01 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,120pp
Escorted tour
Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar – 11 Days
Beijing, Inner Mongolia and the Gobi by rail, with two nights in a Mongolian ger camp, in a group of up to 12.
11 days
From £2,695
Tour overview
This 11-day small-group journey follows the railway north from Beijing through the forests and grasslands of Inner Mongolia to the Gobi Desert and Mongolia's capital, ending with two nights on the steppe. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay ten nights: seven in twin-share hotels, two in a tourist ger camp and one in a four-berth compartment on an overnight train. Breakfast is included on most days, with several lunches and dinners, including meals at the ger camp.
Your trip begins in Beijing, China's capital, with time to explore the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square or the hutongs before you set off. A bullet train carries you to the Inner Mongolian city of Reshui, and the next day you explore Huanggangliang National Forest Park, a landscape of forests, granite peaks and alpine meadows.
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Driving to the Hunshandake Sandy Land, at the southern edge of the Xilingol grasslands, you see dunes, lakes and nomadic herders, before staying in Xilinhot. A long day of travel takes you to the border town of Erlian and across into Mongolia to Sainshand, a town in the Gobi Desert, for a walking tour and a visit to the sacred Mountain of Wishes, believed by locals to grant the wishes of those who climb it.
An overnight train carries you north across the Gobi to Ulaanbaatar, arriving early in the morning. You head out to Khustain National Park for two nights in a ger camp, hiking in the hills to look for the wild Przewalski's horses that were reintroduced here after becoming extinct in the wild, along with marmots, deer and birds of prey. A final tour of Ulaanbaatar with your leader rounds off the journey.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and simple facilities at camp. This trip suits rail lovers and adventurous travellers who want a taste of the Trans-Mongolian route and the Mongolian steppe in under two weeks. Pack light, as you carry your bags on and off trains. Departures run in the warmer months, when the steppe is green and ideal for hiking.
Trip highlights
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A bullet train into Inner Mongolia (Day 2)
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Huanggangliang National Forest Park (Day 3)
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The Hunshandake Sandy Land (Day 4)
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Sainshand in the Gobi (Day 6)
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An overnight train to Ulaanbaatar (Day 7)
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Two nights in a ger camp (Days 8–9)
Your route
11 stops from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar
- Beijing Day 1
- Chifeng Day 2
- Reshui Days 2–3
- Dali Lake Day 4
- Xilinhot Day 4
- Erlian Day 5
- Sainshand Days 5–7
- Khamriin Monastery Day 6
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Day 8
- Khustain National Park Days 8–9
- Ulaanbaatar Days 10–11
Why choose this tour
The Trans-Mongolian route and the steppe in under two weeks. A ger camp stay with a chance to see wild Przewalski's horses.
Best suited to
- Rail enthusiasts
- Travellers short on time
- Adventurous travellers
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
Day-by-day itinerary
11 days from Beijing, China to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
-
Day 1 · Beijing Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in China's capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Reshui Reshui
A bullet train into Inner Mongolia.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 3 · Huanggangliang National Forest Park Huanggangliang
Forests, peaks and meadows.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Hunshandake Sandy Land, Xilinhot Xilinhot
Dunes, lakes and grasslands.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 5 · Erlian, Sainshand Sainshand
Cross the border into Mongolia.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Sainshand Sainshand
A walking tour in the Gobi.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 7 · Mountain of Wishes Mountain of Wishes
A sacred mountain, then a night train.
- Hotel
- Overnight train
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8 · Ulaanbaatar, Khustain National Park Khustain
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and head to camp.
- Hotel
- Tourist ger camp
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Khustain National Park Khustain
A hike to look for wild horses.
- Hotel
- Tourist ger camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar
A final tour of the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Ulaanbaatar Trip ends
The trip ends this morning.
Where you stay
- Beijing (1 night) Hotel
- Reshui (2 nights) Hotel
- Xilinhot (1 night) Hotel
- Sainshand (2 nights) Hotel
- Sainshand to Ulaanbaatar (1 night) Overnight train, 4-berth compartment
- Khustain National Park (2 nights) Tourist ger camp
- Ulaanbaatar (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in hotels, 2 in a ger camp and 1 on a train
- Meals 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinners
- Bullet train, overnight train and private transport
- Huanggangliang Forest Park and Hunshandake Sandy Land
- Sainshand walking tour and Mountain of Wishes
- Khustain National Park hike
- Ulaanbaatar tour
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Visas for China and Mongolia where needed
- Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike long travel days
- You want comfort — the train and camp are simple
- You want many meals included
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 3–7 and 9–10 · Lunch: Days 4 and 6–9 · Dinner: Days 8–9
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,695 per person, twin share, tour only. 51 upcoming departures.
05 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
16 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,070pp
19 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,855pp
07 May 2027
Twin share
£2,855pp
13 May 2027
Twin share
£2,890pp
21 May 2027
Twin share
£2,855pp
31 May 2027
Twin share
£2,855pp
07 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
14 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
18 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,750pp
21 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,695pp
28 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,695pp
12 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,695pp
26 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,695pp
02 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,695pp
09 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
16 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
23 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
03 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
06 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
10 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
13 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
17 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,910pp
20 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
30 Mar 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
03 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
14 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,995pp
17 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
05 May 2028
Twin share
£2,995pp
11 May 2028
Twin share
£2,995pp
19 May 2028
Twin share
£2,995pp
29 May 2028
Twin share
£2,995pp
05 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
12 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
16 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
19 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
26 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
10 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
24 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
31 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
07 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
14 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,830pp
21 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
01 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,055pp
04 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,055pp
08 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,055pp
11 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,055pp
15 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,055pp
18 Sept 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
13 Oct 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What is the overnight train like?
Four-berth, mixed-gender compartments between Sainshand and Ulaanbaatar.
What is a ger camp like?
Traditional felt tents with beds and stoves, with shared bathroom facilities.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors may need a visa for China depending on current rules, and do not usually need one for Mongolia. Check before you travel.
Does this trip visit the Great Wall?
Not as an included visit, but you can see it on a pre-trip day in Beijing.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary