Welcome to Beijing! Arrival transfer from Beijing airport to hotel. Overnight - Beijing

Good morning Beijing! It’s the big day out! Travelling beyond Beijing to Badaling, enjoy a walk on a chunk of the Great Wall. An enduring symbol of Chinese civilisation and genius, the UNESCO protected Great Wall of China was built as a defensive structure. Although the present wall dates mainly from the Ming dynasty, some 20 states and dynasties were involved in its immense construction over a period of 2,000 years and followed different routes and building extensions as required. Snaking some 6700 kms (at one time 9700 kms long) across barren hills, deserts, mountains and plateaux, the now partially ruinous Great Wall stretches east to west in northern China.

Back in Beijing, enjoy a walk on Tiananmen Square. Partly framed by illustrious Chang-an Avenue, Tiananmen is essentially the heart of Beijing. A patriotic vision of grandeur, the square is a public place and also home of the mausoleum of Chairman Mao and the striking Monument to the People’s Heroes. Perhaps one of Beijing’s most famous sights is the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Up above the gate and looking out across to all his people, is Chairman Mao. Perhaps today, he is looking at a different Beijing, one that is quickly entering the 21st century. Through this gate, enjoy a guided tour of the Forbidden City, the walled city of the former Chinese emperors. Entry was forbidden to all but those on imperial business until 1911, when the last emperor, Puyi, was overthrown. Comprising vast and architecturally stunning temples and halls, the complex of the Forbidden City is an assault on the eyes. Overnight - Beijing (B, L)

Beijing - Ulaan Baatar. Early this morning, an included transfer to Beijing rail station for the train to Ulaan Baatar - capital of Mongolia. Heading north-west, the train arrives at the border towns of Erlian and Zamyn-Uud, where the carriages are raised and fitted with different wheel for the onward journey through Mongolia and Russia! Having cleared customs and immigration formalities and encountered inevitable delays, the train wends its way through original Gobi country: flat, dry and sparsely populated by nomadic herders and sheep looking for the short grass that grows if blessed by the elements. Pushing north, the landscape becomes a 180º panorama of uninterrupted steppe. The occasional camel, nomad and ger dot the landscape. Overnight - train (B)

Mid-afternoon arrival (subject to border formalities & inevitable delays) in Outer Mongolia. One of the most elevated countries in the world, Mongolia was also once one of the world’s most powerful. At it’s height in the 13th century, Genghis Khan had by the time of his death in 1227, unified the Mongol people, organised 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 it’s greatest extent from Korea to Hungary.

After decades of suppression under the Soviets, Mongolia is emerging as a cutting-edge destination. There’s something here to suit even the most blasé of travellers. Endless steppe, nomadic tribes people, stunning Terelj National Park, double-humped (Bactrian) camels that are a cinch to ride in comparison to their single-humped cousins and the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert.

On arrival in Ulaan Baatar, enjoy lunch and then transfer to nearby Terelj National Park, stopping en route to visit a nomadic family. Elevated Terelj is cool and the scenic alpine surrounds spectacular. The protected area is host to diverse flora and fauna, and is famous for it’s unique granite rock formations. Opportunities for outdoor pursuits abound. Spend two nights in a traditional Mongolian ger, which is a sturdy wood and felt type tent. Ger means ‘home’ and it’s home on the steppe (level grassy unforested plains characteristic of Mongolia).

*Please note: Due to extreme weather, clients undertaking a classic adventure during the winter will be accommodated in permanent accommodation and not Mongolian gers. Overnight - ger camp* (L, D)

An enjoyable day to get in touch with nature hike, horse ride (at additional cost), climb some rocks, the choice is yours here in the Mongolian wilderness. Overnight - ger camp (B, L, D)

Ulaan Baatar - Moscow. Leaving Terelj NP, transfer back to the capital Ulaan Baatar, where you can stock up on food supplies in a local store ready for your afternoon train departure to Moscow.

Want to stay in Mongolia for an extra 2 days? Ask for details and cost! Overnight - train (B)

Settle into life aboard the Trans-Mongolian Express as it winds its way north-west. The train actually follows well-worn ancient tea caravan routes. Back in those days, it took an arduous 40 days or more to cover the 7865-km journey from Beijing to Moscow. Attending to border formalities on the Mongolian/Russian border, after the usual delays, the journey continues into Russian territory and the semi-autonomous athnic republic of Buryatia. The trackside markers now measure the distance to Moscow. Just beyond Ulan Ude at Zaudinsky, the train joins the original Trans-Siberian line. Skirting the shores of Lake Baikal and Irkutsk, the journey continues across eastern and western Siberia to Moscow. Overnight - train

Mid-afternoon, the train reaches Moscow.

See the 'Costsaver' tab above, for the content of our Costsaver journey

NOTE: Mongolian ger stay applicable to classic adventures only.

Train Schedules - Schedules dictate a mid-afternoon arrival in Moscow on day 10. We strongly urge you to stay at least one night in Moscow to avoid the risk of missing your onward international flight. Trans-Siberian Railways do change their schedules from time to time, which could alter the itinerary. Please check with us at time of booking.