Day 01: Arrive Beijing (CHINA)

Welcome to China, one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations.  We are met at the airport by our tour director and accompanied to our first-class hotel for a chance to relax and freshen up. Our tour through the vibrant city of Beijing shows us its many facets. Highlights of our exploration include the Temple of Heaven, a medieval masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, and the infamous Tiananmen Square. We also view recent achievements in contemporary architecture, including the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium and futuristic skyscrapers. This evening, we savour a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Capital Hotel, Beijing (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Beijing

Our day is filled with beauty and awe as we experience the Great Wall of China, the world’s largest piece of ancient architecture, and its legendary scenery, up close. Earning its title as the eighth wonder of the world, the wall extends more than 6,000 kilometers. We also stop at the equally iconic Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the exquisite Sacred Way necropolis. In the evening, share stories over a feast of the world famous delicacy Peking Duck. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Beijing/Erlian

For centuries, the gates to the Forbidden City were closed to the public. Today, we have the morning to view its awe-inspiring halls and mysterious temples. In the evening, our rail journey begins. We are transferred to the train station and depart for Mongolia aboard a chartered Chinese train. We reach the border city of Erlian in approximately 16 hours, on the following day.

Overnight: On board the train (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Crossing the Gobi Desert (MONGOLIA)

Around noon, we reach the Chinese-Mongolian border, where we transfer to the Tsar’s Gold private train. The change of trains is necessary because of the different track gauges in the two countries. In the growing city of Erlian, we have some time to explore the colorful local market before our Russian train sets off towards Mongolia. After crossing sections of the legendary Gobi Desert, the train travels through the vast green steppes of Mongolia. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Ulaanbaatar

Early-risers are treated to central Mongolia’s spectacular scenery. In the morning, we arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. We can leave our large luggage securely in our compartments for our day of sightseeing. During your city tour, we see the impressive Choijin Lama Temple, among other things.  Check in to our four-star hotel.  In the evening, we have the unique chance to attend a performance of traditional Mongolian folk arts, including throat singing, horse-headed fiddle playing, national costumes, and dances (tickets are US$ 15 per person, to be paid on site).

Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Ulaanbaatar (1 night) (B, L, D)
Note: On request, we can organize alternative lodging in a local yurt in the beautiful landscape of the Mongolian Alps. This is a rare experience and a dream come true for nature lovers.

Day 06: Mongolian Alps

After breakfast, we visit the Gandan Monastery, where it is possible to observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Our bus then takes us to the Mongolian Alps, located some 90 minutes east of Ulaanbaatar, with their majestic scenery and bizarre rock formations. After a picnic lunch in a yurt camp, we watch a small Mongolian archery demonstration and a traditional wrestling match.

Overnight: On board the train (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Ulan Ude (RUSSIA)

We take our leave of the Mongolian steppes today. We travel through the valley of Mongolia’s largest river, the Selenga, en route to Ulan Ude, where our train reaches the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Here, we take an informative city tour. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Lake Baikal

Today is spent exploring the remarkable natural phenomenon of Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world. In the morning, our train travels directly alongside Lake Baikal, on the old route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. During two extended photo-stops, we have a chance to explore and record the scenic beauty of the lake and its setting. A short boat excursion from Port Baikal takes us out onto the lake. Take a swim in the lake, if you wish, and visit a picturesque Baikal village. Dinner is a Baikal-style picnic on the lakeshore with a view of the incredible natural surroundings (weather permitting). (B, L, D)

Day 09: Irkutsk

In the morning, we arrive in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia in Tsarist times. Here, we move into our four-star hotel, which is centrally located. We can safely leave our large baggage on the private train. During our city tour, we see the Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, the new memorial to Tsar Alexander III, and the photogenic market hall. Around noon, we pay a worthwhile visit to an open-air museum with a focus on life and work in historical Siberia.

Overnight: Irkutsk Hotel, Irkutsk (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Trans-Siberia

A day of once-in-a-lifetime views of Eastern Siberia enjoyed from the comfort of our private train.   Savour living art in real time as we discover views of forest-covered mountains, rivers crashing along rocky banks and huge, imposing skies. Entertaining lectures on local customs and culture double as social get-togethers between newfound friendships, and a vodka tasting with typical Russian snacks and red caviar is an opportunity to experience Russian hospitality firsthand.

Overnight: On board the train (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Novosibirsk

In Russia, the word bread is associated with hospitality, and salt with friendship. When we arrive in the charming city of Novosibirsk around noon, we’re welcomed warmly with bread and salt in this tradition. We then take a tour that includes the majestic river Ob, the market and the opera house. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Yekaterinburg

In the afternoon, our train stops at Yekaterinburg, the capital of the ancient Ural Mountain range. Its position on the Asian European border makes for a city of fascinating influences and combined cultures. We visit the painstakingly preserved city center and fairytale-like Church on Blood, built in 2003 to commemorate the site where the Romanovs, Russia’s last Tsar dynasty, were shot by revolutionists.  Here, we can also visit the Obelisk on the Border Between Europe and Asia. Back on board, we enjoy views of Uralian landscapes and relax in the dining car. Our private train is already rolling across the European continent. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Kazan

Today is dedicated to picturesque and historic Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia Tatar, on the banks of the Volga.  On our tour, we see Tatar mosques and the most famous Russian Orthodox cathedral. We also take in the traditional Russian architecture and the fascinating stories of Kazan’s Kremlin, where we learn about the wild and bloody relations that played out between the Tatars, Cossacks and Russians. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in a city restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Moscow

Around noon, we arrive in the Russian capital of Moscow, one of the most vivid, dynamic and richly historic cities on earth. We are accompanied to our high-end hotel. At noon, we see the other-worldly and world-famous Kremlin grounds and experience its magnificent cathedrals and interiors.  After dinner, we experience the opulence and color of Moscow at night on a tour that includes the almost dream-like Red Square and famously palatial subway stations.

Overnight: InterContinental Tverskaya/Radisson Royal Ukraina, Moscow (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Depart Moscow

Wake up to a morning in cosmopolitan Moscow. Today, we see the surreal and candy-cane Russian masterpieces of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Novodevichy Convent. We visit the lovingly reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Savior and pass by the notorious former KGB headquarters, the imposing architecture of the Soviet-era White House and Lomonossov University, before bidding farewell to this bold and charismatic city.  Finally, transfer for our flight back home after an incredible journey that has taken us across two continents. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

- Minimum number of passengers on train: 120
- Maximum group size for touring activities: 26
Please note that this tour is NOT part of our small group journeys.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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