Make your own way to the station giving yourself at least one hour on arrival to complete security (metal-detectors are now in force and there can be queues to use them) and find your train and platform. And then you’re heading off, along the most famous railway in the world!

Breakfast

Afternoon arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Our driver will meet you at the end of the platform and will be holding a meeting- board with your name on. Transfer from the station your hotel. You will have a chance to freshen up before departing for your city tour.

The balance of today is free to explore more of the city. You can choose to visit the heady atmosphere surrounding the Gandan Monastery or visit the Choijin Monastery Museum, or the Bazaar… log on and pick up your email in one of the numerous internet cafes on Peace Avenue, have a latte and French pastries in the new generation of new-age coffee stores, go souvenir shopping in the peculiar grandeur of the Central Department Store, or pick up some snack food for the train in the Store’s food department… in the evening a wide range of traditional and new style Mongolian eateries are vying with European style places, Irish pubs and German beer halls to enjoy, usually with live music later on.

No Meals.

After breakfast depart for Elstei Ger Lodge. With no specific activities planned you can choose to chill out, read, or go walking, or (for a small payment made directly to them locally) you can go horse riding with local nomad horsemen. A relaxed evening in the bar after supper there are occasional impromptu performances of live Mongolian music, where you might hear the Morin Khuur (horse-head lyre), the cimbalom, or native Mongolian throat-singing.

Breakfast, lunch, supper

After breakfast transfer back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the station where you will board the Ekaterinburg bound train.

Breakfast.

Afternoon arrive in Ekaterinburg where our driver will meet you at the end of the platform and will be holding a meeting-board with your name on. Transfer to a centrally located Hotel.

There is a walking tour around the well known and less obvious attractions of Ekaterinburg, with a local expert guide. You’ll visit the historical centre of the city, including the scene of the assassination of the Romanov Royal Family, on which a Cathedral now stands to mark the event.

You’ll also see something of Ekaterinburg’s involvement in Russia’s military history. The last half-hour will be spent at The Museum of Gems. The tour ends in the downtown area (we make sure you know the way back!)

No Meals.

Geographical note: Ekaterinburg has borders on both the Western and Eastern sides of town… to the West is the official border between Europe & Asia, and to the East of Ekaterinburg is where Siberia officially begins.) The Siberian border was more than symbolic in the C19th – it delineated an area where a more rough and ready system of justice operated, where escaped serfs who had run away from their masters could legally claim sanctuary. For oppressed religious minorities, escaped serfs and others, the one way trip to Siberia was, ironically, the “highway of hope”.

Please make a choice of one of the day trip options. They’re included in the trip price! ( please note the Siberian weather puts seasonal limits on some activities – details below).

Breakfast, lunch.

A. ROMANOV GRAVES (Europe/Asia Border Monument en-route). Car excursion to site where the Romanov bodies were hidden. Duration; 5–6 hours. No physical exertion involved. Light lunch provided. Year round.

B. SIBERIAN COUNTRYSIDE & HISTORIC VILLAGE Visit to an old village (145 km each way) now under a Preservation Order. Includes home-cooked lunch, exhibitions of local craft, horse cart riding. Duration; 8–9 hours. No physical exertion involved. Year round.

C. HIKING TRIP IN THE URALS Outdoor adventure in an area which is a designated nature park. Car transfer, then 18km walk where you will see a variety of flora and fauna and learn about the indigenous species of wildlife. No special equipment needed. Duration; 8 hours. Lunch provided. 15 June–15 September. Weather permitting.

D. SIBERIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURE Combined soft raft (6km) and Forest Hike (12km) – optional cave visit. Good fitness required. Duration; 9-10 hours. Lunch provided. 15 June–15 September. Weather permitting.

E. MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE URALS Trip to start West of the city. After a short drive you start your bike trip on a professional bike for 2–3 hrs. Lunch. Duration; 5 hrs. 15 May–30 Sep. Weather permitting.

F. SKIING At Ezhovaya Slopes Ski Resort. Skis/Poles/Lift-Pass package purchasable locally approx £35 payable in roubles. No instruction is included – this program is for those who can already ski. Duration; 6 –7 hours. Lunch provided. 01 December– 28 February. Weather permitting.

G. ICE-FISHING Yes, you saw the cartoons, now you can try it yourself. Tackle, angler’s hints & fur coat provided. We don’t guarantee you’ll catch anything! Duration; 8 hours. Lunch provided. 15 November– 15 December. 01 February–15 March. Weather permitting.

H. SIBERIAN HUSKY DOG SLEDDING Exactly what it says! 3–4 hours sledding following a made track through the forest. No special fitness required, but be ready to fall-off in the soft snow a few times, they’re pretty fast! At the end of your trip
you will visit the famous Europe-Asia border. Duration; 7–8 hours. Lunch provided. 15 November–28 December. 16 January–28 February. Weather permitting.

Early morning transfer to the station where you will board the Moscow bound train.

Breakfast.

You’ll need to check out of your room by 12 noon today. For services we offer in St. Petersburg please refer to our “St. Petersburg Add On”

Breakfast.