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Zarengold: From Beijing to Moscow

15-Day Private Train Journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Beijing to Moscow

Zarengold: From Beijing to MoscowExperience one of the last great travel adventures. Your journey along the
Trans-Siberian Railroad, one of the world’s most fascinating and safest train
routes, is even more interesting, comfortable, and entertaining with our
privately chartered train.

What Makes Your Journey Unique

  • Beijing’s Forbidden City
  • Tiananmen Square
  • Mongolian archery demonstration
  • Panoramic train route directly alongside Lake Baikal
  • Welcome ceremony with bread and salt in Novosibirsk
  • Typical Siberian villages
  • Daily talks on the region’s culture and people
  • Vodka tasting with Russian snacks and red caviar

Dates

    Info & Booking

    Susann Bridgewater
    Click here to email us

    Day 1.  Welcome to Beijing

    Day 1. Welcome to Beijing

    You are greeted at the airport by your friendly tour director and accompanied to your centrally located high-end hotel, where you have time to relax. The tour through Beijing shows you many of the colorful facets of this large metropolitan city. The highlights are certainly the Temple of Heaven and historic Tiananmen Square, two of the city’s most famous sights, but it also includes recent achievements in contemporary architecture, such as the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium, and several futuristic sky scrapers. Afterward, you enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight: Capital Hotel (or similar). Meals included: Dinner (D)

    Day 2.  The Great Wall and Peking Duck

    Day 2. The Great Wall and Peking Duck

    Today you visit the Great Wall, the eighth wonder of the world. The giant wall extends for more than 6,000 kilometers through the countryside. On the way, you visit the Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Spirit Way. In the evening, you dine on the world-famous delicacy of Peking Duck. Overnight: Capital Hotel (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)

    Day 3.  The Forbidden City and Departure for Mongolia

    Day 3. The Forbidden City and Departure for Mongolia

    For centuries the gates to the Forbidden City were closed to the public. Today you have the morning to view its awe-inspiring halls and mysterious temples. In the evening, your rail journey begins as you transfer to the train station and depart for Mongolia aboard a chartered Chinese train. You reach the border city of Erlian in approximately 16 hours the following day. The Chinese train does not include cars in the Nostalgic Comfort or Bolshoi categories. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 4.  Crossing the Gobi Desert

    Day 4. Crossing the Gobi Desert

    Around noon you reach the China–Mongolia border, where you transfer to the Zarengold private train. The change of trains is necessary because of the different track gauges in the two countries. In the growing city of Erlian, you have some time to explore the colorful local market before your Russian train sets off toward Mongolia. After crossing sections of the legendary Gobi Desert, the train travels through the vast green steppes of Mongolia. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 5.  Ulan Bator

    Day 5. Ulan Bator

    Early risers are treated to central Mongolia’s spectacular scenery. In the morning, you arrive in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia. You can leave your large luggage securely in your compartment. During your city tour you see the captivating Choijin Lama Temple, among other things. In the evening, you have the unique chance to attend a performance of traditional Mongolian folk arts, featuring throat singing, the horsehead fiddle, national costumes, and dances—tickets are €14/$15, to be paid on site. Overnight: Ramada Hotel (or similar) (BLD)

    On request, we can organize alternative lodging in a local yurt in the beautiful landscape of the Mongolian Alps for a supplement of €35/$40—please let us know upon booking. This is a rare experience and a dream come true for nature lovers.

    Day 6.  Gandan Monastery and Mongolian Alps

    Day 6. Gandan Monastery and Mongolian Alps

    After breakfast you visit the Gandan Monastery, where it is possible to observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Your bus then takes you to the Mongolian Alps, located some 90 minutes east of Ulan Bator, with their majestic scenery and bizarre rock formations. After a picnic lunch in a yurt camp, you watch a small Mongolian archery demonstration and a traditional wrestling match. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 7.  Ulan-Ude

    Day 7. Ulan-Ude

    You take your leave of the Mongolian steppes today. You travel through the valley of Mongolia’s largest river, the Selenga. You are on the way to Ulan-Ude, where your train reaches the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Here you go on an informative city tour. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 8.  Lake Baikal

    Day 8. Lake Baikal

    Today is spent exploring the remarkable natural phenomenon of Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world. In the morning, your train travels directly alongside Lake Baikal, on the old route of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. During two extended photo stops, you have a chance to explore and record the scenic beauty of the lake and its setting. A short boat excursion from Port Baikal takes you out onto the lake. Take a swim in the lake, if you wish, and visit a picturesque Baikal village. Dinner is a Baikal-style picnic on the lakeshore with a view of the incredible natural surroundings (weather permitting). Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 9.  Irkutsk

    Day 9. Irkutsk

    In the morning, you arrive in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia in tsarist times. Here you move into your centrally located hotel. You can safely leave your large luggage on the private train. During your city tour you see the Okhlopkov Drama Theater, the new memorial to Tsar Alexander III, and the photogenic market hall. Around noon you pay a worthwhile visit to an open-air museum of life and work in historical Siberia. Overnight: Hotel Irkutsk (or similar) (BLD)

    Day 10.  Across Siberia

    Day 10. Across Siberia

    After breakfast your train passes through the diverse landscapes of Eastern Siberia. Talks on board inform you about the region and a vodka tasting with typical Russian snacks and red caviar is an opportunity to experience firsthand Russian hospitality and clever toasts. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 11.  Novosibirsk

    Day 11. Novosibirsk

    Around noon your train arrives in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. You are greeted with bread and salt in the customary Russian way and taken on a tour of this most Soviet of cities along your route, including the chance to see the mighty Ob River. You go on a brief city tour, with an opportunity to see the market and the opera house. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 12.  Yekaterinburg

    Day 12. Yekaterinburg

    Your train stops in the afternoon in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Ural Federal District. The city is known as the place where the Russian tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in 1918. During a tour, you see the Church on Blood, built in 2003 to commemorate that tragic historic event; and the city center, beautifully restored in 2009. Yekaterinburg is situated on the border between the European and the Asian continents. Here you can visit the Obelisk on the Border Between Europe and Asia. Back on board you enjoy views of Uralian landscapes and relax in the dining car. Your private train is already rolling across the European continent. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 13.  Kazan

    Day 13. Kazan

    After breakfast you reach Kazan, the Tatar capital, on the banks of the Volga River. On a city tour, you see Tatar mosques and the most famous Russian Orthodox cathedral. You also take a tour of Kazan’s Kremlin, where you learn about the turbulent history between the Tatars, the Cossacks, and the Russians. Afterward you enjoy lunch in a city restaurant. Overnight on board (BLD)

    Day 14.  Welcome to Moscow

    Day 14. Welcome to Moscow

    Around noon, you arrive in the Russian capital of Moscow—a thriving, prosperous city—and are accompanied to your high-end hotel. At noon you visit the Kremlin grounds with its magnificent cathedral. Several of the building interiors can also be viewed. After dinner, you discover the city’s magic during an hour-long City of Lights tour, including a stop at Red Square, and a ride on the subway to view two of Moscow’s particularly beautiful metro stations. Overnight: InterContinental Tverskaya/Radisson Royal Ukraina (or similar) (BLD)

    Day 15.  Tour of Moscow and Flight Home

    Day 15. Tour of Moscow and Flight Home

    After an ample breakfast at your hotel, your city tour takes you to the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Lomonosov University, the Novodevichy Convent, Red Square with its colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral, the former KGB headquarters and the White House. This then marks the end of your memorable journey, and the time has come to head to the airport. We accompany you to the airport and bid you bon voyage. (B)

    (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

    This grand private train journey from Beijing to Moscow via Mongolia and Lake Baikal is your chance to fulfill the dream of a lifetime.

    Our trips are accompanied by an experienced multilingual tour director and a physician travelling on the train. A sophisticated on board program complements a comprehensive excursion and sightseeing package to make your journey truly memorable. Take advantage of the extensive array of services offered by Europe’s most experienced travel organizer on this route.

    Rates Include

    • Journey with guaranteed lodging in the booked category aboard the exclusively chartered train from Erlian to Moscow. Accommodation from Beijing to Erlian (approximately 16 hours) in a 2- or 4-bed compartment in a Chinese sleeping car. The Chinese train does not include cars in the Nostalgic Comfort or Bolshoi categories.
    • Travel for several hours along the Trans-Siberian Railroad panoramic route directly on the shores of Lake Baikal, with photo stops
    • Tour director with pertinent knowledge of the region throughout the journey
    • Freedom of Choice program: flexible excursions and sightseeing
    • Competent tour guides for each group of no more than 26 guests throughout the journey
    • Local travel guides
    • All transfers and bus tours according to itinerary
    • All excursions and sightseeing according to itinerary, including all entry fees
    • All meals according to your itinerary
    • Drinks (except premium beverages) during meal times on board the train for guests traveling in categories Bolshoi and Bolshoi Platinum
    • Porter service at all train stations
    • A physician on board the train from the Chinese border to Moscow
    • Shower facilities on board the train
    • 2 nights in a high-end hotel in Beijing
    • 1 night in Ulan Bator in a good, centrally located, mid-range hotel
    • 1 night in Irkutsk in a mid-range hotel
    • 1 night in Moscow in high-end hotel
    • Informational booklet on the region and train for each compartment reserved

    Hotels Planned

    Beijing: 2 nights, Capital Hotel
    Ulan Bator: 1 night, Ramada Hotel
    Irkutsk: 1 night, Hotel Irkutsk
    Moscow: 1 night, InterContinental Tverskaya/Radisson Royal Ukraina

    Not Included

    • Visa fees
    • Gratuities
    • International flights
    • Personal expenses
    • Optional evening performance in Ulan Bator (Day 5): tickets are €14/$15 to be paid on site
    • Optional overnight in a yurt in the Mongolian Alps (Day 5): supplement of €35/$40 (upon request, please let us know upon booking)

    Entry Requirements

    • Passport and visas required
    • No vaccinations are prescribed

    Important Notes

    • We regret that due to the intricate logistics of this tour, itinerary changes are sometimes unavoidable
    • This journey is generally not for guests with limited mobility or who depend on CPAP machines. Please contact us for more information about your specific requirements before booking
    • Minimum number of tour participants: 120

    Cat. V - Bolshoi Platinum

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 2 guests
    • 1 lower bed sized
      47.2 × 72.4 in/120 × 184 cm
    • 1 upper bed sized
      32.3 × 68.5 in/82 × 174 cm

    Features

    • Large compartment sized
      77 sq ft/7.15 sq m
    • Small sofa
    • Table
    • Window
    • Large closet
    • Private bathroom with sink, toilet and separate shower
    • 5 compartments per car

    Cat. IV - Bolshoi

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 2 guests
    • 1 lower bed sized
      43.3 × 72.4 in/110 × 184 cm
    • 1 upper bed sized
      31.5 × 68.5 in/80 × 174 cm

    Features

    • Large compartment sized
      60 sq ft/5.57 sq m
    • Small sofa
    • Table
    • Window
    • Small closet
    • Private bathroom with sink, toilet and integrated shower
    • 6 compartments per car

    Cat. III - Nostalgic Comfort

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 2 guests
    • 1 lower and 1 upper bed
    • 31.5 × 72.8 in/80 × 185 cm

    Features

    • Large window
    • Table
    • Armchair
    • 2 shared bathrooms with sink and toilet per car
    • Semi-private shower with sink shared between 2 compartments
    • 8 compartments per car
    • Nostalgic interior design

    Cat. II - Superior

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 2 guests
    • 2 lower beds
    • 26.7 × 73.6 in/68 × 185 cm

    Features

    • Large window
    • Table
    • 2 shared bathrooms with sink and toilet per car
    • Shower shared between 1 to 3 cars
    • 9 compartments per car
    • Distinctive interior design

    Cat. II - Classic

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 2 guests
    • 2 lower beds
    • 26.7 × 73.6 in/68 × 187 cm

    Features

    • Large window
    • Table
    • 2 shared bathrooms with sink and toilet per car
    • Shower shared between 2 to 4 cars
    • 9 compartments per car

    Cat. I - Standard

    Number and Size of Beds

    • Sleeps up to 4 guests
    • 2 lower and 2 upper beds
    • 26.7 × 73.6 in/68 × 187 cm

    Features

    • Large window
    • Table
    • 2 shared bathrooms with sink and toilet per car
    • 9 compartments per car
    • 3-person occupancy is available for a supplemental charge


    Total price $

    Journeys on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and in Siberia

    Our journeys on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and in Siberia are currently not viable. Since there is no way to foresee when the next trips will be possible, we encourage you to return to this page once the state of affairs starts to change.

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