Itinerary
With all tours originating in the majestic city of Moscow, you are guaranteed a memorable journey through European Russia, Siberia, and Asia, passing breathtaking landscapes such as the Ural Mountains and the awe-inspiring Lake Baikal. For a detailed breakdown of this tour, please download our free Trans-Mongolian tour brochure, which includes a day to day account of what you will see and do, along with tour prices and information regarding your accommodation.
Day 1 - Arrive in Moscow
Arrival in Moscow, with a transfer to the centrally located 4* Park Inn Hotel by Radisson Sadu, just a short walk from Red Square and the Kremlin.
Day 2 - Moscow: City Tour with Kremlin and Cathedrals
You will be met bright and early by our expert guide who will provide an overview of your day in Moscow, and any questions about the day you may have will be answered. You will then embark on a four-hour walking tour of the fortified complex known as the Kremlin, followed by the cathedrals including St Basil’s. After the Kremlin and Cathedrals, your guide will take you on a three-hour city tour by car, which may include visits to Alexander Gardens and the VDNKh Soviet Exhibition Centre.
Day 3 - Free Day in Moscow
You will have a free day to explore, discover and experience everything the Russian capital has to offer.
Day 4 - Depart Moscow
The majority of the day is free, allowing you to relax and explore Moscow, or take an optional tour, before packing, and preparing, to check out of the hotel. You will be provided with a transfer to the railway station, where our guide will advise, and assist, in purchasing provisions for the train if desired, accompany you to the platform, ensure that everyone is settled into their cabins and answer any last minute questions.
Day 5 - Travelling through European Russia
You will spend the day on the train, heading past the cities of the Golden Ring, the great industrial city of Kirov and finally the ex-military city of Perm, at the eastern most edge of European Russia, before crossing through the Ural Mountains and into Asia.
Day 6 - Venturing into Siberia
Passing through the previously forbidden Soviet city of Yekaterinburg, you will spend the day on the train while it leaves the eastern foothills of the Ural mountains and heads for Novosibirsk; the largest city in Siberia, and the third largest in Russia, behind only Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Day 7 - Heading into Asia
Enjoy your day on the train, travelling along the seemingly limitless tracks, and through the incredible forests of Siberia, you will pass the mighty Altai region, crossing the River Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk, before heading deep into Asia.
Day 8 - Arrive in Irkutsk
Following your arrival in Irkutsk, you will be taken to Listvyanka village on the shores of Lake Baikal. After checking in at the 4* Mayak hotel you will visit the fascinating Museum of Wooden Architecture, containing unique and historic wooden structures donated from all over Russia. Then back to Listvyanka village via the famous Shaman rock. The day is rounded off with a traditional Baikal dinner and by indulging in an optional sauna in the village 'Banya'.
Day 9 - Select From Three Excursions
You have the choice of three tours. The first tour is a full day trip around Lake Baikal, including a ferry ride and journey on the famous Circum-Baikal Railroad. The tour stops at some of the most picturesque places en-route, so that you can experience the flora and fauna of this unique area, before heading back to Irkutsk, where you will stay at Courtyard by Marriot Irkutsk City Center Hotel.
The second option, is a visit to a Buryat settlement (a community indigenous to Siberia, related to the Mongols), 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plain. Here you can take part in many activities, such as visiting the local lore museum, experiencing the local greeting ceremony, meeting the Shaman to be 'cleansed" and visiting a Yurt to sample local teas and take part in a traditional feast. After the excursion you will be transferred to your hotel in Irkutsk - Courtyard by Marriot Irkutsk City Center Hotel.
Your third option is to go an escorted tour of the local Baikal Museum and aquarium, featuring animals that are exclusive to the legendary lake, including the famous Baikal seal. A chair lift ride will take you to a point offering panoramic views of the lake, with lunch in a local restaurant followed by a visit to a Russian Orthodox Church. Finally you will have he opportunity to explore a local fish market with all its hustle, bustle and colour - something not to be missed. After the excursion you will be transferred to your hotel in Irkutsk - Courtyard by Marriot Irkutsk City Center Hotel.
Day 10 - Irkutsk Excursion
From your hotel in Irkutsk you will be taken on a brief city tour by car, experiencing the most interesting sights, including beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), houses decorated with 'wooden laces' (hand-made carvings), as well as modern constructions and the Decembrists' House.
The rest of the day is free to relax, sightsee, shop or book one of our many optional excursions.
Day 11 - Depart Irkutsk
Following a transfer to the railway station, you will catch the train to Ulan-Bator. Once through Ulan-Ude, the home of Russian Buddhism and capital of the local Buryat Republic, the train will head toward the Mongolian border.
Day 12 - Arrive Ulan-Bator and Gorkhi Terelj National Park Excursion
After your arrival at the station, you will be provided with a transfer to the Ger camp, where you will have a chance to freshen up and eat a hearty breakfast before enjoying the beauty of the world famous Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Lunch is followed by walking in the hills, an excursion to Turtle Rock and a meditation centre, before returning for an evening meal and overnight stay.
Day 13 - Mongolian Steppe Excursion
Breakfast is followed by free time to explore, and enjoy, the local area and relax. You will have the opportunity to visit a local herdsman’s family to see the fascinating daily life of Mongolia's nomads, before being transferred back to your your hotel in Ulan Bator.
Day 14 - Ulan-Bator: Full Day City Tour
You will enjoy a full day city tour, which will include a visit to the Gandan Buddhist Monastery and the truly remarkable national history museum, containing many world famous, and unique, exhibits. During the afternoon you will have the opportunity to browse some art, antique and cashmere shops before visiting Zaisan Hill to view a panorama of the city. The day will end with a traditional meal along with Mongolian folk music and dance.
Day 15 - Ulan-Bator : Free Day
Breakfast is followed by free time to investigate the distinctive charm of Ulan-Bator and the surrounding region or relax. Why not take a look at a few of the excursions you could arrange while there?
Day 16 – Depart Ulan-Bator and Cross the Gobi Desert
Catch your transfer for your train to Beijing before travelling on through the majestic Gobi Desert and towards the Chinese border. Later in the evening, the train will reach the Chinese border where the impressive procedure of bogie-changing takes place, before heading off for Beijing.
Day 17 - Arrive in Beijing
Throughout the morning and afternoon, you will pass through rural China as well as mountainous river valleys, before continuing on past the amazing Great Wall of China, finally arriving in the Chinese capital, Beijing, where your transfer will take you to your hotel.
Explore, Discover, Experience
Real Russia has drawn on years of experience in the region to create three ranges of our tours and a wide selection of options to give you maximum choice and flexibility in choosing your Trans-Siberian adventure.
This tour is in the Experience Range - this premium range takes care of all travel arrangements including trains, transfers, full day excursions accompanied by a professional guide and the finest 4* hotels.
To view this tour in the other ranges, then please select from the options shown below, or, if you are ready to start your adventure with Real Russia, then simply press “Request Tour” and we will get started!
The 2018 World Cup will be held in Russia during June and July, and as such all travel dates and tour prices during this period are subject to availability. While we ordinarily guarantee our tour prices, during this period prices can only be confirmed upon booking. We would recommend booking as early as possible for this period, as prices are likely to rise as the date of the World Cup approaches.