From Capital to Capital

This tour is not available and is archived.

Difficulty

Comfort

Highlights

Historical and cultural exploration of Eastern Siberia and Mongolia through their capitals

Excellent English-speaking guide during all your journey

Acquaintance with Russian, Buryat and Mongolian cultures

Discovery of three different religions: Shamanism, Buddhism, Orthodoxy

Accessible to everyone

On the route of the Transmongolian

Tour Overview

Siberia, Buryatia, Mongolia, these three words sound like a mysterious refrain hummed by the regular cadenza of the mythical Transmongolian. From taiga to steppe, from industrialized cities to wide wild areas, from Genghis Khan's to Stalin's heritage, you will experienced heart of Russian, Buryat and Mongolian cultures and traditions.

Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Ulan Bator, Kharkhorin: four current or former capitals with their own history directly linked with the destiny of conquerors, explorers, builders, settlers and exiles who used to live in these areas.

We will begin our trip with a visit of Irkutsk, city which was known as «Paris of Siberia» in the middle of the 19th century. Then, we will set off to Listvyanka, small typical Siberian village, nested on the banks of Lake Baikal. There we would taste the regional speciality: smoked omul. On the way, we will stop in Talsty to visit the museum of wooden architecture and to discover the locals' traditional life.

Early in the morning we will leave Irkutsk for Port Baikal where we will board the Circum-Baikal train. This unique railway with its genious architectural constructions is a unique monument of the beginning of the 20th century. From the train, we will have magnificient sceneries on the South of Lake Baikal.

By night, we will enter the terrritory of the Republic of Buryatia and we will overstop in its capital, Ulan-Ude. The main square of the city is dominated by the world's largest Lenin's head. As Buryats are known to be a Mongol people, our stay overthere will introduced us to mongolian way of life.

After a 17-hour journey by the Transmongolian train, our route will lead us to Ulan Bator, city of the red hero.

Last step of our trip, will take us to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Genghis Khan, the famous Mongolian conqueror. There, we will discover the ruins of the imperial city and the splendid monastery of Erdene Zuu.

Day 1
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel (check-in at 12:00). Rest. City tour of Irkutsk by foot. Discovery of old wooden houses, churches, the Decembrists museum, central marketplace and mall. Dinner at restaurant.
Day 2
Morning leave for Listvyanka village on the shores of Lake Baikal. Visit to Taltsy - museum of traditional Siberian architecture in the open air. Lunch at one of the restaurants of Listvyanka. Stop at the Baikal museum in Listvyanka. Visit to the market with its typical saleswomen of omul, salmon-like fish indigenous to Lake Baikal. Opportunity to taste smoked omul. In the afternoon there is possibility to explore the surroundings, hike up to Chersky Rock, rest on the shores of the lake. Inn overnight.
Day 3
Crossing of the lake towards Port Baikal by ferry or hovercraft depending on season. Journey by comfortable train of the Circum-Baikal Express up to Slyudyanka. The Circum-Baikal Railway between Port Baikal and the village of Kultuk is 84 km (52 mi) long and includes 424 diverse engineering constructions with 39 amazing tunnels among them. During this all-day excursion we will enjoy the unique, second to none in the whole world look of the Circum-Baikal Railway that combines complex architectural constructions with extremely picturesque shore landscape of the lake. Arrival in Slyudyanka, transfer to the restaurant, dinner. At about midnight boarding on the train to Ulan-Ude.
Day 4
Early morning arrival in Ulan-Ude, transfer to the hotel, breakfast, rest. Walking city tour and visit of the museum of History of Buryatia. Lunch at the restaurant with traditional Buryat cuisine, you will be served in real yurts! Visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, Buddhist temples complex outside the city located in a picturesque steppe. Discovery of Buddhist culture. This Datsan serving the most important place of worship in Buryatia is the centre of Buddhism in Russia.
Day 5
Leave for the village of Old Believers. We will visit traditional houses, enjoy a folk concert, participate in games and customs. Lunch in the village. Return to Ulan-Ude.
Day 6
6.55am Transfer to railway station. Departure for Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, through Siberian taiga and upper-Asian steppe.
Day 7
Early morning arrival at Ulan Bator railway station, transfer to hotel, breakfast and rest. City tour, visit of Gandantengchilin, the main Buddhist centre in Mongolia, visit of the factory of cashmere. Lunch at restaurant. Visit of museum of the National History. Traditional Mongolian Show with dancing and singing is waiting for us in late afternoon.
Day 8
Drive to the Khustay National Park and see the Przewalski Horse, the Asian prehistoric wild horse. Enjoy horse riding and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit of prehistoric steles.
Day 9
Transfer to Kharkhorin to visit the symbolic ruins of Karakorum, which was the capital city of the Great Mongol Empire founded in the 13th century by Genghis Khan. We will also visit the oldest Monastery Erdene-Zuu built in 1586, with 108 stupas. Overnight in tourist camp.
Day 10
After breakfast, drive back to Ulan Bator (5.30 maximum by 4x4) and free time (shopping, walk downtown...) Dinner not included.
Day 11
Transfer to railway station or airport.

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

English-speaking guide
Accommodation as per itinerary
Transport as per itinerary
Meals
Excursions and visits as per itinerary
Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
Letter of invitation
Horse and equipment rental

Price does not include

Administrative registration
Personal expenses and tips
Visa fees and travel insurance
Meals in train
Airline tickets

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

If the number of participants is less than 5, the following supplement is applied: + 4 680 RUB / pers. for the group of 4 participants + 15 320 RUB / pers. for the group of 3 participants + 21 880 RUB / pers. for the group of 2 participants Single supplement in Russian part 4 500 RUB

United Federal Register of Tour Operators number : PTO 009402 | Registered Trademark Certificate number: 552709

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