Authentic Trans-Mongolian: Mongolia – China

Individual arrival in Ulaanbaatar (time difference: 6 hours).

Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Breakfast and refreshments.

Head to the Khustai Reserve, renowned for being home to the last wild horses in the world: the takhi, or Przewalski’s horses. The best time to observe them is at dusk. Walk around the water points where these animals come to drink—a magical moment, all in discretion, so as not to disturb their peace.

For your first night in Mongolia, total immersion. You will be welcomed by a nomadic family living on the edge of the national park.

Overnight in a yurt (B, L, D).  

After breakfast, depart towards Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Founded by Genghis Khan in 1220, this mythical city was a crossroads of civilizations along the Silk Road until Kublai Khan moved the capital to Beijing. Only ruins remain today, but the spirit of the place is still palpable.

Visit the impressive Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. Inspired by Chinese and Tibetan architecture, it is surrounded by 108 sacred stupas. The day continues with a visit to the Karakorum Museum, tracing the glorious history of this former capital.

At the end of the visits, you join the yurt camp, decorated with a clever blend of traditional elements and modern touches.

For a relaxing break, take a short walk up the hill to a historic monument in tribute to the Mongol Empire. From there, enjoy a superb panorama over the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Overnight at a yurt camp (B, L, D).  

Your adventure continues into the stunning landscapes of Khögnö Khan Park, known as the “mini-Gobi.” Here, semi-desert steppes mix with taiga, spectacular rock formations, and a stretch of sand 80 km long. A patchwork of unique landscapes.

On horseback or by minivan (UAZ), you reach the starting point for Erdene Khambiin Monastery, nestled against the mountainside. A short hike leads you to this Buddhist gem built in the 17th century by Zanabazar. This sacred site was dedicated to his spiritual master, the monk Erdene.

At the end of the day, you head for the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, lost in the middle of a mountainous area and stretching 80 km south of the Khögnö Khan National Park.

An unexpected landscape in the heart of central Mongolia.

Overnight at a yurt camp (B, L, D).  

We head back towards Ulaanbaatar. On the way, Mongolia offers a final farewell: herds of wild horses gallop freely, yurts smoke on the horizon, and the endless steppe accompanies us right up to the gates of the capital.

Arrival in the city center. City tour of Ulaanbaatar, a capital that is both modern and deeply rooted in nomadic traditions. The visit starts at the Gandan Monastery, the largest and most active in Mongolia. This Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery

still shelters hundreds of resident monks. Climb to the Zaisan Memorial, a Soviet monument located on a hill south of the city. The panoramic view over Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding mountains is spectacular.

Next, continue to majestic Sükhbaatar Square, the heart of the city, where you’ll find the equestrian statue of independence hero Damdin Sükhbaatar. Directly opposite, the Mongolian Parliament and the large statue of Genghis Khan bear witness to the weight of history in the nation’s consciousness.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Transfer to the railway station, where you board the Trans-Mongolian.

This is one of the world’s most legendary rail routes!

The Trans-Mongolian is a branch of the famous Trans-Siberian, the railway that connects Moscow to Vladivostok. But instead of heading straight for the Russian Far East, the Trans-Mongolian veers off at Ulan-Ude, at the shores of Lake Baikal, and heads straight south through Mongolia to reach Beijing, China.

Shortly after the train departs, the Mongolian steppe gives way to the Gobi Desert—not necessarily sand dunes, but vast rocky, semi-arid expanses, with rounded hills, plateaus, and ochre and red hues.

You settle in. There is no official dress code onboard. For the time spent on the train, light clothing is recommended.

The dining car, located in the middle of the train, is the meeting place. Here you may bump into travelers looking for new adventures, businesspeople, or families making shorter journeys.

Overnight onboard the Trans-Mongolian (B).

Upon waking, the scenery becomes more mountainous and lush again. The train winds through wooded hills, farming villages, terraced crops, and rice paddies. The dining car opens at dawn.

Arrival at Beijing railway station, meet and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Chinese capital.

The rest of the day is free, ideal for resting after the journey or beginning to explore the surroundings at your own pace.

Overnight at the hotel. 

This morning, the French-speaking guide takes you to discover the imperial and political history of China.

The day begins with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest in the world. This highly symbolic place, bordered by monuments such as Mao’s Mausoleum and the National Museum, embodies the heart of Chinese power.

From the square, you enter the Forbidden City, the immense palace complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former residence of emperors for nearly five centuries, it reveals its vast courtyards, golden roofs, and richly detailed rooms.

Next, stroll through the hutongs, those old traditional neighborhoods made up of narrow alleys and low gray-brick houses. An intimate immersion into Old Beijing, still alive through its inhabitants, local markets, and charming courtyards.

Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Depart in the morning with your guide and driver for the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, located about 70 km from Beijing. Less crowded than other sections, Mutianyu is also one of the most beautiful, winding along verdant mountain ridges.

Take the cable car up, then enjoy free time to walk along the Wall, between watchtowers, steep stairways and panoramic views.

Return to Beijing in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Beijing International Airport.

(B)