Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Luxury Trains
Destinations
Siberia & Russian Far East, Mongolia

Please note: Due to international sanctions, we are currently unable to accept bookings for Russia.

Two of the most remote locations in the world - the South Gobi and Siberia - await you in this two-week exploration. Learn about Russia’s Soviet past as you tour different landmarks and museums telling stories of communist times. Camp in ger-style tents as you interact with local cultures spotted across the remote South Gobi. Moscow, Irkutsk, Listvyanka, and Ulan-Ude are the perfect Siberian cities for a full tour of the area before continuing onto Mongolia’s isolated desert.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Train Journeys: Siberian and Mongolian landscapes pass by the window as you chug along the Trans-Mongolian Railroad.
  • Soviet History: The world’s largest statue of Lenin stands at 25 feet tall and weighs 42 tons - a truly bizarre example of Soviet art.
  • Nature: The best way to explore the South Gobi is how the Mongols have for millennia: by horseback, riding across the giant dunes of Hongor Sands, which stretch for more than 100 miles.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Moscow

Arrive in historic, stunning Moscow early in the morning. Transfer to your hotel after a long journey. Enjoy the drive into the city as you pass by incredible landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Hotel Options
About

Well placed just five minutes from Moscow’s famous Red Square and popular shopping areas, this five-star hotel belongs to an international brand that guests can trust. Renovated only in 2012, the range of 206 rooms and suites here come warmly decorated and elegantly designed, many offering splendid city views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Actually a modern-day replica of Moscow’s classic Hotel Moskva which first opened in 1935, this five-star hotel provides a range of luxurious rooms and suites, numerous dining and entertainment options, not forgetting a first-class spa and spacious indoor swimming pool. The total of 180 rooms here comprise 139 guest rooms, 39 suites, one Presidential Suite and a final Royal Suite reserved only for the very wealthy.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Irkutsk

Leave the sprawling capital and fly to Irkutsk, where you will be met by your private car, driver and English-speaking city expert. After checking into the comfortable Sun Hotel, enjoy breakfast. Your driver will take you to the Znamensky Monastery, home to the major shrine commemorating Siberia’s most famous missionary. Later that day, take a stroll along Boulevard Gargarinsky on the leafy thoroughfare, Angara. Your friendly guide will lead you through the Decemberists Museum and a walking tour of the Decembrists’ wooden houses.

Hotel Options
About

Irkutsk is a city full of aging and rundown hotels, but thankfully the recent opening of Courtyard by Marriott addressed this problem, offering modern and comfortable rooms alongside a range of facilities and amenities. Heralded as the best hotel in the city, this three-star hotel has a globally-recognized name that all travelers can trust.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Irkutsk
Irkutsk

Day 3

Listvyanka

Rise early for breakfast and checkout. Travel in luxury on the charming old-world Circum Baikal Railway express train in the first class seats. The beautiful train is nicknamed “the golden buckle on the steel belt of Russia.” Upon arrival in Port Baikal, you will take a ferry to Listvyanka, where you check into your hotel.

Hotel Options
About

Perched on the rim of Lake Baikal, the Anastasia Hotel is the best accommodation option in the area, featuring an outdoor swimming pool and gorgeous views out to the lake. The cozy rooms are furnished in a modern style of warm woods and neutral tones, with some upgraded room types including balconies.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Irkutsk

Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel as you aren’t met by your guide until mid-morning. Your guide will take you to the quaint Krestovka Village and the 19th-century Church of St. Nicholas specifically. Next, peruse the Baikal Limnological Museum, dedicated to telling the fascinating story of the stunning lake and its surrounding flora and fauna. Finish your tour with a ride on the Baikal funicular for unrivaled views of the lake, Port Baikal and the Khamar-Daban mountains. On your way back to Irkutsk (an 80-minute drive), stop at the open-air Taltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture and Ethnography.

Hotel Options
About

Irkutsk is a city full of aging and rundown hotels, but thankfully the recent opening of Courtyard by Marriott addressed this problem, offering modern and comfortable rooms alongside a range of facilities and amenities. Heralded as the best hotel in the city, this three-star hotel has a globally-recognized name that all travelers can trust.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 5

Ulan Ude

Today travel along the famous Trans-Siberian Railway to Ulan-Ude. Upon arrival in the capital of Russia’s Buryat Republic and the third largest city in Eastern Siberia, meet your guide and transfer to the Old Believers’ village of Tarbagatai. You'll drive along the Selenga river on the famous Russian federal highway M55, which is considered one of the most scenic highways in Russia. Enjoy a late lunch (or, early dinner) of Russian cuisine in the traditional log house with the family.

Hotel Options
About

Perfect for business guests and first-time visitors wanting to get acquainted with the city, the smart Mergen Bator Hotel provides a range of modern rooms and on-site facilities. Just a five-minute walk from the city center of Ulan Ude, the hotel also has a sizeable swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, and guests can enjoy free access to the WiFi throughout.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Ulan Ude
Ulan Ude

Day 6

Overnight Train

In the morning, you will visit the Buddhist temple Ivolginsky datsan, the center of Buddhism in Russia. Ivol-ginsky datsan is an ensemble of Buddhist temples where lamas (monks) live and receive visitors. It was established in 1945 and is also the residence of Pandito Khambo Lama, the Head of Russian Buddhists. Unique samples of old Buryat art, such as thangkas, sculptures, ritual objects are gathered and preserved at Ivolginsky datsan. In the afternoon, you'll return to Ulan-Ude for a city tour. The city was established in 1666 by the Russian Cossacks conquering Siberia, but the town was known long before as the northern capital of the Hunnic Empire. On the central square of the city, there is a huge monument of Vladimir Lenin’s head, which is one of the weirdest and most bizarre examples of Soviet Art. Next, explore downtown, then ascend to the observation point on the top of the mountain, followed by lunch at a restaurant before your transfer to railway station. Depart for Ulaanbaatar on the Trans-Mongolian Railroad - the journey will take around 15 hours.

Day 7

Ulaanbaatar

Arrive into Ulaanbaatar in the morning. Meet with your guide for an introduction to the Mongolian capital, check into your hotel, then spend the rest of the day at leisure after such a long journey. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Situated in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, this cosmopolitan hotel overlooks Nayramdal Park to the south and Great Chinggis Khaan Square to the north, and is just a 40-minute drive from Chinggis Khan International Airport.

History: This luxury hotel, which features both contemporary and indigenous design and includes nine large venue spaces, opened its doors for business and leisure guests in 2015, making it a recent addition to this historic city.

Service: The Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar - as with all of the esteemed Shangri-La locations - offers exceptional service to all guests. For even more exclusive and personalized service, guests at the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar can become part of the exciting Horizon Club, which includes express check-in and check-out, a private lounge, complimentary breakfast and cocktails, and use of a meeting room.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Preferred Hotel

Day 8

Gobi Desert

Early in the morning, you'll take a flight down to Dalanzadgad in the South Gobi region, then transfer to Three Camel Lodge (the drive takes around one hour). The lodge is known as one of the top 50 eco-lodges in the world and offers luxury ger-style accommodation. Once checked in, you're ready for a full day excursion to the Gurvansaikhan Mountains and Yol Valley. Here, you can explore the vertical ravine, which often has snow and ice, even in the summer. This is a prime habitat for the bearded vulture and you'll be able to see the majestic birds flying overhead. Another rare bird, the wall creeper, can also be spotted here. Finish your tour by stopping by a local museum with dinosaur artefacts.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Principals: The lodge is built according to environmentally and culturally sustainable development guidelines.

Accommodation: Experience living in a traditional felt tent of Mongolia’s nomadic herders.

Surroundings: Stay in the unforgettable environment of the Gobi Desert's stunning Gobi-Altai Mountain Range.

See Hotel
Three Camel Lodge Preferred Hotel
Gobi Desert (south)
Gobi Desert (south)

Day 9

Hongor Sands

Driving southwest through the mountains, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as the elusive snow leopard and its prey, the Siberian ibex and argali sheep. Your destination is Hongor Sands, located within Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Hongor Sands is known for its giant sand dunes, which stretch for miles and are up to 80 meters high. You'll stay overnight here in order to see the dunes during the best times of day - dawn and dusk. By staying overnight, you also have the opportunity to meet with local pastoralistic families and learn about their lives. 

Day 10

Gobi Desert

Next, you'll traverse to Bayanzag. The name translates to "rich in saxaul," in reference to the salt-resistant saxaul trees which grow here. The star attraction of this region is the Flaming Cliffs, which were made famous by the American explorer Roy Chapman, who found fossilized dinsoaur eggs here in the 1920s. The cliffs are ignited in red and orange hues, and are particularly dramatic around sunset. As well as wildlife such as gazelles and foxes, there are also petroglyphs to see at Havtsgait. These rock carvings are estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 years old. Return to the lodge this evening. 

Day 11

Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, you'll return to Ulaanbaatar via a domestic flight. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Situated in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, this cosmopolitan hotel overlooks Nayramdal Park to the south and Great Chinggis Khaan Square to the north, and is just a 40-minute drive from Chinggis Khan International Airport.

History: This luxury hotel, which features both contemporary and indigenous design and includes nine large venue spaces, opened its doors for business and leisure guests in 2015, making it a recent addition to this historic city.

Service: The Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar - as with all of the esteemed Shangri-La locations - offers exceptional service to all guests. For even more exclusive and personalized service, guests at the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar can become part of the exciting Horizon Club, which includes express check-in and check-out, a private lounge, complimentary breakfast and cocktails, and use of a meeting room.

See Hotel
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Preferred Hotel
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar

Day 12

Ulaanbaatar

Tour the unusual, Soviet-era style city with your private guide and driver. Highlights include the Gandan Monastery, the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, the Mongolia Museum of Natural History and the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan. After dinner at your hotel this evening, enjoy a traditional performance of Mongol folk music and dancing.

Day 13

Moscow

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Moscow. You have the day in Moscow at your leisure.

Hotel Options
About

Well placed just five minutes from Moscow’s famous Red Square and popular shopping areas, this five-star hotel belongs to an international brand that guests can trust. Renovated only in 2012, the range of 206 rooms and suites here come warmly decorated and elegantly designed, many offering splendid city views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Actually a modern-day replica of Moscow’s classic Hotel Moskva which first opened in 1935, this five-star hotel provides a range of luxurious rooms and suites, numerous dining and entertainment options, not forgetting a first-class spa and spacious indoor swimming pool. The total of 180 rooms here comprise 139 guest rooms, 39 suites, one Presidential Suite and a final Royal Suite reserved only for the very wealthy.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 14

Departure

Enjoy a full day exploring Moscow. Discover the historic landmarks at Red Square before a full tour of the Kremlin. The Armory Museum inside the Kremlin is considered one of Russia’s most fantastic museums. Next, visit the impressive St. Basil’s Cathedral. After lunch, visit the Tretyakov Gallery and see the world’s foremost collection of Russian fine art. Come evening, depart Moscow for your flight onward. 

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Ararat Park Hyatt

Ararat Park Hyatt

Well placed just five minutes from Moscow’s famous Red Square and popular shopping areas, this five-star hotel belongs to an international brand that guests can trust. Renovated only in 2012, the range of 206 rooms and suites here come warmly decorated and elegantly designed, many offering splendid city views. The famous architect Tony Chi was behind the renovations, and the classy look extends from the guest rooms throughout the hotel’s impressive reception area, dining venues and leisure facilities. Ararat Park Hyatt has a sizeable gym, a luxurious spa and steamy Turkish bath, and guests can also take full advantage of the huge indoor pool – either in it - or beside it at the juice bar. As for dining options, you’ll find a wide range of European cuisine alongside local specialties, or even Japanese flavors at the hotel’s sushi bar.
Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

Actually a modern-day replica of Moscow’s classic Hotel Moskva which first opened in 1935, this five-star hotel provides a range of luxurious rooms and suites, numerous dining and entertainment options, not forgetting a first-class spa and spacious indoor swimming pool. The total of 180 rooms here comprise 139 guest rooms, 39 suites, one Presidential Suite and a final Royal Suite reserved only for the very wealthy. The standard double rooms here start from a more-than spacious 431-square-feet, coming fully furnished with a range of technology and facilities. The lavish indoor pool offers plenty of room to do laps with over 1,500-square-feet of space, and a visit to Four Season’s ‘Qudrum’ Italian restaurant is simply a must. A daily buffet breakfast is also served every morning at ‘Bystro’ restaurant.

Suggested Hotel For Day 2

Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott

Irkutsk is a city full of aging and rundown hotels, but thankfully the recent opening of Courtyard by Marriott addressed this problem, offering modern and comfortable rooms alongside a range of facilities and amenities. Heralded as the best hotel in the city, this three-star hotel has a globally-recognized name that all travelers can trust. Rooms number 208 (including eight suites) and come well-appointed with carpeted floors, large comfy beds, WiFi, satellite television, heating controls and stylish en-suite bathrooms. Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk is also ideally placed in the city center, just a short walk from Kirov Place, the Angara River, a popular drama theater and the art museum. The UNESCO World Heritage Center of Baikal Lake is also around a one-hour drive from the hotel. In terms of on-site amenities, guests are spoilt for choice with a range of dining options including an all-day international restaurant, bar, meeting room and fitness room.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Anastasia Hotel

Anastasia Hotel

Perched on the rim of Lake Baikal, the Anastasia Hotel is the best accommodation option in the area, featuring an outdoor swimming pool and gorgeous views out to the lake. The cozy rooms are furnished in a modern style of warm woods and neutral tones, with some upgraded room types including balconies. Hotel facilities include a billiard room, a spa and a traditional restaurant.

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott

Irkutsk is a city full of aging and rundown hotels, but thankfully the recent opening of Courtyard by Marriott addressed this problem, offering modern and comfortable rooms alongside a range of facilities and amenities. Heralded as the best hotel in the city, this three-star hotel has a globally-recognized name that all travelers can trust. Rooms number 208 (including eight suites) and come well-appointed with carpeted floors, large comfy beds, WiFi, satellite television, heating controls and stylish en-suite bathrooms. Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk is also ideally placed in the city center, just a short walk from Kirov Place, the Angara River, a popular drama theater and the art museum. The UNESCO World Heritage Center of Baikal Lake is also around a one-hour drive from the hotel. In terms of on-site amenities, guests are spoilt for choice with a range of dining options including an all-day international restaurant, bar, meeting room and fitness room.

Suggested Hotels For Days 5–6

Local Train

Local Train

Travel the Trans-Siberian railway from East to West or vice versa, starting in either Moscow or Vladivostok. Along the way, experience all the wonders of these fabulous cities and the natural scenic beauty in between, from Lake Baikal to the yurts of Ulaan Baatar. On days not spent exploring, relax in your private cabins and simply enjoy the scenery as it glides by.
Mergen Bator Hotel

Mergen Bator Hotel


Perfect for business guests and first-time visitors wanting to get acquainted with the city, the smart Mergen Bator Hotel provides a range of modern rooms and on-site facilities. Just a five-minute walk from the city center of Ulan Ude, the hotel also has a sizeable swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, and guests can enjoy free access to the WiFi throughout. The rooms here are also well-equipped with a mini-fridge, kettle, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and sizeable en-suite bathrooms. Guests can easily reach some of the best attractions in the city from the doors of the hotel; both Sovetov Square and Ballet and Opera Theatre are a short walk away, while Baykal Airport is just a 20-minute drive.


Suggested Hotel For Day 7

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar

In the heart of the capital of Mongolia, Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar is an urban oasis, ready to pamper business and leisure guests alike with its spacious suites, exquisite restaurants and expansive health club. The hotel features nearly 300 rooms and suites, each with an impressive vista over downtown Ulaanbaatar, and is in within walking distance of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and historical sights. Fusing contemporary and traditional design, the hotel also offers much for guests to do within its walls, from enjoying a meal and culinary show in the open-kitchen Café Park to enjoying a steam bath and jacuzzi in the luxurious health club.

Suggested Hotels For Days 8–10

Three Camel Lodge
Preferred Hotel

Three Camel Lodge

The Three Camel Lodge was constructed without nails from Siberian timber and local stone using traditional techniques, and is situated within view of the Gobi Desert's stunning Gobi-Altai Mountain Range. Built under environmentally and culturally sustainable guidelines, energy for the lodge is drawn partially from solar and wind power; the main building has a large shaded porch and remains cool and comfortable even on hottest desert days. The staff is a group of well-practiced folk musicians who don beautiful costumes and play the horse-head fiddle and other traditional instruments in the evening. Guest rooms are in 30 gers (yurts), made from latticed structures covered by layers of felt and canvas and heated with wood-burning stoves. The beds and furniture are hand-painted in vivid colors. The main lodge has a bar with a selection of beers, wines and spirits, a gift shop with local crafts and artwork and a business facility including fax service. Meals of traditional Mongolian cuisine are served in an over-sized ger, with ingredients fresh from local farms. There is no fitness center but you will not want for physical activities: a number of expeditions are possible, including hiking in the foothills of the Gobi-Altai Mountains, camel trekking through sand dunes, horseback riding through mountain valleys to local springs, and excavating dinosaur fossils at the Flaming Cliffs under the guidance of a paleontologist from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. The Three Camel Lodge is 1.5 to two hours from the airport in the provincial capital of Dalanzadgad (DLZ).

Ger Tent

Ger Tent

While exploring the remote landscapes of Mongolia, do as the nomads have for thousands of years, and bunker in a Mongolian ger or yurt, a circular, wooden tent structure covered with layers of fabric and sheep's wool felt for weatherproofing and insulation. These portable homes are warm enough to keep the coldest winter temperatures at bay and strong enough to withstand strong winds, while also being easy to take apart, transport, and reconstruct.

Suggested Hotel For Days 11–12

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar

In the heart of the capital of Mongolia, Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar is an urban oasis, ready to pamper business and leisure guests alike with its spacious suites, exquisite restaurants and expansive health club. The hotel features nearly 300 rooms and suites, each with an impressive vista over downtown Ulaanbaatar, and is in within walking distance of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and historical sights. Fusing contemporary and traditional design, the hotel also offers much for guests to do within its walls, from enjoying a meal and culinary show in the open-kitchen Café Park to enjoying a steam bath and jacuzzi in the luxurious health club.

Suggested Hotels For Day 13

Ararat Park Hyatt

Ararat Park Hyatt

Well placed just five minutes from Moscow’s famous Red Square and popular shopping areas, this five-star hotel belongs to an international brand that guests can trust. Renovated only in 2012, the range of 206 rooms and suites here come warmly decorated and elegantly designed, many offering splendid city views. The famous architect Tony Chi was behind the renovations, and the classy look extends from the guest rooms throughout the hotel’s impressive reception area, dining venues and leisure facilities. Ararat Park Hyatt has a sizeable gym, a luxurious spa and steamy Turkish bath, and guests can also take full advantage of the huge indoor pool – either in it - or beside it at the juice bar. As for dining options, you’ll find a wide range of European cuisine alongside local specialties, or even Japanese flavors at the hotel’s sushi bar.
Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

Actually a modern-day replica of Moscow’s classic Hotel Moskva which first opened in 1935, this five-star hotel provides a range of luxurious rooms and suites, numerous dining and entertainment options, not forgetting a first-class spa and spacious indoor swimming pool. The total of 180 rooms here comprise 139 guest rooms, 39 suites, one Presidential Suite and a final Royal Suite reserved only for the very wealthy. The standard double rooms here start from a more-than spacious 431-square-feet, coming fully furnished with a range of technology and facilities. The lavish indoor pool offers plenty of room to do laps with over 1,500-square-feet of space, and a visit to Four Season’s ‘Qudrum’ Italian restaurant is simply a must. A daily buffet breakfast is also served every morning at ‘Bystro’ restaurant.

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