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Classic Trans-Mongolian Eastbound
Overview
Our most popular Trans-Mongolian experience! The classic Trans-Mongolian Eastbound is a truly unique cultural journey taking you from Moscow through the sprawling forests of Siberia and the rolling dunes of the Gobi Desert to Beijing, while stopping off in several spectacular destinations along the way. This magnificent rail tour is the perfect choice for those wanting an immersive cultural experience that goes beyond travelling from A to B. Your 17-day experience includes a trip on one of the world’s most fascinating railways, combined with several days in Moscow, around Lake Baikal, and in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China and Mongolia
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
Itinerary
Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
Day 1
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Moscow
After breakfast, you will be met bright and early by our expert guide who will provide an overview of your day in Moscow. You will then be taken on a half day tour by car where you will get to explore Moscow, including the famous Red Square with the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, the Alexander Garden and the Eternal Flame, Lenin’s mausoleum, the memorial to Soviet cosmonauts, and the famous artists’ quarter of Old Arbat.
Breakfast
City Tour
Expert Guide
Red Square
Moscow Kremlin
St Basil’s Cathedral
Lenin’s mausoleum
Alexander Garden
Old Arbat
Day 3
Free time in Moscow
Today, you will have the day free to explore the wonders of Moscow for yourself. Take advantage of the fantastic restaurants, museums and shopping districts around the city, or spend your time relaxing at the hotel, the decision is yours.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 4
Your Trans-Mongolian experience begins
After a leisurely breakfast, you can enjoy a late check-out so you can do any last-minute exploring or shopping before beginning your Trans-Mongolian journey.
Breakfast
Free Time
Transfer to Train
Expert Guide
Travel to
Trans-Mongolian
A variant of the traditional Trans-Siberian Railway, the Trans-Mongolian is one of the best ways to reach and explore Mongolia and passes between Moscow and Beijing visiting the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on the way. The train journey itself offers diverse, spectacular views from the alpine forest regions of Siberia to the vast, arid Gobi Desert before skipping through the lush landscapes of China.
Day 5
Depart Moscow and travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway
You will spend the next three days travelling across Russia. Your journey will begin travelling through European Russia heading past the cities of the Golden Ring, the great industrial city of Kirov and finally the ex-military city of Perm, before crossing through the Ural Mountains and into Asia.
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Travel to
Listvyanka
A small settlement on the Western shore of Lake Baikal, Listvyanka is a highly popular tourist area known for its distinct local culture, fish market, and breathtaking hiking trails that venture around the edges of the lake. The settlement was formed near the point where the Angara River leaves Lake Baikal and is home to the Baikal Museum, with dedicated exhibits to the fauna and wildlife that can be found in the area.
Dinner
New Destination by Train
Lake Baikal
Prominent Landscape
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 9
Free time in Listvyanka
Today, you are free to explore Listvyanka for yourself. The village has plenty to offer from picturesque nature hikes, to relaxing by the lakeside, or visiting one of the regional markets or museums.
Breakfast
Free Time
Optional excursions
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Irkutsk
Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia and the most important hub for tourism in the Lake Baikal region. As opposed to many of the more industrially shaped cities in Siberia, Irkutsk has a long history as a cultural centre and has been home to scientists, writers, artists, and political activists such as the Decembrists. It is also a key destination on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Day 10
Irkutsk city tour by car
After a relaxing day in Listvyanka, your driver will pick you up from your hotel for a brief city tour of Irkutsk by car. You will get to see the most interesting locations in the city, including the beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, the Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), traditional hand-crafted wooden houses, and the infamous Decembrists’ House.
Breakfast
City Tour
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Polish Cathedral
Decembrists’ House
Scenic Surrounds
Free Time
Souvenir Shopping
Day 11
Departure from Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Irkutsk and meet your driver who will take you to the train station where you will continue your journey along the Trans-Mongolian Railway.
Breakfast
Transfer to Train
Day on the Train
Border crossing
Prominent Landscape
Travel to
Ulaanbaatar
The capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, was founded in the 17th century as a Buddhist monastic centre and is the country’s largest city. It is situated in the Tuul River valley, bordering the Bogd Khan Uul National Park and close to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. The city has a rich heritage and is home to many famous tourist attractions including the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Zaisan Memorial, Choijin Lama Temple, and the Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan.
Day 12
Exploring Gorkhi Terelj National Park
After arriving at Ulaanbaatar station in the morning, you will have the chance to freshen up and get some breakfast before being taken by your driver to the Ger camp where you can enjoy the beauty of the world famous Gorkhi Terelj National Park.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
New Destination by Train
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Turtle Rock
Prominent Landscape
Ger camping experience
Cultural Immersive Experience
Scenic Surrounds
Day 13
Visiting the Genghis Khan Statue Complex
After breakfast, you will walk around the surrounding area and visit a local herdsman’s family where you will learn more about the daily life of Mongolia’s nomads.
Breakfast & Lunch
Genghis Khan Statue Complex
Scenic Surrounds
Meet the local herdsman’s family
Cultural Immersive Experience
Food & Drink Experience
Prominent Landscape
Transfer
Day 14
City tour of Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, you will have the morning to explore, before embarking on a half day tour on which you will have the opportunity to see the city’s unique monuments.
Breakfast
Free Time
Souvenir Shopping
City Tour
Scenic Surrounds
Zaisan Hill
Prominent Landscape
Day 15
Free time in Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, you will be free to explore the distinctive charm of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding region or relax.
Breakfast
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 16
Crossing the Gobi Desert
Today, you will leave Ulaanbaatar behind, catching your early morning transfer for your train to Beijing before travelling on through the majestic Gobi Desert towards China.
Breakfast
Transfer to Train
Day on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Border crossing
Travel to
Beijing
The capital of China, Beijing, has a long history stretching back over 3000 years. The city is known for its unrivalled culture and architecture and is home to no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the world-famous Forbidden City complex and the Badaling Great Wall of China. Beijing is one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’ and has been the political centre of the country for 800 years.
Day 17
Arrival in Beijing
Throughout the morning and afternoon, you will pass through rural China as well as mountainous river valleys, before continuing past the amazing Great Wall of China.
New Destination by Train
Departure Transfer
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More information
What’s included
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey- Accommodation as part of the tour
- All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- Full day guided tour: Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Nomad Life
- Full day guided tour: Gorkhi Terelj National Park
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Irkutsk
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Moscow
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Ulaanbaatar
- Meals: Breakfast at all Hotels, plus a dinner at Listvyanka / Baikal and other meals , which are dependent on your preferred excursions
- Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China and Mongolia
- Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
What’s not included
Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point- Masks or hand sanitizers
- Meals, unless specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenir shopping, or extra food and drink not included in the itinerary
- Visa processing and service costs
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Beijing
The ultimate guidebook to Beijing that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Beijing is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
China
The ultimate guidebook to China that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s China is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Mongolia
The ultimate guidebook to Mongolia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Mongolia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan and the Gadan Monastery, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Moscow
The ultimate guidebook to Moscow that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Visa Information
Single Entry Tourist Visa
Single Entry Tourist Visa
