Along the wayBeijingUlaanbaatarIrkutskMoscow

Leaving from Beijing to Moscow

ExperienceClassic Epic Trans-SiberianTThis journey is seasonal, operating between May andSeptember, and crucially includes two stops where ourclients often ask to spend more time.   Lake Baikal - aUNESCO World Heritage Site and a treasure trove offantastic outdoor living in the “Pearl of Siberia” fromtrekking and boat trips to relaxing picnics on the shores ofthe world’s largest freshwater expanse. In Mongolia you getto experience Khustai National Park, the Tsenkher HotSprings then onto the Lost City Genghis Khan at Karakorumwhere the Erdene Zuu Monastery is situated. This stay inMongolia is a breathtaking experience of culture and naturein the Land of the Endless Sky..

What’s includedTrain> 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthBeijingFULL ON> 1 night 4★ hotel Mongolia> all transportation (4WD), driver, English speaking guide>Entrance fees Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorum Museum>Khustai National Park entrance fees>2 nights tourist ger camp (Khustai, Tsenkher Hot Springs) all meals>1 night Hotel (Kharkhorum) all meals>1 night in Nomadic Family’s guest ger (Elsen Tasarkhai) all meals> 1 night 3★ hotel, (Ulaanbaatar) breakfast> City tour of Ulaanbaatar

Irkutsk Siberian Village> all transportation > 3 nights 3★ hotel, Listvyanka Village, breakfast> excursion option

Moscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expert

FULL ON

In the know…Genghis Khan’s name is correctly spelt“Chinghiskhan”, although his name at birthwas Temujin. Despite his reputation forferocity, the oldest annals of Mongolianhistory reveal he was frightened of dogs.“Siberia” means “the sleeping land” andisn’t a Russian word – it comes from theTartar name for the area, “Sibir”.Lake Baikal is the world’s largest, and hasmore statistics than any other lake.The word “Kremlin” isn’t Russian – it’s froma medieval Tartar word meaning “fortress”.There used to be kremlins all over Russia inthe days when the Mongols were a threat.There’s even one in Siberia, at Tobolsk.

At The Russia Experience we like to ditch theclichés, discard the puff and concentrate onwhat we do best – bringing to life the world’slongest train route: the places visited, theencounters made and the realisation of ajourney that is both engaging and rewarding.

We continually look at ways of enhancing theTrans Siberian experience, incorporatingseasonal considerations (such as the HarbinIce Festival), providing the historical context(pay a visit to the only remaining Soviet Gulag)or inviting you to savour the diverse culturalinfluences of indigenous people (sit downwith a shaman, or enjoy the Siberian art ofthroat singing!).

We have no group departures, our advertiseddates always operate (barring anythingcompletely out of our control) and, above all,we will tell you it like it is – allowing you tomake the right choice from a portfolio ofjourneys rich in variety and full of memorableexperiences. Sorry! We couldn’t resist at leastone cliché!

No ordinary trip

Visa RequirementsMost visitors to China, Mongolia andRussia equire visas. These must beobtained prior to departure. Visaprocessing times for these countries canbe up to;China 07 Working DaysMongolia 06 Working DaysRussia 20 Working DaysHowever fast track processing is possible. Due to the support documents required bythe Embassy of Russia (which we obtain),you will need to book your trip beforestarting to obtain visas.For full information regarding visas, pleaserefer to our web site.

Hints and TipsA SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NOMAD STAYSWhen we say “nomad stay” it meansexactly that - you are sharing the lives ofherdsmen who live on the MongolianSteepe. There’s often no electricity, theydon’t speak English, and there isn’t anyplumbing!Photocopy your passport including thevisas issued pages, airline tickets andinsurance policies.Your passport must be valid for at least sixmonths past the end of your travel dates.

Travellers ChecklistDay pack, back pack, money belt, first aidkit, heat proof mug, instant coffee, teabags, sun hat, mosquito repellent,lightweight jacket, flip flops, swim wear,sun cream, warm waterproof, walkingboots, universal sink plug, bottle opener,photographs of home to show theNomads. Mongolian children love bubbles!

Climate and time – Minimum/maximum Temperatures ºCJan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec

Beijing -20/-10 -6/+14 +15/+22 +24/+30 + 8/+22 -10/+6Ulaanbaatar -35/-22 -10/+12 +15/+24 +26/+42 +10/+25 -15/+8Irkutsk -40/-20 -10/+5 + 8/+22 +26/+38 +10/+24 -15/+8Moscow/St. Petersburg -20/-10 -5/+12 +15/+22 +15/+30 + 8/+24 -6/+10

These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a flavour of your dailyitinerary. You will be travelling in parts of the world where the unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and, as a result, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary – 17 days Leaving from Beijing to Moscow

ExperienceClassic Epic Trans-Siberian

DAY 01On arrival in Beijing you make your ownway to the hotel – any taxi driver willquickly find the address. The convenientlocation of the hotel positions you to getthe most of this legendary Imperial city,where the rich traditions of Buddhism,Daoism, and Confucianism meet with theopulence of the Chinese Emperors and thevibrant realism of contemporary China.Chinese hotels cope badly with the idea offoreigners who haven’t yet arrived so we’llhave your onward rail tickets deliveredonce you have checked in, with user hintand, directions to the station. The hotel isin the heart of the golden area of thecapital, surrounded by major businesscentres, tourist attractions and onlyminutes away from the Wangfujing Street,Tiannamen Square and the Forbidden City. No mealsDAY 02Make your own way to the station givingyourself at least one hour on arrival tocomplete security (metal-detectors are nowin force and there can be queues to usethem) and find your train and platform.And then you’re heading off, along the mostfamous railway in the world!Breakfast

DAY 03 Afternoon arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Our driver will meet you at the end of theplatform and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. Then set off forKhustai National Park. (Around 100kmWest of Ulaanbaatar) . This is the perfectlocation to see the and also feel the beautyof Mongolia with its unique landscape ofmountains , steppe, sand dunes and riverwetlands. The national park is home to the“Takhis” the famous wild horse and 46other species of mammals including deer,wild boar, white-tailed gazelle, grey wolf,Eurasian lynx to name but a few. Also ifyou are an ornithologist there are over 161species of birds including Eagles andCranes. Supper and overnight at the touristCamp.Supper

DAY 04 After breakfast head for Tsenkher HotSprings. (around 2 hour drive) If you arefeeling a little bruised or achy from yourtravels, bouncing over Mongolian roads,then an hour or two in the springs is justthe ticket for you. Time to relax and enjoyyour surroundings.Breakfast, Lunch, SupperDAY 05This morning an early start and drive to thelost capital of Genghis Khan at Karakorum(approximately 2 hours) and visit themagnificent Erdene Zuu Monastery, whereyou will see a distinct mixing of the stylesof Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhism.Karakorum was once the heart of theMongol Empire and today, you’ll still seeremnants of the long standing walls thatencircle the city. Also in the afternoon, visitthe newly established KarakorumMuseum. Overnight in Hotel.Breakfast, Lunch, SupperDAY 06 Depart for Elsen Tasarkhai (which willinclude a break in your journey at thepicturesque “Khugnu Khan Mountain” alsoknown as Bayan Gobi) Camel riding is onoffer here, Elsen Tasarhai literally means“an isolated torn-off piece of sand” and it isa small sequence of real desert in themidst of green steppes.Breakfast, Lunch, Supper

DAY 07 Around 2pm you make the return trip toUlaanbaatar. On arrival to Ulaanbaataryour city tour will include; SukhbaatarSquare and the National History Museum.Check into Hotel Nine 3★ Hotel. Thisevening why not visit Peace Avenue orpick-up some snack food for the train inone of the many supermarkets? (Wesuggest you take this opportunity today topurchase picnic provisions for the next legof your journey, as often this train as nodining car.) In the evening a wide range ofrestaurants are available to suit any pocketor maybe go to see a Folklore concert?BreakfastDAY 08 Check out of the hotel at 9am,and yourdriver will take you to the enormousmonument to Genghis Khan (akaChinghiskhan.) It may not be quitetraditional in style (since it's made ofstainless steel) but it's an astoundingedifice and a testament to Genghis's placein Mongolian culture (astonishingly theCommunists tried to write him out ofofficial history text-books). Taking theelevator to top of this 10 metre highmonument you visit the exhibition hallfrom where you will have an excellentpanoramic view over the complex area andthe scenery beyond. This afternoon we willtransfer you to the station where you willboard the Irkutsk bound train. When youmake the border crossing there will be theusual halt for formalitiesBreakfast

DAY 09 Afternoon arrival in Irkutsk. Our driver willmeet you at the end of the platform,holding a meeting-board displaying “RussiaExperience”. Transfer to U Ozera 3 ★Hotelsituated in Listvyanka Village (70km)travelling by road through the forest. TheHotel is set just 50 metres from the shoresof Lake Baikal. Hotel facilities include; sunterrace, sauna (local charge) Laundry andIroning service, restaurant and bar. Allrooms have private bathrooms, tea andcoffee facilities and a minibar. Wi-Fi is freeof charge in public areas. The nearest ATM-machine in the Baikal Hotel. Listvyankaremains a village, and doesn't have therange of banking services you could expectin a city. in a city. No mealsDAY 10 Today there is a walking tour aroundListvyanka Village. This will include a visit tothe Limnological Museum (this is anexhibition about the Lake, its formation,wildlife etc. - it includes multimediapresentations, information about thecreatures which live in the darkest depths,and also an aquarium with living aquaticspecies, including the unique freshwaterBaikal seals) and also a small woodenvillage Russian Orthodox Church datingback to the C18th. You return to your hotelat the end of the walk, with time to relaxand enjoy your lakeside surroundings,maybe experience real Siberian "banya"(sauna – local charge). Breakfast

DAY 11 Choose one activity from the list, it’s allincluded in the trip price! You’ll need toinform us of your choice beforecommencing your journey, so that we canhave the right staff on hand for when youarrive (please note the Siberian weatherputs seasonal limits on some activities –details below). A. SIBERIAN TREK through the Taiga Forestwith a local guide who will explain thewildlife, with a local guide who will explianthe eco system and lore of the Taiga. Thetrek is 4-5 hours long, includes a picnic stylelunch and a good level of fitness is required.(May-Oct)B. CIRCUM BAIKAL PICNIC Take the Ferryfrom Listvyanka to Port Baikal which takesaround 15 minutes. Walk around Port Baikal,where you will see the train station of theold Circumbaikal rail line. Then you will walkalong the rail line to the nearest tunnel (2-3km). Stopping for a picnic lunch on theshore of Lake Baikal. Return to Port Baikal,ferry back to Listvyanka. The excursion isaround 5 hours duration. (Jun-Sep) C.TALTSY WOODEN MUSEUM A two hourtrip which includes a return transfer by car,and entrance fees to the Taltsy open airwooden museum which is situated on theshore of the Angara river. On arrival you arefree to explore independently and there is atea house here where afterwards you canhave a cup of tea and traditional Russiansnack (pancakes, pirodzki, etc) Thispicturesque area shows how life was andhas been sympathetically restored as atourist attraction where you can buy authentic souvenirs. (Year round)D. PORT BAIKAL A day trip to Port Baikalwith a local guide taking a ferry fromListvyanka. On arrival visit the CircumbaikalRailway Museum located at the train stationthen an uphill hike to the White stoneviewpoint and to see the old lighthouse.Followed by a visit to a Russian OrthodoxChurch, lunch and free time walking back tothe village. Return by ferry. Duration 5hours. (May–August)Breakfast

These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a flavour of your dailyitinerary. You will be travelling in parts of the world where the unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and, as a result, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary – 17 days Leaving from Beijing to Moscow

ExperienceClassic Epic Trans-Siberian

These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a flavour of your dailyitinerary. You will be travelling in parts of the world where the unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and, as a result, theunexpected can happen and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers do not form part of any contract.

full on itinerary – 17 days Leaving from Beijing to Moscow

ExperienceClassic Epic Trans-Siberian

DAY12 After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city.(Where you will have the option to leaveyour bags at our local office.) Our localstaff will provide a map and somerecommendations of interesting places tovisit. Some of our top suggestions (pleasecheck opening times/days before settingoff) Decembrist Museum, Volkonsky Houseand The Epiphany Cathedral. Early eveningtransfer to the station where you willboard the Moscow bound train.BreakfastThere are two train options for the next legof your journey. We use Tr#69 as thestandard option and this train fare isincluded in the trip price. We also offerTr#1 for the next leg of your journey for asupplement. Tr#1 is a faster train and therolling stock is newer, hence the higherfare for this section. (Please note Tr#69 =88 hours travelling time, Tr#1 = 75 hourstravelling time). Should you wish to bookthis option please contact our reservationsteam.

DAY 13–15 On board The Trans-Sib... travellingtowards Moscow. The dining car is theheart of social life on the train. It functionsas bar, lounge, and take-out snack store, aswell as a café serving reasonably pricedmeals. It is a great place to meet fellowtravellers and locals alike, sharing yourexperiences of your journey so far with afew drinks, which no doubt will includesome Vodka – and maybe smoked salmonand caviar too!No meals

DAY 16 S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Veryearly morning arrival in Moscow. Yourdriver will meet you at the end of theplatform and you will travel by private carto the Panorama 3★ Hotel. (We can obtainrates for superior hotels ask a member ofthe reservations team for details.) Thefacilities available at this hotel include aRestaurant, Lobby Bar, Lobby Wi-Fi access,Luggage Room, Safety deposit boxes andan ATM machine. Your room will beallocated on arrival. At check-in, the hotelreception will advise you they will needyour passport for visa registration.You will have a chance to have breakfastbefore setting out on today’s three hourwalking and familiarisation tour. This willintroduce you to the city (and its publictransport system) and get your sightseeingoff to a flying start. The rest of the day’syour own Your complimentary InfoPack isfull of ideas for getting the most out ofyour free time.BreakfastDAY 17 You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today. For services we offer in St. Petersburg please refer to our web site. Breakfast