stood on ulitsa Karla Libknekhta, that Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed on the morning of July 17, 1918. Although the house no longer exists, a tour of the city takes in the beautiful new monastery that marks the site, along with Ganina Yama - the monastic complex set in the taiga forest outside the city, where the family's remains were unceremoniously dumped and later found. You'll also head out to the Europe/Asia border marker - where you can stand with a foot on either side of the boundary marker! Rest of the day free. Supper & overnight - Homestay

Day 6: Optional activity
Breakfast. Choose one of the optional activities. Supper and overnight - homestay.

Days 7 to 9: Train - Lake Baikal
Yekaterinburg - Ulaan Baatar, 1 packed breakfast. Early morning transfer to station for train to Ulaan Baatar. Settle in as the train heads east across Siberia, skirting along the shores of Lake Baikal and pushing closer to the Mongolian border. Overnight (3) - train

Days 10 to 11: Terelj National Park 
Ulaan Baatar - Terelj NP - Morning arrival and transfer to centre (subject to border formalities and inevitable delays) to refresh before the transfer to Terelj. One of the most elevated countries in the world, Mongolia is sandwiched between Russian Siberia and the plains of northern China. Best known to the world as a remote, sparse land where Genghis Khan held sway over the once far-reaching Mongolian empire, today's Mongolia after decades of suppression under the Soviets, is emerging as a unique travel destination on the Trans-Siberian. The Mongolian ger is a sturdy wood and felt-type tent. Ger means home and it is home during our stay on the steppe. Breakfast - (1), lunch, dinner and overnight (2) - Mongolian ger camp.

*Please note: Due to extreme weather, clients undertaking a classic adventure during the winter will be accommodated in permanent accommodation and not Mongolian gers.

Day 12 -13: Ulaan Baatar
Terelj NP - Ulaan Baatar - breakfast. Transfer to Ulaan Baatar via a visit to a nomadic family. Otherwise known as UB to ex-pats, you've 2 nights to enjoy UB your way! Laid-back and provincial, Ulaan Baatar is set in the rolling foothills of the Bogd Mountain range, on the banks of the Tuul River. Dinner & overnight - Ulaan Baatar.

Day 14: Train
Ulaan Baatar - Beijing - breakfast. Morning transfer to rail station for train to Beijing. Overnight - train.

Day 15: Beijing
Beijing - Arrival into China. Today marks the end of this momentous journey and  the train is scheduled to reach Beijing this afternoon.

NOTE:
Flights, visas and entrance fees not included. No meals aboard the train. Click here for visa information.

In Russia on the go use 3 star accommodation as classified by the Russian Ministry of Tourism. However, please be aware that the 3 star standards throughout Russia vary greatly and cannot be compared to hotels of a similar standard in Western Europe or, and in particular, the United States. 

Homestays - Our homestays vary, you may be staying with a local family, couple or single person. In some cases the home owner may actually move out so that you have the home to yourself. The local homes we use are generally very simple and basic with shared bathroom facilities. Please note that if you are travelling in a larger group it may be necessary for you to stay in separate houses because most homes are small and only have room for one or two guests.