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.

Our driver will meet you at the end of the platform and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. Then set off for Khustai National Park. (Around 100km West of Ulaanbaatar) . This is the perfect location to see the and also feel the beauty of Mongolia with its unique landscape of mountains , steppe, sand dunes and river wetlands. The national park is home to the “Takhis” the famous wild horse and 46 other species of mammals including deer, wild boar, white-tailed gazelle, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx to name but a few. Also if you are an ornithologist there are over 161 species of birds including Eagles and Cranes. Supper and overnight at the tourist Camp.

After breakfast head for Tsenkher Hot Springs. (around 2 hour drive) If you are feeling a little bruised or achy from your travels, bouncing over Mongolian roads, then an hour or two in the springs is just the ticket for you. Time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

This morning an early start and drive to the lost capital of Genghis Khan at Karakorum (approximately 2 hours) and visit the magnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery, where you will see a distinct mixing of the styles of Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhism. Karakorum was once the heart of the Mongol Empire and today, you’ll still see remnants of the long standing walls that encircle the city. Also in the afternoon, visit the newly established Karakorum Museum. Overnight in Hotel.

Depart for Elsen Tasarkhai (which will include a break in your journey at the picturesque “Khugnu Khan Mountain” also known as Bayan Gobi) Camel riding is on offer here, Elsen Tasarhai literally means “an isolated torn-off piece of sand” and it is a small sequence of real desert in the midst of green steppes.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NOMAD STAYS: When we say “nomad stay” it means exactly that – you are sharing the lives of herdsmen who live on the Mongolian Steppe. There’s often no electricity, they don’t speak English, and there isn’t any plumbing!

Around 2pm you make the return trip to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival to Ulaanbaatar your city tour will include; Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum. Check into Hotel Nine 3★ Hotel. This evening why not visit Peace Avenue or pick-up some snack food for the train in one of the many supermarkets? (We suggest you take this opportunity today to purchase picnic provisions for the next leg of your journey, as often this train as no dining car.) There is a wide range of traditional and new style Mongolian eateries as well as European restaurants . Or maybe go to see a Folklore concert this evening?

Check out of the hotel at 9am,and your driver will take you to the enormous monument to Genghis Khan (aka Chinghiskhan.) 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 (astonishingly the Communists tried to write him out of official history text-books). 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. 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

Transfer from Listvyanka Village back to Irkutsk, free time to explore. 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!

Very early morning arrival in Moscow. Your driver will meet you at the end of the platform and you will travel by private car to the Panorama 3★ Hotel. (We can obtain rates for superior hotels ask a member of the reservations team for details.) Your room will be allocated on arrival. You will have a chance to have breakfast before setting out on today’s three hour walking and familiarisation tour. This will introduce you to the city (and its public transport system) and get your sightseeing off to a flying start. The rest of the day’s your own Your complimentary InfoPack is full of ideas for getting the most out of your free time.

A full day to continue your sightseeing. Own transfer this evening to Leningradsky Station where you will board the St. Petersburg bound train.

Early morning arrival in St. Petersburg. Our driver will be there to meet you at the end of the platform, and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. You’ll then be transferred to the Vesta 3★ Hotel. (We can obtain rates for superior hotels ask a member of the reservations team for details.) Around 10am your guide will meet you at the hotel and introduce you to the city’s highlights – a good basis for starting your own explorations. Although the public transport (used on today’s excursion) is similar to Moscow’s, there are a few quirks that your guide will show you. After lunchtime you’re on your own to explore further.

Free day for you to pack in the best of the rest! Perhaps you have pre-booked one of our city based excursions for today. Some of our top suggestions (please check opening times/days before setting off) The Hermitage Collection – Winter Palace. The canals and waterways of the “Northern Venice”. The Russian Museum of Fine Art. The Peter & Paul Fortress-and the Tombs of the Tsars inside the Fortress Cathedral. The Church on the Spilt Blood, nearby the Souvenir Bazaar.

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