Independent Tour - Set Departure Date - Budget Trans Mongolian Journey

Itinerary - West to East

Departure Dates:
We have set departure dates based on the most recent information from the various train companies involved. Although unlikely, these can change and we would advise you as far in advance as is possible. In these cases changes can be made without administrative surcharges.

2008

Start St Petersburg 18/01/08 – Winter Wanderer: Experience Winter to the Maximum! View Dr Zhivago scenery! You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 08/02/08 – Winter Wanderer: Experience Winter to the Maximum! View Dr Zhivago scenery! You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 18/04/08 - Orthodox Easter and the spring thaw across Russia.
You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 16/05/08 - The 'Darling Buds of May' Late spring early summer, and the amazing changes across Russia.
You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 20/06/08 - Summer and all is green. Long evenings and the beginning of the 'White Nights' time for St Petersburg - fancy tennis at 0100am?? This trip is designed to take in the famous Nadaam Festival in Mongolia. Costs will vary due to amended logistics required. Please enquire further for your individual costing by sending us an email. You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 11/07/08 - Full summer and more long evenings.
You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 15/08/08 - Full summer and more long evenings.
You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 05/09/08 - Autumn Spectacular: This date is set to maximise the Autumn season through Russia. You can add our Beijing package.
Start St Petersburg 19/12/08 – Christmas Maximiser: Experience both the Western and Orthodox Christmas. You can add our Beijing package.

Departures

Day 1

Arrive St Petersburg. Transfer to your hotel for three nights. Three hour walking tour. You can add extra days for St Petersburg.
Day 2 St Petersburg free day.  Extra sightseeing ideas.
Day 3 St Petersburg free day.

Day 4

Depart St Petersburg (Leningradsky station) to Moscow at about 2355 on train #1/3.

Day 5

Arrive Moscow at 0800. Meet and transfer to your hotel for three nights. Three hour walking tour.
Day 6 Moscow free day.   Extra sightseeing ideas.
Day 7 Moscow free day.

Day 8

Train (#2 dep 15.26 odd dates) (#4 dep 23.42 Tue) (#6 dep Wed/Thu 2342) (#10 dep 2325 even days) or # 20 (dep Fri 22.56) Moscow to Irkutsk.  Info about the Train

Day 9 Onboard train. Time to bring out that large novel, or start a 3 day chess tournament.
Day 10 Onboard train.
Day 11 Onboard train.

Day 12

Arrive Irkutsk (#2 at 0225) (#4 at 0841) (#6 at 0821) (#10 at 0916) (#20 at 0811) and transfer to Lake Baikal for two nights homestay. Alternative packages to add if you want.

Day 13 Lake Baikal village.

Day 14

Transfer back to Irkutsk for one night homestay.

Day 15

Transfer to rail station for train #264 to Ulaan Baatar departing at 2010 (duration 34.5hrs).
Day 16 On board train.

Day 17

Arrive Ulaan Baatar at 0553 and transfer to homestay for one night. Free time to explore city.

Day 18

Transfer to ger camp for two nights - approx 70km out of Ulaan Baatar. Free time for 'Grassland Pursuits'.
Day 19 Grassland pursuits.

Day 20

Transfer back to homestay for one night. Balance of day to explore more of Ulaan Baatar.

Day 21

Transfer to rail station for train #24 to Beijing departing at 0900.

Day 22

Arrive Beijing at 1500. End of arrangements. Can Add Beijing package.

 

Cost Page


 Prices were correct at the time of publishing, but can change. We will then adjust this web site. If you have booked and deposited your trip there will be no surcharge. Upgrade train cabin means changing from a share 4 berth cabin to a share 2 berth cabin.
There are no single cabins. There are no 2 berth cabins on the rail section between Ulaan Bataar and Irkutsk (both directions). You can pay to make a 4 berth cabin for 2 persons. Please ask for this extra cost.


NOTES

Accommodation:
Homestay: See our notes on this form of accommodation - click here.

Hotels: The better hotels are in Moscow and St Petersburg. 'Star' ratings can vary a bit in Russia, if compared to European, Asian and US hotels. Therefore, we state 'Three/Two' star. A particular hotel may have a local rating of three star, but by a wider world perspective it is considered two star. This relates more to hotels away from Moscow and St Petersburg.

There may be some variation due to train arrival or departure times. The content remains the same, but the order in which services are provided may vary. Additional, or less nights may be required to meet changed train schedules.
View our Booking Conditions, Booking form and other technical information.

ADD Beijing Stopover - before or after.

Beijing is a city of many surprises. Time should be allowed to see some of the ancient wonders present in Beijing. Our programme is the suggested minimum. Add on more days if you can - you won’t be disappointed! Budget (backpacker style) hotels are at least 45 to 55 minutes by public transport from the centre. Due to unreliable reservation departments we cannot reserve these in advance. There are no homestay options in Beijing.

Additional Programmes

You may want a variation for your time in Beijing/China; Irkutsk (Lake Baikal); Ulaan Bataar; Moscow and St Petersburg

Beijing Stopover Classics of China Ulaan Bataar Mongolia
Irkutsk Lake Baikal Moscow & St Petersburg Golden Ring