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Golden Eagle Luxury Trains · Escorted tour

Trans-Mongolian Express Westbound

Thirteen-day Golden Eagle train from Ulaan Baatar to Moscow via Lake Baikal

Illustration of Trans-Mongolian Express Westbound

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains operates this 13-day escorted journey from Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, to Moscow, Russia, combining cultural immersion with the experience of a private luxury train. The trip begins with a three-night stay in Ulaan Baatar centred around the Naadam Festival, where guests enjoy VIP seating at the opening ceremony and watch traditional sporting events including horse racing, wrestling, archery, and ankle-bone shooting. On Day 4, travellers board the Golden Eagle for nine nights of rail travel across Siberia, passing through Ulan Ude, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and Kazan before arriving in Moscow. Days feature a mix of guided city tours and optional activities such as cooking classes and visits to local museums. The Golden Eagle provides private en-suite cabins with 24-hour attendant service, all meals prepared on board with local ingredients, and a generous drinks allowance. The package concludes with one night at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Moscow. This journey suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers drawn to immersive cultural experiences and interested in history, as well as those who value fully escorted travel with expert guidance throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • All Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian departures have been suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and international sanctions on Russia; confirm current departure status with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains before booking.
  • Pre and post-tour hotels in Ulaan Baatar are listed as 'or similar, not guaranteed'; final accommodation may differ from the named properties (Kempinski or Ramada).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hotel in Ulaan Baatar (Kempinski/Ramada or similar)

    Ulaan Baatar

    Transfer to hotel for a three-night stay (Kempinski or Ramada, or similar, not guaranteed). Evening welcome reception dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Hotel in Ulaan Baatar (Kempinski/Ramada or similar)

    Ulaan Baatar

    First day of the Naadam Festival: opening ceremony and the national horse race.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hotel in Ulaan Baatar (Kempinski/Ramada or similar)

    Ulaan Baatar

    Second day of the Naadam Festival: archery, wrestling and ankle-bone shooting events.

  4. Day 4overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Ulaan Baatar

    Tour of Gandan Monastery and Chinggis Square, or a Freedom of Choice option to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park for a Ger visit and horse-riding. Board the Golden Eagle.

  5. Day 5overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Ulan Ude

    Tour of Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic, including the Old Believers' Village with a folk concert.

  6. Day 6overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Lake Baikal

    Journey along the cliff-hugging tracks above Lake Baikal, hauled by a Soviet-era steam locomotive. Boat to Listvyanka to visit the Lake Baikal Museum and Aquarium, followed by a shoreline barbecue.

  7. Day 7overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Irkutsk

    Tour of Irkutsk, the 'Paris of Siberia', including the Volkonsky House Museum, with a champagne reception and private concert. Freedom of Choice cooking class or visit to a Russian home.

  8. Day 8overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    On Board

    A day to unwind and reflect on the journey so far.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Novosibirsk

    City tour to Lenin Square and the Opera House. Freedom of Choice: the Railway Museum or the Mineralogical Centre.

  10. Day 10overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Yekaterinburg

    City tour including the site of the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and family. Freedom of Choice Museum of Military Machinery visit.

  11. Day 11overnight: Golden Eagle (on board)

    Kazan

    Tour of Kazan's Kremlin Fortress (UNESCO) and a private concert honouring opera singer Feodor Chaliapin.

  12. Day 12overnight: Ritz-Carlton Moscow

    Moscow

    Arrive in Moscow after nearly 4,000 miles. Tour of the Kremlin Armoury and Red Square, including St Basil's Cathedral, GUM and Lenin's tomb. Evening Farewell Dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Moscow

    Breakfast before transfer to Moscow Airport for the journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: VIP seating at the opening ceremony of Mongolia's Naadam Festival and the national horse race.
  • Day 6Day 6: The Golden Eagle travels on cliff-hugging tracks above Lake Baikal, hauled by a Soviet-era steam locomotive, followed by a boat excursion and shoreline barbecue.
  • Day 7Day 7: Private champagne reception and concert at the Volkonsky House Museum in Irkutsk, the 'Paris of Siberia'.
  • Day 12Day 12: After nearly 4,000 miles, arrive in Moscow for a private viewing of the Kremlin Armoury and a farewell dinner.

Included

  • Five-star pre and post tour accommodation
  • Private en-suite accommodation on the Golden Eagle train
  • 24-hour cabin attendant service
  • Experienced Tour Management team
  • Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All gratuities – on and off the train
  • Luggage porterage throughout the journey
  • Freshly prepared meals on board, using the finest local ingredients
  • Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants
  • Generous drinks allowance, including international wines with lunch and dinner
  • Golden Eagle Gala Caviar dinner
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • Expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • Freedom of Choice touring options

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. All accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle is included, along with private en-suite cabins, 24-hour cabin attendant service, all meals on the train, and expertly guided off-train excursions.
Which train operates this journey?
The Golden Eagle, a private luxury train, carries passengers from Ulaan Baatar to Moscow, covering nine nights of the 13-day journey.
What meals are included?
The package includes 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 12 dinners, freshly prepared on board using local ingredients, plus a generous drinks allowance with international wines at lunch and dinner. A Golden Eagle Gala Caviar dinner is featured.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains provides an Experienced Tour Management team throughout, all guided off-train excursions, and a UK-registered doctor on board.
When does this trip run?
The trip is timed around Mongolia's Naadam Festival in July. All Trans-Mongolian departures have been suspended indefinitely due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia; contact the operator to confirm current availability.
What is not included?
International flights to and from Ulaan Baatar and Moscow are not included. All gratuities, transfers, and luggage porterage are included.

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