TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS

MOSCOW ● BEIJING

TOUR OVERVIEW

DURATION, PRICE, TOUR TYPE & DEPARTURES

11 nights from UK £ 2,370 / US $ 3,320 per person*

*Price based on 2 people travelling in a 2 berth first class cabin. These prices are based on 2021 rates and are here to give guidance. Final quotes vary by date, exchange rates and are subject to availability.

PRIVATE TOUR - NOT A GROUP TOUR - CAN BE TAILORED 

SEASON - YEAR ROUND WITH WEEKLY DEPARTURES

TOUR CODE : TS-M-01

MAP & DESTINATIONS

THE STOPS VISITED ON THIS TOUR

?? MOSCOW - 2 nights

Russia’s vast and iconic capital and the start of this railway adventure.

?? BEIJING - 3 nights

China’s Capital is an eclectic mix of Imperial splendour and 21st Century Asia.

ON THE TRAINS - total 6 nights

We use the most comfortable and reliable trains possible for each leg.

TSM01 map

OUR EXCLUSIVE TRIP GUIDEBOOK

This trip includes our exclusive 200+ page guidebook personalised to your trip with sections about the trains, destinations, timetables and emergency contacts and allowing you to be fully prepared for your trip of a lifetime - an invaluable resource!

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAILY DESCRIPTIONS OF ACTIVITIES, MEALS & OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION

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DAY 1 - MOSCOW 

YOUR TRANS-SIBERIAN ADVENTURE STARTS IN RUSSIA’S CAPITAL OF MOSCOW

Welcome to Moscow, Russia’s capital and its largest city with more than 12 million people. It is the political and economic centre of this vast country and has many of Russia’s most famous sights, not least Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral. With over 800 years of history there is also a wealth of architecture, museums and monuments to a colourful past. Transfer by private car with an English speaking driver to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring this stunning city.

MEALS: None today.

OVERNIGHT: Metropol Hotel  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 2 - MOSCOW 

A FASCINATING 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR OF CENTRAL MOSCOW WITH A FREE AFTERNOON

The perfect introductory walking tour of central Moscow designed to orientate and open up its hidden treasures. Your guide will take you along the main streets and less visited back roads to see the diversity of architectural styles from the austere and restrained Russian style to richly decorated Moscow Baroque, elegant Empire, fascinating Art Nouveau and even Pseudo-Chinese and Moorish. Hear stories and legends not found in the guidebooks as well as passing the most important sites in the city including the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya street, GUM Department store, Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral.

The rest of the day is free to further explore Moscow. The exclusive Trip Guidebook we send you before your trip is full of ideas and useful information to ensure you get the most out of your time in this iconic city.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: Metropol Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 3 - on the train 

FREE TIME TO EXPLORE MOSCOW BEFORE AN EVENING DEPARTURE ON THE TRANS-MONGOLIAN

Free time to explore Moscow before your departure on the Trans-Mongolian train. The city has much to offer whatever the weather from the famous museums such as Pushkin Fine Arts and Tretyakov Art Gallery to more outdoor areas including the Park of the Fallen Idols and Novodevitchy Convent. Of course, if the weather is not so good Moscow is one of the few cities where a day spent on the metro is a tourist attraction with many beautiful stations to visit and all for the price of a single ticket! For relaxing we recommend the bars, galleries and cafes of the Red October district or the fabulous Gorky Park.

Evening transfer to Moscow’s iconic Yaroslavsky station to catch the Chinese run “Trans-Mongolian” that runs all the way to Beijing. Settle into your cabin which will become your home for the coming days.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 4 - on the train 

A LANDSCAPE OF FARMS, TOWN AND VILLAGES ACROSS EUROPEAN RUSSIA

Your first full day on the train through a populated region of farms, small towns and villages which already feel a long way from Moscow. There are a few large cities to stop at to get your first taste of life on the platforms which tends to focus on stretching the legs, taking some photos and stocking up on food and drink from the small kiosks and independent sellers. By the end of the day you should feel quite settled to life on the rails.

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

DAY 5 - on the train 

YOUR FIRST DAY IN SIBERIA & ON THE ASIAN CONTINENT

During the early hours you crossed the Europe Asia border and stopped at Ekaterinburg, capital of the mineral rich Ural region. This is also the point you can say you have entered Siberia proper. The scenery today is flat, often swampy or forested with few major settlements. This is a day for relaxing, socializing and getting into a good book!

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 6 - on the train 

PASS KRASNOYARSK AND ENJOY A DAY OF BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

In the morning you pass prosperous Krasnoyarsk and the scenery gets better from this point consisting of gently rolling hills and dense forests of larch, pine and birch trees. There are many rivers and ponds and if it hasn’t happened before now you will start to comprehend just how vast and untouched Russia is as the sun sets on the endless taiga of Siberia.

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

DAY 7 - on the train 

JOURNEY ALONG THE SHORE LAKE BAIKAL INTO BURYATIA & MONGOLIA

Today is usually the scenic highlight of the journey - a day of lake, forest and mountain views. After Irkutsk, which you reach very early in the morning, the train rumbles around the Southern shore of the stunning Lake Baikal often passing within a matter of meters of the lake and providing endlessly changing vistas. You will also notice a change in the people with many more Asian faces as you enter Buryatia which has strong cultural ties to Mongolia. This is a remote and pretty section of the trip with a hint of an old Asian culture ever present. Eventually you arrive at the Russia-Mongolia border at Naushki passing through the border formalities before continuing into the grasslands of Mongolia.

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 8 - on the train 

THE MONGOLIAN GRASSLANDS, ULAANBAATAR & GOBI DESERT

Wake up early to see Mongolia’s open steppe before arrival at the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Continue as the grasslands gradually give way to the remote and rocky Gobi desert during the afternoon - keep an eye out for camels!

Evening arrival at the Mongolia-China border at Zamyn-Ude. The Mongolian exit formalities are completed on the train before a much longer stop on the Chinese side.

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 9 - BEIJING 

AFTERNOON ARRIVAL IN BEIJING WITH FREE TIME TO RELAX

Wake up in China’s Inner Mongolian grasslands before a series of tunnels and impressive views lead you through the mountains that shield Beijing. Afternoon arrival in China’s capital. Beijing has it all - history, imperial majesty, modern masterpieces, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant local culture. Your guide will meet you at the station exit and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to relax or start to explore the city with the help of your personalised and exclusive Trip Guidebook we send you before the trip. The area around your centrally located hotel is perfect for an introductory walk.

MEALS: None today - however the train does have a dining car.

OVERNIGHT: Kapok Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 10 - BEIJING 

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, TIANANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY & SUMMER PALACE

Today you will see the main highlights of Beijing starting with the Temple of Heaven, considered by many to be the most beautiful building in China. On to vast Tiananmen Square, home to the Mao Mausoleum (it may be possible to visit if open) and Monument to the People’s Heroes before walking to the huge palace complex of the Forbidden City. We’ll walk up the middle axis from South to North taking in the splendour of the most important central buildings before finishing in a small and ancient garden by the north gate.

The last stop today is at the Summer Palace to the west of Beijing. Dominated by Kunming lake it is as popular an escape from the city for todays Beijingers as it was for the Imperial court over the centuries.

Return to your hotel with the rest of the evening free or just ask us for suggestions of shows or cultural activities.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.

OVERNIGHT: Kapok Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 11 - BEIJING 

THE GREAT WALL AT STUNNING MUTIANYU & VISIT ONE OF BEIJING’s MARKETS

Today we will be showing you one of China’s most famous sights - the Great Wall. We visit the dramatic and less crowded Mutianyu section 70km from Beijing set amongst spectacular mountain scenery. Dating back to the 6th Century and largely rebuilt in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty it is one of the best preserved sections of the wall largely due to the high standard of construction. The tour includes cable car tickets cable up and down the Wall.

Also today, if you wish, we can take you to one of Beijing’s many markets. Favourites are the Silk Market, Pearl Market and Panjiayuan antique market. If souvenir shopping isn’t for you other options are the Hutong street of Nanluoguxiang, the 798 Dashanzhi contemporary art area or a quick look at the impressive 2008 Olympic Stadium. You can discuss which is right for you with us in advance or your guide on the day.

Return to your hotel for a free evening to enjoy Beijing further or ask us about cultural activities.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.

OVERNIGHT: Kapok Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

DAY 12 - end of tour 

DEPART CHINA WITH A WEALTH OF MEMORIES OF YOUR TRIP

Free time for any final sightseeing or last minute shopping for souvenirs if time. Your local guide will have arranged a time to meet you in the hotel lobby for a transfer to the airport in good time for your flight out of China. We sincerely hope that you have had a fantastic Trans-Siberian experience!

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

Thank you so very much. We had the best time!
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AMY WEGERHOFF

"Your company really did an amazing job on this trip."
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"Nothing short of outstanding & the fulfilment of a lifetimes dream."
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INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

FOR FULL DETAILS ASK UP FOR DOWNLOAD THE TRIP DOSSIER

Train tickets in first class.
All accommodation as specified above.
All private transfers and transport as described.
All meals as specified in the itinerary.
All tours as specified including entrance fees.
24 hour emergency assistance
Visa Paperwork you need in order to obtain the visas.
Financial Peace of Mind as your trip is protected.
Our exclusive 200+ page trip guidebook.
International Airfare to / from the start / finish of your trip – we can book these flights on request.
The Russian, Mongolian & Chinese visas – we can advise and partner with VisaCentral.
Travel insurance to cover any medical treatment – we canadvise on options.
Discretionary gratuities to drivers and guides.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW

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