Trans-Mongolian Express Railway, Westbound
| country: | China, Mongolia, Russia |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs selected Sundays throughout the year |
| price: | From £2060 (21 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| offers: | Save 15% on all trips to Europe and the Middle East if you book by 9th April |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Trans-Mongolian Express Railway, Westbound
Travel across continents and time zones on one of the world's greatest train journeys. Explore ancient Beijing before heading to the untamed wilderness of Mongolia to meet its nomadic people. Leave Asia behind on a rail journey into Europe across the wild, open plains of Siberia before ending your journey in glittering St Petersburg. This trip will open your eyes to the history, scenery and unique cultures that make up this fascinating region, so climb aboard for the ultimate trans-Mongolian experience.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-4: | Beijing. The fascinating city of Beijing is the ideal place to start this journey. Uncover the secrets of the Forbidden City, walk through Tiananmen Square and enjoy a day at the amazing Great Wall of China. |
| Days 5-8: | Ulaanbaatar/Ger Camp. Cross the Chinese border and journey into the grasslands of Genghis Khan. Enjoy a first-rate Mongolian experience with an overnight stay in a traditional ger. |
| Day 9: | Trans-Mongolian Railway. Take a train ride north through the vast steppes of Mongolia towards the heart of Russia - Siberia. |
| Days 10-12: | Lake Baikal/Irkutsk. Enjoy feasting on local food while staying with local friends on the shores of sparkling Lake Baikal. Head into charming Irkutsk, once a gold-rush town and place of exile, to spend an afternoon wandering around its 19th century architecture. |
| Days 13-14: | Trans-Siberian Railway. The route of the famed Trans-Siberian railway covers vast terrain, crossing the taiga and travelling through five time zones on its way from Asia to Europe. |
| Day 15: | Suzdal. Visit the past in Suzdal, once the capital of Russia. Admire the glittering skyline of domes in a town that feels untouched by time. |
| Days 16-18: | Moscow. Wander the streets of this exciting city and take in the famous Red Square, St Basil's Cathedral and the magnificent Kremlin - a name that conjures up images of the glory of tsars and the power of the Soviets. |
| Days 19-21: | St Petersburg. The elegant city of St Petersburg is the final breathtaking destination on this epic cross-continental journey. |
traveller reviews for Trans-Mongolian Express Railway, Westbound
Most memorable? staying at the Ger camp in Mongolia surrounded by beautiful scenery. And the banya by the side of the world's deepest lake, Lake Baikal. Most exciting- probably taking the luge down from the Great Wall of China. (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. The central tenet of the Awards, in which winners are nominated by tourists, is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip is an epic journey traversing 3 national and through areas that area rarely visited by tourists. In particular this trip exposes the outer reaches of rural Mongolia and the vast taiga of Siberia, as well as the grandness of the huge cities of Beijing, Moscow and St Petersburg.
In Mongolia the itinerary takes in the beautiful Terelj National Park for 2 days in this grassland wilderness. The group stays in a traditional Ger camp where they can experience the lives of nomadic families. Horseriding is an option here, and is a great way of learning more about the local people's lives. In the heart of Siberia travellers head to Lystvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Here accommodation is arranged in homestays - the group splits up as travellers are welcomed into the lives and homes of local Listvyanka villagers for two nights. This is a unique experience that allows immersion into the local way of life. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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