An amazing range of enroute stops are offered as part of on the go?s range of trans-siberian overland itineraries...

 

	Moscow  Start point for the big journey. The sprawling, energetic capital of the former evil empire. Moscow is home to legendary Red Square & Lenin's Mausoleum, not to mention the Kremlin and the wildly coloured, onion domed St Basil's Cathedral. The city boasts internationally acclaimed museums and galleries, respectable retail havens, markets and hundreds of restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines.
	Yekaterinburg The first major stop in Asian Russia, Yekaterinburg is the gateway to the Ural Mountains, Boris Yeltsin's hometown and one of Russia's more colourful cities. Synonymous with the murders of the Romanov family in 1918, who were brought here by the Trans Siberian just like you today. It's an exciting place for a break. Lots of great outdoor activities are offered here.    Choose one of the optional activities in Yekaterinburg
	Irkutsk  Gulags and snowbound exile? Not anymore! Siberia's capital, Irkutsk lies at the crossroads of centuries' old tea, silk and fur trade routes between Western Russia and China. Steeped in history, Irkutsk is an interesting town. Perfect for a  stopover, Irkutsk is also gateway to the fantastic Lake Baikal. Choose one of the optional activities in Irkutsk
	Lake Baikal At least the deepest lake in the world (1620m), on merits of magnitude alone the lake is renowned as one of earth's most impressive natural wonders. The lake is home to many unique species of flora and fauna and is situated in a region of unsurpassed beauty. In the winter the lake freezes over, with ice so thick cars can drive across it! In the summer, its crystalline blue waters are transparent to a depth of forty metres and its shores are ringed with the brilliant colours of seasonal wildflowers. Spend a few days here and you'll feel like you're in heaven. Seasonal activities galore.
	Ulan Ude Like most Siberian cities, Ulan Ude was founded during the 17th century. However; as the centre of the Buddhist Buryat culture, it is unlike any of the other stops along the Trans-Siberian railway. Ulan Ude is home Ivolginsky Datsan, a restored Tibetan Buddhist monastery which now serves as the centre of Buddhism in Russia. The city also boast the largest Lenin bust in the world!
	Ulaan Bataar Many travellers opt to stop in Mongolia on a journey between Moscow and Beijing, an exotic country populated in large part by nomads whose lives have changed little since the time of Genghis Khan. Ulaan Baatar, the rustic capital was largely built with Russian help, but Buddhist temples and palaces of Mongolian rulers complement the Soviet architecture. However, remaining true to their nomadic roots, many residents live in ger neighbourhoods (portable, easily assembled tepee-like structures). It's not uncommon to see cows or goats grazing in the streets of the city. Our stopovers include a ger stay at the National Park Reserve of Terelj.
	Harbin Harbin is known for the International Snow Sculpture Competition, the Ice Lantern Festival and the Snow and Ice World. Ice blocks standing some 8 metres tall, resembling giant ice lollies are sculpted into the most unusual designs; a rooster, a dragon boat and a cavalry about to do battle. Imagine sliding down a 100m ice luge resembling the Great Wall of China. You can pick up some serious speed if wearing a slick winter coat. Climbing to the top of a replica of the Emperor's Summer Palace in Beijing, complete with towers, guard house, moat and seven arched bridge or sail away on Empress Dowager Cixi's ice marble boat. Harbin is a great place to visit during the winter, in fact the entire town is filled with festivity and donned with thousands of coloured lights.
	Vladivostok  On Russia's far Pacific coast, Vladivostok (Lord of the East) represents the end of the original Trans-Siberian line. An attractively sited city laid out across a series of peaks, peninsulars and islands, it was once the sole preserve of Russia's Pacific Naval Fleet, who filled Golden Horn Bay. Today the doors are open and the city is rising to the challenge of becoming a cosmopolitan stop-off point. Island boat tours, exploration of the garrisons, hiking and rafting are popular here.
	Beijing China's political, historical and spiritual centre. Beijing has more of what visitors come to China to see than any other single city in the country. The city is full of reminders of imperial China, blended together with landmarks of more recent history. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, side streets and the open-air markets, with a stunning experience of the city that is the endpoint of the journey.