Destination: Russia - Mongolia - China
Route: Moscow - Novosibirsk - Irkutsk - Ulan - Bator - Beijing
Duration: 17 days / 16 nights

Land Cost: Contact to the tour operator

Day 1, 2011: Moscow
Arrive in Moscow, the historic capital and most vibrant of Russia. Moscow is named after the maze-like Moskva River that flows through the city proper. Meet your driver at the airport, and transfer to your hotel for accommodation.

Day 2, 2011: Moscow
Join your guide for an excursion around Moscow’s wondrous sites. Walk across Red Square, where Stalin and Lenin held famous military parades. Step inside St. Basil's Cathedral, built by Ivan the Terrible in the 15th century. It is one of Moscow’s most fabulous architectural works, and you can admire its colorful arches and domes from miles away. Take a tour of Russian history, as you explore the Kremlin (12th c.), an ancient fortress constructed in defense against the Mongol Hordes. Visit the World War II Memorial in Vorobyevy Gory (Sparrow Hills) Park. Marvel at the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which was restored only a few years ago after it was destroyed under the Communist Regime.

Day 3, 2011: Moscow
Get ready for more adventuring in Moscow. Head underground as you navigate the Moscow Metro, built by the Soviets as a testament to the greatness of socialism. Taste Muscovy life as you ride the subway in this gigantic underground city, which efficiently transports millions of passengers each day. Afterwards, make your way to the best art collection in the city, Tretyakov Picture Gallery. Be amazed by the stunning works of art that hang in over 130,000 exhibits. Later in the day, set off on your Eurasian adventure as you board the train that will take you to Siberia and beyond.

Day 4, 2011: The Ural Mountains
Enjoy the breathtaking view as your train passes through the Ural Mountain Range. The Urals have been the backbone of Russia's industrial production for over 300 years. As you ride, be amazed by the gorgeous rock formations and scenic backdrops that make these mountains so special.

Day 5, 2011: Siberia/Novosibirsk
Cross the Great Eurasian Plateau toward Siberia. Siberia is distant, but not desolate – many different ethnic groups populate the region. Stop in Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia. With a population almost as large as Atlanta, Novosibirsk is Russia’s third largest city. It is an important scientific center, holding offices from major international corporations such as Microsoft. Explore the Cathedral of Ascension, where you can marvel at soaring ceilings and beautiful iconography, or investigate the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, named after one of Russia’s great heroes. In the evening, enjoy a show at the Novosibirsk Regional Puppet Theater, which stages performances with handmade marionettes and puppets dating back many years. Board your train to continue your journey.

Day 6, 2011: Sayan Mountains
Traverse the Sayan Mountain Range in the southern part of Siberia. Ancient Turkic tribes and fierce Mongolian warriors passed through the awe-inspiring features of these mountains. Discover breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and untouched nature.

Day 7, 2011: Irkutsk – Lake Baikal
Arrive in Irkutsk and meet your guide by a local eatery for a delicious breakfast. Tour Irkutsk, an important business center in Eastern Siberia that still keeps the feel of a traditional 19th century Russian town. Explore one of the many beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, which stand out in the clear skies. Marvel at the Polish Cathedral, the only Gothic-style building in Siberia. In the center of the city, visit the blend of 19th century wooden houses, decorated with "wooden laces" (hand-made carvings). Transfer to Listvyanka Village on Lake Baikal, and check-in to the Chalet Hotel. Enjoy an evening barbecue.

Day 8, 2011: Lake Baikal/Listvyanka Village
Visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture, which contains unique wooden structures donated from all over Russia, including indigenous houses and buildings. Eat lunch at a local restaurant (Sibirskaya Zaimka), where you can try Siberian food. There, enjoy the restaurant’s private zoo filled with native animals. Return to Listvyanka Village, stopping at the Shaman Rock, a stony projection on the Angara River that is the subject of many local legends. Relax in the “Banya,” a Russian sauna, before having dinner back at your hotel.

Day 9, 2011: Lake Baikal
Travel to a Buryat (indigenous Siberian people) settlement 70 km from Irkutsk on the remote Siberian plane. Explore the local Lore Museum and learn about ancient Buryat myths and legends. Experience local greeting ceremonies, arts, crafts, and music, as you immerse yourself in traditional Siberian culture. Meet the Shaman and undergo a cleansing ritual. At a nearby yurt camp, sample homegrown teas and join in a traditional meal. Return to your hotel in Irkutsk.

Day 10, 2011: Lake Baikal
Hop on a ferry from Port Baikal as you head for the Circum-Baikal Railroad, one of the most complex railway-systems in the world that will take you on sightseeing tour of the lake. Stop at some of the most picturesque places of Lake Baikal. Marvel at the surrounding nature of this unique area, and at the marble mining city of Sludyanka. Later, rejoin the Trans-Siberian en route to Irkutsk. Transfer to hotel.

Day 11, 2011: Irkutsk – Mongolia
Depart from Irkutsk. Spend the day on the train, watching the breathtaking steppe scenery pass by. Gaze at the mountains on the border of Mongolia as you leave the last major Russian city at Ulan-Ude, a midnight crossing point into Mongolia.

Day 12, 2011: Ulan-Bator – Gorkhi Terelj National Park
Transfer from the railway station to a hotel, where you can freshen up and have a hot breakfast. Ulan-Bator was originally founded as a nomadic Buddhist monastery. Now, it is the administrative center of Mongolia, and is a bustling city in the steppe. Drive to the Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Here, find over 250 species of birds and other stunning wildlife amidst a gigantic, dark green forest. In the center of the park is a Buddhist monastery that is open to tourists. Enjoy lunch at a local Ger camp, followed by walking in the hills. Partake in an excursion to Turtle rock and a nearby meditation center. Return to the Ger camp for dinner and sleep.

Day 13, 2011: Nomadic Settlement
After breakfast, take some time to enjoy the area. Meet with locals, shop in Terelj, or take a camel ride. Eat lunch, and then visit a herdsman's family to experience daily nomadic life. Transfer to Ulan-Bator and hotel.

Day 14, 2011: Ulan-Bator
Embark on a full day city tour of Ulan-Bator. Be awed by the Gandan Monastery, a beautiful example of Tibetan architecture and testament to Buddhist culture. Uncover the incredible National History Museum, where you can find exhibits from the time of the Mongolian Hordes. Pick up a souvenir in one of the cities many art, antique, and cashmere shops. Then, climb up Zaisan Hill and be moved by the Zaisan Memorial, a tribute to Soviet soldiers who died in World War II. On top of the hill, enjoy the amazing panorama of Ulan-Bator. In the evening, view a Mongolian folk music and dance performance amidst a traditional dining setting.

Day 15, 2011: Ulan-Bator
Take this day to explore Ulan-Bator on your own. Settle down and lounge about, interact with city inhabitants, bargain with merchants, or take an optional tour. In the evening, join a party at one of the nightclubs, bars or restaurants scattered throughout Ulan-Bator.

Day 16, 2011: Gobi Desert – China
Board your train. Cross the Gobi Desert, once the home of the Mongolian Hordes, and a vast expanse filled with Silk Road Treasures. Gape at the Himalayas as you travel through the sandy dunes, noticing different wildlife and plants that are native to this environment. At China’s border, switch trains, and enter one of the world’s oldest nations.

Day 17, 2011: Beijing
Pass through rural China, whose mountainous river valleys and fertile plains will astound with their beauty. Marvel at the incredible Great Wall of China, built in part in the 5th century to defend the Chinese Empire from surrounding nomads. Arrive in the stunning Beijing, capital of China, where this part of the journey ends - and the next begins!

This tour program includes:

• Visa support
• Private transportation
• Trans-Siberian and Circum-Baikal Railway tickets
• Experienced English-speaking guide
• Hotel accommodation
• Breakfast and dinner
• Entrance fees for the sites
• Essential, basic travel insurance

This tour program does not include:

• International flights
• Hotel extra service charges
• Visa fee at the Russian, Mongolian, or Chinese Embassies