Beijing to Moscow

Day 1. Beijing: The Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square
You arrive in China, home to one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations. Before setting out to explore the city, you receive a warm welcome at your first-class hotel and have the chance to relax and freshen up. Later your friendly, knowledgeable guides show you the stunning sights of the city, from the Temple of Heaven to the infamous Tiananmen Square.

Overnight: Capital Hotel (or similar) (D)

Day 2. Beijing: The Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs
Today is a day filled with beauty and inspiration. You visit the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China—the world’s largest piece of ancient architecture—and its legendary scenery up close. You also stop at the equally iconic Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the exquisite Sacred Way necropolis. In the evening you get to know your fellow travelers over a feast of Peking Duck at one of China’s impressive themed restaurants. The perfect end to an unforgettable day.

Overnight: Capital Hotel (or similar) (BLD)

Day 3. Beijing: The Forbidden City and Departure to Mongolia
As the former Chinese imperial palace, the Forbidden City is one of most renowned palaces on Earth. For centuries, the glorious halls and temples were inaccessible to anyone but the royal family. Today it is yours to explore. In the evening you board a special Chinese train in Beijing and begin the journey to Mongolia. On the way, you take in the fascinating landscapes of rural China and the surreal, sweeping sands of the Gobi Desert.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 4. The Gobi Desert, Erlian and Boarding the Tsar’s Gold
At noon, you arrive at the Mongolian border and board your private train—the Tsar’s Gold! At the border crossing in the city of Erlian, you enjoy a brief visit to a local market, and then you set off on your private train through the dramatic expanses of the Gobi Desert and the epic green steppes of Mongolia.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 5. Ulan Bator and the Mongolian Alps
At noon, you arrive at the Mongolian border and board your private train—the Tsar’s Gold! At the border crossing in the city of Erlian, you enjoy a brief visit to a local market, and then you set off on your private train through the dramatic expanses of the Gobi Desert and the epic green steppes of Mongolia.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 6. Ulan Bator and the Gandan Monastery
Today you experience the stunning natural beauty of the Mongolian Alps. Amid its picture-book landscapes, you discover the impressive Buddhist Gandan Monastery. At an open-air railroad museum, you learn about the origins of the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Later you picnic in the great outdoors—the perfect way to enjoy the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. You have the opportunity to try the Mongolian lamb specialty khorkhog and airag, a drink made from fermented mare’s milk known as the beer of the Mongols. Afterward, you watch performances featuring horseback riding, wrestling and archery that offer insight into the culture of Mongolia.

Overnight: on board (BLD)

Day 7. Ulan-Ude and the Selenga River Valley
Your private train continues along the green and picturesque valley of the Selenga River, the largest in Mongolia. Soon you arrive in Ulan-Ude, the bustling and friendly capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. You have the choice to either stroll through the city streets or enjoy a guided tour. Here your private train joins the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 8. Lake Baikal and the Circum-Baikal Railroad
Today, your day is dedicated to enjoying beautiful Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. You arrive at Port Baikal, where the lake’s tranquil aquamarine surface glitters in the sun, reflecting the Baikal Mountains. Here you capture some perfect shots of the landscape surrounding the Circum-Baikal Railroad.

Now is your chance to take a dip in the lake’s legendary rejuvenating waters, explore picturesque villages, and take a boat ride. If the weather agrees, you enjoy a picnic dinner on the lake’s pristine shores, basking in the stunning atmosphere.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 9. Irkutsk, Capital of Russia’s Irkutsk Region
When you arrive in Irkutsk, one of Eastern Siberia’s largest cities, you get settled in your well-appointed hotel and then set out to explore this historic city. You visit the colorful, vibrant Central Market, the Irkutsk Theater and the City History Museum. Later you have a relaxed dinner in the evening before heading off to bed at your centrally located hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Irkutsk (or similar) (BLD)

Day 10. Through Siberia on the Tsar’s Gold
You spend your next day in Siberia aboard your private train, the Tsar’s Gold. Stunning views of mountains, forests and rivers pass by your window as far as the eye can see. You enjoy entertaining lectures about Russian history and culture with your fellow travelers, complete with traditional Russian drinks and snacks.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 11. Novosibirsk, Siberia’s Largest City
Today at noon you arrive in Siberia’s largest city, Novosibirsk, where you receive a warm traditional welcome with bread and salt. In Russia, bread is associated with hospitality, and salt with friendship. Later you take a tour that includes the majestic River Ob.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 12. Yekaterinburg, Where East Meets West
Yekaterinburg, once known as the Window to Asia, is situated on the eastern side of stunning Ural Mountains. Here you visit the painstakingly preserved city center and the gorgeous Church of All Saints, which commemorates the site where Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, and his family were assassinated by revolutionaries. That evening your train leaves Asia and heads into Europe.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 13. Kazan, Sports Capital of Russia
Today is dedicated to the picturesque and historic city of Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, situated on the banks of the Volga River. You take in the traditional Russian architecture and the fascinating stories of the Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also learn about the turbulent history of the region and the clashes between the Tatars, Cossacks and Russians. Known as Russia’s sports capital because of it many sports events, Kazan was one of the cities that held games for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Overnight: On board (BLD)

Day 14. Moscow, Russia’s Vibrant Capital
Moscow—one of the most vivid and historic cities on earth. Here you see the world-famous Moscow Kremlin and its magnificent buildings. After dinner you experience the richness and color of Moscow at night, which includes the gorgeous Red Square and the lavish Moscow Metro, whose many stations are known as the Palaces of the People.

Overnight: InterContinental Tverskaya (or similar) (BLD)

Day 15. Moscow: Goodbye Trans-Siberian!
It’s the last day of your journey, and you wake up to a lovely morning in cosmopolitan Moscow. Today you see the Russian architectural masterpieces of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Novodevichy Convent. You visit the beautifully reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Savior and pass by the notorious former KGB headquarters, the imposing Soviet architecture of the Russian White House and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

On the way to the airport, you sit back and reflect on the memorable journey you’ve just completed. It’s a bittersweet farewell, but the memories will last forever. (B)

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