TRANS-MONGOLIAN HIGHLIGHTS

ST PETERSBURG ● MOSCOW ● IRKUTSK & LAKE BAIKAL ● ULAANBAATAR

TOUR OVERVIEW

DURATION, PRICE, TOUR TYPE & DEPARTURES

16 nights from UK £ 2,625 / US $ 3,680 per person*

*Price based on 2 people travelling in a shared 4 berth second class cabin. Upgrade to your own cabin from UK £ 490 / US$ 690 per person. 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-SP-06-UB

MAP & DESTINATIONS

THE STOPS VISITED ON THIS TOUR

?? ST PETERSBURG - 3 nights

This beautiful and cultural city is a completely different experience to Moscow.

?? MOSCOW - 2 nights

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

?? IRKUTSK & BAIKAL - 3 nights

Forward looking Siberian city and gateway to Lake Baikal.

?? ULAANBAATAR - 3 nights

Remote capital of Mongolia and the start of a steppe adventure.

ON THE TRAINS - total 5 nights

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

TSSP06UB 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

DAY 1 - ST PETERSBURG

YOUR TRANS-SIBERIAN HOLIDAY STARTS IN BEAUTIFUL ST PETERSBURG

Welcome to St Petersburg, Russia’s cultural centre and arguably one of the world’s most beautiful cities - an architectural wonder often referred to as the “Venice of the North.” An English speaking driver will meet you for a transfer by private car to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring this stunning city.

MEALS: None Today.

OVERNIGHT: Cronwell Inn ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 2 - ST PETERSBURG

AN IDEAL 3 HOUR INTRODUCTORY WALKING TOUR OF THE CITY BEFORE A FREE AFTERNOON

Begin your time in St Petersburg with this superb introduction to this beautiful city with your private guide, learning about the history and architecture as well as life in today’s St Petersburg. The tour focuses on Nevsky Prospect including the Palace Square, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Winter Palace and the Admiralty amongst many other points of interest. The tour will usually finish on arrival at the Peter and Paul Fortress where you can visit the burial place of all the Russian Tzars from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

Free time for the rest of the day, perhaps to explore the Peter & Paul Fortress or some of the many other sights. Alternatively, St Petersburg is an excellent place to walk and admire the architecture stopping at the occasional cafe!

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: Cronwell Inn ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 3 - ST PETERSBURG

A FREE DAY TO EXPLORE THIS MAGNIFICENT CITY

A free day to explore St Petersburg. This city has so much to offer so it is a good idea to plan a little in advance if there are specific places you want to visit. However, this is also a fantastic city to aimlessly wander, exploring side streets, canals and the beautiful parks that feature across the city. Don’t forget there are also excellent sights outside the city including the opulent palaces of Peterhof and Pushkin.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: Cronwell Inn ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 4 - MOSCOW 

HIGH SPEED “SAPSAN” TRAIN TO MOSCOW IN JUST 4 HOURS

Free time before a late morning transfer by private car with an English speaking driver to the “Sapsan” train to Moscow. The journey takes just 4 hours with an early evening arrival in Moscow, the political and economic centre of this vast country. Moscow has many of Russia’s most famous sights, not least Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral and with over 800 years of history there is also a wealth of architecture, museums and monuments to its colourful past. Transfer from the station by private car with an English speaking driver to your hotel. Free time for the rest of the day.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

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

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DAY 5 - 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: Budapest Hotel  ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 6 - on the train 

DEPART MOSCOW ON THE TRAIN TO IRKUTSK

Free time until a late morning a transfer to Moscow’s iconic Yaroslavsky station for an early afternoon departure. The rest of the afternoon is spent gradually leaving Moscow behind as you travel through a landscape of farms and villages that exists between Moscow and Ekaterinburg.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 7 - on the train 

HEAD EAST REACHING THE EUROPE ASIA BORDER & EKATERINBURG

This section of the journey is through a relatively highly populated region by Russian standards - a landscape of farms and small towns and villages which already feel a long way from Moscow as well as some larger places with longer stops ideal for stretching the legs, taking some photos and stocking up on food and drink. In the evening you cross the Europe-Asia border and reach Ekaterinburg. From this point on you are offically in Siberia!

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

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

DAY 8 - on the train 

YOUR FIRST DAY IN SIBERIA & THE VASTNESS OF CENTRAL RUSSIA

The scenery today is flat, often swampy or forested and with few large settlements. The major city is Omsk but there are also a few other large stops. 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 9 - on the train 

BEAUTIFUL SIBERIAN LANDSCAPES AFTER KRASNOYARSK

The last full day on the train in this section of the trip passing prosperous Krasnoyarsk after which the scenery is particularly pleasant consisting of gently rolling hills and dense forests of larch, pine and, of course, 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 this part of 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.

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DAY 10 - IRKUTSK & BAIKAL

ARRIVAL IN IRKUTSK TRANSFERRING TO BOLSHOE GOLOUSTNOE ON THE SHORES OF BAIKAL

Early morning arrival in Irkutsk, regarded as the modern day cultural capital of Siberia, famed for its traditional wooden architecture, complimented by a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture.

Transfer from the station the 2 hour drive through dense forest to the remote village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe located inside Pribaikalsky National Park. The setting is quintessential Siberia with almost all the village's houses made of wood running up to the lakeshore of beautiful Baikal, among the deepest in the world at 1,642 meters. Many of the 700 residents have lived their entire lives in the village which dates back to 1673.

Your accommodation here is in a Siberian house in the heart of the village. Once settled in take a walk with your guide through the village including a visit to the church. We walk along the lakeshore and can also climb into the forests and hills for views of Lake Baikal (good shoes or walking boots advisable). Return to the house for a pre-dinner Banya - the traditional Russian Sauna. Your guide will explain the procedure and after a hearty Siberian homestyle meal should set you up for a great nights sleep!

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS LAKE BAIKAL STOPOVER
Bolshoe Goloustnoe is a small village on the shores of Baikal and provides a genuine Siberian experience in beautiful surroundings. The village is far enough from the Irkutsk to keep day trippers to a minimum and has retained it charm. However, this does mean accommodation is in the traditional Siberian style of log cabins, separate, outside buildings for drop (not flush) toilets and a Russian banya (sauna) for washing. For many this is all part of the experience and feedback is overwhelmingly positive. If you would prefer more comfort we can arrange a higher level guesthouse in Bolshoe Goloustnoe or a different stopover in the more built up village of Listvyanka. Ask us for more information.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Guest House.

OVERNIGHT: Siberian Guesthouse - click to learn more.

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DAY 11 - lake BAIKAL

A DAY EXPLORING THE LAKE SHORE VILLAGE OF BOLSHOE GOLOUSTNOE & SURROUNDS

There is no rush to wake this morning. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading off for a walk up a nearby mountain ascending 400 meters for panoramic views of Baikal (if this is too strenuous or the weather is bad your guide will make other suggestions). A leisurely return to the house for lunch. Free time in the afternoon to relax back at the house or further explore the village and surrounding forest and hills or enjoy another invigorating Banya.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Guest House.

OVERNIGHT: Siberian Guesthouse - click to learn more.

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DAY 12 - irkutsk

RETURN TO IRKUTSK WITH A CITY TOUR AND FREE TIME TO RELAX AT YOUR HOTEL

After breakfast drive the 2 hours back to Irkutsk arriving late morning at your hotel. Once settled in you will have a 2 hour walking tour of the city centre including the park and War Memorial, some of the beautiful churches along the Angara river, the main city centre streets and the statue of Alexander III - the Tzar responsible for the Trans-Siberian railway. Return to your hotel with free time for the rest of the day.

MEALS: Breakfast at the Guesthouse.

OVERNIGHT: Boutique Marussia Hotel ★ ★ ★ click to view hotel.

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DAY 13 - on the train

JOURNEY ALONG THE SHORE LAKE BAIKAL INTO BURYATIA & MONGOLIA

Early morning transfer to the station to catch your onward train. Today is usually the scenic highlight of the journey - a day of lake, forest and mountain views. After Irkutsk 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: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT: On the train - click to learn more.

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DAY 14 - ULAANBAATAR

ULAANBAATAR & COMFORTABLE ELSTEI GER CAMP

Early morning arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia and a truly unique destination that is for many a real highlight of the trip. Before heading out to Elstei ger camp you have breakfast and a chance to shower.

Transfer on to Elstei Ger camp located 55 km outside of the city in the open steppe stopping at the 40 meter high Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue (a further 25 km from Elstei) that sees that most famous of Mongols survey the grasslands. Elstei offers comfortable and spacious ger accommodation with separate toilet, showering and dining facilities. Click here to learn more about ger camps in Mongolia.

A range of options are available including visits to local nomads and learning about their way of life and hiking the grasslands. There are also opportunities to for horse riding (payable locally) and, for much of the year, activities such as archery, ger building and even the opportunity to learn how to wrestle Mongolian style! Of course, you can simply relax and take in this extraordinary landscape.

MEALS: Hotel Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Ger Camp.

OVERNIGHT: Elstei Ger Camp - click to learn more.

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DAY 15 - ULAANBAATAR

ENJOY THE STEPPE FURTHER OR RELAX AT THE GER CAMP

A full day at Elstei Ger camp to enjoy this unique experience with assistance from your guide when required. Today is a good opportunity to range further into the steppe from the ger camp either by foot or horseback (local hire fees apply) and, if the guide is notified the night before, the kitchen can arrange a packed lunch.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Ger Camp.

OVERNIGHT: Elstei Ger Camp - click to learn more.

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DAY 16 - ULAANBAATAR

RETURN TO ULAANBAATAR FOR A CITY TOUR & FREE TIME

After breakfast return to Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s capital is home to around a third of the entire population and has experienced a major boom in the last 10 years. There is much of cultural interest here and the this morning’s city tour includes Gandan Lama Monastery, impressive Sukhbaatar square and the views and Soviet monuments of Zaisan Hill.

Free time for the rest of the day, perhaps to delve into the city’s surprisingly vibrant eating and drinking scene.

MEALS: Breakfast at the Ger Camp.

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

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DAY 17 - end of tour 

FREE TIME UNTIL A TRANSFER TO YOUR ONWARD TRANSPORT

Today is free for any last minute shopping, sightseeing or souvenirs hunting before a transfer to your onward transport out of Mongolia. 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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ENGELA POTGIETER

"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 second class – ask us about upgrades.
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 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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