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Classic Trans-Mongolian Westbound
Overview
A rail tour like no other! The Classic Trans-Mongolian Westbound is the best way to travel between Beijing and Moscow, taking in several fascinating destinations along the way. Discover the picturesque landscapes of Mongolia and Siberia from the edge of your seat, for what is a truly unforgettable experience to tell your friends about. The Classic Trans-Mongolian experience is perfect for anyone wanting to travel this legendary railway while having time to visit the highlights along the way. Your 17-day experience will take you from Beijing, through the Gobi Desert to Ulaanbaatar, continuing into Siberia and Lake Baikal, before reaching the Russian capital, Moscow.
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
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 1
Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! Your driver will meet you at your arrival point and take you to your hotel ready for check-in.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Beijing
Today, you will head on a spectacular 4-5 hour tour of the Temple of Heaven in the heart of Beijing.
Breakfast & Lunch
Temple of Heaven
Expert Guide
The Circular Mound Altar
Scenic Surrounds
The Cypress Grove Temple
HongQiao Pearl Market
Souvenir Shopping
Day 3
Free time in Beijing
Today you will have the day free to explore the many districts and landmarks of Beijing for yourself.
Breakfast
Scenic Surrounds
Free Time
Souvenir Shopping
Optional Extras
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 4
Departure from Beijing
In the morning, you will check out of your hotel and meet your driver for your early morning transfer to the railway station. Our guide will advise, and assist, in purchasing provisions for the train if desired, accompany you to the train station, and answer any last-minute questions. You will then leave Beijing station for Ulaanbaatar.
Breakfast
Transfer to Train
Expert Guide
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
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 5
Exploring the Gorkhi Terelj National Park
After your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, your driver will take you straight to the world famous Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Lunch will be served at a local Ger camp, followed by walking in the hills, with an excursion to Turtle Rock and a meditation centre.
Lunch & Dinner
New Destination by Train
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Prominent Landscape
Turtle Rock
Ger camping experience
Cultural Immersive Experience
Scenic Surrounds
Day 6
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
Prominent Landscape
Cultural Immersive Experience
Meet the local herdsman’s family
Food & Drink Experience
Scenic Surrounds
Day 7
City tour of Ulaanbaatar
Enjoy a fantastic half day city tour of Ulaanbaatar, where you will get to visit the city’s most famous landmarks, squares and streets.
Breakfast
City Tour
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Bogd Khan Winter Palace
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Sukhbaatar Square
Expert Guide
Day 8
Departure from Ulaanbaatar
You have this morning free to do any last-minute sightseeing, before meeting your driver for the afternoon transfer to the railway station.
Breakfast
Free Time
Transfer to Train
Border crossing
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.
Day 9
Arrival in Irkutsk
After arriving in Irkutsk, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in nearby Listvyanka village on the shores of Lake Baikal.
Dinner
New Destination by Train
Transfer
Lake Baikal
Prominent Landscape
Free Time
Cultural Immersive Experience
Day 10
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
Lake Baikal
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Optional Extras
Day 11
Free time in Listvyanka
Enjoy another day around the beautiful Lake Baikal. Relax by the lake, go on one of the many nature walks in the area, or simply enjoy spending your day around the village.
Breakfast
Free Time
Lake Baikal
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 12
Irkutsk city tour by car
After a relaxing couple of days 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
Polish Cathedral
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Angara river
Scenic Surrounds
Decembrists’ House
Free Time
Day 13
Departure from Irkutsk
After breakfast, you will have some free time in the morning to do any last-minute exploring, before checking out of your hotel in Irkutsk.
Depart Irkutsk and travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway
You will spend the next four days venturing into Siberia as the train heads towards the Euro-Asia border.
Breakfast
Free Time
Transfer to Train
Prominent Landscape
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
Travel to
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 17
Arrival in Moscow
You will finally arrive in Moscow early in the morning, where your transfer will take you to your hotel if you wish to stay in Moscow for a few more days, the airport, or the railway station.
Scenic Surrounds
Departure Transfer
New Destination by Train
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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: Beijing
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Irkutsk
- 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
