Day 1Departure for Mongolia
In the evening, the rail part of the journey begins. A modern Chinese train will pull out from Beijing’s station, en route to Mongolia, a 16-hour trip (Nostalgic Comfort and Bolshoi cars are not available for this one night). Meanwhile, China’s busy rural life unfolds outside your window: people working in the fields, donkey-drawn carts on dusty roads, and the great steppes of the Gobi desert. (D)
Day 2 Through the Gobi desert
At noon you arrive at the Chinese-Mongolian border and change to your Private Train. Formalities are easily dispatched in your compartment. In Erlian you can explore the colourful border market. Afterwards, your Private Train takes you through the vast expanse of the Gobi desert, then through the great green steppes of Mongolia. (BLD)
Day 3 Ulan Bator
In the morning you arrive in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator. Major luggage can be left on the train while you check into the centrally located 3* hotel and then enjoy a tour of the city. You will see the Choijin Lama temple; at night you will have the unique opportunity to watch traditional Mongolian music performances. (BLD)
Day 4 Gandan Monastery and the Mongolian Alps
After breakfast you will visit the Buddhist Gandan Monastery and undertake an excursion to a mountainous area with stunning rock formations. Along the way, an open-air railroad museum puts the Mongolian railway in context. A picnic lunch in a yurt is followed by a demonstration of Mongolian horsemanship and the traditional wrestling match. Try some lamb in milk, a culinary specialty of Mongolia. Or, for the brave of heart, there’s always kumys (fermented mare’s milk), the beer of the nomads. (BLD)
Day 5 Ulan Ude
Bid farewell to the Mongolian steppes as the train rolls on through the valley of Selenga, the largest river of Mongolia. In Ulan Ude your train joins the main route of the Transsiberian Railroad. Here you can stroll through the city streets or join the guided tour of the city. (BLD)
Day 6 Lake Baikal
The entire day is dedicated to Lake Baikal. Before noon you will arrive at the old station, located directly on the shore. During two long photo stops you will have the chance to capture the beauty of the lake on film and explore the wonderful scenery. Take a moment to have a dip in the lake or visit a picturesque Baikal village. If the night is warm, your dinner will be served as a picnic on the shores of the spectacular lake before re-boarding the train. Next stop: Irkutsk. (BLD)
Day 7 Irkutsk
In the morning you will check into a centrally located 3* hotel in Irkutsk. You can safely leave your bags on the train. A tour of the city includes the drama theatre and a rather spectacular oddity, a newly erected statue of the Tsar. The afternoon features an excursion to an open-air museum displaying Siberian life in the old days. A drive to a typical village and a short boat ride on Lake Baikal follow. (BLD)
Day 8 Across Siberia
After breakfast the train takes you through the landscapes of Eastern Siberia with its mountains, crystal-clear rivers and verdant slopes. On board of the train you enjoy entertaining lectures about Siberia. A social get-together complete with caviar and vodka tasting makes you familiar with Russian hospitality. (BLD)
Day 9 Novosibirsk
At noon you pull into Novosibirsk, Siberia’s biggest city, and are greeted in the traditional Russian way: with bread, salt and balalaika music. Your city tour includes a visit to the lively market. (BLD)
Day 10 Ekaterinburg
In the afternoon the train stops in Ekaterinburg, the capital of the Ural Mountains and the border between Asia and Europe, where you enjoy a short exploration of the city. In the course of the city tour you will see the newly erected Cathedral-on-the-blood, built in memorial of that tragic historical event. From now on your train is on European ground. (BLD)
Day 11 Kazan
After breakfast you arrive in Kazan, the old Tartar capital on the banks of the Volga. Plenty of history here: on a guided tour of the Kremlin you will learn about the wild and often bloody relations of the Tartars, Cossacks, and Russians. Afterwards you can enjoy a boat ride and have lunch on the Volga. The evening offers you one last chance to be pampered in the onboard restaurant. (BLD)
Day 12 Moscow
Before noon you arrive in Moscow, Russia’s capital and one of the world’s richest and most dynamic cities. After the long rail journey, your 4* hotel offers comfort and convenience. At noon, your first stop is the Kremlin with its glorious cathedrals. You can also check out the interiors of some of the buildings. After dinner you go on a magical evening trip through the city. This special tour includes a stop at Red Square as well as a subway ride with a visit of two beautiful old stations. (BLD)
Day 13 Tour of Moscow and return home
After a savoury breakfast at your hotel you go on a guided tour of Moscow to see the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Lomonossov University, the New Virgin Monastery, and Red Square with its colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral, but also the notorious former KGB headquarters and the White House. Bid your fantastic journey farewell before your departure to the airport. (B)
If you wish to extend your journey, we offer a 4-day trip to lovely St. Petersburg.
Independent Group Price (2-5 Persons)
Prices (in RMB):
|
Category I
standard
|
Category II
Standard Plus
|
Category III
Nostalgic Comfort
|
Category IV
Bolshoi
|
Category V
Bolshoi Platinum
|
Price p.p.
|
25800
|
36800
|
47800
|
74800
|
88800
|
Single supplement
|
--
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11480
|
25480
|
44480
|
45480
|
The category I Standard
Compartments for 4 guests with 2 lower berths and 2 upper berths measuring 70 x 190 cm each. There is a small table under the window. There is the possibility to use this category with 3 persons for a supplement. There are 9 compartments per car. A toilet with washbasins is at each end of the car.
Standard Plus Category
In the STANDARD PLUS CATEGORY (II),
there are 9 compartments per car. A compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized app. 70 x 190 cm and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of this category’s cars. In every second to third car there is a shower compartment.
Nostalgic Comfort Category
If you want to travel like the red tsars, the NOSTALGIC
COMFORT CATEGORY (III) is a must. The newly built cars of our Category III
are nostalgically furnished, but also provide modern amenities. You’ll be travelling in an ambiance, in which even former Soviet leaders would have felt at home – although with the comfort of the 21st century. Each of these rolling hotel rooms offers two large berths (app. 80 x 185 cm) and an armchair for an especially comfortable view of the changing landscapes. Two compartments share one bathroom, located
in a small lavatory between every two compartments.
Bolshoi Category
The BOLSHOI CATEGORY (IV) is equipped
with two beds, one of which measures 1,10 m x 1,90 m, even providing room for two people if required. Furthermore, the 5,57 m² large compartments offer a cosy seating bench, a commodious table and a wardrobe. The compartment’s exclusive en suite bathroom does not only contain a washing basin, WC and shower, but also enough storage space for your personal belongings. Each car of the Bolshoi category
has only six compartments.
Bolshoi Platinum Category
The newly introduced BOLSHOI PLATINUM
CATEGORY (V) features the highest possible comfort on the Transsiberian. Each compartment is 7,15 m² large and provided with full shower cabin, WC and washing basin. Each waggon of the PLATINUM CATEGORY contains just about 5 of these magnificent cabins.
Our service––Your benefit
- More than 25,000 satisfied guests have travelled Europe’s most experienced Tour Operator on the Transsiberian Railroad with the know-how from over 20 years of operating tours in Russia and on the Transsiberian
- The only Private Train on the Transsiberian awarded the TÜV quality seal of the official German technical inspection authority (constantly monitoring service quality)
- Obtain profound insights into Russian, Mongolian and Chinese culture––in just one epic journey
- Dine in our lovingly designed restaurant wagons and enjoy finest local cuisine and drinks served by courteous waiters
- 35 meals included during the tour according to itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- excursions and tours according to the itinerary as well as all entrance fees
- Professional threefold tour guide-system: Knowledgeable and dedicated tour director, a competent group guide as well as several local guides, all equipped with expert knowledge of the region
- Individual special requests possible: Access to forbidden zones and extra opening hours
- Alternating overnights in your train compartment and in first class and standard hotels
- Choose from 5 different compartment categories: Standard (4-bed birth), Standard Plus (2-bed birth), Nostalgic Comfort (these newly built cars are nostalgically furnished in the Soviet Government Train style of the 50’s), Bolshoi (2-bed birth with en-suite facilities) and Bolshoi Platinum (even larger than Bolshoi cabins featuring the best available comfort on the Transsiberian Railway)
- Travel with guaranteed accommodation in the category booked onboard the Private Train from Erlian to Moscow; single accommodation is possible
- From Beijing to Erlian (about 16 hours) accommodation in comfortable sleeping quarters (the Chinese train does not carry sleeping cars of the Nostalgic Comfort and Bolshoi category; single accommodation is not guaranteed)
- Extensive trip on the ancient rail lines of the Transsiberian Railway directly on the banks of Lake Baikal with photo stop
- one night in Moscow in first class hotels.
- One overnight each at centrally located standard hotels in Ulan Bator and Irkutsk (Kat. IV and V guests reside in deluxe rooms or suites of standard hotels)
- All transfers at your travel destinations
- Luggage service at all train stations
- Detailed travel documents, travel guides and personal log book
- Sophisticated on-board programmes: Entertaining lectures on local culture, history and everyday life
- Caviar and vodka tasting on board the train
- Doctor on board (from the Chinese border to Moscow)
- Showers on board
- Traditional Russian welcoming ceremony with bread, salt and Balalaika music
The above prices including:
train and hotel accommodation, whole excursion programme, meals according to the itinerary, transfers
Excluding:
visas, flight Moscow-Beijing, tips, personal expenses