Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing

This morning you will depart the capital of China to start your your exciting journey across Eurasia. Your train will pass through rural areas, beautiful mountains and valleys, and give you a passing glimpse at the Great Wall of China.

You will arrive around noon and your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check in, you can relax in your room, grab a bite in the hotel's restaurant, or explore the surrounding city. We recommend that you rest as you have an eventful program planned for tomorrow.

Day 2: Gorkhi National Park

This morning your train will cross into Mongolia. The Gorkhi Terelj National Park awaits you before lunch at a local Ger camp. Take a stroll through the surrounding hills to Turtle rock and a Meditation Center and return to the Ger camp for an evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 3: Ulan-Bator

Breakfast at the camp will be followed by free time. In the afternoon you will be taken back to your hotel in Ulan-Bator.

Day 4: Ulan-Bator

Spend today getting to know Ulan-Bator. Explore the Gandan Monastery and the incredible national history museum. Feast in the local restaurants and shop at the art, antique, and cashmere shops before visiting Zaisan Hill for a panoramic city view. End your day with a performance of Mongolian folk music and a traditional meal.

Day 5: Depart Mongolia, enter Siberia

In the afternoon you will board the train that will take you to Siberia.

Day 6: Irkutsk

You will arrive in Irkutsk, the capital of East Siberia, in the afternoon. Upon arrival you will visit Listvyanka Village on the shore of Lake Baikal where you will check in to your chalet and enjoy a delicious evening barbecue by the world's most amazing lake.

Day 7: The Baikal Lake

Visit the local Museum of Wooden Architecture with its unique structures donated from all over Russia, historic houses, and buildings of indigenous people. You will have lunch at a local Siberian restaurant (Sibirskaya Zaimka) to try traditional Siberian food and visit its private zoo of native animals. Once you transfer back to Listvyanka village you have the option of partaking in a pre-booked sauna before your evening meal at the Chalet.

Day 8: The Lake Baikal

You have two options today.

Visit a Buryat settlement 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plane, including a tour of the local lore museum, a greeting ceremony, traditional art and music, and the opportunity to be “cleansed” by the local Shaman. Finish at a Yurt to sample local teas and a traditional meal.

OR

Take a full-day trip around Lake Baikal by way of the famous Circum Baikal Railroad. The tour stops at the most picturesque places en route to harness the breathtaking views of this unique bit of nature. You will stop at the marble mining city of Sludyanka.

Both options return you to Irkutsk.

Day 9: Irkutsk

Three centuries ago, Irkutsk was Russia's largest trading post in Siberia. It was from here that Russian merchants began expeditions to Kamchatka and Alaska and trade caravans to China. You will explore the city today, visiting local churches and museums as well as the house of "Decembrists" - the nobles who were sent to Siberia by the Tsar after their unsuccessful revolt in the 19th century.

Day 10: Altai Mountains

Altai is the gorgeous mountain range in the southern part of Siberia. It features breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and untouched nature. Having left the Altai behind, your train will cross the Great Eurasian Plateau and leave Siberia. Siberia is distant, but not desolate. You will stop in Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, an important scientific center that has attracted the attention of such large companies as Microsoft.

Day 11: The Ural Mountains

Today your train will cross the Ural Mountains, the great divide between Europe and Asia. The Urals have been the backbone of Russia's industrial production for over 300 years. You will make a brief stop in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the region, and in the evening reach the Great Russian Plain.

Day 12: Moscow

Welcome to Moscow, the historic capital of Russia and its largest and most vibrant city!

You will arrive around noon and your driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the airport. After hotel check in, you can relax in your room, grab a bite in the hotel's restaurant, or explore the surrounding city. We recommend that you rest as you have an eventful program planned for tomorrow.

Day 13: Moscow

Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. Today you will go on one of the most interesting tours in the world as you explore Moscow's famous Red Square and go inside the St. Basil Cathedral, built by Ivan the Terrible in the 15th century. We will take you inside the Kremlin on a thorough tour of Russian history.

 

Day 14: Moscow

Today you will take the Moscow Subway to the Tretyakov Picture Gallery. The afternoon is yours to explore the city and in the evening you will board an overnight train to the banks of the Baltic Ocean and one of the most beautiful cities on our planet, St. Petersburg. Please note, late check out from the hotel is not included in the price.

Day 15: St. Petersburg

Welcome to St. Petersburg, a living museum of Russian and European history!. Your driver and guide will pick you up at the train station and take you on the tour of the city. You will see the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and the Church on Spilled Blood.

Day 16: Peterhof

Peterhof is a royal residence on the outskirts of the city, most famous for its fountain park that rivals that of Versailles. Peterhof was the official summer residence of Russian Tsars and is home to the Summer Palace. Lunch at the "Gallery Restaurant" in Peterhof is included in the price.

Day 17: Catherine's Palace

Pushkin (also known as Tsarskoe Selo) is home to the gorgeous Catherine's Palace. Peter the Great gave this palace as a gift to his beloved wife. It is most famous for the Amber Room that was looted by Germany troops during World War II.

Day 18: Departure

This is the final day of your tour. Your driver will take you to the airport. You will be leaving with a lifetime of memories from your Eurasian adventure. We hope you will return to this very special country soon! Your airport transfer is arranged.