genghis khan - 13 days

CLASSIC ITINERARY:

Day 1: Moscow
Welcome to Moscow! Arrival transfer from Moscow Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airport to our hotel. Overnight – Moscow

Day 2: Red Square
Moscow - breakfast. The capital that spawned dozens of spy novels. Catch the Metro to Red Square, from where you’ll enjoy a guided walk. You’ll spot Moscow’s bastion of power, the gold onion-domed Kremlin, GUM department store and more. Rest of day free. Lenin’s fascinating granite mausoleum located in Red Square is a Mecca for the curious and worth a look. Overnight – Moscow

Day 3: Moscow
Moscow - Ulaan Baatar - breakfast. Free time in the capital. Moscow has a staggering array of art galleries, museums and shops, as well as unique attractions such as famous Gorky Park. Tonight, an included transfer to Yaroslavl rail station for the train to Ulaan Baatar. Overnight – train

Day 4 to 6: Aboard train
Settle into life aboard the Trans-Mongolian Express as it winds its way east. The train actually follows well–worn ancient tea caravan routes. Back in those days, it took an arduous 40 days or more. Since the inception of the Trans-Mongolian route in the 1950s the journey has been considerably shortened!

Day 7: Train - Lake Baikal
Aboard train. Via Irkutsk and skirting along the shores of breathtaking Lake Baikal, the journey continues via far Eastern Siberia. The train branches off the main Trans-Siberian line at a place called Zaudinsky, which lies just beyond Ulan Ude. Mongolia and China each have their own kilometre markers. In Mongolia, 0 km is the Russian/Mongolian border town of Naushki. Once over the Chinese border, the markers measure the distance to the big noodle, Beijing which is 0 km.

Day 8: Mongolia
Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia). Morning arrival in Outer Mongolia. One of the most elevated countries in the world, Mongolia was also once one of the world's most powerful. At its height in the 13th century, Genghis Khan had by the time of his death in 1227, unified the Mongol people, organized a nearly invincible army of fearless nomadic warriors and set into motion the first stage in the conquest of an enormous territory that would be completed by his sons and grandsons. With extraordinary speed and devastating ruthlessness, the Mongols created the world’s largest empire, stretching at its greatest extent from Korea to Hungary. On arrival, transfer to nearby Terelj National Park . Elevated Terelj is cool and the scenic alpine surrounds spectacular. The protected area is host to diverse flora and fauna and is famous for its unique granite rock formations. Lunch, dinner and overnight - 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 9: Terelj National Park - breakfast
Terelj NP - breakfast. Get in touch with nature. Hike, horse ride (at additional cost), climb some rocks, the choice is yours. Lunch, dinner and overnight – ger camp


Days 10 - 11: Ulaan Baatar
Terelj NP - Ulaan Baatar - breakfast. Transfer back to Ulaan Baatar on day 10 with a visit to a nomadic family. Despite the prominence of grim, utilitarian Soviet architecture, Ulaan Baatar is a laid-back provincial capital set in the rolling foothills of the Bogd mountain range, on the banks of the Tuul River. Free time on days 10 and 11 to do what suits you, exploring the capital city. Dinner (1) & overnight (2) - hotel

Day 12: Ulaan Baatar - Beijing - breakfast
Ulaan Baatar - Chinese territory - breakfast. Transfer to rail station for onward train to Beijing. Beyond Ulaan Baatar, the landscape becomes a 180º panorama of uninterrupted steppe. Continuing south, the train enters original Gobi country. Onwards to the border, where after formalities and the usual delays, the train crosses over into Chinese territory. Overnight aboard train

Day 13: Beijing
Beijing. On the final leg of our momentous journey we pass through Shaanxi province as we head to the nations capital. Arrival scheduled for mid-afternoon into Beijing.

See ‘what you get’ for content of costsaver adventure.

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.