Arrival in Moscow. Overnight Flight to Irkutsk

Today we'll check in for our domestic flight to the Siberian city of Irkutsk, an overnight flight of around six hours.

Lake Baikal

Our guide will meet you with a sign board upon your arrival in Irkutsk to take you to pretty Listvyanka village, approximately 70 km away. There you'll have time to fully appreciate the beautiful lake setting, take a boat trip onto Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake, or perhaps explore the village's church and museum.

At Leisure at Baikal

Today you'll have more time to soak up the atmosphere in this charming lakeshore village. Why not have a wander in the village market or visit the Nerpinariun to take in a seal show.

Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. Exploring Irkutsk

Our guide will meet you at your accommodation for your transfer to Irkutsk. En route, stop off at the open Air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. It's a fascinating insight into 16th to 19th century life in these parts. You can take a look inside a Russian fort and 15th century watchtower, find out more about the Buryat and Evenk people and take a closer look at a shaman's yurt. Back in Irkutsk, you will take a guided tour of the city known as the Paris of Siberia and admire its unusual cottages with their wooden lacework embellishments.

Departure to Mongolia

Our driver will deliver you to the railway station for your onward train to Mongolia.

Arrival in Mongolia. Chinggis Khaan Statue. Enjoy Terelj National Park

Following our overnight train, the guide will meet you at the railway station. You'll transfer to Terelj National Park. We make a brief stop to admire the world's largest equestrian statue in the form of Chinggis Khaan on horseback, the statue oriented to point at his birthplace. There are incredible views from the top over the surrounding countryside. On reaching Terelj National Park, we'll explore the unique granite rock formations including Turtle Rock. After lunch at the camp we will enjoy hiking to Aryabal monastery and visit a nomad family to help milk the cows. Tonight we overnight in either a traditional felt tent known as a ger, or, when the weather is colder, a cozy wooden lodge.

Ulan Bator City Tour. National History Museum

Our driver will meet you at your accommodation. You'll transfer to Ulan Bator where you'll visit the Gandan Hiid Monastery, the country’s largest remaining monastery, Sukhebaatar Square and the Museum of Natural History. There you will see real dinosaur remains as well as other archeological findings from the Mesozoic Era dug up from the Gobi desert. Finally, we will stop at theNational History Museum for a guided tour where you can find out about the country's cultural heritage and political history.

Departure to China

Arrival in China. Exploring Old Beijing (Hutong Area)

After our arrival in the Chinese capital and included hotel transfer, we will take a guided rickshaw tour to one of Beijing's surviving hutongs. These are old neighborhoods characterized by narrow alleyways dating from the 13th century and are very atmospheric. The rickshaw driver will then carry you to Shichahai Lake. Home of the Drum Tower, this part of central Beijing has princes' houses to admire and well preserved courtyards. Your evening will be free for you to explore this part of Beijing further or, if you prefer, return to the hotel with our driver.

Tiananmen Square. Forbidden City & Summer Palace

No visit to Beijing would be complete without a trip to the Forbidden City. Located to the north of Tiananmen Square, infamous as the place where government troops stopped pro-democracy protesters in 1989, the Forbidden City houses the Imperial Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world and was the base for the Imperial court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. To round off the day we'll tour the Summer Palace, set on a lake and surrounded by elegant landscaped gardens.

Badaling Great Wall. Visit to the Olympic Green

We're saving the best until last, as today we take a trip out to Badaling, the most accessible and well preserved section of the Great Wall of China. Another of China's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it's unmissable on any China itinerary. Lastly, on our way back to the city, we will stop at the Olympic Green and view the venues built for the 2008 Olympic Games, including the Beijing National Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Green Hockey Field.

Departure for the Airport

Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the hotel lobby for your airport transfer.