Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Welcome to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia! Once the center of an enormous empire led by Genghis Khan, Mongolia is now a country where nomadic people inhabit beautiful, sprawling landscapes, and it’s rich in both culture and history. It’s famous for its endless green steppes, grazing livestock, and white Gers (Yurts) dotted across the countryside.

Upon arriving at Ulaanbaatar Airport, you will transfer to your centrally located hotel. We will enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel, where you will meet your fellow travelers and get to know two world-renowned wildlife and travel photographers, Sue Flood and Cindy Miller Hopkins. We'll get a good night's sleep and prepare for the exciting days ahead!

Accommodation: four-star hotel

Day 2: Naadam Festival — Ulaanbaatar
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Few foreigners get to experience the spectacular, little-known Naadam Festival, but we’ll be on the spot to soak up the exciting atmosphere of this national holiday. Once a religious ceremony, the festival now formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country. In recent years, women have been allowed to enter, and they now compete in two of the three events, horse-racing and archery.

Today, we will observe the elaborate opening ceremony before traveling outside Ulaanbaatar to watch the national horse race. The competitors in the horse-riding events are all children aged five to 12, many of whom have been in the saddle since infancy. As they race along the plains for 12.5 miles (20 kilometers), thousands of spectators line the remote track to watch the children thunder past on their small but sturdy steeds.

Accommodation: four-star hotel

Day 3: Naadam Festival — Ulaanbaatar
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The Naadam Festival continues today, and we'll be on the spot to see every thrilling second! After eating a delicious and filling breakfast, we'll attend the archery, wrestling, and ankle-bone shooting events.

Accommodation: four-star hotel

Day 4: Naadam Festival — Ulaanbaatar
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This morning, we will begin our tour of Ulaanbaatar at Gandan Monastery, an important Buddhist site that houses a community of more than 500 monks. In the afternoon, we’ll have the option to drive out of the city to the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of wild Mongolia. We’ll have the opportunity to visit a traditional Ger and meet a nomadic family, or try our hand at horse-riding, a tradition that’s woven into the fabric of Mongolian culture.

Accommodation: four-star hotel

Day 5: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Ulan Ude
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All aboard! After breakfast, we'll make our way to the train station (assisted by our private guides and drivers), where we'll board the train and settle into our luxury cabin. Once the train leaves the station, we’ll enjoy the passing scenery of rivers, rolling hills, and lakes. Keep your camera handy, and remember to ask Cindy and Sue all of your burning questions about photography and travel!

Later, we’ll arrive in Ulan Ude, an extremely authentic and inviting city in the middle of the vast Siberian steppes. Ulan Ude makes for the perfect stopping point, and as we tour the city, we will explore the local history museum and learn about the rich blend of Russian and Asian culture that has shaped this city and its people.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 6: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Lake Baikal
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In the morning, we will make our way through tunnels along cliff-hugging tracks above Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, enjoying a vista of snow-capped peaks on the far shore. To add to the day’s excitement, our train will be hauled by a Soviet-era steam locomotive on this section of the line. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photographs as the train winds its way along the lake's edge.

We will stop in a picturesque location by the lake, admiring the view and capturing photos to remember it by. For the brave-hearted, there’s time for a refreshing swim in the lake's crystal-clear, ice-cold waters. Traveling onwards to the end of the Baikal branch line, we will leave the train and continue by boat to Listvyanka, a small settlement nestled at the base of the surrounding hills. Here, we will visit the Lake Baikal Museum and Aquarium, where you can learn about the lake’s flora and fauna. And with their years of experience and expertise, Sue and Cindy will be happy to provide additional insights and stories about wildlife, conservation, and photography!

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 7: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Irkutsk
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Welcome to the ‘Paris of Siberia’ — Irkutsk! Here, we will take in the most significant sites and museums in this fascinating city, including an exploration of the classic wooden architecture with its intricately carved, lace-like decorations. We will also visit the Volkonsky House Museum and recreate the bygone 19th century with an atmospheric champagne reception and private concert.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 8: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Irkutsk to Novosibirsk
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Today, as we venture farther into the heart of Russia, you’ll have time to unwind and reflect on the many sights and sounds we have experienced so far. Chat with your fellow passengers, write in your journal, read a book, swap travel stories with Cindy and Sue, learn a few more words of Russian, or simply enjoy the ever-changing landscape outside your window.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 9: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Novosibirsk
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When you awake this morning, you will see a new city through your window: Novosibirsk, Russia. We will enjoy a nice breakfast before disembarking from the train and exploring the city beyond the station. Stopping in one of Siberia’s largest cities will allow us to take a guided tour and explore the place where many of Russia’s leading critics and artists were exiled during the Decembrist revolt. The largest station along our route, Novosibirsk is home to sites like Lenin Square, the wooden houses of Gorkogo, and the St. Nicholas Chapel at the center of Russia.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 10: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Yekaterinburg
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We will arrive to Yekaterinburg, Russia, and enjoy breakfast before heading out on a full-day sightseeing tour of the city, including an inside on history of The Romanovs and the Europe-Asia Border. This region is rich in history and has a lot to offer. We'll visit the recently opened Museum of Military Machinery (which houses an amazing collection of different types of military hardware), the complicated site of the Romanov execution by the Bolsheviks, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral (a famous Orthodox pilgrimage site). Engaging with local artists will also allow us to stretch our understanding of Russia’s unique history and memory.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 11: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Kazan
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On this stop, we will get to know the picturesque and historic city of Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. One of the highlights of this city tour is our exploration of the Kremlin Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of this ancient citadel, we will explore its stunning mosque and picture-perfect onion-domed cathedral. And since Kazan is the birthplace of one of Russia’s most famous opera singers, Feodor Chaliapin, we will honor his memory with a private concert of his music.

You will also have time to wander through the main pedestrian area of Kazan and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city.

Accommodation: overnight luxury train

Day 12: Trans-Mongolian Railroad — Moscow
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After traveling nearly 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) along the iconic Trans-Mongolian Railroad, we will reach Moscow, our final destination. We’ll enjoy a city tour with a local guide, who will introduce us to sights from the Kremlin (the spiritual, historical, and political heart of the city) to St. Basil’s Cathedral. We also visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture.

In the afternoon and evening, we'll enjoy touring additional sights, such as the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art) or the Space Museum. This evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner, then settle in at our five-star hotel.

Accommodation: the Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Day 13: On-board to Moscow

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Moscow Airport to begin your journey home. W hy not extend your stay in Moscow with additional nights to explore more of the city at your leisure or have time to take in a performance at the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre? (Tickets need to be pre-booked and are subject to schedule and availability.)

Ask about Optional 3-Day Post Extension to Saint Petersburg, Russia Ask about Optional 3-Day Pre Extension to Beijing, China

Optional Extensions — St. Petersburg or Beijing
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Ask about Optional 3-Day Post Extension to St. Petersburg, Russia. Ask about Optional 3-Day Pre Extension to Beijing, China.

+ What can I expect on this trip?

Our trip highlights will include celebrating the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar and traveling westward on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Together, we'll watch traditional Mongolian sporting events, meet a nomadic family living in a ger, explore Lake Baikal (the deepst lake in the world), tour Siberia's largest cities, and enjoy the wonders awaiting us in Moscow. You'll also get to know Cindy Miller Hopkins and Sue Flood, two incredibly talented wildlife and travel photographers, as they make the journey with you!

+ Will I need to obtain travel visas to join this trip?

If you are an American traveler joining this trip, you will not need a visa to visit Mongolia, but you will need a visa to visit Russia.

Please use VisaHQ to verify the visa requirements for your travel plans, and remember that it's always a good idea to travel with at least six months of validity remaining on your passport.

+ What vaccinations should I get before my trip?

It's important to receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information before departing for Mongolia and Russia. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. We can provide some general guidance on what websites to check, but these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.

+ Do your tours include international airfare?

Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours, and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. We would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.

+ I'm a solo traveler — will I be charged a single supplement?

We are happy to accommodate single travelers! Please note that we will add a single supplement charge to your trip cost. Bon voyage!