Moscow - Lake Baikal - Irkutsk - Terejl National Park - Ulan Bator - Beijing

Day 1- Monday - Moscow
Arrive in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 - Tuesday - Moscow - Train to Irkutsk
Free time to explore Moscow. In the evening transfer to the train station and board the train Moscow -Irkutsk.

Day 2 - 6 On board the train (Wednesday - Sunday)
Enjoy a 5-day journey that will take you thru 8 time zones and 9,000 km of rail tracks connecting Europe and Asia. You will pass Eastern Russiad to the Ural Mountains, past the Ural Mountains to Lake Baikal, thru steppes and taiga, through deep forests and beautiful landscapes, rushing rivers, swamps, remote villages of painted wooden houses. You will have a chance to meet local people as they board the train, talk to them and make new friends. You will be amazed at how different life there is. What an exiting way to see the world!

Day 6 - Saturday - Arrival in Irkutsk - Lake Baikal
You will arrive in Irkutsk early in the morning and will be transferred to Listvyanka, a picturesque village on Lake Baikal. You will spend the whole day relaxing at the beautiful Lake Baikal, sightseeing and enjoying optional activities. Overnight in Listvyanka in wooden challet.

Day 7 - Sunday - Lake Baikal -Irkutsk
Free day for sightseeing and optional activities. Transfer to Irkutsk in the evening.Overnight in Irkutsk hotel or homestay in Russian family.

Day 8 - Monday - Irkutsk - Train to Ulan Bator
Transfer to the train station. Train to Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.

Day 9 - Tuesday - Ulan Bator - Terejl National Park
Arrive in Ulan Bator in the morning. Transfer to Ger Camp Terelij. Spend one day and night at the Ger Camp in a traditional Mongolian family communal tent. Gers have been used for generations by nomadic herdsman not only in Mongolia but across other parts of Central Asia as well. Terejl Ger camp is known for rocky landscape, panoramic views, and great trails for horse riding and hiking. Ger camps employ a manager, cook, waitress and horsemen. Travelers stay at their own Gers, just like a hotel room. Cooks at the Ger camps are all professionals, so travelers can have opportunity to taste Asian and European as well as Mongolian dishes, while staying there. Depending on the distance from the main market, the menu will vary depending on the Ger camp. Relax and enjoy the nature and optional activities. Overnight at the Ger camp.

Day 10 - Wednesday -Terejl Ger Camp - Ulan Bator
Transfer to Ulan Bator in the afternoon. Free day for sightseeing and optional activities. Overnight in Ulan Bator.

Day 11 - Thursday - Ulan Bator - Train to Beijing
Transfer to the train station. Train to Beijing.

Day 12 - Friday - Arrival in Beijing
Arrival in Beijing. End of tour.

Hi Doris, I meant to write and let you know how wonderful everythiing went on our trip. Have been very busy since our return! We really enjoyed everything. St Petersburg was very definitely our favourite city ever! All our transfers worked out perfect and we especially appreciated the effort that Olga made in Ikrutsk. She gave us little maps she made up herself to show us the area around our homestay and where shopping and parks were etc. The train ride was wonderful and we were glad we broke it in Yaketerinburg and the monument to Czar Nicholas ll and his family was very worthwhile to see. One thing we never realized was with our tickets we received breakfast and another meal but as no one could speak english much. We didn't know it was free of charge until the second last day. That just seemed to be on the train from Yaketerinburg to Ikrutsk. We had fun hopping off the train at the stops to buy baking from the woman who sold their things at the stations. Another thing that helped was I went on line and got a schedule of the train ride as then you knew how long each stop was and if you had time to get off or not. The chalets in Listvyanka and Bolshie Koti were beautiful. Especially the Bolshie Kote with the meals included. Her cooking was fantastic! Many fresh berries and things from the area she included in her dishes and they spoke english very well. Gordon even tried their Banya with another one of the guests. Very Russian experience! Carson was the only one brave enought to jump into Lake Baikal as the waters are very very cold. Our hike to Bolshie Koti was very beautiful as well but took us the whole day. Please feel free to share this with any customers interested in Russia. Many memories to talk over in our family now. Much Thanks, Phyllis