Way to Russia Talk Lounge

absolutelegend · Just Starting Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hi,

Myself and 3 friends are taking the Trans Mongolian train from Moscow to Beijing. We are currently planning our itinerary of stops and would like your recommendations of the best places to stop (should we stop at all?), best things to do at these stops (hiking, outdoor activities, sightseeing etc.), and how long we should stay at each stop for (hours, days?). We plan on doing the journey in approx 2.5 - 3 weeks.

Moscow
Vladimir
Nizhni Novgorod
Kazan
Perm
Yekaterinburg
Tyumen
Omsk
Novosibirsk
Krasnoyarsk
Irkutsk
Ulan Ude
Ulaanbaator
Beijing

Any advice would be much appreciated as none of us know a great deal about the region. We are all in our 20's and fairly active so we shouldn't be restricted. Also, as we will inevitably be staying overnight at various stops, recommendations of places to stay would be great Very Happy

Thanks,

Neil

dwebster · Just Starting Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Buy the Trans Siberian Hanbook by Bryn Thomas it gives detailed descriptions of all the key towns and cities, no doubt Lake Baikel will be a must.
I have just done the journey but with no stops.
I also think that you will have to book using lots of trains along the way which is not always easy. Good luck

ojjo8 · Just Starting Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 9

Doing the same trip as you, and we're staying in:

moscow 1 day
Ekaterinburg 1 day
krasnoyarsk 1 day
irkutsk 7 days
ulan bator 7 days
beijing 2 days

Worth to see according to all books and web pages is Irkutsk and Ulan bator, especially the Olkhon island in lake baikal, and the countryside in ulan bator.