Along the wayMoscowIrkutskUlaanbaatarHuhehotBeijing

Leaving from Moscow to Beijing

ExperienceClassic Outer & Inner Mongolia

What’s included

Train> 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned berths)> with option to upgrade to 2-berthMoscow > transfer on arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour personalised walking tour with local expert> transfer to the station on departureIrkutsk Siberian Village > all transportation > 2 nights 3★ hotel, Listvyanka Village, breakfast> 1 night 3★ hotel, Irkutsk City, breakfast > excursion option

Ulaanbaatar & Inner/Outer Mongolia> all transportation (4WD), driver, English speaking guide>Entrance fees Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorum Museum>Khustai National Park entrance fees>3 nights tourist ger camp (Ugii Lake, all meals, Khustai, all meals

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 UlaanbaatarHuhehot> transfer on arrival > 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast included> excursion

FULL ON

Everyone’s heard of Outer Mongolia, even if they knowlittle about it, but Inner Mongolia? This is China's strategicfrontier and home to its Mongolian ethnic minority. Thedescendants of Genghis Khan who, on horseback eightcenturies ago, swept across much of Asia, creating one ofthe world's greatest empires. Outer Mongolia is now anindependent country - and one of the world’s least visited– while Inner Mongolia remains a part of China but wasonce the richest corner of the vast Mongol reach. This is atrip is for the inquisitive and adventurous.

In the know…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.Lake Baikal is the world’s largest, and hasmore statistics than any other lake.“Nomads” don’t just wander aroundaimlessly. Most Nomads will roam over thesame land and tracks their grandparentsknew, always returning in winter to thesame place, where their animal pens arelocated. Nomads traditionally count theirwealth in head of animals, not in money.

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 Harbin IceFestival), providing the historical context (pay avisit to the only remaining Soviet Gulag) orinviting you to savour the diverse culturalinfluences of indigenous people (sit down with ashaman, or enjoy the Siberian art of throatsinging!).

We have no group departures, ouradvertised dates always operate (barringanything completely out of our control)and, above all, we will tell you it like it is –allowing you to make the right choice froma portfolio of journeys rich in variety andfull of memorable experiences. Sorry! Wecouldn’t resist at least one cliché!

No ordinary trip

Visa RequirementsVisitors to Russia, Mongolia and Chinarequire visas. These must be obtained priorto departure. Visa processing times forthese countries can be up to;Russia 20 Working DaysMongolia 06 Working DaysChina 07 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, lightweight jacket, flip flops,swim wear, sun cream, photographs ofhome to show the Nomads, Mongolianchildren love bubbles!, universal sink plug,bottle opener.

Climate and time – Minimum/maximum Temperatures ºCMay/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct

Moscow +15/+22 +15/+30 + 8/+24Irkutsk + 8/+22 +26/+38 +10/+24Ulaanbaatar +15/+24 +26/+42 +10/+25Huhehot +27/+31 +31/+30 +26/+22Beijing +15/+22 +24/+30 +8/+22

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 – 21 days Leaving from Moscow toBeijing

ExperienceOuter & Inner Mongolia

DAY 01 “S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Ourdriver will be there to meet you fromwhichever flight, train or boat you arrive.You’ll then be transferred to the Panorama3★ Hotel. (We can obtain rates forsuperior hotels ask a member of thereservations team for details.) Thefacilities available at this hotel include aRestaurant, Lobby Bar, Lobby Wi-Fi access,Luggage Room, Safety deposit boxes andan ATM machine. At check-in, (after 2pm)the hotel reception will advise you they willneed your passport for visa registration.Your complimentary InfoPack is full ofideas for getting the most out of your freetime. (Please note your Trans-Siberiantrain tickets will be delivered to the hotelduring your two night stay.)No mealsDAY 02 After breakfast one of our local expert staffwill meet you at the hotel to take you on athree hour walking tour round thehighlights you’ll use public transportaround the centre to avoid the traffic jamsand get the hang of the system for whenyou come to use it independently. Ourstaffers are full of ideas for this walk butare flexible about other ideas if you haveyour own. Your walk ends in the city centrearound lunchtime. If you haven’t pre-booked any of our range of city excursionsthe rest of the day is your own to explorefurther. Some of our top suggestions(please check opening times/days beforesetting off) would include visiting theMoscow Kremlin, the Tretyakov Gallery,the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, or a boattrip along the Mosvka River… perhapslocate some tickets for ballet, opera, circusor a concert this evening? As well asfamous classical music traditions Moscowfeatures on the touring schedules of worldnames in jazz, rock, pop and world music.Breakfast

DAY 03 Your morning is free until 11:30am when adriver is scheduled to take you to thestation. Although there’s a restaurant carservice on board your train you may want tosupplement this with some snacks, treats,and fresh fruit that you could buytoday.Your transfer from the hotel toYaroslavsky station is scheduled for11:30am, so please be at the hotel receptionwhere your driver will meet you and willassist your boarding of the Irkutsk boundtrain. Breakfast

DAY 04–06 On board The Trans-Sib… travellingtowards Irkutsk. The dining car is the heartof social life of the train. It functions as bar,lounge, and take-out snack store as well asa café serving reasonably priced meals. Itis a great place to meet fellow travellersand locals alike, sharing your experiencesof your journey so far with a few drinks,which no doubt will include some Vodka –and maybe smoked salmon and caviar too!Along the way you’ll see stonishingSiberian scenery as the deciduous forestsof the Ural Mountains slowly give way toSiberian pine forests. The major landmarksare the great rivers you cross, including theRiver Ob at Novosibirsk (one of the mostfamous bridges on the route), and thegigantic Enisei River (at Krasnoyarsk).No meals

DAY 07 Mid morning arrival in Irkutsk. Our driverwill meet 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). At check-in, the hotel reception will adviseyou they will need your passport for visaregistration formalities. This afternoon setoff on your walking tour around ListvyankaVillage. This will include a visit to theLimnological Museum (this is an exhibitionabout the Lake, its formation, wildlife etc. -it includes multimedia presentations,information about the creatures which livein the darkest depths, and also anaquarium with living aquatic species,including the unique freshwater Baikalseals) and also a small wooden villageRussian Orthodox Church dating back tothe C18th. You return to your hotel at theend of the walk, with time to relax andenjoy your lakeside surroundings, maybeexperience real Siberian "banya" (sauna –local charge).No meals

DAY 08

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 TaigaForest with a local guide who will explainthe wildlife, with a local guide who willexplian the eco system and lore of theTaiga. The trek is 4-5 hours long, includes apicnic style lunch and a good level offitness is required.(May-Oct)B. CIRCUM BAIKAL PICNIC Take the Ferryfrom Listvyanka to Port Baikal which takesaround 15 minutes. Walk around PortBaikal, where you will see the train stationof the old Circumbaikal rail line. Then youwill walk along the rail line to the nearesttunnel (2-3 km). Stopping for a picniclunch on the shore of Lake Baikal. Returnto Port Baikal, ferry back to Listvyanka. Theexcursion is around 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 youare free to explore independently andthere is a tea house here where afterwardsyou can have a cup of tea and traditionalRussian snack (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 theCircumbaikal Railway Museum located atthe train station then an uphill hike to theWhite stone viewpoint and to see the oldlighthouse. Followed by a visit to a RussianOrthodox Church, lunch and free timewalking back to the village. Return byferry. Duration 5 hours. (May–August)Breakfast

DAY 09 After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk city.Check-into The Angara 3★ Hotel. The hotel islocated on the Kirov Square, in the heart ofIrkutsk city. Some of our top suggestionsDecembrist Museum, Volkonsky House andThe Epiphany Cathedral.BreakfastDAY 10 Early morning transfer to Irkutsk stationwhere you will board the Ulaanbaatar boundtrain. At midnight you will make the bordercrossing into Mongolia with the usual halt forformalities. BreakfastDAY 11 Our driver and guide will meet you at theend of the platform and will be holding ameeting- board with your name on.Transfer from the station, to Zaya Hostelwith a chance to freshen up and havebreakfast, before departing to theenormous monument to Genghis Khan(aka Chinghiiskhan.) 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. Then set off forKhustai National Park. (Around 155kmWest of Genghis Khan Statue) . This is theperfect location to see the and also feel thebeauty of Mongolia with its uniquelandscape of mountains , steppe, sanddunes and river wetlands. The nationalpark is home to the “Takhis” the famouswild horse and 46 other species ofmammals including deer, wild boar, white-tailed gazelle, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx toname but a few. Also if you are anornithologist there are over 161 species ofbirds including Eagles and Cranes. Supperand overnight at the tourist Camp.Supper

DAY 12 Travel from Khustai National Park to UgiiLake directly on back country roads. Enjoylunch at the ger camp before exploring thefabulous Lake environs at your leisure.Overnight at a tourist Ger camp.Breakfast, Lunch. SupperDAY 13 Head for Tsenkher Hot Springs. 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 14 This 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 styles ofMongolian 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 Karakorum Museum.Overnight in Hotel Karakorum. Breakfast, Lunch, SupperDAY 15 After breakfast head for Elsen Tasarkhai(which will include a break in your journeyat the picturesque “Khugnu Khan Mountain”also known as Bayan Gobi) Camel riding ison offer here, Elsen Tasarhai literally means“an isolated torn-off piece of sand” and it isa small sequence of real desert in the midstof green steppes.Breakfast, Lunch, Supper

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 – 21 days Leaving from Moscow toBeijing

ExperienceOuter & Inner Mongolia

DAY 16Around 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? There is awide range of traditional and new styleMongolian eateries as well as Europeanrestaurants . Or maybe go to see a Folkloreconcert this evening?BreakfastDAY 17 You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today but the hotel offers a LeftLuggage service for a small fee. Your day isfree and it will be easy to keep yourselfamused as there is so much still to see anddo. We recommend you take thisopportunity to purchase provisions for thenext leg of your journey, as often thisservice has no dining car. Be back at thehotel at 8pm where your driver will meetyou at reception. You will then betransferred the short distance toUlaanbaatar station where we will assistyour boarding of the Huhehot bound train.Breakfast

DAY 18 Spectacular scenery that’s worth wakingearly for this morning as you trundlethrough the Southern Gobi. There’s alayover at the border while they changethe train bogeys to Chinese gauge – theydon’t rush themselves for this job, so it’sworth getting out to wander around, evenif the surroundings are not especiallyinteresting. Another layover once youreach the Chinese side, for passportcontrol (you are usually not allowed out ofthe station, as you have not yet clearedChinese passport control). (It is worth pre-planning your use of the bathroom today,as it will be locked during these stops!) Lateevening arrival in Huhehot, the capital ofInner Mongolia. Our driver will meet you atthe end of the platform where he will beholding a meeting-board with your nameon. Transfer to the Chunxue Siji hotel,which is located in the city’s shopping andbusiness district.No meals

DAY 19 After breakfast your guide will meet you atreception, where you will depart for a fullday city of Huhehot, which will include;Zhaojun Tomb, Dazhao Temple and TheFive Pagoda Temple. Expect to return tothe hotel late afternoon. Ourrecommendation for this evening; treatyourself to a slap up Chinese meal –Huhehot has a super selection featuringboth local Mongolian (you can even eat in aMongolian cart-drawn war-ger) andtraditional Beijing-style cuisine.BreakfastDAY 20 You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today but the hotel offers a LeftLuggage service for a small fee. Your day isfree to participate in a little extra shopping or sightseeing. Own transfer to the stationfor the Beijing bound train.BreakfastDAY 21 Early morning arrival at Beijing WestStation. For additional services we offer inBeijing and beyond please refer to our website.No meals

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 – 21 days Leaving from Moscow toBeijing

ExperienceOuter & Inner Mongolia

22 DAY ITINERARY

SIBERIAN VILLAGE:

3 night 3★ hotel, Listvyanka Village,

1 night 3 ★ hotel, Irkutsk City.

EXTENSIONS