Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure

Duration

11 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Want an epic rail journey that takes you to some of the world’s most remote regions? This 11-day adventure is for you. Experience riding a section of the Trans-Mongolian Railway as you make your way from China to Mongolia.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (5), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist ger camp (2 nights)

Highlights

Travel along a section of the epic Trans-Mongolian Railway through Mongolia, following the ancient path of tea caravans.
Explore China’s Inner Mongolia region and its iconic rolling grasslands, sandy deserts and dunes, and the otherworldly stone forest.
Visit the Ewenki people and their reindeer camp, discovering their life as reindeer herders and how modern life has changed their way of living.
Whisper your wishes at Sainshand’s Mountain of Wishes, then learn about the nomadic way of life as you join a camel-herding family for lunch.
Spend a full day seeing Khustai National Park, stay in traditional gers and spot free-roaming wild horses, golden eagles and more.

Trip Details

Duration

11 days

Transportation

Train, Overnight train, Private vehicle

Guide Language

English

Starts

Beijing, China

Finishes

Ulaanbaatar, China

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing

Huanying! Welcome to China. Touch down in the capital of Beijing, ready for a railway adventure. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and travel companions. After, why not get together with your group for an optional dinner, perhaps finding one of the best duck restaurants in the city. Your leader will know some wonderful places where you can eat this delicious speciality.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Ulan Butong

Bid farewell to Beijing and hop on a bullet train to Chengde where you'll change to a private transfer. Travel into the grasslands of Ulan Butong and visit the reindeer camp of the Ewenki people – an ethnic group of about 35,000 living in northern China. Learn about their life as reindeer herders and how modern life has impacted their way of living. Then, continue to your hotel in Ulan Butong, where a Mongolian barbecue dinner and evening bonfire party await.

Included Activities:

Ulan Butong - Ewenki reindeer camp visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Jingpeng

Rise in Ulan Butong, then head out to the Huanggangliang National Forest Park, located in the remnants of the Greater Xing’an Mountains – home to Huanggang Peak, standing at an altitude of 2029 m (6657 ft). There are glacial and U-shaped valleys to explore, and you’ll pass by abundant flowers and endless grasslands. After lunch, you’ll visit Asihatu Stone Forest – over 2 million years of wind and rain have contributed to create the rare stone formations! To finish the day, see the Gongge'er Grasslands, with its vast rivers lazily weaving through the landscape and wild deer roaming. If you’re into your photography, this is the place to be!

Included Activities:

Inner Mongolia - Huanggangliang National Forest Park
Inner Mongolia - Asihatu Stone Forest
Inner Mongolia - Gongge'er Grasslands

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Xilinhot

This morning, drive to Hunshandake Sandy Land at the southern end of the Xilingol Grassland – a famous water desert in China where spring water emerges from the sand dunes and gathers into small rivers and lakes. In the heart of the Hunshandake, you’ll visit the Ulihan Desert Campsite. The lakes and grasslands provide a scenic backdrop for your barbecue lunch. After, you’ll visit Dali Lake, one of the four famous lakes in Inner Mongolia, then head to Xilinhot for the night.

Included Activities:

Inner Mongolia - Hunshandake Sandy Land

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Sainshand

Get set for a day of travel. After breakfast, drive from Xilinhot to Erlian, arriving around midday. Stop for lunch and meet your new leader for the Mongolian portion of your journey, then head to the train station in the late afternoon and hop aboard the Trans-Mongolian Railway line headed to Sainshand. Stop in Zamiin-Uud along the way for a border crossing. Arrive after midnight and head straight to your hotel in Sainshand for some well-deserved rest.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Sainshand

Take in the sights and sounds of Sainshand on a walking tour this morning. Visit a museum dedicated to the Noyon Khutagt – the Lama of the Gobi, who was a writer, composer, painter, Buddhist scholar and physician. The museum displays Buddhist artifacts that survived the period of the Mongolian People's Republic. After, take a short drive to the Khamriin Monastery, which was founded by Noyon Khutagt on this site due to the spiritual energy radiating from the Gobi Desert. To the north of the monastery lie a series of caves where monks practiced high levels of meditation for 108 continuous days. Take a short hike around the area to visit these caves, as well as the energy centre known as Mongolian Shambala. Return to Sainshand, then spend the evening as you like!

Included Activities:

Sainshand - Noyon Khutagt Museum
Sainshand - Khamriin Monastery, Caves & Mongolian Shambala

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Sainshand

After breakfast, drive to the Mountain of Wishes – named for the belief that if you climb to the top and whisper a wish, it’ll come true. You’ll get the chance to do exactly that, using the stairs to enjoy the view over the valley and making a wish or two. Then, get an insight into local ways of life as you visit a family of camel herders. Hear stories about the nomadic way of life over a traditional, homecooked lunch with the family. Later, return to Sainshand, then board an overnight train headed to Ulaanbaatar.

Included Activities:

Sainshand - Mountain of Wishes
Sainshand - Camel Herder Family Visit & Traditional Home-cooked Lunch

Accommodation:

Overnight Train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Khustain National Park

Arrive in Mongolia’s capital city around 7 am this morning and get set for the day with an optional breakfast at a local cafe. Ulaanbaatar’s a fascinating town, where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young businesspeople. Drive to the imposing Chinggis Khaan Statue – a 40 m (131 ft) stainless-steel statue honouring the founder of the Mongolian Empire. You can take the steps to the horse’s mane for views over the valley, then visit a small museum located in the statue’s base. For lunch, drive to Nalaikh town for a meal at a monastery cafe, then continue to Khustai National Park. Settle into your ger camp accommodation for a very special slice of traditional life!

Included Activities:

Ulaanbaatar - Chinggis Khaan Statue

Accommodation:

Tourist ger camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Khustain National Park

After breakfast at camp, embark on a hike to see the wildlife of the national park. Keep an eye out for wild horses running free – quite a sight to behold – and watch the sky for golden eagles, falcons and vultures. Once you’ve finished your trail, drive on to the Ungut Monument. The collection of 30 human-shaped stone monuments traces back to the 7th century and is thought to be an offering site. Then, drive back to your camp at Khustai National Park for a free evening.

Included Activities:

Khustai National Park - Leader-led Hike
Khustai National Park - Ungut Stone Monuments

Accommodation:

Tourist ger camp (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Ulaanbaatar

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar this morning. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the city’s central square, then you’ll stop for an optional lunch at a local cafe. In the afternoon, there might be the chance to shop for some local handicrafts like cashmere and felt products, or you could check out some more of the city's sites and museums. Tonight you might like to celebrate your journey with a special cultural performance that features throat singing and traditional dancing. There will be an optional final dinner at a local restaurant recommended by your leader tonight. Why not raise a glass to an epic adventure!

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Ulaanbaatar

Say 'bayartai' to your group as your adventure draws to a close. There are no activities planned for the day, and you're free to depart the hotel at any time. If you'd like to stay longer in Ulaanbaatar, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,995

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 11 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 21 Jun 2027

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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