Trans-Mongolian Itinerary (Eastbound) Tsar’s Gold Private Train 2022

Day 1 Welcome to Moscow

Arriving in Moscow, your tour guide welcomes you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel. The Russian capital presents itself in wonderful illumination on your “Moscow by Night” city lights tour. Afterwards you can stroll across the famous Red Square with your tour guides and experience Moscow’s Metro stations in all their splendour and beauty.
Dinner included today.

Tonight in your first class Moscow Hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing Moscow

Your grand city tour starts in the morning with a visit to the Kremlin, including one of the magnificent cathedrals still left from the time of the Tsars.   Towards evening, your group will make its way to Kazansky station in Moscow to join your train for the start of your amazing adventure!

Day 3 Kazan

After breakfast on the train, you arrive in Kazan, the old Tartar capital, located on the banks of the Volga river. There is plenty of history here: on a guided tour of the city’s ancient Kremlin you will learn about the wild and often bloody relations of the Tartars, Cossacks, and Russians.  Rejoin your Private Train which resumes its journey in the evening.

Day 4 Ekaterinburg

In the afternoon, we make our stop in Ekaterinburg and enjoy a short tour of the city centre.  During the city tour you will also see the newly constructed Cathedral-on-the-blood, built as a memorial to the Romanov Tsar Nicols ll and his family, executed in 1918.  Back on the train, your journey continues through the vast steppes of Western Siberia.

Day 5 Novosibirsk

Arriving in Novosibirsk, the heart of Siberia, you will receive a genuine Russian welcome with a traditional Russian bread and salt ceremony.  Your city tour here includes a visit to the Transsiberian monument and the mighty Ob River.   After dinner, your train continues its epic journey eastwards.

Day 6 Krasnoyarsk

Your Private Train, by now your second home, continues over the Yenisei River through Siberia. You will notice the changing scenery as you progress towards Lake Baikal. In Krasnoyarsk, a city with an impressive riverside location, you will have an interesting walking tour of the town. Back on the train the on-board restaurant chefs once again demonstrate their skills with a speciality meal – the  “Tsar’s Feast”. Enjoy this true Russian hospitality during the vodka and caviar tasting, while passing by memorable landscapes.

Day 7 Irkutsk

Today your tour reaches Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia. During our city tour you will see beautiful Siberian wooden cottages, the new statue of Alexander III and the lively market hall. After lunch, we include an excursion to the open-air museum “Life and Work in the Time of the Tsars”.
Spend tonight in a centrally located hotel in Irkutsk.

Day 8 Lake Baikal

For today’s visit we travel by bus is to a Siberian village. Later, a boat takes you across the deep waters to Port Baikal, where your Private Train awaits you. On historic rail tracks it takes you directly along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Baikal. More amazing photo opportunities!
Tonight, dinner is served in typical local style as a picnic on the shores of the lake (weather permitting).

Day 9 From Lake Baikal to Ulan Ude on to Mongolia

This day takes you along a different part of the shore of the mystical Lake Baikal, and then onwards through the magnificent valley of Selenga, passing by wild and lonely mountain steppes of Eastern Siberia. On the way to the Mongolian border the train will stop in Ulan Ude, where you can enjoy a city tour. Afterwards the train departs for Mongolia.

Day 10 Ulan Bator and Gandan Monastry

In the morning you arrive in Ulan Bator. In the course of the city tour you will see the impressive Buddhist Gandan Monastry and the Lama Museum. In the evening, your tour guides show you the best beer garden in the city.
Spend tonight in a centrally located hotel in Ulan Bator.
n.b. On request, we can organize an overnight stay in a Yurt (Ger) in the beautiful Mongolian Alps, instead of the hotel.
Due to limited availability this must be booked at time of making your reservation (Price €40 per person in twin)

Day 11 Ulan Bator and the Mongolian Alps

Today there is a tour to Mongolian Switzerland. After breakfast, a bus trip reveals the beautiful countryside. Lunch today is within the typical tent settlements of nomadic herdsmen. A Mongolian horseback riding show will be performed especially for you.
In the evening your Private Train will travel onwards to the Chinese border.

Day 12 Through the Gobi desert

In the early morning your train makes a stop in the middle of the Gobi Desert, once the favourite settlement area of dinosaurs. Towards midday, you reach the Chinese border, where your Chinese train is ready for departure. (Necessary due to the different Chinese track gauge). You will reach China’s capital Beijing in about 16 hours.
IMPORTANT: The Chinese train has no Nostalgic Comfort and Bolshoi cars, only two bed or 4 bed cabins without private faciltiies. Single occupancy is not guaranteed.

Gobi Desert (Click to view)

Day 13 Welcome to Beijing

After observing the changing scenery and now the impressive scenes of Chinese rural life from your compartment window, you arrive in Beijing in the morning, where you say goodbye to your Private Train and spend three nights in a first class hotel.

Day 14 Beijing––Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City

Today our city tour will show you the Temple of Heaven and its park, as well as Tiananmen Square. A guided tour through the interior of the Forbidden City follows in the afternoon.

Day 15 The Great Wall and Peking Duck

Today you enjoy a day trip to the iconic Great Wall. Your programme also includes a tour of a pearl cultivation farm, the Ming Tombs and the avenue of the spirits. In the evening you enjoy a meal featuring the world-famous Chinese dish, Peking Duck.

Day 16 Beijing and back home

Today a wonderful once in a lifetime trip, filled with unique and unforgettable experiences comes to its end and you start your return home.

If you wish to extend your journey, ask us about a four day pre-tour trip to St Petersburg. Please email us at info@select-a-tour.com

See Westbound Beijing – Moscow Tour Details and Prices here

Tsar’s Gold Private Train – Tour Excursions and Specialities

Moscow

• Kremlin
•  Night tour
•  Tour of the subway
•  City tour including Church of the Redeemer

Kazan

• City tour including guided visit of the Kremlin

Novosibirsk

• City tour and traditional welcome with bread and salt

Ekaterinburg

•  City tour with visit to the Church of the Ascension

Krasnoyarsk

• City tour

 Lake Baikal

• Follow the ancient tracks along the shores of Lake Baikal, including village visit
•  Boat trip on Lake Baikal

Ulan Ude

• City tour

Irkutsk

•  City tour with visit to the market hall
•  Visit to open-air museum

Ulan Bator

• Visit to the Choijin-Lama temple
•  Tour of the Gandan Monastery
•  Visit to Alpine Mongolia including horse-riding demonstration

Culinary Specialties

• Peking Duck
• Caviar and vodka tasting on train
• Picnic on Lake Baikal
• Tsar’s feast on train

Beijing

• Visit to the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square
• Visit to the Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs
• Visit to the Forbidden City

Erlian

•  Visit to the local market

Compartment Overview Tsar’s Gold.pdf

Click to view/download Tsar’s Gold compartment categories [PDF]

Choose from 6 different compartment categories on Tsar’s Gold:
Standard: 4 berth – no facilities en suite. WC each end of carriage
Classic: 2 berth – no facilities en suite. WC each end of carriage
Superior: newly renovated 2 berth – no facilities en suite. WC each end of carriage
Superior Plus: newly renovated 2 berth – no facilities en suite. WC each end of carriage. 1 shower car per carriage
Nostalgic Comfort: newly built, nostalgically furnished in the Soviet Government Train style of the 50’s.  Large 2 berth.
Two compartments share basin/hand shower. WC each end of carriage.
Bolshoi: Large 2 berth (5.57 sq m/60 sq ft) with private en-suite facilities (please see note regarding Chinese train sector)
Bolshoi Platinum: Large 2 berth (7.15 sqm/77 sq ft) private en-suite facilities (please see note regarding Chinese train sector)

Category I: Standard

In the STANDARD CATEGORY (I), there are nine compartments per car, each for four guests. On both sides, left and right, there are two berths, one upon the other and each of them sized
2.3 x 6.2 ft (70 × 190 cm). In the middle, below the window, you will find a table. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of the car.

Category II: Classic

In the CLASSIC CATEGORY (II), there are 9 compartments per car. A compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized app.
2.3 x 6.2 ft (70 × 190 cm) and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lavatory compart- ments are located at each end of this category’s cars. In every second car there is a shower compartment.

Category II: Superior

In the SUPERIOR CATEGORY (II), there are 9 newly refurbished compartments per car.
A compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized app. 2.3 x 6.2 ft (70 × 190 cm) and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of this category’s cars. In every second car there is a shower compartment.

Category II: Superior Plus

In the SUPERIOR PLUS CATEGORY (II), there are 8 newly refurbished compartments per car. A compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized app. 2.3 x 6.2 ft (70 × 190 cm) and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lava- tory compartments are located at each end of this category’s cars. 8 compartments share one refurbished shower room.

Category III: Nostalgic Comfort

If you want to travel like the red tsars, the NOSTALGIC COMFORT CATEGORY (III) is a must. The newly built cars of our Category III are nostalgically furnished, but also provide modern amenities. You’ll be travelling in an ambiance, in which even former Soviet leaders would have felt at home – although with the comfort of the 21st century. Each of these rolling hotel rooms offers two large berths (app. 2.6 x
6.1 ft (80 × 185 cm)) and an armchair for an especially comfortable view of the changing landscapes. Two compartments share one small connecting room with wash basin and wet room style shower facility between every two compartments. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of this category’s car. (Please see note regarding Chinese train sector)

Category IV: Bolshoi

The BOLSHOI CATEGORY (IV) is equipped with two beds: the lower one measures
3.6 x 6.1 ft (1.10 m x 1.87 m), even providing room for two people if required, the upper one
2.6 x 5.8 ft (80 x 176 cm). Furthermore, the
60 sq ft (5.57 m²) large compartments offer a cosy seating bench, a commodious table and a wardrobe. The compartment’s exclusive en suite bathroom does not only contain a washing basin, WC and shower, but also enough storage space for your personal belongings. Each car of the Bolshoi category has only six compartments. (Please see note regarding Chinese train sector)

Category V: Bolshoi Platinum

The BOLSHOI PLATINUM CATEGORY (V) features the highest possible comfort on the Transsiberian. Each compartment is 77 sq ft (7.15 m²) large and provided with full shower cabin, WC and washing basin. The lower bed measures 3.9 x 6 ft (120 × 184 cm), the upper one 2.7 x 5.7 ft (82 × 174 cm).

The compartment is equipped with a very spacious wardrobe, hair dryer, bathrobe and slippers. Each car of the PLATINUM CATEGORY contains 5 of these magnificent cabins, assuring that there is a maximum of only 10 guests per car. (Please see note regarding Chinese train sector)

Other train areas

Tsar’s Gold Private Train – Tour Dates 2022 Eastbound

n.b. * 07 May Special Discount of €180 per person.

See Westbound Beijing – Moscow Tour Details and Prices here

IMPORTANT:
Prices in Euros for residents of Europe.
For USA, Canada and rest of the world prices are in USD – please ask for details.

Tsar’s Gold Tour PRICES 2022 (Eastbound) Moscow – Beijing:

Standard Class (Category 1)
€4,740 per person in 4-berth compartment
€1,180 per person supplement for 3 persons in a 4-person compartment
€700 supplement for single hotel room
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Classic Class (Category II)
€7,280 per person in 2-berth compartment
€2,810 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Superior Class (Category II)
€7,670 per person in 2-berth compartment
€3,120 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Superior Plus Class (Category II)
€8,100 per person in 2-berth compartment
€3,120 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Nostalgic Comfort Class (Category III)
€10,200 per person in 2-berth compartment
(Two compartments share basin/hand shower)
€5,130 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Bolshoi Class (Category IV)
€13,230 per person in 2-berth compartment
(with private en suite shower / wc)
€7,700 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

Bolshoi Platinum Class (Category V)
€15,500 per person in 2-berth compartment
(with private en suite shower / wc)
€8,930 per person supplement for sole use of compartment and single room in hotel
*07 May Departure Discount €180 p.p.

IMPORTANT:
Sole use supplement: Please see note regarding Chinese train sector
Prices in Euros for residents of Europe.
For USA, Canada and rest of the world prices are in USD – please ask for details.

Tsar’s Gold Private Train – Price Includes:

• The only Private Train on the Trans-Mongolia route awarded the TÜV quality seal of the official German technical inspection authority (constantly monitoring service quality)
• Obtain profound insights into Russian, Mongolian and Chinese culture––in just one epic journey
• Dine in our lovingly designed restaurant wagons and enjoy finest local cuisine and drinks served by courteous waiters;
• Full Board. Dinner on arrival day and Breakfast on departure.  Day 13 and 14 in China Breakfast and Lunch only
• More than 20 excursions and performances included as well as all entrance fees
• Professional threefold tour guide-system: Knowledgeable and dedicated tour director, a competent group train guide (max. 26 guests per group guide) as well as local guides, all equipped with expert knowledge of the region
• Individual special requests possible: Access to forbidden zones and extra opening hours (please inquire before the journey)
• Alternating overnights in your train compartment and in first class and standard hotels
• Caviar and vodka tasting on board the train
• Traditional Russian welcoming ceremony with bread and salt
• Special Peking Duck dinner at one of Beijing’s leading theme restaurants
• Extensive trip on the ancient rail lines of the Transsiberian Railway directly on the banks of Lake Baikal with photo stop
• Detailed travel documents, travel guides and personal log book
• Sophisticated on-board programmes: Entertaining lectures on local culture, history and everyday life
• Doctor on board (from Moscow to the Chinese border)
• Showers on board
• Travel with guaranteed accommodation in the category booked onboard the Private Train from Moscow to Erlian; single accommodation is possible
• From Erlian to Beijing (about 16 hours) accommodation in comfortable sleeping quarters – the Chinese train does not carry sleeping cars of the Nostalgic Comfort and Bolshoi / Bolshoi Platinum category and doesn’t have shower facilities; single and double accommodation are not guaranteed on this sector.
• Three nights in Beijing and one night in Moscow in first class hotels (4 star level) standard rooms
  Bolshoi/Bolshoi Platinum guests reside in deluxe rooms or suites.
  In the event of the group being upgraded to a deluxe hotel in Moscow or Beijing (5 star level) then same room type used for all passengers.
  One overnight each at centrally located standard hotels (3 star level) standard rooms in Ulan Bator and Irkutsk
  Bolshoi/Bolshoi Platinum guests reside in deluxe rooms or suites.
  In the event of the group being upgraded to a first class hotel in Ulan Bator or Irkutsk (4 star level) then same room type used for all passengers.
• Hotel property selection is subject to change; exact name of final hotel property will be announced prior to departure with final train pre-departure information.
• Transfers on arrival and departure – you may join the group transfers operating from / to the international airport between 10.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs (arrival) and between 10.00 hrs and 14.00 hrs (departure).
  We can arrange private transfers outside these times, or if you prefer to have your own driver and vehicle. Supplement applies.
• Luggage service at all train stations

Tsar’s Gold Private Train – Not Included in Price:

• International Flights
• All Visa Fees for Mongolia, China and Russia
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal Items
• Stay in Ger (Yurt) – supplement of €40 per person, must reserve at time of booking

Notes

• Visa support – is supplied for duration of tour only. If you require an extended visa support we can supply this from €25 per person (certain nationalities incur a higher extended visa support letter fee) – check with us for details.
• Visa Support – is granted to eligible foreign nationals only. This is at the discretion of the authorities.
• Chinese, Mongolian, Russian Visas – you will need to obtain your visas in advance of travel. Please check requirements with your local Consulates.
• Visa Service – if you are residing in the UK, please ask about our low cost visa service.
• The optional overnight stay in a Yurt (Ger) instead of the hotel, due to limited availability this must be booked at time of making your reservation
  Please contact us for details and price.
• AIRPORT INFORMATION:
  SVO Sheremetyevo International Airport
  DME Domodedovo Moscow Airport
  VKO Vnukovo Moscow International Airport 
  PEK Beijing Capital International Airport 
  PKX Beijing Daxing International Airport

Pre- and Post Tour Extensions

Note that extending your stay means extending your visa! Check with us for details! If you require an extended visa support we can supply this from €25 per person (certain nationalities incur a higher extended visa support letter fee) – check with us for details.