- 15 days
- 8 cities
- Branded train package to China, Mongolia, Russia
This itinerary is shown for reference only and is not currently available.
The Tsar's Gold Trans-Siberian rail-tour focuses on your experience and comfort, providing every opportunity for enjoying your journey of a lifetime. Starting from in Beijing exploring the Great Wall of China. Then experience genuine Mongolia, admire traditional folk arts, and meet a nomad family in their traditional yurt. Finally, discover the best Russian towns to get an insight into real Russia.
Beijing, China (4 days)
Beijing is a wonderful mix of China's numerous cultures and historical periods and a one-of-a-kind capital.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing & City Tour
Welcome to the legendary capital of China - Beijing! Your guide and driver meet you at the airport and transfers you to your centrally located hotel for check-in. After having some rest you meet your guide and go on an amazing sightseeing tour around the most renowned Beijing landmarks.
You start with a visit to the legendary Tiananmen Square, where the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the National Museum of China, the House of People's Meetings, and the monument to the National Heroes are located.
Then you explore the famous Temple of Heaven, where the Chinese Emperors prayed for good harvests, and some of the city’s contemporary architectural achievements, such as the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium and several futuristic sky scrapers. After the tour, you return to your hotel for overnight.
Day 2: Visit to the Great Wall of China & Ming Tombs
Today you enjoy a wonderful guided tour of the real icon of the country - the Great Wall of China, to see one of its best-preserved and unique sections that has less tourists - the Mutianyu Great Wall.
After exploring this majestic man-made miracle of world's architecture you proceed to the famous Ming Tombs - the burial site of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.
After the tour, you return to Beijing and have the rest of the day free. In the evening you enjoy dinner with traditional Beijing duck at one of the downtown restaurants.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 3: Forbidden City Tour
After breakfast, you check out from your hotel and enjoy a guided walking tour through the former residence of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City, where you see its numerous awe-inspiring halls and mysterious temples.
After the tour, you are transferred to the station to board a traditional Chinese train that takes you to the Chinese-Mongolian border.
Day 4: Changing Trains in Erlian
Today you arrive in Erlian - the border town between Mongolia and China. Here you get off your Chinese train and board your luxurious Tsar’s Gold train that takes you to an unforgettable journey across Eurasia.
Hotels
Park Plaza Wangfujing Hotel, Beijing
Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing Hotel is a modern hotel centrally located in the heart of Beijing within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The hotel boasts well-equipped stylish guestrooms and a range of in-house amenities including a beauty salon, fitness center, and several restaurants.
By train: Beijing → Ulan Bator (1 d 7 hrs)
Start your train journey taking you across Eurasia to the magnificent capital of Russia. Spend your time in your comfortable luxurious train cabin, and relax before your stop in Ulan Bator.
Ulan Bator, Mongolia (2 days)
Ulan Bator, meaning "Red Hero," is the capital of Mongolia. With a population of around 1.2 million, it is also the largest city in the country.
Day 5: Ulan Bator City Tour
Today you arrive in the capital of Mongolia - Ulan Bator. During your guided city tour around the most famous city attractions, you see the legendary Gandan Monastery, which is considered the most important center for Buddhist learning in all of Mongolia, and explore the Lama Museum - a cluster of four temples dedicated to the brother of Bogd Khan, who served as the state oracle during his reign.
In the evening your guide shows you the best beer garden in the city so that you could enjoy a peaceful evening in the company of your fellow-travelers. Afterward, you have the unique chance to attend a performance of traditional Mongolian folk arts, including throat singing, horse-headed fiddle playing, and national dances.
After the tour, you are transferred to your centrally located hotel for overnight.
- Optional overnight: You can spend this night in a traditional Mongolian yurt in the amazing Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, sometimes described as the Mongolian Alps (contact your travel specialist for additional information).
Day 6: Trip to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
After breakfast, you check out from your hotel and enjoy a bus trip to the yurt camp located at the amazing Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.
Today you have the unique chance to meet a nomad family in their traditional yurt and learn more about their culture, lifestyle, and traditions. After lunch you enjoy a specially arranged Mongolian horseback riding show, that takes you back to the days of the Mongolian Horde, demonstrating the skills that have been passed from fathers to children since time immemorial.
After the tour, you return on board your train and continue traveling towards the Mongolian-Chinese border.
Hotels
Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel, Ulan Bator
The luxurious Best Western Premier boasts an amazing central location, just near the State Government House, Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolian History. The property provides elegant air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, 3 on-site restaurants, great spa and fitness facilities, and even a nightclub.
By train: Ulan Bator → Ulan-Ude (15 hrs 10 min)
Explore the magnificence of the Trans-Siberian Railway traveling onboard a regular Russian train, going from unparalleled Ulan Bator to amazing Ulan - Ude.
Ulan-Ude, Russia (1 day)
Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 and due to its location on trade routes between Russia, China and Mongolia it developed into a prosperous trading town.
Day 7: Ulan Ude City Tour
Today your train takes you along a different part of the shore of the beautiful Lake Baikal to the magnificent Selenga River valley, passing wild mountain steppes of Eastern Siberia.
On its way to the Mongolian border, the train stops in Ulan Ude - the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia. Upon arrival, you meet your guide and enjoy a wonderful sightseeing tour around the most famous city attractions.
After the tour, you return on board your train and continue traveling toward the Russian-Mongolian border.
Hotels
Tsar's Gold Train
Meet the Tsar’s Gold - a private Trans-Siberian train famous for its attentive service, opulent dining menu, spacious and comfortable compartments and facilities to cater to every need.
By train: Ulan Bator → Irkutsk (22 hrs 40 min)
Travel the Trans-Mongolian Railway, cross the Russian-Mongolian border and head to the marvel of Siberia, Lake Baikal. Enjoy the changing panoramas from Mongolian steppes to Russian countryside onboard a comfortable train.
Irkutsk, Russia (3 days)
Irkutsk - the former residence of exiled artists and nobles is a real architectural and cultural treat.
Day 8: Visit to Lake Baikal
Today you arrive at Lake Baikal that is the world's deepest freshwater lake known as the Pearl of Siberia. During two extended photo-stops, you have a chance to explore and record the scenic beauty of the lake and its setting.
You also enjoy a relaxing boat ride around the lake with a stop at one of the most picturesque places on the route, giving you the chance to experience the natural atmosphere of this most unique area. Here you enjoy a traditional local style picnic (if weather permits).
Day 9: Irkutsk City Tour
Today your train arrives in Irkutsk, informally known as "Paris of Siberia" for its rich architecture and colorful life.
During your guided city tour you see some classic Siberian wooden cottages, the statue of Alexander III, and the Market Hall.
After lunch, you take a trip to the nearby Taltsy village to visit its famous open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture and Ethnography, which consists of a number of buildings representing a traditional Siberian rural life.
After the tour, you are transferred back to Irkutsk and check in to your centrally located hotel for overnight.
Note: Clients of the Bolshoi category will stay at Marriott Courtyard Irkutsk City Center.
Day 10: On Board the Train
Today you are transferred to the train station and spend the rest of the day onboard your luxurious Tsar’s Gold train. This is a great chance to enjoy the fantastic scenery of Eastern Siberia with its mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and verdant slopes, entertaining lectures about Siberia, gourmet dining, and vodka tasting with typical Russian snacks in the company of your fellow travelers from all over the world.
Hotels
Marriott Courtyard Irkutsk City Center, Irkutsk
The elegant hotel Marriott Courtyard is located in the city center of Irkutsk just near the embankment. Guests are welcome to stay in modern rooms equipped with modern facilities.
By train: Irkutsk → Novosibirsk (31 h)
Tsar's Gold Tourist Train
Novosibirsk, Russia (1 day)
Established in 1893, Novosibirsk has once held the crown of the fastest growing city in the world and has been rapidly developing ever since.
Day 11: Novosibirsk City Tour
Today you reach a region with great history and unique Siberian style and nature. Your train arrives in Novosibirsk - a city that proves that Siberia may be distant but is certainly not desolate.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed in a traditional Russian manner with a bread and salt ceremony. Then you enjoy a guided city tour, that includes visits to the Trans-Siberian Monument and the mighty Ob River embankment.
After the tour, you return on board your train and continue traveling.
By train: Novosibirsk → Ekaterinburg (21 hrs)
Set off on another leg of your Trans-Siberian adventure along the Siberia region. Spend your time with use, relax, read books, and meet new people as you travel on the regular Russian train.
Ekaterinburg, Russia (1 day)
Ekaterinburg is a key-city to endless and rich Siberia and "a window overlooking Asia". Resting in the Ural region, Ekaterinburg is a thriving city where East meets West.
Day 12: Ekaterinburg City Tour
Today your train arrives in the famous capital of Ural where Europe and Asia meet - Ekaterinburg.
Upon arrival, you have a guided city tour dedicated to the last days of the Russian Imperial Family, which includes a visit to the Cathedral-on-the-Blood built on the site of the notorious Ipatiev House where the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, and his family were assassinated.
After the tour, you return on board your train and continue traveling through the vast steppes of Western Siberia.
By train: Ekaterinburg → Kazan (14 hrs 50 min)
Set off on another leg of your Trans-Siberian adventure, and enjoy a ride to the stunning city of Kazan. Take in the picturesque sceneries from the window of the train, and relax in your train compartment till you reach the capital of Tatarstan.
Kazan, Russia (1 day)
As the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan is a glorious city that represents Russia's Tsarist past. With complex palaces, towering churches, and a thriving cultural scene, Kazan is a pure Russian city with incredible beauty and heart.
Day 13: Kazan city tour
Today you arrive in Kazan - the beautiful capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and the center of Tatar culture in Russia.
Upon arrival, you enjoy a guided city tour that includes a visit to the white-walled Kazan Kremlin where you will see the famous Kul-Sherif Mosque and the old Peter and Paul Cathedral, and learn about the turbulent history of the Tartars, Cossacks, and Russians.
By train: Kazan → Moscow (13 hrs 30 min)
Make your way from the gem of Tatarstan, Kazan, to Moscow. Spend your time in your comfortable 1st or 2nd class train cabin: read, relax, and prepare for a memorable time in the capital. You travel on regular trains with locals, which is an authentic part of this enjoyable journey.
Moscow, Russia (2 days)
Moscow is unlike any other city on Earth, it is diverse and vibrant, an adventure waiting to happen!
Day 14: Visit to the Kremlin & City Tour
Today you arrive in the beautiful capital of Russia - Moscow! Upon arrival, you say farewell to your luxurious Tsar’s Gold train and meet your driver who takes to your centrally located hotel for check-in.
Later you go on a guided tour to one of the most outstanding Moscow icons - the Kremlin. During the tour, you explore this world-famous symbol of Russian power and visit one of its brilliant cathedrals.
After dinner, you enjoy a "City of Lights" tour that provides you with a unique opportunity to capture a glance of the magnificent illumination of this Eurasian metropolis.
During the tour, you stroll across the world-famous Red Square and take a short Moscow Metro ride to explore this outstanding work of Socialist art furnished with statues, frescoes, and mosaics, unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
After the tour, you return to your hotel for overnight.
Day 15: City Tour & Departure from Moscow
After breakfast, you check out from your hotel and continue exploring Moscow in the company of your private guide.
During your panoramic city tour you see the magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Lomonosov University, the Novodevichy Monastery, and the colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral.
After the tour, your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Moscow City Center, Moscow
Located on a picturesque 18th-century street not far from the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square, this remarkable 4-star hotel offers a great combination of charm and quality.
What's included
- Accommodation in remarkable hotels in Beijing, Ulan Bator, Irkutsk and Moscow;
- 8 nights on board the Tsar's Gold train;
- Full Russian visa processing service for US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens. Full Mongolian visa processing service for Australian and New Zealand citizens (not required for US and Canadian citizens). Full Chinese* visa processing service for USA, Australian, and New Zealand citizens. Visa support service (invitation) for customers from all other countries;
- Airport transfers with private drivers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
- Three meals daily on board the train;
- Other meals according to the itinerary;
- Vodka tasting with traditional Russian snacks;
- Rich sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with professional English-speaking guides;
- English Speaking Group Leader throughout the tour;
- Entertainment program on board, including lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railway, regional geography, culture, and history of the countries along the route;
- Doctor on board;
- Porter services at all railway stations;
- Support line during the trip.
Specials for Bolshoi guests: 2 meals to choose from for Lunch and Dinner onboard the train, 1 bottle of water per person daily, 1 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink included for meals on board the train.
Note: We include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
- Comfort of travelling on a private train combined with a caring tour director, exciting lectures and entertainment onboard;
- Private arrival and departure transfers;
- "City of Lights" tour in Moscow showing the magnificent illumination of this Eurasian metropolis;
- A taste of Russian hospitality during welcome 'Bread and Salt' ceremony in Novosibirsk - the capital of Siberia;
- Grandeur and beauty of the famous lake Baikal, that you have a chance to witness and enjoy a picniс on its shores;
- Insight into Mongolian culture during a performance of traditional folk arts;
- A chance to visit one of the "New" Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China.
What To Know
- You should bring a few hundred dollars with you on the trip to pay for food as trains do not have ATM machines
- Usual tip size in restaurants is 10% of the check. Recommended tips for guides and drivers is $8-12 per day for a great level of service
- Eurasian climate is unpredictable and weather can be quite harsh even during summers