Trans-Mongolian Express, Eastbound
| country: | China, Mongolia, Russia |
| departures: | 2010: 3 May, 17 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 30 Aug, 13 Sep, 27 Sep, 11 Oct, 25 Oct 2011: 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun |
| price: | From £2010 (21 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Come along on an awe-inspiring journey traversing three great nations and a quarter of the globe. From the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg to the grace of imperial Beijing, travel along the most famous railway in the world through the heartland of Siberia, the vast grassy steppes of Mongolia and the raw beauty of the Gobi Desert. This is rail adventure at its finest.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-3: | St Petersburg. This rail odyssey begins in St Petersburg, the shining star of early modern Russia. The Hermitage Museum within the illustrious Winter Palace is a must-see for its huge collection of artistic treasures, while the city's baroque architecture and European atmosphere is sure to charm. |
| Day 4: | Suzdal. Part of Russia's famed Golden Ring of ancient capitals, this town holds a millennium of Russian history. Wander down rustic lanes and be enchanted by the medieval monasteries and cathedrals. Relax by the riverside with a glass of medovukha, a local specialty made from honey, and enjoy the picturesque views. |
| Days 5-7: | Moscow. Russia's capital is a unique blend of Orthodox churches, communist relics and brash capitalism. With their contrasting heritages, St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin both lend grandeur to this bustling city. |
| Days 8-10: | Trans-Siberian Railway. The first leg of the Trans-Siberian train journey travels deep into the dense Siberian taiga - a perfect opportunity to chill out, sip tea with the locals and watch the scenery pass by. There are many stops along the way, providing a chance to stock up on dumplings at impromptu market stalls. |
| Days 11-12: | Irkutsk/Lake Baikal. Head to the world?s largest freshwater lake. Experience a homestay on the banks of tranquil Lake Baikal for a unique insight into traditional life. |
| Days 13-14: | Irkutsk/Trans-Mongolian Railway. Wander the streets of Irkutsk and explore the city's mix of traditional Siberian buildings and stark communist-era architecture. Delve into romantic local history with a visit to the Museum of Mariya Volkonskaya, Princess of Siberia, before departing the land of Lenin and venturing into the grasslands of Ghengis Khan via the border town of Sukhbaatar. |
| Days 15-18: | Ulaanbaatar/Ger Camp. Learn about Mongolia's turbulent history by exploring some of Ulaanbaatar?s fine museums, monasteries and palaces. Spend a night in a simple ger camp in a magnificent national park. |
| Days 19-21: | Beijing. China's impressive capital offers up a wealth of historical sights. Admire the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Then stand atop the Great Wall and marvel at the might of the Middle Kingdom. Be sure to take time out from sight seeing to pick up a bargain or three from the Silk Markets. |
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) 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. The gers sleep up to 4 people with comfy beds and plenty of blankets. In the colder months you might want to stoke up the wood heater in the centre of the ger and you'll be toasty warm in no time! Horseriding is also 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. |