Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure

Beijing

Touch down in China's capital, Beijing. Trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your trip leader and travel companions. After the meeting, optional dinner available, Beijing duck is recommended.

Reshui

Bid farewell to Beijing and hop on a bullet train to the Inner Mongolian city of Chifeng. Stop for lunch, then visit the Chifeng Museum to learn about the area's mix of steppe and Mongolian culture. Afterwards, take a private transfer to the town of Reshui. Travel time approximately 6 hours.

Reshui

Head out to Huanggangliang National Forest Park in the remnants of the Greater Xing'an Mountains, featuring Huanggang Peak at 2029 m altitude with glacial and U-shaped valleys. After lunch, visit Asihatu Stone Forest, rare stone formations shaped over 2 million years. Finish the day at Gongge'er Grasslands with rivers and wild deer.

Meals: Breakfast

Xilinhot

Drive to Hunshandake Sandy Land at the southern end of Xilingol Grassland. Visit Ulihan Desert Campsite for a BBQ lunch with scenic lake and grassland backdrop. Visit Dali Lake, one of the four famous lakes in Inner Mongolia, then head to Xilinhot for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Erlian / Trans-Mongolia Railway / Sainshand (Border crossing into Mongolia)

After breakfast, drive from Xilinhot to Erlian (approx. 6.5 hours), arriving around midday. Stop for lunch and meet the new leader for the Mongolian portion. Board the Trans-Mongolian Railway late afternoon headed to Sainshand. Stop at Zamiin-Uud for China/Mongolia border crossing (approx. 8 hours total train ride). Arrive after midnight and transfer to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Sainshand

Walking tour of Sainshand. Visit the Noyon Khutagt Museum dedicated to the Lama of the Gobi. Drive to Khamriin Monastery, founded by Noyon Khutagt. Hike to caves where monks meditated for 108 continuous days and visit the energy centre known as Mongolian Shambala. Free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sainshand / Overnight Train

Drive to the Mountain of Wishes, climb to the top and whisper a wish. Visit a family of camel herders for insight into nomadic life over a traditional home-cooked lunch. Return to Sainshand then board an overnight train to Ulaanbaatar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ulaanbaatar / Khustai National Park

Arrive into Ulaanbaatar around 7 am. Optional breakfast at a local cafe. Drive to the 40 m high stainless-steel Chinggis Khaan Statue with views over the valley and a small museum in the base. Lunch at a monastery cafe in Nalaikh town. Continue to Khustai National Park and settle into ger camp accommodation. Travel time approximately 4 hours.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Khustai National Park

After breakfast, embark on a leader-led hike to see wildlife including wild Przewalski horses, Golden Eagles, falcons and vultures. Drive to the Ungut Monument, a collection of 30 human-shaped stone monuments from the 7th century. Return to ger camp for a free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (approx. 3 hours). Leader-led orientation walk through the city's central square. Optional lunch at a cafe. Afternoon free for shopping (cashmere, felt products) or sightseeing. Optional cultural performance featuring throat singing and traditional dancing in the evening. Optional final dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast

Ulaanbaatar

Say 'bayartai' as your adventure draws to a close. No activities planned. Free to depart the hotel at any time.