On arrival in Beijing you make your own way to the hotel – any taxi driver will quickly find the address. The convenient location of the hotel positions you to get the most of this legendary Imperial city. The hotel is in the heart of the golden area of the capital, surrounded by major business centres, tourist attractions and only minutes away from the Wangfujing Street, Tiannamen Square and the Forbidden City.

Own transfer to Beijing Central station where you will board the Ulaanbaatar bound train.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer from the station to a hotel with a chance to freshen up and have light snack. This morning you will depart for your city tour, this includes visiting the Gandan Buddhist Lamasery (monastery) and several temples located there. Then depart Ulaanbaatar for the 55km journey to Elstei Ger Lodge. (Alternative Ger Camps available , some with en-suite facilities and Queen size beds – talk to us about upgrade costs).  With a scheduled stop at the enormous monument to Genghis Khan along the way. It may not be quite traditional in style (since it’s made of stainless steel) but it’s an astounding edifice and a testament to Genghis’s place in Mongolian culture. Taking the elevator to top of this 10 metre high monument you visit the exhibition hall from where you will have an excellent panoramic view over the complex area and the scenery beyond.   ​Arrival at Elstei lodge a relaxed evening in the bar after supper there are occasional impromptu performances of live Mongolian music, where you might hear the Morin Khuur (horse-head lyre), the cimbalom, or native Mongolian throat-singing.   ​

​With no specific activities planned you can choose to chill out, read, go walking on the Steppe, or (for a small payment made directly to them locally) you can go horse riding with local nomad horsemen. (May-Sept). Elstei staff will also offer Mongolian archery, ankle bone games, and the opportunity to visit a nomad family nearby. A relaxed evening in the bar after supper where you can chat with the local guides and other travellers. It’s also worth watching the sunset, as it’s not called the land of the endless skies for nothing.

​Around 10am you make the return trip to Ulaanbaatar, named the coldest capital in the world during the winter months. Check into the Bayangol 3★ Hotel. This is a great centrally located property and facilities include 5 restaurants fitness centre, sauna and a minimarket. The balance of today is free to explore more of the city. You can choose to return to the Gandan Monastery (which you’ll have already visited when you were in the capital last time), or visit the Choijin Lama museum.  In the evening a wide range of restaurants are available to suit any pocket or maybe go to see a Folklore concert?

It`s easy to pick up some snack food today for the train in one of the many supermarkets and relax while having a stroll round this capital city. This afternoon we will transfer you to the station where you will board the Irkutsk bound train. When you make the border crossing there will be the usual halt for formalities.

Arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to U Ozera 3★ Hotel situated in Listvyanka Village (70km) travelling by road through the forest. The Hotel is set just 50 metres from the shores of Lake Baikal.

Today there is a walking tour around Listvyanka Village. This will include a visit to the Limnological Museum (this is an exhibition about the Lake, its formation, wildlife etc. – it includes multimedia presentations, information about the creatures which live in the darkest depths, and also an aquarium with living aquatic species, including the unique freshwater Baikal seals) and also a small wooden village Russian Orthodox Church dating back to the C18th. You return to your hotel at the end of the walk,  maybe experience real Siberian “banya”?

It’s all included in the trip price! You’ll need to inform us of your choice before commencing your journey, so that we can have the right staff on hand for when you arrive.

(A) Siberian trek
(B) Circum Baikal picnic
(C) Taltsy wooden museum
(D) Port Baikal excursion
(E) Snowmobile trip
(F) Siberian Dog sledding

After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city. Our local staff will provide a map and some recommendations of interesting places to visit. Some of our top suggestions (please check opening times/days before setting off) Decembrist Museum, Volkonsky House and The Epiphany Cathedral. Early evening transfer to the station, where you will board the Moscow bound train.

The dining car is the heart of social life on the train. It functions as bar, lounge, and take-out snack store, as well as a café serving reasonably-priced meals. It is a great place to meet fellow travellers and locals alike, sharing your experiences of your journey so far with a few drinks, which no doubt will include some Vodka – and maybe smoked salmon and caviar too!

Check out of your room by 12 noon. Own transfer to the airport or station on departure.