Trans-Siberian Railway Beijing to Moscow Itinerary

Day 1  Depart Australia

Day 2  Arrive in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China and one of the world's grandest cities. After a chance to freshen up we start our sightseeing with a visit to the Temple of Heaven and the enormous Tiananmen Square. In the evening we get together for group welcome dinner. [D]

Day 3  Beijing
The Great Wall is one of the only monuments that can be seen from space and today is our chance to walk on and explore this wonder. We also visit the famous Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Sacred Way a boulevard lined with carved stone animals. This evening we are in for a real treat as we enjoy a traditional Peking Duck banquet. [B,L,D]

Day 4  Beijing
We explore the impressive Forbidden City before commencing our rail journey on a special Chinese train. Due to the narrow rail gauge in China, we meet our private rail carriages in Mongolia. [B,L,D]

Day 5  Gobi Desert
This morning our train journeys through the famous Gobi Desert which is unlike any other desert in the world due to its sheer size and desolation. During the journey there will be a chance to explore the colourful border market at Erlian, at the border we transfer from our Chinese train to our private train, the Tsar's Gold. [B,L,D]

Day 6  Ulan Bator
Today our train pulls into the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator. Here we visit the interesting Choijin Lama Temple and have the chance to watch some traditional Mongolian music performances. Tonight we are in for a real treat as we get to enjoy the true peace and tranquility of the countryside as we overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger (felt-lined tent). [B,L,D]

Day 7  Mongolian Alps
After breakfast we visit the Buddhist Gandan Monastery. This is followed by an authentic picnic lunch in a yurt where we will enjoy a demonstration of Mongolian horsemanship and a 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! Tonight our train heads for Siberia! [B,L,D]

Day 8  Ulan Ude
Today we leave Mongolia and cross over into Russia where we meet the Trans-Siberian rail line. Here we spend time exploring Ulan Ude. [B,L,D]

Day 9  Lake Baikal
A stunning day as we tour Lake Baikal on our train, which travels along original tracks now closed to public trains. Our private train stops to allow us to take in the majestic beauty of the lake and, weather permitting, to dine picnic-style by the water’s edge. We also have the opportunity to take a dip in the lake or visit a Baikal village. Today is a real highlight of this tour. [B,L,D]

Day 10   Irkutsk
We reach Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia, where our tour includes lively market hall, the drama theatre, the newly erected statue of the Tsar and the excellent open-air museum the interesting open-air museum. Here we'll see the traditional architecture on the old Russian wooden houses and get a glimpse of life and work under the tsars’ rule. [B,L,D]

Day 11  Across Siberia
Our journey continues as we cross the immense Siberia Plains while sampling some good old-fashioned Russian hospitality in the form of vodka and caviar tastings. [B,L,D]

Day 12  Novosibirsk
Today we reach Novosibirsk, Siberia’s biggest city, and are greeted in the traditional Russian way: with bread, salt and balalaika music. Here we enjoy a wonderful city tour which includes a visit to the Trans-Siberian monument and the mighty Ob River [B,L,D]

Day 13   Yekaterinburg
This afternoon we make a stop in the historic city of Yekaterinburg - famous as the place where the last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family met their untimely end. We take a tour of the city and see the newly erected Cathedral-on-the-blood. [B,L,D]

Day 14  Kazan
Welcome to Europe where our first stop is Kazan, the old Tartar capital on the banks of the Volga. Plenty of history here: on a guided tour of the Kremlin we learn about the wild and often bloody relations of the Tartars, Cossacks, and Russians. Later we enjoy a boat ride and have lunch on the Volga. [B,L,D]

Day 15  Moscow
Congratulations! We have now completed one of the world's great rail journeys. On arrival in Moscow, one of the world’s oldest and richest cities, we depart our private train. This afternoon we start our sightseeing with a visit to the famous Kremlin then this evening we enjoy Moscow by night including a stop at Red Square and a subway ride with a visit of 2 beautiful old stations. B,L,D]

Day 16  Moscow
Our touring of Moscow continues this morning including Red Square with its colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral, the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Lomonossov University and the notorious former KGB headquarters. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore or do some shopping. Make sure you pick up a Matryoshka doll (also known in the west as a Babushka doll). [B]

Day 17  Moscow
Today you will have the whole at leisure. [B]

Day 18  Depart Moscow
Enjoy a final morning at leisure before we transfer to the airport. [B]

Day 19  Arrive in Australia

Trans-Siberian Railway Beijing to Moscow

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