Naadam Trans-Mongolian: Moscow - Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk - Baikal - Mongolia Naadam - Beijing (TS-20)

Tretiakov Gallery Guided TourA guided tour of the Tretiakov Gallery, the biggest collection of Russian fine art in the world. The core of the museum's collection was assembled in the middle of the nineteenth century by Pavel Tretiakov, a wealthy Moscow merchant whose passion for collecting included violins, birds, and milk cows as well as Russian art. The museum represents the whole history of Russian art from the ancient period until now. There are more than 130 000 unique examples of painting, sculpture and graphics, created throughout the centuries by talented Russian artists.

4 hours | $100 per person

Kolomenskoye Estate - UNESCO Heritage Site and Former Tsar Residence Guided TourGuided tour to Kolomenskoye - a former royal estate and one of the most picturesque and enjoyable of Moscow’s out-of-town attractions. This 15-17th century Tsarist estate is preserved in its original layout and comprises of unique architectural monuments, including the Church of the Ascension (1532). We will also visit the stunning, recently reconstructed Wooden Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich Romanov (17th century) often referred to as ‘an eighth wonder of the world’. Here, you will have a unique chance to see the way of life of the Russian Tsars. Famous for its fairytale roofs, the Wooden Palace was constructed without using saws, nails, or hooks. Kolomenskoye Estate’s large parkland is open to the public for you to enjoy.

4 hours | $100 per person

Trip to Cosmonaut Training Centre - Star CityStar City is situated to the North-West of Moscow in a beautiful pine and birch forest. See the hall where real space vehicles are used to train astronauts, the hydro laboratory, in which future astronauts learn to live and work in conditions of weightlessness, and the largest centrifuge in the world. You will see unique equipment where cosmonauts train for flight, including the MIR simulator. All the crews on the Vostok and Voskhod missions and the various models of manned “Soyuz” spacecraft, as well as those who worked on the MIR orbiting station, were trained here.

6 hours | $235 per person

Diamond Fund Guided TourThe Diamond Fund is located in the Kremlin Armoury containing the most valuable gems of Russia - a collection of masterpieces of jewellery of the 18th-20th centuries, rare precious stones, gold and platinum nuggets of great artistic, historic and scientific importance. It is one of the few treasuries in the world that house unique crown jewels. The exhibition features such treasures as diamond encrusted Coronation Crown of Catherine the Great, the world-famous 190-carat Orlov Diamond among other stunning examples.

2 hours | $120 per person

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour Guided TourThis temple was originally constructed on a vow given when banners and keys from conquered cities were brought to the temple. The height of the temple was 103 meters. In December 1931, the temple was blown up. Subsequently, the foundation ditch was used for the construction of a swimming pool. In 1994, the pool was closed and in January 1995 the reconstruction of the temple took place. Today the construction is completed and features both a working church and a museum, where excursions are regularly held.

3 hours | $85 per person

Half Day Guided Tour to Sergiev Posad Monastery - the Heart of Russian Orthodox ReligionThe town located in the suburbs of Moscow grew up in the 15th century around one of the greatest Russian monasteries - the Holy Trinity – St. Sergius Lavra (Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra) established by St. Sergius of Radonezh. The town also claims to be the birthplace of the Russian nesting doll, or matryoshka. On our way to Sergiev Posad we will enjoy the charming Russian countryside as the highway runs through huge birch forests, hills, as well as past beautifully decorated country homes.

7 hours | $145 per person

Day 1

Transfer from the airport to the hotel

Arrival in Moscow where our driver will be there to meet you in arrivals with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2

Moscow City Tour by Car

Red Square, St. Basil`s & Lenin Mausoleum Guided Tour

It's time to explore Moscow on foot with this comprehensive yet unhurried walking tour. Taking in sights such as Lubyanka Square, once the site of the Soviet-era KGB HQ, Teatralnaya Square where you'll find Bolshoi Theatre and Tverskaya Street, the best shopping street in the capital, you'll get a good overview of the center city's sights. Our walk will end in Red Square. St Basil's Cathedral, dating from the 16th Century, dominates the square with its brightly colored domes. GUM department store, Kazan Cathedral and, of course, the Kremlin's imposing walls give St Basil's a run for its money. We'll see Lenin's embalmed body in his Mausoleum before returning to the hotel.

Day 3

Kremlin Grounds & the Armoury Guided Tour

Moscow Underground Guided Tour

Transfer from the hotel to the railway station

Today it's time to delve into the Kremlin's long and interesting past. Once the Tsar's residence and now the office of the Russian president, you'll start in Cathedral Square where you can almost feel the spirits of the historic figures who once stepped on those same paths. The Armoury Museum, first a storehouse and then a museum, houses an eclectic collection of treasures including the chalice of Yuri Dolgorukiy, the helm and armour of Boris Godunov, a collection of over fifty Faberge eggs, golden and silver works of applied art by Russian, European and Oriental masters and priceless weaponry. Lastly, we'll head underground to take a ride on Moscow's elaborate underground transit system. Tonight we'll transfer to the railway station to board our fast comfortable train to Yekaterinburg.

Train: Moscow - Yekaterinburg

Day 3

Night train: Moscow - Yekaterinburg

You will travel on a comfortable fast train to Yekaterinburg. Both 1st (2 berth) and 2nd (4 berth) class compartments are available. Clean linen, including sheets, towels, blankets and pillows are provided for each berth. The train also has a dining car that serves good meals. Arrival in Yekaterinburg late in the evening next day.

Yekaterinburg

Hotel Novotel Center 4*,
YekaterinburgThe Novotel Yekaterinburg Centre is one of the best hotels in the city. It is conveniently located right in the heart of the capital of the Urals, within walking distance of the city's main attractions and the business and shopping centers of Yekaterinburg. All rooms feature climate control and free WIFI, combining modern decor, ergonomics and high-tech equipment. The hotel is fully equipped with new-generation Novotel rooms meaning MediaHub panel allowing to charge Mac, iPhone and plug laptop to TV, watch movies and make video-calls. Standard rooms have air conditioning, rain shower, satellite TV, tea/coffee amenities, laptop safe, minibar.

Day 4

Transfer from the railway station to the hotel

This evening, our driver will meet you at the carriage with a sign board with your names for your transfer to the hotel.

Yekaterinburg

Day 5

Ganina Yama & Cathedral on the Blood guided tour

Guided visit to the Europe - Asia border

Transfer from the hotel to the railway station

Yekaterinburg is infamous as the site of the execution of the last Tsar, Nikolay II and his family. A memorial cathedral has been erected on the very spot and we will visit to pay our respects. Later we'll continue to Ganina Pit, a unique orthodox monastery built on the precise location of the initial burial place of imperial remains. We visit seven wooden churches in the heart of a centuries-old pine forest and travel to the Europe-Asia border. We also stop for a visit to the Memorial honoring the victims of the Stalin’s repressions of the 1930s to 1950s. It's then back to the train station. We have a train to catch, this time to Irkutsk.

Mayak Hotel 4*,
ListvyankaThe Hotel Mayak in Listvyanka occupies an enviable waterfront position giving its guests panoramic views over Lake Baikal. Many of the rooms have large windows from which you can watch boats come and go at the boat dock. The hotel itself is well equipped with the facilities you would expect from a property of its class, with a pool, sauna and Russian banya for guests. There’s free WiFi throughout the hotel, room service and assistance with document registration.

Train: Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk

Day 5

Night train: Yekaterinburg - Irkutsk

We board our train late in the evening. Arrival in Irkutsk early in the morning three days later.

Irkutsk / Listvyanka

Itinerary Accommodation Optional Dates and prices

Olkhon Island Extension - 4 daysWe invite you to visit the heart of the lake Baikal - the island of Olkhon, glorified in many legends. It is the largest of the lake's 30 islands and it contains 143 unique archaeological objects – graves, remains of ancient settlements, ruins, shaman worship monuments and many others. You will also be able to enjoy magnificent natural views, sandy beaches and even swim in the lake (average water temperature in July – August 18 degrees C).

$575 per person

Circum-Baikal Railway Guided Tour by TrainThe Circum-Baikal is not just a railway, but a unique museum of history and nature, combining architecture with zoology, mineralogy and geology. Go Russia invites you to join us on the breathtaking journey around Lake Baikal, on the Circum-Baikal Railway, which runs along the North shore of the Southern part of the lake, from the village of Slyudyanka to the Port Baikal settlement. This is a full-day guided tour, which may start from either Irkutsk or the village of Listvyanka.

11 hours | $295 per person

Trekking at Baikal with PicnicNote: you need to be fit to participate in this trek. This is a circular route hike which starts and ends in Listvyanka. First half of the walk goes through the Taiga forest, then the trail leads down to the shore of Lake Baikal. On the lake shore the guide will cook for you a delicious lunch on camp-fire. After sunbathing and swimming in the lake, we continue our walk on the hillside enjoying the panorama of Lake Baikal along the way. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

6 hours | $85 per person

Ride a Quad in ListvyankaRide a quad in Listvyanka village, enjoy stunning views of Lake Baikal and experience taiga forest. You will be riding a quad with another person (in total 2 persons per quad) accompanied by an English speaking guide. A picnic lunch will be served on the lake shore.

2 hours | $145 per person

Circum-Baikal Railway Walking TourEnjoy a walking tour along the Circum-Baikal railway – a truly historic line - starting from Port Baikal to the first or second tunnel. You’re bound to be impressed by the stunning views of Lake Baikal, its magnificent beauty and the surrounding hills. This is a circular route, which starts and ends in Listvyanka village.

6 hours | $85 per person

Listvyanka Tour & Visit to the Baikal MuseumEnjoy a guided walk in the village including a visit to the Baikal museum. Your guide will also show you the famous Shaman Rock and tell you the legend about the naughty Angara River. Take a cable lift to get to a nearby view point from where you’ll get a chance to take panoramic pictures of Baikal. Enjoy your visit to a local 19th century wooden St. Nicolas church and a local fish market where you’ll see a great variety of fish and different ways of cooking it. Price includes services of an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets to the Baikal museum, transport from the village centre to the Baikal museum and back, cable car (one way).

4 hours | $145 per person

Horse Riding in TaigaEnjoy horse-riding along the largest lake on our planet or deep in Taiga forest. Before the horse riding session you will receive a short briefing and your instructor will show you how to get on a horse and how to control it. Please note, there will be no English – speaking guide with you, only an instructor who speaks basic English.

3 hours | $115 per person

Day 8

Transfer by car / minibus: Irkutsk - Listvyanka

At leisure at Baikal

Three days later, we'll pull into Irkutsk station where our guide will meet you with a sign board upon your arrival in Irkutsk. Transfer to Listvyanka village (appr. 70 km). The rest of the day is free to explore this pretty little lakeside village. Perhaps visit the St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church and the Baikal Lake Museum where you will learn Siberian traditions, history, flora and fauna of the deepest freshwater lake in the world.

Hotel Angara 3*,
IrkutskThe Angara Hotel was named after the great Siberian River and is situated right in the heart of business and financial life of Irkutsk - on the Kirov Square. There are 285 comfortable standard rooms, semi-deluxe and deluxe rooms equipped with a private bathroom, safe, color TV, mini-bar, hairdryer, air-conditioner and Internet access. The hotel has two restaurants, post office, currency exchange office, massage room, sauna with a pool, gym, casino and billiards.

Listvyanka / Irkutsk

Itinerary Accommodation Optional Dates and prices

$575 per person

Day 9

Transfer by car / minibus: Listvyanka - Irkutsk

Open-air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy

Irkutsk City Tour

Our guide will meet you at your accommodation. First we will make a stop at the open-air Wooden Architecture Museum in Taltsy. Occupying a picturesque location right on the Angara River's banks, it houses a fascinating collection of exhibits relating to local history and culture. See wooden houses, step inside a Russian fort, look at a 15th сentury watchtower and learn more about the lifestyles of the Evenk and Buryat people who live in this region. Back in the city, we take a tour to admire the varied architecture.

Day 10

Transfer from the hotel to the railway station

Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the train station.

Train: Irkutsk - Ulaanbaatar

Day 10

Night train: Irkutsk - Ulaanbaatar

We leave the warm hospitality of the Siberian Russians and start our trip to Mongolia by comfortable train. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar next day early in the morning.

Ulan Bator

Hotel Platinum 4*,
Ulan-Bator Located in the Sukhbaatar district of central Ulan Bator, the Platinum Hotel is a comfortable 4* hotel which has proved popular with guests. Its proximity to Sukhbaatar Square ensures guests are based at the very heart of the Mongolian capital, and premier attraction such as the National Museum of Mongolian History, the Mongolian Theatre Museum, Presidential Palace and the Chinggis Khan Gardens are just a short stroll away.

Day 11

Transfer from the railway station to the hotel

Naadam Festival Opening Ceremony

Today we'll attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival. A colorful ceremony, it's an important fixture on the Mongolian sporting calendar and well attended by locals and foreign tourists alike. We'll tour the Central Stadium for Sports and Cultural Performances, where we will have a unique chance to witness wrestling and an archery contest. We'll round off the evening with a celebratory Gala dinner.

Ulan Bator / Hui Doloon Hudag / Ulan Bator

Day 12

Transfer by car / minibus: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj

Visit Hui Doloon Hudag for Horse Racing

Transfer by car / minibus: Hui Doloon Hudag - Ulaanbaatar

Our driver will meet you at your accommodation and drive you to Hui Doloon Hudag to watch some horse racing and to soak up the local atmosphere. Return to Ulan Bator in the evening.

Ulan Bator / Terelj

Lodge Ger Camp,
TereljGer camps we use on our tours are slightly modified for Western travelers, however they do offer a genuinely authentic experience and most of them are situated in picturesque areas. The gers are made of a wooden frame that is covered with felt. Inside they are generally brightly painted and feature two or four single beds, a small table, chairs, a lamp, electricity sockets and a stove for heating.

Day 13

Transfer by car / minibus: Ulaanbaatar - Terelj

Terelj National Park guided trip

Chinggis Khaan Monument guided tour

Our guide will meet you at the railway station. Stopping off at the Chinggis Khaan monument, the largest equestrian statue in the world, we then drive to Terelj National Park. Its most famous rock formation, Turtle Rock, is a highlight of today's itinerary but we're sure you'll be delighted with the pristine alpine scenery and diverse flora and fauna of this pretty region. Later we will try our hand at milking a cow, ably assisted by the local nomads for whom this is part of their daily routine. Overnight tonight will be in a traditional felt tent known as a ger or if it's too cold, a cozy wooden lodge.

Terelj / Ulan Bator

Day 14

Transfer by car / minibus: Terelj - Ulaanbaatar

Ulan Bator City Tour

Guided Visit to the National History Museum

We return to Ulan Bator. There, we'll take a city tour. Mongolia's capital is situated on the bank of the river Tuur, surrounded by four mountains that local people believe to be sacred. We will visit Gandan Hiid Monastery, the country’s largest monastery, as well as Sukhebaatar square. An unmissable museum completes our itinerary: the Museum of National History, where you will learn about the past of the Mongolian empire, ancient states period (Hunnu, Turkish and Uighur), the Mongolian Empire of 13th-14th centuries, the Mongolian's traditional lifestyle, clothing and jewelry, as well as current politics.

Day 15

Free time

Free time in Ulan Bator.

Day 16

Transfer from the hotel to the railway station

This morning, we transfer to the railway station. Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the lobby of the hotel. Crossing the border into China we shall take a comfortable train.

Train: Ulaanbaatar - Beijing

Day 16

Night train: Ulaanbaatar - Beijing

Travelling by train 24 is probably the most popular way of getting from Mongolia into China and you will find more foreigners than local people on this train. This is a good chance to meet people from all over the world and practice your French, German or maybe Italian. There are 1st class (2 berth compartment with one lower and one upper berth) and 2nd class (4 berth compartment with two lower and two upper berths) carriages on this train. First class compartments also feature an arm chair, a small table and a toilet with a shower shared between two neighbouring compartments. Second class compartments do not have private facilities, there are two toilets (one at the beginning and one at the back of each carriage) and no shower in the second class carriage. Hot boiled water is available in carriages and train attendants provide thermos kettles. The train has a dining car and a bar with reasonable prices.

Beijing

Hotel Qianmen’s Jianguo 4*,
BeijingQianmen’s Jianguo Hotel is a popular four star choice located in the heart of central Beijing, a short drive from major sights such as Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. Boasting over 400 rooms, accommodation at this well-equipped hotel features flat screen television, air conditioning, a kettle and a minibar. Each room is en suite, providing a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Day 17

Transfer from the railway station to the hotel

Hutong Neighbourhood by Rickshaw Guided Tour

Enjoy Shichahai Lake

On arrival in Beijing, our driver will meet you with a sign board at the station. Transfer to the hotel. Leaving our bags, we'll swap the car for a rickshaw to dive into one of Beijing's last surviving hutongs, 13th Century districts characterised by narrow alleyways. Next, the rickshaw will take us to Shichahai Lake where you can see the famous Drum Tower and opt to take a boat out on the lake.

Day 18

Guided tour of Tiananmen Square

Guided tour of the Forbidden City and Imperial Palace

Summer Palace Guided Tour

Located in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is our first stop today. Infamous since 1989 when government tanks crushed a pro-democracy demonstration, it's a different place today. Families congregate in this, the world's largest city square. At the edge of the square you'll find the Forbidden City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the Imperial Palace and many important ancient wooden structures. In the afternoon, we visit the Summer Palace on a guided tour.

Day 19

Guided Tour of the Badaling Great Wall

Visit to the Olympic Green

Our last day in China is spent at another UNESCO site, this time the Great Wall at Badaling. It's relatively close to the capital, less than fifty miles away, and is the best preserved section of the wall. Returning to the city, we make what's now become an essential stop at Olympic Green to see the famous venues of the 2008 Summer Games up close: the Beijing National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, the Aquatics Centre, the Green Hockey Field and many others.

Day 20

Transfer from the hotel to the airport

Our driver will meet you with a sign board at the hotel lobby and deliver you to the airport in good time for your flight home.