Monday. Welcome to Moscow! Arrival transfer from Moscow Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airport to our hotel. Overnight - Moscow

Head to legendary Red Square by Metro, for a guided walk of Moscow's highlights - the brightly coloured St Basil's, the ritzy GUM department store and if open, Lenin's Mausoleum. The rest of day free for you to explore independently. Overnight - Moscow (B)

Moscow - Yekaterinburg. A free day for you to explore the capital. Perhaps jump aboard the Stalinist era metro and see the beautifully decorated stations. Tonight - included transfer to rail station for train departure. Overnight - train (B)

On the evening of day 4 the train pulls in to Yekaterinburg. Transfer to accommodation. On day 5 enjoy breakfast and then a city tour which takes in the new monastery that marks the site of the Romanov family’s execution in 1918 and Ganina Yama - a beautiful monastic complex built on the site where their bodies were discarded and later found. The tour also takes you to the Europe/Asia border where you can stand with a foot in each continent! Overnight - homestay (B:1, D:2)

Today you can choose one of the optional activities available. This evening enjoy dinner and relaxation at the homestay before transferring to the train station shortly after midnight. Overnight - train (B, L, D)

The train departs in the very early hours of the morning on day 7 for your onward journey to Irkutsk. Relax on board and enjoy the views! Overnight - train (B:1)

Irkutsk & Lake Baikal - Arrive Irkutsk and transfer to Listvyanka village. Offering striking views of the lake, Listvyanka is your base. Enjoy lunch, a guided walk and a visit to the interesting Lake museum. Tonight experience a Siberian banya (sauna). Overnight - homestay (L, D)

Two days at leisure. Why not choose one of the optional activities available? *Please note: Lunch is provided on day 10 on all optional activities apart from 'Lake Baikal at Leisure' Overnight - homestay (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Irkutsk - Ulan Ude. Evening departure to Ulan Ude, with partial overnight aboard train. Overnight - train (B)

Very early morning arrival and transfer to homestay. Later, enjoy a city tour. Thanks to its proximity to Mongolia and China the indigenous people of the region, the Buryats, clung on to their Tibetan-Buddhist faith through the Communist era. Visit Ivolginsky Datsan - a Buddhist temple and a museum dedicated to the lives of local people. Enjoy a traditional Buryat dinner on Day 13. On Day 14, breakfast, then free time until afternoon transfer to rail station for the train to Ulaan Baatar. Overnight - homestay (1) train (1) (B:2, D:1)

Ulaan Baatar (Outer Mongolia) - Morning arrival (subject to border formalities and inevitable delays) in Outer Mongolia. A country of unspoilt natural beauty, Mongolia is a popular stop on the Trans-Siberian as there is something to appeal to even the most blasé of travellers. Endless steppe, nomadic tribe’s people, stunning Terelj National Park, double-humped (Bactrian) camels that are easier to ride than their single-humped cousins, wild Przewalski horses and the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. Upon arrival, transfer to the rustic city centre, before a drive to nearby Terelj National Park for a 2 night stay in a Mongolian ger (a sturdy wood and felt type tent).

*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 (B:1, L:2, D:2)

This morning return to Ulaan Baatar, stopping en route to visit a nomadic family. Although largely built with Russian help, the city is home to a number of Buddhist temples and palaces of Mongolian rulers. Due to its high elevation, located 1350 metres above sea level Ulaan Baatar is the coldest national capital in the world, so make sure you wrap up warm! Enjoy free time exploring the National History Museum, Bogd Khan’s winter palace, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and Sukhbataar Square. Overnight - Ulaan Baatar (B)

Ulaan Baatar - Beijing. Morning transfer to rail station for train to Beijing. Overnight - train (B)

Friday. 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 the 'Costsaver' tab above, for the content of our Costsaver journey

Hotels: 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.

Train schedules: Chinese and Mongolian Railways do change their schedules from time to time, which could alter the itinerary. Please check with us at time of booking.