fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure

Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure

From $ 4,995 AUD

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
,

Description

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. Start with the bright lights of Beijing, then take a bullet train to Inner Mongolia. Then, it’s on to the vast steppes of Khustai National Park, the dunes of the Gobi Desert and the spiritual wonders of Sainshand. Spend time staying in a traditional ger campsite, join a family of camel herders for lunch and return home with truly unique travel stories to tell!

Trip Name
Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
11
Capacity
12
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.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 6,120-
14-09-202624-09-2026AUD $ 5,995-
18-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 5,995-
16-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 5,890-
01-04-202711-04-2027AUD $ 5,845-
05-04-202715-04-2027AUD $ 5,145-
16-04-202726-04-2027AUD $ 5,750-
19-04-202729-04-2027AUD $ 5,295-
07-05-202717-05-2027AUD $ 5,295-
13-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 5,295-
21-05-202731-05-2027AUD $ 5,295-
31-05-202710-06-2027AUD $ 5,295-
07-06-202717-06-2027AUD $ 5,145-
14-06-202724-06-2027AUD $ 5,245-
18-06-202728-06-2027AUD $ 5,090-
21-06-202701-07-2027AUD $ 4,995-
28-06-202708-07-2027AUD $ 4,995-
12-07-202722-07-2027AUD $ 4,995-
26-07-202705-08-2027AUD $ 4,995-
02-08-202712-08-2027AUD $ 4,995-
09-08-202719-08-2027AUD $ 5,145-
16-08-202726-08-2027AUD $ 5,145-
23-08-202702-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
03-09-202713-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
06-09-202716-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
10-09-202720-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
13-09-202723-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
17-09-202727-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
20-09-202730-09-2027AUD $ 5,395-
30-03-202809-04-2028AUD $ 5,400-
03-04-202813-04-2028AUD $ 5,245-
14-04-202824-04-2028AUD $ 5,560-
17-04-202827-04-2028AUD $ 5,245-
05-05-202815-05-2028AUD $ 5,560-
11-05-202821-05-2028AUD $ 5,560-
19-05-202829-05-2028AUD $ 5,560-
29-05-202808-06-2028AUD $ 5,560-
05-06-202815-06-2028AUD $ 5,400-
12-06-202822-06-2028AUD $ 5,245-
16-06-202826-06-2028AUD $ 5,245-
19-06-202829-06-2028AUD $ 5,245-
26-06-202806-07-2028AUD $ 5,245-
10-07-202820-07-2028AUD $ 5,245-
24-07-202803-08-2028AUD $ 5,245-
31-07-202810-08-2028AUD $ 5,245-
07-08-202817-08-2028AUD $ 5,245-
14-08-202824-08-2028AUD $ 5,245-
21-08-202831-08-2028AUD $ 5,400-
01-09-202811-09-2028AUD $ 5,665-
04-09-202814-09-2028AUD $ 5,665-
08-09-202818-09-2028AUD $ 5,665-
11-09-202821-09-2028AUD $ 5,665-
15-09-202825-09-2028AUD $ 5,665-
18-09-202828-09-2028AUD $ 5,400-
13-10-202823-10-2028AUD $ 5,400-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist ger camp (2 nights)

Transport

Bullet Train, Overnight train, Private vehicle

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Intrepid Mongolia
More of activity:
Walking & Trekking