Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure
Trip Code: CBSM
Why we love it
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 vast rolling grasslands, sandy deserts and dunes, and an otherworldly stone forest., Get a (literal) taste of local life as you stop for barbeque lunch at the Ulihan Desert Campsite, sampling the freshest local lamb., 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, staying in traditional gers and spotting free roaming wild horses, Golden Eagles and more.
Is this trip right for me?
Accommodation at the ger camp is twin share with bedding provided, and the shared bathroom and toilet facilities are located in a separate building. Shower units have installed water heaters, but please note that the water pressure may not be as what you would expect in urban areas.
Our overnight train on this trip is in 4 berth compartments. Please note that cabins are allocated on a mixed gender basis, and depending on the group size some group members will share a cabin with passengers that are not part of our group. Sheets, pillow and a blanket are provided, and there are communal bathrooms at the end of each carriage.
Important information
1. A single supplement is available to be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 7 (Overnight Train), 8 and 9 (Ger camp), where you will be in shared accommodation. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase our train tickets.
3. You'll need to set up a VPN in order to access popular apps and websites including What'sapp when you travel in China. You'll need to set up wechat (preferred) or Alipay in order to make payments in China. Please read the Essential Trip Information thoroughly and prepare accordingly.
What to bring/pack
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.
Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).
If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.
You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.
Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, SLEEPING BAG
A sleeping bag is required for some nights on this trip. You can bring your own, or hire one in Ulaanbaatar for 20 USD for the trip. Please let your agent know at time of booking should you need to hire one., Temperature in Mongolia especially further into the countryside can vary a lot during the day and night. Even in the summer time, it may still get cold during the night so we recommend take layers of warm clothes to accommodate possible drastic temperature changes while on the trip.
Physical rating
Joining your group
King Parkview Hotel (Huayu Hotel) 北京华育宾馆, 55 Shatan Hou Street 地址:北京东城区沙滩后街 55号 (近五四 大街,在景山公园东门对面的胡同里), Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100009, CHINA, Phone: +86 (010)58757888
King Parkview Hotel is centrally located in Beijing, close to many historical and cultural landmarks, including Jinshan Park, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and the National Art Museum, and the hutong areaThe hotel offers comfortable rooms including en-suite bathroom, TV & AC. Hotel rooms may include a vanity pack which are not complimentary. You will be charged at checkout if you open or use the vanity pack.
Alternate Joining Point
Joining instructions
There are two international airports in Beijing – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Please check on below instructions for them respectively.
An arrival transfer from the airport is available if arranged at the time of booking. Transfers cannot be arranged on arrival. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through your booking agent.
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International airport is located north-east of Beijing, 25 km from the city centre. One of the biggest airports in the world, it is relatively easy to navigate and many signs are written in English. Most international flights arrive at Terminal 3. For more information about Beijing Capital Airport, please go to http://en.bcia.com.cn/
If you have pre-arranged an arrival transfer with us, your driver will wait at the airport and will be holding a sign with our company logo on it and your name.
If you arrive at Terminal 2, please meet your driver at the entrance/exit #7 after you go through the baggage claim area.
If you arrive at Terminal 3, please meet your driver in front of the white jade screen wall with the dragon pattern, after you walk through Exit B. Exit B is the only international arrival gate in Terminal 3. Please note that Beijing Airport is very crowded so please be patient.
If you have any problems finding the driver go to the information desk near your exit and ask them to help call our local team's emergency number.
In any case, please take a printed copy of your hotel name and address in Chinese as shown in the joining point hotel section with you.
If you are making your own way to the joining hotel:
By taxi (the easiest option): Metered taxis are available outside the airport terminal building. You can follow the airport signs to reach to the official taxi stand. The taxi ride from the airport to our starting point hotels takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and should cost around CNY120 (include CNY10 for the airport expressway toll). Show the taxi driver the address of the hotel in Chinese characters as shown below. **PLEASE AVOID TAXI DRIVERS WHO DON'T WAIT IN THE TAXI LINE FOR CLIENTS AND APPROACH YOU IN THE QUEUE CLAIMING THEY USE METER**
By airport express and taxi:
You can follow the airport signs to reach to the airport express station. Take the airport express (CNY25, service time: 06:20 to 22:50) to Dongzhimen station. It is suggested to hail a passing by taxi to go to your hotel. It will cost around CNY30 from Dongzhimen Station to your hotel. Show the taxi driver the address of the hotel in Chinese characters as shown in the Joining Point Section. **THERE IS NO TAXI LINE AT THIS STATION. AVOID USING TAXIS THAT ARE WAITING JUST OUTSIDE THE STATION EXITS. THEY DON'T USE METER AND TEND TO OVERCHARGE. **
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is in the south of Beijing, 46 km from the city centre. One of the biggest airports in the world, it is relatively easy to navigate and many signs are written in English. For more information about Beijing Daxing International Airport, please go to https://www.bdia.com.cn/#/traffic
If you have pre-arranged an arrival transfer with us, your driver will wait at the airport and will be holding a sign with our company logo on it and your name. Please note that Beijing Daxing International Airport is very crowded so please be patient. If you have any problems finding the driver, go to the information desk and ask them to help call our local team's emergency number.
If you are making your own way to the joining hotel:
By taxi (the easiest option): Metered taxis are available outside the airport terminal building. You can follow the airport signs to reach the official taxi stand. The taxi ride from Beijing Daxing International Airport to our starting point hotels takes about 75 minutes to 90 minutes and should cost around CNY200 (including CNY10 for the airport expressway toll). Show the taxi driver the address of the hotel in Chinese characters as shown in the joining point hotel section. **PLEASE AVOID TAXI DRIVERS WHO DON'T WAIT IN THE TAXI LINE FOR CLIENTS AND APPROACH YOU IN THE QUEUE CLAIMING THEY USE METER**
By airport express and taxi:
You can follow the airport signs to reach to the airport express station. Take the airport express (CNY35, service time: 06:00 to 23:00) to Caoqiao station. The taxi station is close to E1 exit of Caoqiao station. It is suggested to hail a passing by taxi to go to your hotel. It will cost around CNY45 from Caoqiao Station to your hotel. Show the taxi driver the address of the hotel in Chinese characters as shown in the Joining Point Section. ** AVOID USING TAXIS THAT ARE WAITING JUST OUTSIDE THE STATION EXITS. THEY DON'T USE METER AND TEND TO OVERCHARGE. **
Finishing your trip
Guide Hotel, 9/3 University Street 9/3 Их сургуулийн гудамж, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, MONGOLIA, Phone: +976 11353887
Guide Hotel has a 24-hour reception, currency exchange and luggage storage on request. The onsite restaurant offers Mongolian and European dishes. Free WiFi access is available in all rooms.
Alternate Finish Point
Check out time is 12:00 noon.
Your leader or reception can assist you with arranging a transfer to the airport or railway station for your departure.
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 7
Lunches included: 5
Dinners included: 2
FOOD IN CHINA:
What IS authentic Chinese food like? Check out these articles to get a taste:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/china-food-trip-blog/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/china-food-stereotypes/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/a-guide-to-traditional-chinese-street-food/
VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:
Vegetarians in China certainly won't go hungry as there are always plenty of meat-free options on menus including vegetable, tofu, and egg dishes. Your leader can advise on some local favourites. Dairy is uncommon in Chinese cooking, although in some regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Yunnan you will find milk products as part of the local cuisine. Vegans should also have few problems finding tasty meals in most locations. Nearly all cities will have vegetarian restaurants, often near to temples or monasteries that specialise in Buddhist cuisine. Check out this blog for a guide to eating vegetarian in Beijing: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/a-vegetarians-guide-to-beijing/
DIETARY NEEDS:
Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may wish to supplement inclusions with their own supplies from markets or supermarkets. Please note that some dietary requirements, such as Gluten-Free, will be uncommon in China and you may need to explain to your leader what you can and can't eat as well as research common dishes before you travel.
ALLERGIES:
For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic and research suitable local foods before travelling.
MONGOLIA
Those with special dietary requirements may choose to supplement included meals with supplies brought from home. Vegetarian lacto-ovo options (while limited) can be offered for all included meals, provided we are notified at time of booking.
Climate & seasonal information
In case of emergency
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
+86 17200311621
Accommodations
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.