Imperial Russia Train - From Beijing through Mongolia to Lake Baikal and on to Moscow(Business Class)

Welcome to Beijing

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing, you immediately dive into the life of this vibrant city, during the city tour you will visit the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors between 1368 and 1911, the Hutongs and the Tiananmen Square which has great cultural significance as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history, the world’s largest city square and an enduring symbol of China’s national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), the Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. In the afternoon transfer to Hotel Regent Beijing***** (or similar), check-in, dinner at restaurant

Beijing, the Great Wall of China

Day 2: Breakfast at hotel, city tour including visit to the Great Wall of China, a powerful symbol of ancient Chinese civilization, the eighth wonder of the world. It took more than one million people and ten years to build the Great Wall of China, designed as a defensive structure. You can walk along the wall, through the watchtowers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. Lunch at a city restaurant. In the afternoon visit to the Summer Palace. Traditional Beijing duck dinner at a local restaurant.

Beijing, Boarding the Train

Day 3: Breakfast at hotel, free time, in the afternoon you board the comfortable Chinese charter train, which will bring you to the Chinese-Mongolian border, lunch and dinner onboard.

Erlian, Through The Gobi Desert

Day 4: Breakfast on board, the train pulls towards the Chinese-Mongolian border. Erlian, the border town, is a military post and the greatest hub for Chinese-Mongolian cross border trade. After border formalities, you are welcome onboard the «Imperial Russia» Train that will become your home until your arrival in Moscow. Lunch and dinner on board.

Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park

Day 5: Breakfast on board, in the morning you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, transfer to Terelj National Park where you will be introduced to the nomadic way of life of many Mongolians today. Lunch at the Ger Camp, tour of the National Park including excursion to the Turtle Rock, hiking tour to the top of the hill to have a wonderful view, visit a nomadic family. Traditional Mongolian dinner and overnight in the Ger camp.

Ulaanbaatar, Boarding “Imperial Russia” Train

Day 6: After breakfast you travel back to Ulaanbaatar to explore this historic city. You will visit the Gandan Monastery and Sukhe Bator Square. After Mongolian BBQ lunch at a local restaurant you will visit Bogd Khaan Winter Palace and the National Museum of History, climb to the Zaisan Hill, enjoy a stunning Mongolian cultural performance and the famous throat singing. Dinner at a city restaurant. In the evening you are welcome back onboard the “Imperial Russia” Train to continue the trip towards Russia.

Ulan-Ude

Day 7: Breakfast on board, today the train stops in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. A special spiritual experience is a visit to an active Datsan during the city tour, reception in a traditional Buryat yurt with local welcome, you will learn how to cook traditional “pozy”, play dice, wear traditional costume and enjoy a colorful and spectacular folklore program of the Buryats’ culture. In the evening board the train to continue the voyage. Dinner on board.

Lake Baikal

Day 8: Breakfast on board, arrival in Port Baikal. Ferry trip to Listvyanka, a Siberian village on the shores of Lake Baikal, the deepest Lake in the world that contains the fifth part of the Earth’s fresh water. You will visit the unique Baikal Museum dedicated to flora and fauna of the lake, the observation point at the Chersky Stone with a stunning view on the lake and the Angara River. After lunch at a local restaurant you will visit the fish and souvenir market. Return to Port Baikal, the journey continues along the original route of the Trans-Siberian Railway along the shore of Lake Baikal. You will enjoy barbeque dinner on the shore of the lake.

Irkutsk

Day 9: Breakfast on board, today the train arrives in Irkutsk, one of the largest cities in Siberia. The city has preserved quite a few of historical buildings and monuments. During the city tour you will see the picturesque wooden houses, visit the Decembrists’ Museum that will unfold the story of failed uprising of Russian aristocrats who were exiled to Irkutsk. Lunch at a city restaurant, in the afternoon an excursion to Open-air Museum Taltsy, located in the picturesque place on the bank of the Angara River, focusing on life and work in historical Siberia, spend some free time strolling through Irkutskaya Sloboda. Dinner at a city restaurant. In the evening board the train.

Trans-Siberia

Day 10: The train keeps traveling through Siberia. Today enjoy your stay and various activities onboard. You may spend your time having a drink at the bar with your fellow travelers or stay in your cabin and follow the changing scenery. The train passes by villages with their typical wooden houses and through the birch forests, enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop. Breakfast, lunch, dinner on board.

Novosibirsk

Day 11: Breakfast on board, arrival in Novosibirsk, the heart of Siberia, the city tour will start at the railway station with the visit to the local Railway Museum dedicated to the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. After lunch at a city restaurant the tour will continue on the embankment of the Ob River, main squares and ancient streets of the city. The Ballet and Opera House will impress you with its monumental architecture, it is known as the biggest theater building in the country. Board the train and enjoy dinner onboard.

Yekaterinburg

Day 12: Breakfast on board, arrival in Yekaterinburg, the historical capital of the Urals, city tour dedicated to the family of the last Russian Tsar and their last days. During the tour you will visit the memorial Church on the Blood to commemorate the tragic events that took place in the city. After lunch in downtown you will visit the memorial that marks the borderline between Europe and Asia, you will have an opportunity to be in both continents at the same time. Departure from Yekaterinburg and continue the trip. Enjoy dinner onboard.

Kazan

Day 13: Breakfast on board, in the morning arrival in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, city tour to explore the Old Kazan, visit to the Kazan Kremlin (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) with its wonderful panoramic view over the Volga River and enjoy the folklore program that will give you an insight into the Tatar national epic. You will taste local cuisine during lunch including a cooking master class revealing the secrets of Tatar cuisine. Later this afternoon you board the train and continue the trip. Dinner onboard.

Moscow

Day 14: Breakfast on board, arrival in Moscow, disembarkation, city tour of Moscow including visit to Red Square, the very heart of Moscow, with picturesque St. Basil’s Cathedral, visit to the Kremlin, one of the best-known monuments in Russia and in the world, the former residence of the Russian Tsars. Lunch at a city restaurant, continue the city tour including Cathedral of Christ the Savior, tour of Moscow Metro, enjoy some time in down town strolling along the ancient Arbat Street with its numerous cafes and souvenir shops. In late afternoon transfer to Hotel Baltschug Kempinski***** (or similar), check-in, dinner at restaurant

Departure from Moscow

Day 15: Breakfast at hotel, transfer from the hotel to the airport, End Of the trip.