Highlights of Trans-Mongolian Railway Journey: Irkutsk - Baikal - Mongolia - Beijing (TS-14)
China & Beyond offers you the chance to take on this giant railway journey in just twelve exciting days. Starting from Lake Baikal in Siberia and finishing in Beijing, you will enjoy a stopover in Moscow before your flight to Siberia too. The “Highlights of Trans-Mongolian Railway” tour is the best value and option for those tight on time or budget.Day 1. Moscow
We take an internal less than 6 hours overnight flight to Irkutsk.
Day 2. Irkutsk - Listvyanka
Our guide will meet you upon your arrival in Irkutsk and transfer to Listvyanka village where you enjoy your free time.
Day 3. Listvyanka
Free day at leisure. Spend some time at the lake, visit the St. Nicolas Russian Church and the Baikal Lake Museum or do some walking.
Day 4. Listvyanka - Irkutsk
Today we return to Irkutsk. On our way we will stop to visit the open air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. After an orientation city tour around Irkutsk and some free time we board our train to Mongolia.
Day 6. Ulan Bator - Terelj
Our guide will meet you at the railway station. On our way to Terelj we will explore Chinggis Khaan monument - a 40-metre tall statue, erected in 2008. Later in Terelj we will explore Turtle Rock and after lunch we will enjoy hiking to Aryabal monastery.
Day 7. Terelj - Ulan Bator
We return to Ulan-Bator. After a city tour we will visit the National History Museum.
Day 8. Ulan Bator
After a short transfer to the railway station we board our train to China.
Day 9. Ulan Bator
Arrival in Beijing. Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the station. We will visit an old part of Beijing – hutong. We will enjoy a guided ride by rickshaw through narrow and curved alleys of this unique old part of Beijing.
Day 10. Beijing
Today we will explore Tiananmen square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace.
Day 11. Beijing
We drive to the Great Wall of China and visit the Badaling section. After, we will see the Olympic park constructed in Beijing for 2008 Summer Olympics.
Day 12. Beijing
Transfer to the airport. Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the hotel lobby.
Tour Inclusions
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International flights
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Accommodation
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Guided tours & cultural programme
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Meals on Transsib
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Domestic transport at your destination
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Airport & railway transfers
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Visa fees
Not included
Quick Facts
- Season: Four Seasons
- Days: 12
- Group Size: 2-12
- Tour Grade:
Included in the Tour Price
International flights
Our advertised package price is based on economy flights from / to London. If you depart from a regional airport in the UK or another country, there might be additional surcharges for international airfares. Upon booking a tour you will be offered various flight options. Please note, the package price depends on the availability of flight tickets and will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant. The airfare is not guaranteed unless ticketed. We advise to book sooner than later as the airfare may go up closer to your departure date, especially during high seasons.
Our advertised package price is based on economy flights from / to London. If you depart from a regional airport in the UK or another country, there might be additional surcharges for international airfares. Upon booking a tour you will be offered various flight options. Please note, the package price depends on the availability of flight tickets and will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant. The airfare is not guaranteed unless ticketed. We advise to book sooner than later as the airfare may go up closer to your departure date, especially during high seasons.
Accommodation
All accommodation at your destination is included in the holiday price. Hotel category - according to the package type selected.
All accommodation at your destination is included in the holiday price. Hotel category - according to the package type selected.
Guided tours & cultural programme
All tours with entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included in the holiday price. There will be an English-speaking guide on all tours. Please note, we can arrange guides speaking other languages upon request. Please let us know your preferences.
All tours with entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included in the holiday price. There will be an English-speaking guide on all tours. Please note, we can arrange guides speaking other languages upon request. Please let us know your preferences.
Meals on Transsib
Breakfasts in the hotels in Russia, full board in Mongolia and China are included in the holiday price. No meals are included on the train. While on the train you can either use a restaurant carriage or buy food from local vendors or shops. There is always hot boiled water available on the trains which makes possible to prepare instant food.
Breakfasts in the hotels in Russia, full board in Mongolia and China are included in the holiday price. No meals are included on the train. While on the train you can either use a restaurant carriage or buy food from local vendors or shops. There is always hot boiled water available on the trains which makes possible to prepare instant food.
Domestic transport at your destination
All domestic transportation at your destination is included as per the itinerary: air conditioned vehicles, 2nd class train, economy flights if applicable. Any 1st class upgrade for train, higher class for air travel are subject to surcharges. For sightseeing we use a comfortable coach, car or minibus; or can also go on foot.
All domestic transportation at your destination is included as per the itinerary: air conditioned vehicles, 2nd class train, economy flights if applicable. Any 1st class upgrade for train, higher class for air travel are subject to surcharges. For sightseeing we use a comfortable coach, car or minibus; or can also go on foot.
Airport & railway transfers
All airport and railway transfers as per itinerary are included in the tour price. We will also provide airport transfers if you arrange your own arrival / departure flights regardless of the time of the flight, you will need to let us know your flight details. We operate all transfers 24 hours a day.
All airport and railway transfers as per itinerary are included in the tour price. We will also provide airport transfers if you arrange your own arrival / departure flights regardless of the time of the flight, you will need to let us know your flight details. We operate all transfers 24 hours a day.
Visa fees
Standard visa processing for UK residents is included in the tour price. Upon your booking we email detailed guidance notes how to complete the visa forms. All application packs are checked by our visa department before submission to the relevant consulates. If you are based overseas we will email all required paperwork for you to apply for the visas in the local consulate. Please read more about required visas in the tour description or our country guides on this websites.
Standard visa processing for UK residents is included in the tour price. Upon your booking we email detailed guidance notes how to complete the visa forms. All application packs are checked by our visa department before submission to the relevant consulates. If you are based overseas we will email all required paperwork for you to apply for the visas in the local consulate. Please read more about required visas in the tour description or our country guides on this websites.
Not included
Personal travel insurance
Personal travel insurance is not included in the holiday price. It is advisable to take out your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. You can arrange your personal travel insurance on our website.
Personal travel insurance is not included in the holiday price. It is advisable to take out your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. You can arrange your personal travel insurance on our website.
Optional excursions and services
Optional excursions and services not listed in the itinerary. Please let us know if you wish to book any additional excursions.
Optional excursions and services not listed in the itinerary. Please let us know if you wish to book any additional excursions.
Day 1 - Thursday - Moscow
An internal overnight flight to Irkutsk, taking under six hours.
Day 2 - Friday - Irkutsk - Listvyanka
Our guide will meet you with a signboard upon your arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to Listvyanka village (approx. 70 km away).
Day 3 - Saturday - Listvyanka
Enjoy some free leisure time in Listvyanka village, and take in the lake, St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church and the Baikal Lake Museum where you will learn all about Siberian traditions from history to the flora and fauna of the lake. (B)
Day 4 - Sunday - Listvyanka - Irkutsk
Our guide will meet you at your accommodation. Transfer to Irkutsk. On the way to Irkutsk, we will visit the Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy, located in a pretty forest on the bank of the river Angara. This open-air museum portrays the lifestyle of 16th – 19th century Russia. You can see the interiors of a Russian fort and a 15th century watchtower and even a Shaman yurt. Next, we will have a guided city tour around Irkutsk, home to 18th century churches, brightly painted shutters and log houses. Afterwards, our driver will meet you at your accommodation with a signboard. Transfer to the railway station and onwards to Mongolia by comfortable train. (B)
Day 6 - Tuesday - Ulan Bator - Terelj
Our guide will meet you at the railway station. Transfer to Terelj National Park and a visit to the Chinggis Khaan monument, 33 miles east of Ulan Bator. A 40-metre tall statue of Chinggis Khan on horseback, erected in 2008. Once at the Terelj National Park dramatic Mongolian landscapes open up. We will explore Turtle Rock and after lunch at the camp we will enjoy hiking to Aryabal monastery. We will overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger ("home") - a sturdy wood and felt type tent. In winter we stay in a wooden lodge. (L, D)
Day 7 - Wednesday - Terelj - Ulan Bator
Our driver will meet you at your accommodation. Transfer to Ulan Bator and a city tour. The tour will include time spent at Gandan Hiid Monastery, the country’s largest monastery, Sukhebaatar square and the Museum of Natural History, as well as an enlightening guided tour of the National Museum of Mongolian History. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Thursday - Ulan Bator
Transfer to the railway station. Our driver will meet you with a signboard at the lobby of the hotel. Today you’ll take the fast-train, specifically ‘train K24’, probably the most popular way of getting from Mongolia into China. This is a good chance to meet people from all over the world and to experience a decent dining car and bar. There are first class (two berth compartments with one lower and one upper berth) and second class (four berth compartments with two lower and two upper berths) carriages on the train. First class compartments also feature an armchair, a small table and a toilet with a shower shared between two neighbouring compartments. (B)
Day 9 - Friday - Beijing
Arrival in Beijing. Our driver will meet you with a signboard at the station. Transfer to the hotel. A city tour taking in the best of Beijing’s historical architecture and streets. We will visit an old part of Beijing – a hutong neighbourhood by Shichahai Lake, travelling by rickshaw through narrow alleys. We will also see the famous Shichahai Lake and Drum Tower. In the evening you are free to enjoy Beijing’s restaurants, cafes and bars. (D)
Day 10 - Saturday - Beijing
Today we will see Beijing’s most famous landmarks, starting with Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. We then move on to a guided tour of the Forbidden City and Imperial Palace, listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Next, it’s a world of gardens at the beautiful Summer Palace, located 15 kilometres (9.4 miles) away from central Beijing. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Sunday - Beijing
A guided tour of the Great Wall of China – a symbol of Chinese civilisation and icon of the country. We start at Badaling, the best preserved section. Next, we will see the Olympic Green –constructed in Beijing for 2008 summer Olympics, home to the Beijing National Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Green Hockey Field. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - Monday - Beijing
Transfer to the airport. Our driver will meet you with a signboard at the hotel lobby. (B)
Want to travel on different dates?
Please see below for our group tour dates, if you would like to travel on a different day, please
let us know
and we will come back to you with an offer. There might be additional surcharges for a private tour
but all depends on the number of people in your party and your travel preferences.
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Peninsula Palace *****
Category: De Luxe 5* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Wangfujing, Goldfish Lane, 8
The Peninsula Palace Hotel Beijing is located within main shopping areas of Wangfujing and Dongdan in the heart of Beijing.
It only takes a few minutes to walk to the popular scenic spots such as Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and The Museum of Chinese History.
Opened in 1989, the hotel has an imposing, traditional Chinese architectural-style exterior, integrated with the ultimate in luxurious, modern hotel amenities and facilities.
There are 525 guest rooms, which have been refurbished to the most luxurious standard based on the Peninsula's tradition of comfort, interwoven with subtle Chinese influences.
The newly designed guest rooms and suites feature hardwood floors covered with carpet, a 42” plasma television, high-speed broadband Internet access, silent fax machine and
The Peninsula signature technology - a bedside electronic panel that controls all lighting and audio-visual equipment in the room, as well as a special control panel by the door displaying outside temperature and humidity levels.
The hotel has a lounge, restaurants, fitness centre, sauna, spa, indoor pool, prestigious shopping Arcade with 50 exclusive designer boutiques.
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Howard Johnson Paragon ****
Category: Business 4* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Jianguomen Avenue, 18
The hotel is located in the city centre, next to the famous shopping mall - Henderson Centre, a 10-minute walk to the famous Tian Namen Square, Summer Palace and just across the street to the Beijing Railway Station.
There are 280 rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, cable/satellite TV, coffee/tea maker, Internet access, iron and ironing board.
The hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, baby sitting on request, beauty salon, fitness centre, free parking, game room, ironing/laundry services, business centre, meeting /conference rooms, non-smoking rooms and rooms for the disabled.
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Red Wall ***
Category: Tourist 3* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Sha Tan North Street, 31
The hotel is located in the centre of Beijing and within 5 minutes walk to its major attractions: Forbidden City, traditional Chinese folk house (Hutong and Siheyuan), Wangfujing shopping street, Red Building of Beijing University, including relics of the city wall of Beijing.
The hotel has a total of 200 rooms including standard rooms, deluxe standard rooms, executive suite rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, telephone, safety box, iron and ironing board and mini-bar.
There is a gym, sauna, massage, beauty salon, restaurant, coffee bar and meeting room. The restaurant offers Chinese and Western cuisines including Chinese imperial cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guangdong cuisine.
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Terelj National Park - area of magnificent alpine scenery
Gorkhi Terelj National Park is one of the Mongolia’s finest and best-known national parks. It is located just an hour’s drive away from Ulan Bator. The park is named after ‘Terelj’, a famous local plant that flowers at the end of spring. This is an area of magnificent alpine scenery that is especially impressive due to its strangely shaped rock formations: Turtle Rock and the Praying Lama Rock. Terelj offers great opportunities for relaxation, slow walking, as well as horse-riding. There is also a Buddhist monastery that is open to public.
Gandan Monastery
The Gandan Monastery (full name Gandantegchinlen Khiid) is a Tibetan-style monastery in Ulan Bator. It was established in 1835 and is the largest and most significant in Mongolia. Its name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy". It was the only place where Buddhist services continued during the communist years and fortunately it escaped the mass architectural destruction of 1937. The monastery was restored and revitalised since 1990.
National Museum – history & culture of Mongolia
The National Museum of Mongolian History has excellent displays, starting with the Stone Age, continuing to the Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism, communist regime and ending with contemporary events. The National Museum of Mongolian History is currently recognized as one of the leading museums in Mongolia. It was once called the Revolution Museum and is still known as such locally.
Lake Baikal - outstanding beauty
Lake Baikal knows lots of statistics – being the deepest, largest, freshest, cleanest, etc. At the same time Baikal is one of those rare spots on the earth where nature has still remained genuine and untouched. The magnificent landscapes – the lake is surrounded by high mountain chains - and the unique clarity of the water made lake Baikal famous as one of the biggest nature wonders of the world. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Irkutsk – the pearl of Siberia
Also known as Paris of Siberia the city of Irkutsk was founded by Russians in 1661 - at the beginning of the colonisation of Siberia. It was a political, economical and cultural centre of Siberia since that time. In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers, and nobles were sent into exile in Siberia. The presence of that noble community in Irkutsk during the 19th century significantly influenced the culture and architecture of the city, and much of the city's cultural heritage comes from them. Nowadays it is one of the largest cities in Siberia with population over 600 000 people and serves as gateway to Baikal.
Trans-Mongolian railway
This is a unique chance to travel on a famous Trans-Mongolian railway or Transsib which is a working train and is the lifeline of Siberia. It connects Russia with Mongolia and China. There are only a few intercity roads of reasonable quality that connect the cities and settlements along the route.