Trafalgar
Spain, Morocco and Portugal
Spain, Portugal, Morocco · 16 days · Easy
fromCAD 5,547
Next: 18 JulThe adventure
From bustling Beijing to the Hermitage in St Petersburg, travel halfway around the world in three incredible weeks. Board one of the world’s great trains and ride the rails on this once-in-a-lifetime trip across the grassy steppes of Mongolia and through the taiga forests of Siberia. Share train carriages with locals and spend nights in a Mongolian ger and a cozy Russian guesthouse. Not only does this trip provide the perfect blend of comfortable accommodations and plenty of activities, but also free time to explore this fascinating region at your own pace.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Mongolia, Russia & China
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. Want to experience more time in Beijing? Book the Beijing Express, a three-day pre-tour package. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Arrive at any time. Want to experience more time in Beijing? Book the Beijing Express, a three-day pre-tour package. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Day 2Ride the rails through China and into MongoliaWhile on board, settle in and enjoy impressive views as the train tackles the mountains before descending to the arid lands of Inner Mongolia and continuing into the heart of rural Asia. In the evening, reach the border post of Erlian. Here, the train's wheels will be changed to accommodate a different gauge rail. Opt to stay on board and watch it happen.
While on board, settle in and enjoy impressive views as the train tackles the mountains before descending to the arid lands of Inner Mongolia and continuing into the heart of rural Asia. In the evening, reach the border post of Erlian. Here, the train's wheels will be changed to accommodate a different gauge rail. Opt to stay on board and watch it happen.
Day 3Awake to the stunning landscapes of the south Gobi
Awake to the stunning landscapes of the south Gobi. The classic image of Mongolian horses and gers (yurts) dot the scenery from horizon to horizon. The occasional nomad encampment appears mirage-like through the carriage window. Arrive to Ulaanbaatar, get your bearings on an orientation walk. Afterwards, stop for a visit to No Limits Cafe and enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks prepared and served by local youth with Down Syndrome, and their mothers. Then start exploring, choose to take in a local cultural show or enjoy some Mongolian barbecue.
Day 4Enjoy an included city tour with a local…Discover one of the most important Mongolian temple complexes, the Gandan Monastery. Learn about the history of Buddhism in Mongolia and hope for the chance to see chanting monks. If lucky, a local fortune teller may be around to share some wisdom. After the Monastery, the tour will continue in the Winter Palace of the last Mongolian King (the only King's palace that survived the revolution). At the end of the tour, visit Zaisan Hill, a great viewpoint with a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers.
Discover one of the most important Mongolian temple complexes, the Gandan Monastery. Learn about the history of Buddhism in Mongolia and hope for the chance to see chanting monks. If lucky, a local fortune teller may be around to share some wisdom. After the Monastery, the tour will continue in the Winter Palace of the last Mongolian King (the only King's palace that survived the revolution). At the end of the tour, visit Zaisan Hill, a great viewpoint with a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers.
Day 5Spend the night in a ger camp learning about traditional lifeWalk through the valleys and live simply while overnighting in a traditional ger camp.
Walk through the valleys and live simply while overnighting in a traditional ger camp.
Day 6Head back to Ulaanbaatar for a few hours…
Head back to Ulaanbaatar for a few hours before boarding the train to Siberia.
Day 7Travel to Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal
Travel to Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Opt to visit Baikal Limnological Museum, enjoy a 'banya' (Russian sauna) or take a boat ride on the lake.
Day 8Spend a full day exploring the surrounding countryside of Lake BaikalGalapagosA UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. With free time, catch a glimpse into why this is the "Galapagos of Russia". Opt to go for a boat ride or take a short hike.
GalapagosA UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. With free time, catch a glimpse into why this is the "Galapagos of Russia". Opt to go for a boat ride or take a short hike.
Day 9Head back to Irkutsk for an included city…
Head back to Irkutsk for an included city tour of one of the most beautiful cities in Siberia. Take some time to shop like the locals at the Central Market to stay well-fed on the voyage.
Day 10Continue on from Irkutsk to Yekaterinburg
Continue on from Irkutsk to Yekaterinburg. Drink with locals in the dining car, buy homemade food on the platform from "babushkas" (Russian grandmothers), read, relax, play cards, meet your fellow passengers, watch the taiga forests go by — this is what the experience is all about!
Day 11Continue on and arrive to the soviet-style city…
Continue on and arrive to the soviet-style city in the Ural Mountain region.
Day 12Enjoy a guided tour of YekaterinburgWith free time, opt to see a performance at the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre, visit the fine art gallery or spend some time at the military museum.
With free time, opt to see a performance at the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre, visit the fine art gallery or spend some time at the military museum.
Day 13Cross from Asia to Europe on this 24hr…In the morning, board the Trans-Ural Railway. Say farewell to Asia while crossing the Urals into Europe.
In the morning, board the Trans-Ural Railway. Say farewell to Asia while crossing the Urals into Europe.
Day 14Arrive to Moscow and start exploring
Arrive to Moscow and start exploring. Take an orientation walk of the metro then opt for a Moskva River boat trip or a visit to Lenin's Mausoleum, the Tretiakov Gallery or St Basil's Cathedral.
Day 15Enjoy a guided Kremlin and Armoury tour before free time to exploreThe area around the Red Square is perfect for sightseeing and people watching. Visit one of the many shops, wander the Alexandr Gardens or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Head down into the metro to explore the beautiful stations or visit another part of the city.
The area around the Red Square is perfect for sightseeing and people watching. Visit one of the many shops, wander the Alexandr Gardens or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Head down into the metro to explore the beautiful stations or visit another part of the city.
Day 16Enjoy one last day with free time…
Enjoy one last day with free time to explore the many museums, art galleries, or theatres that Moscow has to offer.
Day 17Take an early morning transfer to the train…St Petersburg, one of Europe's finest cities, is home to baroque European architecture combined with the opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Its tree-lined streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a favourite destination for travellers from around the globe. Upon arrival to St Petersburg take a walking tour of the city. Learn the sordid history of the city from the Peter the Great to Dostoevsky to the Seige of Leningrad.
St Petersburg, one of Europe's finest cities, is home to baroque European architecture combined with the opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Its tree-lined streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a favourite destination for travellers from around the globe. Upon arrival to St Petersburg take a walking tour of the city. Learn the sordid history of the city from the Peter the Great to Dostoevsky to the Seige of Leningrad.
Day 18Visit the Hermitage Museum with free time…
Visit the Hermitage Museum with free time to continue exploring the "Venice of Russia."
Day 19Departure dayDepartureWe highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Traveller reviews
“Well run, great tour leader. Very knowledgable.”
“Very good overall experience. We covered an amazing amount of territory and cultures on this single tour.”
“Overall it was a good tour and I would recommend it to friends and colleagues. I certainly feel it was good value for money and at high level is very well organized.”
Discover Mongolia
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
Operated by G Adventures
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